What is Success?

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10054 **191991 Gold** -

How do you define a successful Pirating career? I used to think 126 Points was where it is at. I don't think so anymore. The object of the game is to find and reunite your four family members, take vengeance on Monty and acquire enough money and points to have a good lifestyle and career post-pirating. Also, wouldn't it make sense to quit while you are in good health?

I just played a game with those goals in mind. I played at Adventurer level and 1660, starting as French.

I finished the game on August 29, 1666 and retired at age 24 in GOOD health! I reunited all four family members took down Monty and beat all nine named pirates. I married Dutch Beauty #1 and retired in Curacao as the Bishop there with 93 points. I had about 73,000 gold and around 7000 acres of land so I was pretty well off. I found one Lost City and that added about 6 months to my time, I could have retired in January or February of 1666 if I did not chase the one Lost City.

Is this a success? I think so because I got out of Pirating with my health and achieved almost everything. I only found three treasurers but that is fine by me. I finished a Marquis with France and the Dutch, Count with the Spanish and only a Colonel with the English. I will take it though!!!

Pirate · Helmsman Posts: 5665 **112704 Gold** -

I think suscess is what you get out of the the game. For me it's not so much playing the game though I do a lot of that but changing stuff around n it. If my family was captured then rescuing them would take priorty over everything else so I would say this is a must by that's my opinion. Some might forget their folks once they meet up with the governors daughter.

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10054 **191991 Gold** -

I wish the voting program allowed me to add a fourth line. While setting up the voting I added it but it did not take. My fourth choice was : Success is defined by how wide the smile is on your face. That is what it is all about, just having some fun. I think the best part of the game is the start.

If you have not done so before, start the game and choose 1660, English.
Soon as it starts, turn your sloop around BEFORE you sail into Barbados. The sail due south and attack the Treasure Fleet as they sail north of Trinidad. They arrive there February 1st. Try to get TWO Treasure Galleons, sink the first one and then capture the second one. That is the most fun way to start the game!

I could have continued the game I played and found all the treasures and made Duke from all four countries, BUT my character would have declined in health. We would have been scarred and word out from so many battles. I figure getting out of this ruthless business at age 24 was where it was at!

Roland · Helmsman Posts: 4124 **22943 Gold** -

So, after becoming the most notorious pirate on the Spanish Main, you were ordained Bishop of Curacao at age 24? Maybe the Pope thought it would take a healthy young man with a reputation to be a bishop in a place ruled by liberal Calvinists. He must have averted his eyes to your marriage . . .

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10054 **191991 Gold** -

That stretches the imagination, doesn't it? Since this is Curacao and it is Dutch, would it be a Catholic Church? I guess so since the other churches of the day did not have Bishops, right? Here is what Wikipedia says about The Netherlands in the 1600's:

In 1648, the independence of the Netherlands was recognized by the Treaty of Westphalia. The Netherlands did not only include the seven relatively independent Protestant provinces of the Dutch Republic but also a Roman Catholic Generaliteitsland, which was governed by the States-General. This area roughly includes the current provinces of North Brabant and Limburg, which remained Roman Catholic. The Netherlands became known among Anglicans, many Protestants and Jews for its relative religious tolerance and became a refuge for the persecuted and a home for many of these migrants. The proportion of first-generation immigrants from outside the Netherlands among the population of Amsterdam was nearly 50% in the 17th and 18th centuries

So, I guess there could be a Catholic Cathedral with a Bishop in Curacao.

We should talk about the Dutch Islands in a separate thread.

Roland · Helmsman Posts: 4124 **22943 Gold** -

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

I define success by how much fun I had, out-of-game.

In game, I used to the think like the OP, 126 was where it was at. Recently, I realized the same thing, as well. Now, in-game, I define success as rescuing my family, avenging them, and maxing out wealth points. Anything else (including love) is bonus.
_________________
The Code is the Law.

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10054 **191991 Gold** -

No consideration for health?

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

KromSoak · Powder Monkey Posts: 5 **172 Gold** -

I personally like to maximize the victory points, but to get the most pleasure from a game I also want to collect ALL the items, including the ones that don't seem to have an impact on the game. Additionally, I make it a point to end the game with a fully upgraded version of each of the 4 best warships available, i.e.:
- Mail Runner: hard to get but eventually I get one from ahem...escorting an ultimatum mission for some nation. If I really can't get one I might settle for a Pinnace
- Royal Sloop: fairly easy to get
- Brig of War : fairly easy as well
- Shop of the Line : very hard to get (I sometimes settle for a Large Frigate)

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

At this point it success is achieving whatever goal I set for myself that game.

Conquering all the cities, getting all of the bounties, etc.
I still like solving all of the maps.

fleetp · Boatswain Posts: 3860 **37246 Gold** -

deleted duplicate post. Wink

Salty Dog · Sailing Master Posts: 10054 **191991 Gold** -

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

Pirate · Helmsman Posts: 5665 **112704 Gold** -

I'd say conquering all the cities using the larger city mod would be a challenge.