Naval Combat Guide for Port Royale 4

Naval Combat Guide

Unlike previous games in the series Port Royale 4 uses a turn-based system for naval battles. It is therefore recommended that before you jump into battle you play the combat tutorial in order to understand the mechanics of how it works in the game as it is more complicated than what it appears. Regardless of how skillful you think you are the most important thing you need to remember is not to initiate combat if you are outgunned as the liklihood is you will lose badly. Basically when it comes to combat in Port Royale 4, bigger is better.

Tactics

The tactics you have available to you during confrontations are determined by the type of vessel that makes up your convoy and the captain. If several vessels in your convoy have the same tactic you will be able to use the tactic more often. Vessel tactics have a cooldown which it is essential that you take into consideration when initiating combat. Captains tactic can be used independently from the type of vessel and the character is able to otain additional captains tactics by completing tasks. A maximum of 2 of each tactic can be collected. Captains Tactics can be used by your captain during naval battles but what is available will depend on the captains's level. Listed below are the Vessel Tactics and Captains Tactics in Port Royale 4.

Vessel Tactics

- Grenade

The current vessel hurls a grenade in a 2 field range. It causes damage to the target field and all neighboring fields.

Vessel: Galleon

- Kraken

The current vessel allures a kraken, which damages a neighboring vessel and makes it sit out for a round.

Vessel: Queen Anne

- Burning Arrows

The current vessel sets the sails of a neighboring vessel ablaze and thus, will detain it for the next round.

Vessel: Military Frigate

- Inferno

The current vessel will set an empty, neighboring field ablaze for 3 rounds and will cause damage by fire.

Vessel: Pirate Barque

- Turn

The current vessel is immediately rotated 180 degrees without having to use any maneuver points.

Vessel: Carrack

- Maneuver

Enables any of your vessels to move 1 field without changing it's direction.

Vessel: Military Corvette, Caravel

- Outmaneuvered

This tactic allows you to move any enemy vessel on a neighboring field by one field.

Vessel: Pirate Galleon, War Galleon

- Reload

Resets the possibilities of actions of a vessel, so that it is able to fire again or board another vessel.

Vessel: Frigate

- Lure

The current vessel loses it's movement points and attracts all enemies within two field range, as long as it is possible.

Vessel: Ship-of-the-line

- Smoke

The field of your current vessel or a neighboring field will be covered with smoke for one round and thus, cannot be attacked.

Vessel: Corvette

Captain's Tactics

- Ready to Board

If the current vessel starts a boarding battle, the crew gets a 20% bonus on their strength.

- Surrounded

A hostile vessel which is surrounded by at least twice as many cannons will switch sides.

- Repair

Any one of your own vessels gets 25% of their hit points back.

- Combat Sails

The current vessel receives 3 additional movement points.

- Escape

Allows your own convoy to escape from the battle. Must be deployed before the third round.

- Hustle

The selected vessel gains 6 additional maneuver points.

Port Royale 4 Trailer