Sounds like fun! I would drop my voyage and speed to the rescue to help someone in need xD fighting megan, karen, skellies or protect against pirates... or get ambushed by pirates who use it against us xD

Some kind of smoke signals would be nice maybe.

I'm not sure letting people know that you are wounded and your exact location would work out the way you would like it to.

@sirspooneth said in S.O.S signal for help:

I'm not sure letting people know that you are wounded and your exact location would work out the way you would like it to.

Love this idea.

I think it would be awesome, think of the sneaky things you could do trapping people.

I could see a situation where a lone sloop is looking for blood sends up a flare to see whats biting and lo and behold another sloop comes to actually help. The first sloop now more friendly seeing the humanity exhibited by the second sloop and together they look to trick a greedy galleon by doing another flare.

You could also use it when you don't have a ship, to lure one close for you board.

Yes, I can't wait to go to a distress signal and make things even worse for them.

This idea has come up a lot, and I agree it would be awesome.

Some sort of smoke bomb or flaregun would be amazing for many reasons, and they could be easily limited to avoid crazy shenanigans. They are also accurate to the time period, to a degree anyway, as exact accounts aren't easy to find.

Types:

• A throwawble smoke bomb.
• A separate tool in the radial that fires a single shot on a cooldown.
• A secondary function to a firearm. Load it with a flare.

Options:

• Color is static?
• Color is picked from a radial?
• Color is picked at the armory?
• Color is pulled from a Flame of Fate?

Restrictions:

• No damage
• Doesn't obscure view too much
• Either a long cooldown or you are limited to carrying one which must be reloaded at an ammo crate.

Some will argue "No! Use your Flintlock or EoR, it is the same thing!", but I disagree as the rendering is inconsistent and not as easily visible during the day.

You get to a point where you send up a flare and nothing happens.

Because pirate loadouts always included flares, everyone knows this.

Communication skills matter.
This is SoT, find a more piratey way to engage with players.

Yaaar

I will never say no to a flare gun, for me it fits perfectly with the game. It follows the logic of tools vs. rules, it is an actual item that gives the player the choice of how to use it. It has no effect on the HUD, so it fits the theme of HUDless tools. What is more thematic? Microphone use to direct a location, although compass use is, essentially a walkie talkie. Or, an item that not only fits the time period and can be used for other reasons?

Signal an attack amongst Alliance members?

Signal floating loot after sinking a ship?

Dig spot for a X marks the spot?

Start signal for a race, duel, or player designed event?

Distress signal?

The possibilities are endless, and it seems quite within the realm of possible to make. I see no reason why not, although a weapon shot can act similiar, that is only players making do with what they got. The wrong tool for the right job. Why not get the right tool for the right job?

@blitzkrieg225 If nothing else, it would maybe at least cause enough confusion to get away or have a better chance.

@blitzkrieg225 ok but a flare gun wasn't around in pirate times and they prolly did have smoke signals and prolly a gunpowder would work the same if one is close

@blitzkrieg225 said in S.O.S signal for help:

@closinghare208 How about fireworks? Couldn't those be used as S.O.S signals and celebrations? Those were around in pirate times.

aye now your talking

If you wanna sink and lose all your supplies just use SOS rocket and i find you and i kill you. HA HA HA HA (Evil laugh)

@alekseylight said in S.O.S signal for help:

If you wanna sink and lose all your supplies just use SOS rocket and i find you and i kill you. HA HA HA HA (Evil laugh)

true but if there good they could send your ship to the sea and you to the ferryman

I can accept a throwable that does the same effect as a mermaid plume, maybe using a different color.
Sounds like a smoke bomb.

Or a throwable fireworks, like a sparkler.

@galactic-geek
I know we have had this same discussion in the past, but honestly, what is the problem with this? It fits the theme of a tool replacing a hud feature, it has no game breaking mechanics, it has zero effect of reputation and gold gains, I just don't understand why you are so against it. At most its just a quality of life change. Fine with it, fine without it. I, like everyone else, will make due with what I have, however, being so actively against the idea makes zero sense to me.

Why use the compass when we could use the position of the sun? Why use the speaking trumpet when we could just send a messenger or yell real loud? Why a fishing rod, when we can find fish in barrels? Hell, its already partially cooked too.

I get what your saying, that their exist ways for players to work around it, however, that is just players making due with what they got. Why make due with what you got when you can have a tool designed for that job. I'd imagine a flare with some hang time can better serve as a marker than a pistol shot that immediately disappears. While I can communicate my location with land marks and compass locations, why is it such a problem that I use a thematic tool to signal my location? A flare fits the timeframe and nautical theme, so it isn't like those other suggestions of flying ships, mini guns or non-pirate theme stuff. This kind of suggestion only adds to the game, it certainly doesn't take away anything.

Rare not implementing it is fine, but I see no reason on being so actively against it.

@blitzkrieg225
For the most part, @Galactic-Geek and I agree on a lot of things. We are two separate people, so for some disagreement to happen, I am fine with that. I am genuinely curious though of the reasons to be against the idea. I do not remember completely what was stated in our last discussion of this, however, I know for a fact that we had this discussion in the past.

I'm pretty sure he can handle options, I may be projecting on a person whom I have never met, but this is minor when it comes to topics on this forum.

Reasoning For:

General:

• Accurate to the time period depending on implementation.
• Eases navigation without dimishing the value of aquired navigational experience.
• Eases frustrations brought on by mis-communications which may vary in cause.
• Versatility in regards to use.

Gunshots:

• Do not always render and is more inconsistent at range.
• Not easily visible during the day if they do render at all.
• Limited ammo is better reserved for PvEvP.

Voice:

• Not everyone uses voice for various reasons.
• Not everyone is an expert on the terrain and navigation, especially newer players.

Text Chat:

• Not everyone can use Text Chat for one reason or another.
• Takes player away from the game to type, and takes time.

Text Radial:

• Not everyone has the wheel memorized, especially with the various items.
• Doesn't include island specific details, like "The Cave Opening" or "Fishing Dock", etc.
• Things can get hectic fast, and while easier than Text Chat, it is easy to fumble.

---

Reasoning Against:

General:

• "Use your gun!" - See 'Reasoning For: Gunshots'
• "Use your voice!" - See 'Reasoning For: Voice Chat'
• "Use text chat!" - See 'Reasoning For: Text Chat'
• "Use text radial!" - See 'Reasoning For: Text Radial'

@galactic-geek

With it, you risk exposing your crew's position to everyone, not just your crew and allies. It's likely to be a bigger hindrance than it will be likely to help you.

I've am somewhat in a sassy mood, so I feel with responding with, "well duh." Don't take it personal, but I feel like this was going to obviously be attached when someone uses tool designed to do just that. Its a flare, my dude, its designed to be seen by everyone. I expect nothing less from a fiery beacon in the sky. I am not expecting this flare to be seen from 3 plus islands away, but something like a square on the map seems reasonable, if not already excessive.

Even worse, even with having different colors, it's still entirely open to interpretation (like with the flags) so you're likely going to have to communicate with your crew anyways. I suppose you could specify which colors mean what, but then you're getting into the whole rules over tools aspect.

I am not expecting all crews to follow the same guidelines on what and when they use flares. I whole heartily agree that people who try to communicate motive with flags is pointless, I.E. blue flag means defensive, white flag means merchant, all that nonsense. However, I feel that its not a big deal if a crew decides their own meaning, but only applies it to their own crew.

I don't see why we should go through all of that hassle and wasted time when actually communicating with your crew is faster, safer, and better facilitates teamwork. You want it because it simply seems cool to have, and it certainly does sound cool, but I'm telling you that practically-speaking, it will serve no real helpful purpose. It'll just be a redundant and overall pointless addition to the game.

Sure, maybe, but a fishing rod is redundant to the player that never fishes (me) and the speaking trumpet is useless for the player that refuses to communicate with his team and other sailors. I don't see how having the option is that big of deal, a flare only effects those who use them. Hell, besides opening the way to the hideout, Instruments are effectively pointless as is drinking, yet they are an option as well. Its not really that odd for having a piece of equipment that servers no other function besides a thematic theme. Even though, this item can and potentially has more function compared to those items. I can only speak for myself, but I would simple use this in conjunction with verbal communication with my crew. An example....

[Just sunk a skeleton ship] Hey, Dingus Bimpleburt! Where did that skeleton ship go down at. Dingus replied, "Port side back of ship, can't you see me swimming?" No replied Sigmund Kerkleberkle. "Just shoot a flare!" replied the angry man.

or for your example

"I'm being attacked by skeletons on the far east beach near the giant rock and cannon and am about to die. I need help fending them off to bring the captain's chest back to the ship, right now!" (He said while shooting a flare simultaneously)

or he could say "Need help with the angry Vegan Skeletons, East beach, look for flare."

I am not seeing how this wastes time, if anything, it makes things smoother with a basic explanation of the problem followed by look for the flare. Not seeing how this is a hassle either, just like the fishing rod, no one but you can make you use it. If you want to communicate verbally nothing is stopping you. This isn't like HUD pings like Apex or Fort Nite, where the pings effectively remove all need for talking. A flare in the air still needs a description on why it was launched.

Your list that you give can easily be shortened with the use of a flare. Without saying a word, it gives the where, and the when. Your example can turn into this instead

Need help with skeletons now (Shoots flare) it takes a fraction of a second to pull out a piece of equipment. Their is no stopping people from not using it, having the option doesn't seem like this problem you make it out to be.

What about a one time use cannonball item on the ship that you have to break out from behind glass. You have to shoot it into the sky from your cannons and then it summons a wormhole portal that only your ship can travel through and that transports you to another region. A get out of jail free card that only comes with the ship that initially spawns and isn’t available on any follow up ships. Use it wisely!

Much like using the lanterns as others have used, why not just put up and take down the reapers mark? Everyone on the server could see a flashing red and ship icon on their maps.

When you are not on a ship, it becomes more difficult but there are flames around the islands that can be ignited. If they give us the ability to turn them off and back on that would be a way to communicate. Only major islands, but those are the ones we most need help with anyway(like old faithful and cannon cove)