Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag Crew

Ubisoft made a masterpiece of a game in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.  The video game wasn’t as ham-fisted in history as with Assassin’s Creed III, and Edward Kenway was about as engaging an assassin as Ezio Audiotore in Assassin’s Creed II.  It’s a pretty amazing game when it can create sympathy for Edward “Blackbeard” Thatch and a villain of Bartholomew “Black Bart” Roberts.

Unlike the previous Assassin’s Creed video games, this one is heavily focused on naval combat as to exploring the cities themselves.  And with naval combat, there comes focused on the Spanish and British fleets and warships as well as civilian ships.  Included with the naval combat are four Legendary Ships with one consisting of tandem of two British man o’ wars.  These Legendary Ships will test the skills and patience of even the best of naval captains.

So here are some tips on Preparation for the Legendary Ships:

• I highly suggest that you have fully upgraded the Jackdaw, including all the Elite design plans.  This may take some time and well near the end of the video game.
• Conquer all forts.  The last thing you need is to have two-sided war going on with the Legendary Ship and  a roaming fleet.
• It goes without saying that you should rearm and have a full stock of ammunition for the ship.
• It also goes without saying that you should know where the Legendary Ships are.

Here are some General Strategies for the Legendary Ships: 

• Master controlling the Jackdaw using half-mast and full-mast.
• Broadside cannons are the Jackdaw’s best friend, next to the mortars and chain cannons.
• Learn to PIT maneuver the Legendary Ships. It will give you an opportunity to fire your broadside cannons and chain cannons.
• Facing perpendicular (for El Impoluto in particular), behind and aside the Legendary Ships are integral maneuvers for the Jackdaw.
• Learn to tag the Legendary Ships with the scope and/or map.  Know the relative distance they are to the Jackdaw.  Generally below 700 nm means the Legendary Ship is coming your way, and 500 nm is mortar range.
• After the cinematic ends introducing the particular Legendary ship, deploy full-mast on the Jackdaw immediately.

The Four Legendary Ships are:

• HMS Prince (Navassa Zone). Otherwise, known as the Ghost Ship.
• La Dama Negra (Serranilla Zone)
• HMS Fearless And Royal Sovereign (Eleuthera Zone). These are two British man o’ wars working as one. Perhaps one of the hardest.
• El Impoluto (Dry Tortuga). Perhaps the hardest because of its aggressiveness and the damage it can cause.

The Strategies for each of the following is below.  It is done in a chess format — as dealing with these Legendary Ships is essentially a chess game filled with tactics.

HMS Fearless And Royal Sovereign (Eleuthera Zone)

Opening Maneuver: Fire mortars once at both ships HMS Fearless and Royal Sovereign after the formal introduction immediately and when the ships separate, target one and attempt to PIT maneuver at full mast. Once done, fire your broadside cannons as frequently as possible on that single ship.

Mid-Game: This naval battle is similar to facing the Katayanagi Twins in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World video game (or movie).  You have to fight both, but treat them as a single opponent.  Both should be similarly damaged by the Jackdaw throughout the naval battle.  Each ship can only fire two volleys of broadside cannons at the Jackdaw prior to reloading and regrouping.  As you PIT maneuver  the ships, they have a chance of firing upon each other which makes taking them down that much easier.

End-Game: One or the other ship is sunk.  While one or the other ship is retreating, fire mortars and chain cannons to slow it down. Finally, when it attempts to ram you once last time, fire your broadside cannons and end it.

El Impoluto (Dry Tortuga)

Opening Maneuver: Unlike what your instincts tell you, turn the Jackdaw directly at El Impoluto and head directly at El Impoluto at full mast, facing its ram.  As El Impoluto gets fairly close, veer off to the left or right and fire your broadside cannons immediately. Again, you should be able to get two volleys off as you get near the back end of the ship. Then attempt to PIT maneuver  and fire your chain cannons on the backside of the ship.  Deploy at half-mast and attempt to follow right behind El Impoluto at full-mast or half-mast, as necessary.

Mid-Game: El Impoluto is fast, aggressive and maneuverable for being a large ship.  Like in chess, you have to think at least two steps ahead. The main tactic of El Impoluto is fear in that it wants the Jackdaw to run away, but don’t.  When El Impoluto attempts to turn around to face you, face it and veer off and then fire your broadside cannons.  The Jackdaw should be able to get two volleys off. Follow behind it, if possible, firing your chain cannons and broadside cannons. Rinse and repeat.  If it follows behind you, launch your fire barrels and turn sharply right or left so that the Jackdaw is perpendicular to El Impoluto, firing your broadside cannons, if possible, and make your way around to the side or back of El Impoluto.

End-Game: El Impoluto should be charging you one last time as it hits the fire barrels and the volleys of your regular and heavy broadside cannons.  It should have sunken by now.

HMS Prince (Navassa Zone)

Opening Maneuver: Turn the ship directly toward the HMS Prince and avoid the mortar fire.  Attempt to PIT maneuver the ship and fire the chain cannons.  Proceed to follow behind the Prince and fire your chain cannons and broadside cannons as much as possible.

Mid-Game: Not exactly one of the most agile ships out there, but as long as you trail behind it, the Jackdaw should be fine.  This is not a a particularly complicated ship as the mortars area of effect can clearly be seen and avoided with evasive maneuvers. Basically treat it as a giant man o’ war, and you should aptly survive this battle.

End-Game: With repeated assaults by your chain cannons and broadside cannons and the occasional mortar, the ship should well be with Davy Jones’ locker by now.

La Dama Negra (Serranilla Zone)

Opening Maneuver: Turn the ship directly toward La Dama Negra and avoid the mortar fire.  Attempt to PIT maneuver  the ship and fire the chain cannons.  Proceed to follow behind the Prince and fire your chain cannons and broadside cannons as much as possible. Basically rinse and repeat of HMS Prince.

Mid-Game: Not exactly one of the most agile ships out there with the HMS Prince, but as long as you trail behind it, the Jackdaw should be fine.  This is not a a particularly complicated ship as the mortars area of effect can clearly be seen firing from the ship.  Although you can’t see the area of effect of the mortar fire, they can be avoided with patience and evasive maneuvers.

End-Game: With repeated assaults by your chain cannons and broadside cannons and the occasional mortar, La Dama Negra should be well sunk.

Related articles

• The pirate and the assassin (thehindu.com)
• Taking out the Legendary Ships in Assassin Creed 4 Black Flag (jeevsgamespot.wordpress.com)
• Assassin’s Creed: Pirates Review (godisageek.com)