Only Spanish ports are wealthy!

SweetChastity · Powder Monkey Posts: 9 **199 Gold** -

Hey guys I'm new here but just installed Pirates: Live the Life on my computer again. I missed the smell of salty sea air, sacking fat merchant ships and busty wenches cracking bottles over fat embezzlers heads. What I didn't miss was how painfully slow a Galleon could be! So I did some research and found the Ship of the Lines and am eyeing one of those but my main problem is that only Spain has wealthy cities and they can never produce a SOL.

Is there a way to encourage a port to be wealthy?

Rusty Edge · Rigger Posts: 1977 **2992 Gold** -

There used to be a guide to generating ships of the line. Off of the top of my head-

Intercept pirates and invasion forces, because they sack cities and reduce their wealth.
Allow all smugglers to safely reach ports, they seem to boost it.

There have to be trade routes. The last Dutch port in the New World isn't going to do it any time soon. Better to hang out around Nevis-St. Kitts and start intercepting ships. If you blockade too closely, they won't send any ships out.

Be prepared to sink some of your prizes, so that you can remain on patrol. Keep a slot open. It's a waste of time to capture a Ship of the Line and get the message "Your fleet is full". They'll start escorting, and sending out pirate hunters. Brigs, then Brigs of War, then frigates and large frigates.

The Ship of the Line will look exactly like a frigate, only larger. It will be a New Warship travelling on your periphery. Keep a sharp lookout! Put a spyglass on it. It may come from Barbados or the Bahamas, for example.

You may not want to continue the pressure long enough to get one. A Frigate or a Large Frigate are fine warships, too. It may be easier to find Blackbeard or Henry Morgan and take their ship.

It's fun to do at least once, and the French and Dutch can generate them, too. Good Luck! Arr!

Roland · Helmsman Posts: 4085 **22541 Gold** -

SweetChastity · Powder Monkey Posts: 9 **199 Gold** -

Thanks guys! Yeah I'm keeping my eye out for SOL but it's my first game in years so I'm not heartbroken if I don't get it this game. I'll try more in future games. I rolled Spanish and just got to keeping an eye on ports and was curious why only Spanish were wealthy. Now I have a few tips on how to encourage a port's economy. Thanks!!

SweetChastity · Powder Monkey Posts: 9 **199 Gold** -

I thought that I should sack everything coming out of a port but that keeps dropping my wealthy city to prosperous. I haven't really played to set up the game for the SOL but I am testing the waters and so far when I attack a ship coming out of a wealthy city it keeps dropping to Prosperous. Crying or Very sad

Rusty Edge · Rigger Posts: 1977 **2992 Gold** -

According to Young Guilo-

Ship of the Lines are spawned from 1 of 3 ways.

1: A Hurt city that had over 600 troops has now less than 150

2: A New warship possibility after you have taken 50 ships of that nation (Spain not included)

3.) Pirate Hunter if you have taken over 100 of that nation's ships and are near a city that is at least prosperous.

When fighting the ship you should have:
Grapeshot
Chainshot
Copper plating
Brass cannon
Fine Grain Powder
and Iron Scantlings

When fighting always use a zig-zag approach to get near to the SotL for grapeshot and also not to have your tail whipped.

Once captured Hurry to a city immediately so pirate hunter can't catch you or sink your prize.

These tips should immobilize the ship and is yours for the taking.
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and, according to OrangeIrish

I've found the "killing fields" strategy to be too much work with not enough reward. I've tried it faithfully several times but perhaps just didn't have luck on my side. OTOH, what I've found to be quite a fortunate tactic is to take the first few weeks or months to attack everything coming out of your target nation's ports in the same area (usually lesser antilles), and then after you have at least a $4,000 bounty on you to sail toward one of that nations (typically) more wealthy ports. IE, attack St. Martin and St. Eust. and then sail straight to Curacao. Or attack Martinique, Guadalupe, and Montserrat and sail straight to Port-de-Paix/Tortuga. Before half way or even sooner you can often have a SoTL sailing right at you on a silver platter.

I've taken a Dutch SoTL within two months and had three French SoTL within 18 months using this strategy. It just depends on whether those typically wealthy ports are actually wealthy when the game starts. You won't know until you actually sail that way, but if you pick a SoTL up on the way who cares to actually find out?!?

Captain Teague · Rigger Posts: 1185 **12207 Gold** -

Mr. Blue · Rigger Posts: 1947 **69003 Gold** -

I've sort of a feeling that difficulty level makes a difference, but I'm not sure.

Also, you might want to read this:

http://hookedonpirates.com/forwarder.html?http://hookedonpirates.com/forums/posting.php?mode=reply&t=6802&sid=c57d1c43ca76a18eaf77e8cfdafe899d
_________________
" ... the mistakes that we male and female mortals make when we have our own way might fairly raise some wonder that we are so fond of it. " George Eliot

SweetChastity · Powder Monkey Posts: 9 **199 Gold** -

I just upgraded to Journeyman and I do well for a bit then I start overthinking or overreacting in duels and it gets ugly even when I do win, lol! I'm better at dancing so I must be a lover and not a fighter even though I love fighting!

Rusty Edge · Rigger Posts: 1977 **2992 Gold** -

Do you have all of your fighting items yet?

When you do, you can win duels by repeatedly slashing at your enemy's legs. It's a numbers game. You'll take some hits, but you'll win.
I learned that from the fencing academy.

SweetChastity · Powder Monkey Posts: 9 **199 Gold** -

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

Best way to increase the wealth of a city is to go to nearby villages and escort new Mayors to the city to become Governor. It increases the gaining city's wealth rating by one notch. Also, escort immigrants from the Jesuit Missons to increase population of the city and then when the Bartender says it is time for a pirate attack or indian attack, go to the nearby Pirate Haven or Indian Village and escort them to the city and let them attack it.
Also, defend the city from Invasions or any sort of attacks when the Bartender does not say it is time.

Best way to take out a Ship of the Line is by using a War Canoe, Pinnace, or Mail Runner and simply dodge the SoTL's volleys, then board the ship and turn the Captain of the ship into Ground Round Beef!!!