Balck

Ramming can be a viable tactic in some circumstances. However, there are times when it is done out of spite and gains little if anything for the rammer which really should be avoided. Taking out the bowsprit of a larger ship deliberately in a heated battle when in a small ship is a dick move. Do your damage, be a pain in the stern, but let the big boys fight it out. If I have enough speed and reasonably healthy armor and a nearly sunk enemy is in front of me while I'm saving a double shot broadside for the target just on the other side, I may consider ramming. Fully understanding my bow will be weakened in the process, to save the shots for the big fish. If in a cutter, I decide to ram and take the bowsprit of a Trincomalee engaged with a Constitution, then I'm being a dirtbag. There's a difference.

Oh Mr. Maturin, happy birthday sir! Glad to have helped you get a brig as your present (I was the surprise that contributed just under five thousand damage points towards the cause ) May you have many more.

There are a couple of issues. First, airing out grievances between two individuals in the open can start flame wars and lead to animosity among the player base. That is the main reason it is frowned upon in most games. It is very rare when this is conducted civilly leading to rivalries rather than all out douchbaggery everywhere. Secondly, in order to be effective, the scumbags need to care about the opinions of the people upon whom they visit said scumbaggery. There in lies the main flaw, they don't. In many cases, they relish the backlashes on the forums and do what they do for the attention. Ostracizing and "Kill on Sight" lists have proved more effective from my personal experience. The step taken by the societies is one in the right direction. Their members will know who to work with and who to shun and offer no quarter to. In WT the squad I belong to keeps a kill list, people who purposefully team kill and carry out douchbaggery in general. No matter the team, they are taken out first. We may lose the battle but we will not allow them to continue ruining the game for others. The Devs should have an open channel of communication with the society association so that repercussions for these acts, ie. organized players exacting retribution, is not frowned upon when the receiving party has been shown to be a bad apple. It is best to make the game utterly unplayable for them until they change their ways or quit. Now, the society heads need to stay cool and on amicable terms. We had something like this on the British side before lunch in PotBS Antigua server. It fell to pieces within a week of launch because the individuals at the top had differing opinions. The Spanish soundly beat the Brits and the British nation didn't recover for a long while after this. The animosity was too great for people to cooperate. So, that would be my cautionary tale. Either way, it is up to us to make this a community that doesn't welcome unsportsmanship. Publicly denounce behavior as in the ramming thread and shame those who practice it/them as a group not as individuals. Privately pass word as to the individuals involved and put them on alert via PM. If they refuse to stop, kill on sight, by both sides of the match, then resume the fight. At any rate, we are in agreement that we don't want people to act like douches in game.

As an architect with 3D modelling skills, I'll be happy to lend a hand when the time comes. I may not have the time to do an entire ship, but could help with smaller items like guns, rigging, etc. It goes without saying, real historical ships only!

My thoughts exactly. It wouldn't be advisable or productive to go follow down the naming/shaming path. It should probably be one of the "do not do" items on the forum terms of service to be frank. I will however take you up on your recommendation and forward the names to you.

Figured I'd share this

Suffice it to say, one of them appeared in an earlier game, the newer of the two, and he rammed my bowsprit away. Now, being "new" I chucked it up to inexperience rather than malice, I screwed up in my brig a couple of times. However, by the time I disconnected from the battle I described earlier, I wasn't so sure any more. The one in the Surprise should know better though. I can PM you their names and anyone interested so you can all monitor their actions. Though I agree with you on this subject, I'd give people the benefit of the doubt, for a short while. If I screwed up, I'd like the benefit of the doubt as well. That being said, if a pattern of behavior arises from at least three encounters then I'll be sharing their names and screenshots with everyone so this can be addressed. Not going to tolerate trolls this early on because when the game goes live, they'll be doing the same thing to others who just want to play the game. There will be people who exploit the game, who will try any gamy tactic to win at any cost, short of actually engaging in combat. Those need to be put on notice for sure. How we go about it can be debated but I believe the community at large frowns on such behavior. By their actions they shall be known and scorned. EDIT: If I didn't know better, I'd put their behavior down to cross-teaming because my WR in the Surprise went up after that fight. That REALLY needs to be squashed before it gestates. Especially during testing.

Was kited last night by a Surprise for 30+ minutes. No reason. Yes, there was a brig on my side but he didn't shoot at it once, despite the guy coming along side more than once and beating his hull to pieces. Never mind my asking the Brig to fire some chain so I could close with the guy. Nah. Logged off in disgust. Maneuvering is one thing but purposefully shooting someone sails over and over and over and over and over without ever making an attempt to close range while leaving the lesser boat to tear your hull sure didn't sit well. Something funny was going on there. The two gentlemen in question are on my list of "keep a weather eye" as the behavior was suspicious at best. I really hope the PotBS imports, and I'd assume most of us are, leave some of the bad habits behind. We are in testing for crying out loud. The whole point is to engage in combat. Kiting at this point is silly. Play against the bots then. Sorry to air my frustration. First time I was actually annoyed since getting the key. It matters very little losing or winning at this stage. It is the least important thing really. For me, I want to test the ships, learn the ropes as much as possible, look out for bugs and have fun at it. That was a waste of 30 minutes when I have only 90-120 to spend a night. Good going!

Thought I'd share: Even Chance: The Examination: The Dutchess and the Devil: The Frogs and the Lobsters: Mutiny: Retribution: Loyalty: Duty: I own the series, and though this is not my channel, I'd wager this would be a welcomed diversion for most. Enjoy.

Oh the agony of trading broadsides, the tedium of staying on the stern of a bigger, tougher ship, in my little brig. The boredom of seeing Victory lose a broadside on a Constitution at close range then boarding her. It's tough work I tell you! You're not missing much Mr. Vernon.

33 The genre will attract the more mature crowd, regardless of age, a good thing in my humble opinion.

I concur with and second Ligator's post. The culture and climate of this community has been very refreshing compared to other gaming forums. Nurture this and as new arrivals make their way here, they'll likely adjust. Yes, there's been some crap slinging on a couple of threads that seemed out of character with the general demeanor of the forum. Hopefully this doesn't lead to a new pattern of behavior. I think it would be helpful if people took a step back and not let tempers flare so easily or get personal when interacting with each other over such a medium. It doesn't help anyone and merely drags the tone and demeanor of the conversation down. That said, in game, everyone has been a gentleman. We tip the hat, sling lead, and salute on the way out. Then we do it again.

Though the allure of sixteen inch guns blazing away is strong, I'd take a man-o-war any day over the, by then obsolete, WW2 battleships. Saw a Victory in action yesterday in a PVP match, just what I expected. Can't wait to see full fleet actions, it's going to be EPIC!

Since the game doesn't have any background music at the moment, granted the shots flying is music enough, some may want a little accompaniment. I enjoy sea shanties, but sometimes I prefer them with a twist. Came across these guys back in 2008 when I started playing PotBS and have become one of my favorite band. So, if you are into sailor songs with a kick, enjoy this little play-list of mine. Feel free to add more of your personal favorites or share your own playlists. Hope you enjoy it.

Raa, that would be a splendid 6th rate here.

Yes, Zeven Provincien has got to make it into this game! I was looking forward to that one over at PotBS since before launch. Sadly, it was never finished. Granted, she was broken up in 1694 and may appear a bit old-fashioned next to the later 18th century ships but she, and most of the Dutch ships of the 17th century, were works of art.

A must have for age of sail and naval history aficionados: http://www.amazon.com/The-Oxford-Companion-Ships-Reference/dp/0192820842

Most, if not all of them, would fit within this game's time period. By far, the better models were the player made ones. Still a couple of Akela's originals like the Ingermanland and the Myrmidon/Conquistador (which where inspired by a French frigate whose name I don't remember) were very nice if not fully refined. Some I didn't care for, the Minerva for example with its frumpy stern, or the Cerberus with its oddly proportioned and shaped hull. EDIT: Pretty much any French frigate from the 18th century would be welcomed. Surprise was a captured French frigate after all.

Want a French ship, iconic and astonishingly beautiful? Soliel Royal. Also, if we are doing 17th century, gotta have some Dutch ships!