What is your favorite ships and why?

[Bubba Smith]

There is some wonderful art work in these ships that the NA artists have captured nicely (imho). I was wondering which ship(s) are your favorites and why.

 

I'll start:

 

1) the Bellona has captured my imaginings as a beautiful ship, the NA ship itself is very nicely done. In battle it almost seems immoral to hack to bits and sink one BUT this is war after all. This ship has nice handling vs gun balance and really nice to sail.

2) the Victory- it's just a nicely crafted ship, the looks are wonderful and for a 1st rate it still handles reasonably well. And the Guns, guns, guns... need I say more.

3) the Rattlesnake, Niagara and Mercury - are nicely made and look cool graphically. The Rattler because it's fast and low and the Merc due to it's good guns- handling balance given it's rate.

4) the Bucenture/Ingermanland, I think they look great for big ships and still hold their own in battle. Both have canons that should rate them one level higher but I'm glad they are in the rating they are.

5) the Trincomalee,  a real life ship that NA has captured very nicely in game. I have crafted many and its' construction has moved up the crafting rank to 50. 

6) finally the Snow, only because it started my Naval career and has lots of pebble throwers. 

 

Nicely done to all team/graphics departments for creating these wonderful works of art. Now if only I could sailing (more often) in real life it would make my day.

 

My least favs are:

 

Santi - a fortress doesn't need maneuverability. 

L'OCean - same as Santi. 

Indiaman/LGV - but it's for movin cargo Cap'n. 

Lynx - delicate and good for learning, not for battles imho. 

St Pavel - kinda homely looking but has strong guns and armour, to bad about the front chasers. 

 

Ships I would like to try but haven't:

St Cecil, Agamemnon,and Heavy Rattler (I know it isn't out yet). 

 

Good hunting fellow Captains, 

Let's Splice the Main Brace soon. 

Edited October 7, 2016 by Buba Smith

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

- Privateer. Everything about her is speed and menace. Well rounded like a pinup lass and graceful in her ride. Plus makes an excellent raider.

 

- Fair American - Navy Brig. A workhorse. Delivers a nice design with good crew space and with the guns to hold on her own. Not the prettiest of the bunch but a reliable choice.

 

- Cherubim ( frigate ) - Such versatility and reliability makes her one of my favourite ships. The Pirate version even more, even if only with limited module slots.

[Jeheil]

The Victory for her grace combined with sheer violence...when she lets go a broadside I have a little geekgasm.

 

The Ingie for her face-to-face brawler capabilities...her salmon pink skin and olde looks.

 

The Connie as my workhorse / utility, she moves well, can take a pinch, is quick and can work at close quarters with carro's or be a more long range harasser at range.

 

The Heavy Rattler, coz she about like mad firing her over powered cannons, reminds me of one of those small but very angry dogs.

Edited October 4, 2016 by Jeheil

[Fluffy Fishy]

Making someone pick their favorite ships is a cruel game, its pretty damn hard to choose, the list would be much shorter if it was ships I don't like which I might as well throw in anyway, but here goes

My Favourites in order:

• Trincomalee, she was the ship I have spent most time in and has taught me the most about how to play the game, I never quite got over the difference between the Trinc and the BP/Frigate she just has to be my number 1, always. I also can't shake off the fond memories of taking on larger 3rd rate fleets with a bunch of well coordinated trincs, I am also very fond of the 4 chase guns, they are always so satisfying to fire.
• Yacht, my first ship, I will never quite get over my first victory in the game, I had sunk 3 times, she taught me the ropes I also can't get over how nice and close the gun spacing is on her, she is a true giant killer.
• Agamemnon, although a lot of people find her a bit pointless she is one of my favorites, I love the was she looks, I also have a special place for small SoLs I am pining for the blueprint so I can make my own instead of having to sail the one someone was kind enough to craft for me.
• Rattlesnake, Another one of the newer ships that went straight into my heart, she is my favourite ship for assisting new people into the game, she is also one that I would consider easily in the top 3, if not first for most attractive ship in the game, an all round great ship.
• Bellona, Another solid favourite of mine, I have similar fondness of her as with Agamemnon, 3rd rates have a special place for me, she was also my first SoL and the first time I saw the kind of damage that could be done with a good aim and a lineship.
• Victory, I have spent a lot of time in Victory, spent months trying to craft the perfect one too, she would be higher in my list but I don't find the 1st rates the as interesting or fun to play, for me the game is best enjoyed in the frigates, although watching that first broadside hit home will be a memory that will be with me a long time.
• Surprise, I do like the surprise, she treated me well and I was fond of being able to madly shoot guns in all directions, she sails fairly well too

Some other special mentions have to go to Mercury and Renomee, Niagara can also have some love but not as much as the other two.

My Least Favourites, the somewhat easier list (from uninspiring to least liked).

• Bucentaure, I tried to like her, I really did she just doesn't make any sense, her guns are a pain to use and she feels so sluggish despite having quite nice stats, I find that shed on her quarterdeck a bit ugly, her stern is also not something that I am very attracted to either, sorry Bucentaure.
• Pavel, sailed her, tried her in combat, never got on, I found I could deal more damage and had far more enjoyment sailing a Bellona. To me she suffers from similar problems of the Bucentaure, although I do like her black and white stripes
• Ingermanland, Sorry to place another Russian ship here, don't worry I am very fond of the Mercury, but when it comes to the Ingermanland, I find her to be flimsy, vulnerable and slow. I also have no time for that weather plate at her stern, I find her a bit hideous all round, which is a shame because I do like the ships of that period.
• Santissima, My number one most hated ship, she looks like a red brick of death and handles like one too, I have one, I have sailed her enough to get a feel for her but I just find her such a poor ship to sail and that kind of ruins it a bit, it feels too much like you can see all the action through your eyeglass as you slowly slump away from it, she is also far too vulnerable to stern rakes and rudder damage.

L'ocean might make this list one day but I haven't had the chance to try her out, I'm not a fan of the brown nosed paint job or the stern but the ship looks nice apart from that, I feel like she would suffer for the same reasons that the Santissima does, just too big hefty and sluggish.

Disclaimer: My dislikes are my own opinion, I still have a great amount of respect to the devs for their hard work working through the modelling and testing processes, they are still fantastic models, I just dislike them through personal preference, both from sight and what I enjoy in the game

Edited October 4, 2016 by Fluffy Fishy

[Mrdoomed]

As someone who plays as a sea raider and wants to overtake his prey quickly and escape quickly there is nothing better than my Suprise.

Outfitted the way i like her she is fast enough to outrun allmost any ship on the Atlantic and even the few ships that can catch her cant beat her or lack the chasers to keep her in the fight. She can hold more than enough crew to capture any prize i see that will bring me a good payout.

Lastly the bow and stern chasers can keep and slow anyone down to catch or run from them.

What more could you want?

Speed,

Firepower,

Maneuverability,

Versitility,

Easy to crew,

Easy to build.

A pirates freaking dream.

[_Masterviolin]

Hm...

 

Here are my top five favorite ships in order of awesomeness:

 

1: Essex

She looks so beautiful! The white and black trim livery with gold trim is so awesome, and she has lovely hull lines.

2: Essex

Her complement of armament is great! 18 pounders on the gun deck, 12 pounders on the weather deck makes for an incredible broadside! I focus my tactics heavily on gunnery, and being able to operate the "great guns" in high quantity and caliber fits perfectly for me.

3: Essex

My parents bought me "The Anatomy of the Ship: Essex" when I was in 1st grade, and it served as an inspiration for my love of naval history for the era. This ship has extraordinary nostalgia value.

4: Essex

She's a damn fine balance of speed and maneuverability ,and that good turn rate is very helpful in combat. I've had my best PVP and PVE experiences in her.

5: Essex

Cause why the hell not.

 

Do you all agree with my top five favorite ships?

- Privateer. Everything about her is speed and menace. Well rounded like a pinup lass and graceful in her ride. Plus makes an excellent raider.

 

- Fair American - Navy Brig. A workhorse. Delivers a nice design with good crew space and with the guns to hold on her own. Not the prettiest of the bunch but a reliable choice.

 

- Cherubim ( frigate ) - Such versatility and reliability makes her one of my favourite ships. The Pirate version even more even if only with limited module slots.

I've had some very good experiences in the good ol Brig. I crafted a Blue one before the last wipe, and I sailed her all the way up to the Cerb. I think she's underappreciated because at that rank to crew her, you can use heavier and more powerful ships.

[mirror452]

Le Gros Ventre

She is just such a beauty. I love the blue bits. On top of that she is a fast and well armed trader with large hold... What do you want more?

Reno

Definitely one of the most beautiful ships in the game, and I love speed. And speed is something Reno can give me

 

Surprise

Great handling, and nice and well rounded overall package. Lacks a bit firepower though for my taste in terms of penetration capabilities.

 

Belle Poule

Also well rounded. Like the Surprise handling more, but I am happier with the Belle firepower. And yeah, she's beautiful.

[Jeheil]

As someone who plays as a sea raider and wants to overtake his prey quickly and escape quickly there is nothing better than my Suprise.

Outfitted the way i like her she is fast enough to outrun allmost any ship on the Atlantic and even the few ships that can catch her cant beat her or lack the chasers to keep her in the fight. She can hold more than enough crew to capture any prize i see that will bring me a good payout.

Lastly the bow and stern chasers can keep and slow anyone down to catch or run from them.

<snip>

 

Given the lack of action in my TZ in the shadow of "patch of who knows when" I was thinking of building a lower rated fast ship to engage some of these hit n run gankers in my local waters.....what build would you go with on a Surprise (which is a great ship "feel" wise to sail). 

[oliviervdp]

The SUPRISE. A real nimble hunter, a great sailing profile, decent speed, able to oumanouver and outrun anything in and above her class. When mounted with carronades it has some punch, and those bow chasers are very welcome.

 

I like the Essex as well, mostly for the same reasons, it's has more firepower, but turns slower and it lacks those bow chasers.

Edited October 5, 2016 by oliviervdp

[VonBarb]

Belle Poule  - because its a killer .

 

 

Le Gros Ventre

She is just such a beauty. I love the blue bits. On top of that she is a fast and well armed trader with large hold... What do you want more?

 

Belle Poule

Also well rounded. Like the Surprise handling more, but I am happier with the Belle firepower. And yeah, she's beautiful.

 

Had to scroll way too far down for this.

 

These two are among the ships I had the most fun with in game and enjoy sailing the most. The Belle Poule is awesome, and her sister (OK, cousin) ship the Gros Ventre are both excellent ships, gorgeous lines, excellent handling and perfectly adapted to their respective roles. The LGV can run from anything (yes, even Renos and Rattlesnakes) and have the upper hand in battle against anything smaller than her (provided it's not pure speed rigged). The Belle makes up for what she lacks in firepower with outstanding survivability. Tough, doesnt leak, and will deflect a full 18pd broadside at pointblank range with minimal damage. Use her angled armour to slip in close, with carros on top deck. Also probably the best looking 5th rate in the game. She is reasonably fast, handles beautifully with very limited heeling. My ship of choice for Frigate brawls. And did I mention how awesome she looks ? 

 

I do have a sweet spot for the Rattlesnake and Surprise, though I'll take the Cerberus over the Surp for PvE. I'll take the Brig and Navy Brig over the Snow anytime.

 

As for heavies, I'll take the Pavel's sturdiness over the Bucentaure's sheer firepower (but flimsy sides). It doesn't turn quite as well and is prone to leaking and rudder damage, but that's nothing a few upgrades can't fix. Great fun weaving in and out of 1st rates lines.

 

I used to think I liked the Trinco, back when it was the biggest ship I could sail, but come on, that thing sails on its side, doesnt want to turn and leaks like a pasta strainer. Weak vertical sides and very prone to losing guns from stern raking. Only thing it's got going for it are its guns, and the Essex beats it at this game.

 

Cherubim is a very functional ship, but only as long as it doesn't get shot at. Also one of the ugliest ships in game, she needs a new paintcoat ASAP.  Pirate version is even worse, for the same reasons.

Edited October 5, 2016 by VonBarb

[Captain Boneboys]

Never really bothered about grinding or levelling up but for the lower ranks the Snow is a really good all round vessel, fore, aft and 2x deck cannons.

I enjoyed sailing, fighting and boarding AI Traders (mostly) and learning the sailing tactics required to become a good half decent Captain of the seas.

 

The Surprise has all the above qualities but with ^{_{bigger balls}}, put 32lb carronades and you have a real beast of a ship that can do some serious damage, even if you need to take some risk and get in close.

I think I'm going to stick with the selection of Snow & Surprise until  I can go full 3rd rate.across my different outposts, even though I'm interested in the Trincomalee.

 

Nice Topic 

[Captain van der Decken]

The Renommee, i like how fast she is while still packing quite some firepower, and the shape of her hull is not only beautifull but also helps in deflecting canonballs, which adds to het survivability.

as a plus, i love all the decorations on her, and i prefer the aesthetics of a lateen sail on the mizzen mast, wich is the same reason i sail the Ingermanland if i need more firepower.

[Rychu Karas]

Surprise for solo hunting poor nabs, and running away from fir failfited gankers: ]

my biggest prey is connie(sunk) and gros(caped) into one fight.

worst fail, on the beginning of my hunting path, when I didn't notice island in front of me when I run away from gankers: ]

[Fuzzyhead12]

i adory my Niagara, a fast very agile ship, good for traderhunting and good for escaping the rattlesnake army. One great pyrate ship.

Put a black checker skin on it now it looks likea mercury

[Mrdoomed]

Given the lack of action in my TZ in the shadow of "patch of who knows when" I was thinking of building a lower rated fast ship to engage some of these hit n run gankers in my local waters.....what build would you go with on a Surprise (which is a great ship "feel" wise to sail).

The build i use for hunting trade ships of all sizes and small warships /undercrewed is a dangerous but fast one.

She is fir made with either crew or rigging build and hope for speed. I put gold hammocks, copper plating,and speed rigged. I keep green marines then vary the other upgrades depending on my mood but usually things that help me fire fast and get better attack strength.

Ive never found anything that can catch me if i run given the suprises large sailing angles and the only ships able to.outrun me are the renno and rattlesnake on a perfect angle (but a good tag nullifies that every time ) but even a lgv doent get away often.

I also use long guns. The lack of firepower doesn't matter because she can stern rake do well.

For me she is the perfect hunter and runner. I even made a conni in this fashion and there are a few forum users who know just how hard it is for those revenge fleets to run and catch me .

[Jean LaPointe]

My favorite ships are:

The Essex: I love the way she sails. Sharp lines and powerful.

The Surprise: Smaller Frigate with great handling traits. Fast and sails great in almost any angle to the wind. Moderately gunned and has both bow and stern chasers which makes it a good hunter.

The Frigate: This a great all around vessel. A real workhorse of a warship. She can deal out and take a good amount of punishment.

The Le Gros Ventre: The best combination of speed and cargo space. Great sailing ship with enough time protection to ward off most attackers and survive. Truly a fine vessel.

The Privateer : The all time best little warship for sailing and fighting in the 6th and 7th rate arena.

There is a tool for different needs and these all have their specialties.

[jnovotny6]

St. Cecilia, for obvious reasons: very rare, beautiful ship, can take a punch, and with carronades and boarding upgrades can dish out great damage and capture any 5 the rate and I have capped a Conny. Dreading the wipe, will hate to lose her.

[Roelandus]

God so many ships to pick.

 

Some of my most favorite are:

- Bucentaure, a 1st rate in a 2nd rate package with great looks (even got used to that damn shed)

- Essex, such a pretty frigate with a good punch

- Snow, when i started i sailed so much in this beauty, so many feels

- Agamemnon, recently acquired but alrdy love her, the looks, the handling and the armor. She is a fantastic ship can't w8 for PB with her.

Edited October 5, 2016 by Roelandus

[3rdguards]

Top 5

 

1. Frigate - Chrubim

 - heavy guns, good speed, decent sailing handling, and front chasers, and can also take a punch. Just a good all round ships, does a little bit of eveything

2 Constitution 

 - For pretty much the same reason  as above, takes hits, and hits back harder, and has the speed to chase down the enemy.

3. Surprise

 - A light frigate, with more guns than her peers, and sails well in just about any condition

4 Reno

 - ultra fast light frigate, good for chasing

5 Privateer

 - little speed boat that no one can catch great for harassing little ships and larger ships alike

[MikeCK]

Reno: best looking ship in the game. Has great proportions and the angled hull makes for great lines. Decent guns for her class and because of her speed and sailing, there is nothing better for capping traders.

(Cherubim)Frigate: I know I'm in the minority, but I love this ship. It can out-turn any frigate in the game outside of the light frigates Surprise and Reno. Had better guns than the Belle Poule and can take a punch when built with live oak. Even then she is fast enough with copper and rigging. Add on Optimized rudder and I can outmaneuver almost anything

[Loco Bandito]

Santi. Cannons and cannons and more cannons.

[Neverdead Ned]

Hm...

Here are my top five favorite ships in order of awesomeness:

1: Essex

She looks so beautiful! The white and black trim livery with gold trim is so awesome, and she has lovely hull lines.

2: Essex

Her complement of armament is great! 18 pounders on the gun deck, 12 pounders on the weather deck makes for an incredible broadside! I focus my tactics heavily on gunnery, and being able to operate the "great guns" in high quantity and caliber fits perfectly for me.

3: Essex

My parents bought me "The Anatomy of the Ship: Essex" when I was in 1st grade, and it served as an inspiration for my love of naval history for the era. This ship has extraordinary nostalgia value.

4: Essex

She's a damn fine balance of speed and maneuverability ,and that good turn rate is very helpful in combat. I've had my best PVP and PVE experiences in her.

5: Essex

Cause why the hell not.

Do you all agree with my top five favorite ships?

I've had some very good experiences in the good ol Brig. I crafted a Blue one before the last wipe, and I sailed her all the way up to the Cerb. I think she's underappreciated because at that rank to crew her, you can use heavier and more powerful ships.

Mine would also be the Essex. She would be perfect if it had bowchasers.

[Lord Snot]

I don't have had a lot of ships, but three comes to mind that I've sailed and loved.

 

- Snow. My first upgrade after the Cutter and it made me fall in love with this game (and the ship). I thought it was allround great fun. Packs a punch for a low tier ship and it sails beautifully.

 

- Renommee. Speed and nimble turning. That's it really. The Formula 1 ship of Naval Action. What is not to love about it.

 

- Trincomalee. I think it's one of the harder to sail 5th rates, but to get it right is very much fun. Get it wrong and you will have a slightly hard time to get shots on target, but the fun of manual sails and to get it right is very satisfying. 

Edited October 7, 2016 by Lord Snot

[Lurken]

for the sake of comparable ships

--------------------------------------------

 

as class 7 and class 6 ships goes ive never really cared too much to compare them nor sailed em all, for class 6 i like the mercury for armor and the rattle for speed

 

surprise vs renomee: i cant really make up my mind..

 

frigate vs belle: i like the frigate for both pve and pvp, in pvp purely cuz the bowchasers, in pve simply cuz firepower. id pick the belle for pvp if she had bowchasers

 

essex vs trinco: easy, essex for pve or large group pvp, trinco for small grp and solo pvp. the trinc is a ship that is awesome allaround as a solo player, it requires more skill tho. the essex is a bure broadside platform

 

connie vs ingermaland: same as the essex vs trinco, where the connie fills the role of the trinco, the ingermaland is a nice lineship especially for portbattles where it can dish out serious damage down range.

 

3rd rate < Bellona

st.pavel < Buccenature

 

as 1st rates goes i like the victory more than the santissima, for their size they have the same firepower kinda as the small guns wont come into play as dps until later when the enemy armor is hammered. the victory turns a bit better and have slightly better armor, the victory is also a bit slower but honestly.. if you are concerned about the speed, dont sail a 1st rate.

 

ive been off for a while so i havent really tried the new ships out yet, nor the pirate frigate.

 

 

 

if we put stats and stuff aside and focus on how they look id say the bellona is the only lineship i like, maybe the ingermaland but that one have some strange looking features (like the large shield on the back)

 

the frigate (chelubibubiwhatever..) and the essex comes to my taste.

 

The constitution and the 3rd rate along with all 1st rates are outright abominations, they are so ugly and stupid looking i feel ill when having to sail them.

[Lurken]

Top 5

 

1. Frigate - Chrubim

 - heavy guns, good speed, decent sailing handling, and front chasers, and can also take a punch. Just a good all round ships, does a little bit of eveything

2 Constitution 

 - For pretty much the same reason  as above, takes hits, and hits back harder, and has the speed to chase down the enemy.

3. Surprise

 - A light frigate, with more guns than her peers, and sails well in just about any condition

4 Reno

 - ultra fast light frigate, good for chasing

5 Privateer

 - little speed boat that no one can catch great for harassing little ships and larger ships alike

how do you find the renomee "good for chasing"? it got no bow chasers, or did you mean "good for racing"? anyways its good for running ;-)