Keeping them happy early in the game

WaxonWaxov · Cutthroat Posts: 414 **2424 Gold** -

Hello all,

I've read a number of posts in which people talk about sailing around indefenitely without dividing the plunder.

I've tried this and my crew always revolts. This would be early on in the game.

Am I trying to have too large a crew too soon? (180 or so with about 17,000 gold)

Is there a formula for how much money you need per crew member to keep them happy forever? I think I read 1,000 gold per person. Is that close?

I will say this: Last night some of my crew revolted and took one of my ships. I chased them down, and blasted away their sails with chain shot. Then I switched to round shot and blasted them out of the water. Needless to say, I left all those mutinous bastards there to drown. Arrrrgh!

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10060 **191991 Gold** -

Early in the game you have to divide the plunder every now and then. If you are actively plundering, especially knocking off the named pirates and finding their treasures, you can go for perhaps 36 months. If you are not being very successful, you'll have to divy it up every 15 months or so.
The big payoff occurs late in the game. It happens when you knock off Monty's hideout and get the 100,000 gold. I try to time that with taking out Henry Morgan and getting about 40,000 from him and getting a Lost City for another 50,000. This usuall gives me around 220,000 gold at the time.

Others have reported that if you have 1970 gold per crewman you are immune from any mutiny. I plan on 2000 per crew. So, If I have the 220,000 in gold I can have a crew of 110 and not worry at all about mutiny. As you add more gold you can add more crew. Find two more lost cities and you have 320,000 gold and can support a crew of 160 indefinitely.

It pays to plunder and I try to get the numbers 3 thru 9 named pirates plus their treasures early on. Also, get Ray and Monty on the high seas as they are worth 5000 for Ray and 7000 for Monty including their ship and cargo. It pays to plunder!
Salty

WaxonWaxov · Cutthroat Posts: 414 **2424 Gold** -

OK, so it would seem that I am trying to have too large a crew too soon.

Speaking of the named pirates, it seems that if you accidentally find a named pirate and take him out, he does not produce as much loot. Am I imagining this or is it true?

thanks for the info

SuperCutless · Swabbie Posts: 61 **190 Gold** -

I was having the same questions, good to see them answered before I have to ask them.
_________________
SuperCutless
"I work hard because millions of people on welfare depend on me"

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10060 **191991 Gold** -

Yes it's true. If you take them out early you miss out on a lot of gold later on. However, taking out a named pirate makes all 4 nations "very happy" (that means 2 happiness points towards promotion) and you don't lose all that much gold on the lesser pirates. I save Morgan and Blackbeard for late in the game but take out all the others as soon as I see them. That way I keep my crew happy when they want the gold the most and earn promotions very fast.
Most of the games I have played I have not had any bounties put on me at all and shoot up to Admiral very fast. Whenever I attack a ship from one of the nations I immediately go take out 1 or 2 pirate ships to make up for it.
I'm paying attention right now to see how many "happiness points" it takes to get each level of promotion. It only takes 1 happiness point to get a Letter of Marque and either 3 or 4 points to reach Captain. Not sure about the other ranks yet. Taking out a named pirate gives you at least 2 happiness points and it may go up with the bigger named pirates.
Anyway, I think it pays overall to take out at least numbers 4 to 9 pirates right away!
Salty Razz

TheDon · Rigger Posts: 1292 **16718 Gold** -

I pillaged Vera Cruz, Villa Hermosa, AND Campeche, installed French governors, and the freaking french didn't give me a single promotion for it. THAT's when I realized Spain and France were at peace.

Peace Shmeasch. When they want me to escort a carrying a peach proposal, I tell them they're on their own.

thedon

TheDon · Rigger Posts: 1292 **16718 Gold** -

ummm... actually, that should have read "when they want me to escort a ship carrying a PEACE proposal..."

heh

WaxonWaxov · Cutthroat Posts: 414 **2424 Gold** -

thanks Salty Dog for you thoughts.

I still will take out Blackbeard early as I like his frigate and I think that advantage in the long run will make up for any lost gold for getting him early.

CGM3 · Gunner Posts: 614 **12612 Gold** -

TheDon · Rigger Posts: 1292 **16718 Gold** -

I have always been a bit partial towards Georgia Peaches.

thedon (writing from Georgia, of course)

Sashanan · Swabbie Posts: 107 **1172 Gold** -

rupertlittlebear · Helmsman Posts: 4545 **10381 Gold** -

TheDon · Rigger Posts: 1292 **16718 Gold** -

I've done that, too.

Another thing, though, that I don't understand about the game:
The message about a town being attacked by pirates and mountains of gold being raided came on the screen. I was almost at the town when it happened. I then saw 2 pirate brigs coming OUT of the town, so I figured those were the ships that raided it... which means they should have lots of gold that they were eager to let me steal. So, I took them both out, but they only had 100 gold each. What's up with that? They didn't have time to go bury it somewhere. Did they throw it overboard just so I couldn't get it?

thedon

WaxonWaxov · Cutthroat Posts: 414 **2424 Gold** -

rupertlittlebear · Helmsman Posts: 4545 **10381 Gold** -