Flags, Ensigns, Banners

[tater]

The rules were not to FIRE under false colors.

 

From Blackmore, page 192:

August 1798---Leander and Généreux

 

"…As a ruse de guerre, LeJoille hoisted Neopolitan colors, but Captain Thompson was not mislead."

 

I've read other examples in actual histories, this is not just something from fiction. 

 

Another I just found, American Captain John Barry ended up facing Thetis frigate captained by Alexander Cochrane (not Thomas, though Thomas was actually aboard his uncles ship at the time) flying french colors.

 

and another:

http://www.usni.org/magazines/navalhistory/2012-05/constitutions-great-escape

 

 

An American merchantman was sighted to windward. Seeing what looked like easy prey, the nearest English ship hoisted American colors as a ruse de guerre . Hull saw this and immediately sent up British colors, and the merchantman abruptly changed course. Suddenly the wind freshened, a few whitecaps appeared on the sea, and the American frigate again drew ahead. Her officers and crew, not fully aware of her sailing qualities, had considered the Constitution a dull sailer. But by 1400 that afternoon, she reached 12½ knots. With all the boats hoisted aboard, the American vessel started to go through the water at considerable speed. The anxiety of the past 36 hours was now assuaged. The crew was obviously relieved, but kept on the alert.

[Brigand]

The rules were not to FIRE under false colors.

You are correct, I edited the post.

 

~Brigand

[tater]

I just think that anything that adds "fog of war" improves gameplay. We have too much information even in a game like this, adding big question marks makes each encounter more fraught, and unique.

[Baggywrinkle]

Yay flags! Use them to replace any PotBS info text above each vessel. Three masts is ideal for flag state ensign, squadron/company/guild/society flag, and personal flag. Which is prettiest well all the info I want. Signal flags would be amazing, particularly if different code books could be generated...but I also don't see how you make it more fun or useful than side-stepping in game chat entirely. Pity.

Baggy

[Ned Loe]

[Ned Loe]

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[Ned Loe]

[tater]

Wind, the top US flag in post #31 is from 1890 (43 stars), which means that all those flags are likely of that era. The only other option is that those hard to count dots are 38 in number, which makes the flag 1877-1890 (the 44 star flag looks really different due to the way the stars line up).

[maturin]

I just think that anything that adds "fog of war" improves gameplay. We have too much information even in a game like this, adding big question marks makes each encounter more fraught, and unique.

And remember that all this talk is just about naval vessels.

 

Right down to the present day, the flag of a merchant vessel is almost always a fiction devised for diplomatic (now tax) purposes.

[Baggywrinkle]

Just a quick thought: although I can't think of any nice way to make players regularly use flag signals rather than TS/Vent, we could enjoy seeing them used in game if it was the only way to chat to NPC vessels.

Baggy

[William the Drake]

Just a quick thought: although I can't think of any nice way to make players regularly use flag signals rather than TS/Vent, we could enjoy seeing them used in game if it was the only way to chat to NPC vessels.

Baggy

Can we please, please , PLEASE have the ability to give friendly NPCs orders during battle (especially if they are "usable" NPCs, like PotBS Commissions)

 

Too many times have I seen moronic AI: get in my way, block my shot, hinder maneuverability, target the wrong ship, or otherwise be an absolute nuisance. 

Often these are my own Commissions doing so, but regular friendly AI is just as capable of such stupidity.

 

If there is ever a "Protect this ship" mission in NA, I would rather ignite my own magazine than see the ship I'm supposed to protect veer headlong into a far superior enemy fleet while it's AI escorts retreat in the most pitiful show of naval tactics I've ever seen.

 

So again, yes, please let us give commands to NCPs at the least, giving the use of flag signals more weight than just aesthetic purposes.

[RaiVeN]

Weathered/tatttered flags would be great. PotBS used an excellent player-made flags and sail decals system.

 

Also the PotBS experience looked more like this:

 

potbs.png

true, when you want to pvp you need to learn something about it, is normal that if you try pvp with no experience or lesson on it, you will fail. is normal. That is not only for games

[PIerrick de Badas]

Just a quick thought: although I can't think of any nice way to make players regularly use flag signals rather than TS/Vent, we could enjoy seeing them used in game if it was the only way to chat to NPC vessels.

Baggy

+1

Command flag would be necessary to command NPC but if there is no npc to command, command flags is a bit useless althought some would enjoy them, i'm not sure it's a priority to develop.

[Bart Smith]

Hi there

I want sail under this historical polish privateer jack ensign:P

[BrutishVulgarian]

[BrutishVulgarian]

The First US Navy Jack.

[Bart Smith]

I know you guys focused on more important aspects now but will be great if you consider possibilty to make own sails and flags like it was in PotBS. 

Cheers

[Bagit01]

Boarding flags would be kinda cool. This is one I saw in Sam Willis' book on the Glorious 4th June. Nothing quite like boarding another ship behind a stirring flag, makes one forget about the impending death and all.

[Månis]

Here are some countryflags for the Denmark and Sweden:

 

 

The ordinary flag used by the units serving the swedish crown:

 

I have seen this one on several paintings as well, mostly on the flagships of the Swedish navy:

 

The Swedish merchant navy was allowed to sail with this flag to help them to avoid piracy

 

 

And to make other people happy i'll throw in the flag of the danish navy as well.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

[admin]

Thanks Manis

Will get them done in game

 

Everyone please post more on other countries as well - if you find any beautiful examples.