New Boarding Mechanic Suggestion

[Digital Wind]

A common issue in the game is that a small ship could stand a chance against a big one (take pickle vs Vic for example) simple by out manuvering.  I like this mechanic bout I think it would be more realistic if the 100's of sailors on the vic could grab a musket, go the edge of their ship and let loose killing small numbers of crew on the enemy ship.

*Boarding prep sends some crew to prep for boarding, they will also take potshots with musket fire at the enemy killing crew based on the number in prep and the distance (maybe marines and musket and pistol modifiers as well)

-This could allow large many decked ships a minor defense

-This will allow more options in battle and make boarding prep more relevant throught the engaement instead of boarding as the conclusion

This is realistic (Nelson was killed this way) and just fun!

[Sir Lancelot Holland]

Then as now Marines were carried on most warships, often but not always down to Frigate sized ships. Their duties over the centuries varied from simply being the guard outside the Captains cabin, to stretcher bearers, bandsmen, the backbone of shore raiding parties, snipers in the rigging and tops, manning guns (Cruisers and Capital ships usually had Marines manning 'X' or 'Y' turrets which were aft or manned the aftermost guns in the battery in the Captain's or Admiral's cabin) and many more duties that spared hands for more pressing duties.

Marines could, and often did, make a difference in the success or failure of a boarding simply by locating and killing the officers leading it, and as Digital  Wind states Nelsons death was brought about by a shot from the rigging of L'Redoubtable , very likely it was a Marine though history is not specific but no sane French sailor or Marine would admit to such a deed if he fell into British hands.

That said the Devs have made a passing acknowledgement of the role(s) and importance of Marines aboard ships, I like the ideas expressed by Digital Wind but I am not sure how they could be integrated further unless shore parties and raids such as fortress attacks around ports become a feature in game during PB's or OW as a precursor to a PB.

With reference to disparate sized combat all Navies of the day held to the convention that Ships of the line would not engage with anything below 3rd rate under normal circumstances, indeed 4th's and below were kept well apart from the 'line of battle'  often reduced to spectators or engaging their own kind, Were a 4th rate Captain be foolish enough to attempt to engage SOL's he would most likely suffer grievously both from the SOL and indeed My Lords of the Admiralty may express their displeasure at such a breach of the Articles of War possibly to the extent of trying by Courts Martial and the execution of said Captain if found guilty of  unnecessarily hazarding his command.

Of Course within Naval Action tales are legion of small ships taking on SOL's and even winning such unequal contests, I have on occasion done so in screening battles and while having not actually sunk one have both caused some damage, contributed to PB victories just by keeping them out of the fight and survived the ordeal as well, indeed Nelson himself took a 3rd rate with the Frigate HMS Captain, albeit the 3rd was already badly damaged by the line which no doubt led to the famous quote regarding "Captains who lay their ships alongside the enemy can do wrong"  later In his career.  The Articles of War were sometimes applied loosely in some circumstances.

[Fuzzyhead12]

a new systeme is alredy on its way, it will be a real time strategic thing, were also the positioning of your ships will be taking into accoutn

 

[Digital Wind]

Its simple,

17 hours ago, Sir Lancelot Holland said:

That said the Devs have made a passing acknowledgement of the role(s) and importance of Marines aboard ships, I like the ideas expressed by Digital Wind but I am not sure how they could be integrated further unless shore parties and raids such as fortress attacks around ports become a feature in game during PB's or OW as a precursor to a PB.

What I'm proposing is that when you toggle Boarding Prep, men leve the rigging and guns etc, they take pot shots, thus enemy crew is slowly whittled down.  Not a whole lot.  I can't imagine this would be harder to code than to balance.

Also, can we get more Whistle noises devs?

[Sir Lancelot Holland]

7 hours ago, Digital Wind said:

Its simple,

What I'm proposing is that when you toggle Boarding Prep, men leve the rigging and guns etc, they take pot shots, thus enemy crew is slowly whittled down.  Not a whole lot.  I can't imagine this would be harder to code than to balance.

Also, can we get more Whistle noises devs?

Something along the lines of the loss of crew to simulate Marines shooting from the fighting tops in the masts? Yes that sounds good, the numbers would be small but can be significant especially if boarding numbers are close.

[Digital Wind]

On 6/3/2017 at 0:37 AM, Sir Lancelot Holland said:

Something along the lines of the loss of crew to simulate Marines shooting from the fighting tops in the masts? Yes that sounds good, the numbers would be small but can be significant especially if boarding numbers are close.

Yes, exactly that, marines firing from masts and the deck and windows or port holes when applicable etc.