External HULL damage

  • PapaRug420
    Master

    A cannonball strikes. You go downstairs and slap a bit of wood on the hole and you're good to go.

    But what about if some cannonball strikes have a chance to inflict damage to the OUTSIDE of the hull. Maybe a certain sweet spot? Maybe a random chance, 10% chance?

    External damage doesn't cause your boat to leak water, but maybe it has other effects?

    Listing to one side? Reduced top speed? Reduced manoeuvrability aka a damaged rudder anyone?

    External damage can only be repaired when the ship is at a stand still, or through some very skilled use of a harpoon rowboat!

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  • PapaRug420
    Master

    This could help reduce the endless running that happens sometimes in two ways. The pursuers get a lucky hit that reduces the fleeing ships ability to run OR the runners hit that sweet spot and the pursuers have to stop for emergency repairs.

  • XZODEAK
    Champion
    Insider

    This is already a thing when u think about it

    "Reduced top speed?" (Hit their sails)

    "Reduced manoeuvrability" (hit the wheel)

  • PapaRug420
    Master

    That's true, it already exists (sorta)... except none of these require the player to stop the ship for repairs.

    I envision having to drop anchor, jump overboard and repair the damaged exterior

  • PapaRug420
    Master

    No feedback on hull damage and how it might change ship to ship combat?

  • SWGSomeKid
    Seafarer
    Insider

    Honestly I can't think of a good way to implement it that wouldn't destroy the balance. If you have to stop to make repairs you become a sitting duck. Just look a what happens to a sloop that has it's mast chained. A good cannoneer can keep it from being raised alone, as well as pepper the ship with enough holes to sink it fairly quickly. I do think that there should be some lasting, non cosmetic damage that forces you to return to an outpost or seapost to repair ( actually giving you a reason to go to a seapost other than the hunters call ) but I don't think that forcing a ship to stop mid-combat would be a good maneuver.

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