Flags/signals and their meanings

  • RobisDoyal
    Ship Mate
    Insider

    I'm sure there have been many a post on this, but I've been doing research and thought I'd put the ideas here.

    So flags/signals have been used in various ways over the centuries and I do believe we can come up with somewhat of a simple understanding of them. I'll add links to simple sources as well.

    White - passive doesn't want a fight, won't stop you from sinking, freely hand over resources and treasure
    internationally known as truce or ceasefire.

    White flag - Wikipedia

    White flag - Wikipedia

    Blue - just passing. Doesn't want to start a fight but may defend themselves. When passing it will be done on the portside [left]

    Blue sign - Wikipedia

    Blue sign - Wikipedia

    Yellow - not looking for a fight, passing ships are free to stop and communcate.

    Red - no quarter will be given. Sole intention is to kill pirates and steal treasure, not looking to sink your ship.

    Jolly Roger - sole intention is to take your treasure, kill your men, sink your ship.

    Black - do not approach, will fight back.

    Hungering - hunting sea monsters and is willing to team

    Bilge Rat - trying to finish achievements and is willing to team

    Rainbow- friendly vessel looking to have fun, and team up.

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  • Dragonsire2016
    Seafarer

    @robisdoyal Its been posted, but it is a good idea...the problem is if it is not enforced, than people just ignore it, or use it to deceive others.

  • QuixoticRocket
    Marauder

    pretty much what @Dragonsire2016 said. only a percentage of the population read the forums, only a percentage of readers read this thread, only a percentage of thread readers agree with / remember the flag designations.

    If there were descriptions on the flags in-game (or even simple names) then it might work somewhat, but at the moment I read it roughly like this:

    White flag = not looking for trouble, but might be sneaky pirates!!!
    Jolly Roger = pirates!!!
    Everything else = unsure, probably confused pirates!!!
    No flag = lazy pirates!!!

  • RightyBird
    Rogue
    Insider

    I think the Flags are pretty, and useless and means whatever the heck you think it does. Just like the high-seas, you never know what's the captains intent until they show you their metal.

    Personally I fly blue sails and blue flag to hopefully let people know I am doing a merchant run. Or is that when I am holding an Athena's chest and hope you wont notice me? Either way it does not matter as you won't catch me in time to steal it.

  • QuixoticRocket
    Marauder

    @rightybird
    pretty sure most pirates don't bother looking at the flag before engaging anyway. they're more informative to players who might be interested in teaming up.

    probably why alliances will be done through the flag system too.

  • Lt Swag Johnson
    Master
    Insider

    White
    Flag of surrender and willing to parley.

    Red
    Order of Souls

    Blue
    Merchant

    Yellow
    Gold Hoaders

    Jolly Roger
    Players looking for PvP

    Black
    Players who will engage if fired upon.

    Bilge Rat
    You know the drill; weekly events.

    Rainbow
    Players who have the most desire to be send to the depths.

  • Archangel Timmy
    Legend
    Insider

    I need to update this since they did add a Bilge Rat flag, but still sharing :)

    New Flags, Updated Flags, and Flag Meanings

  • entspeak
    Captain
    Insider

    White - pirate
    Yellow - pirate
    Red - pirate
    Rainbow - pirate
    Black - pirate
    Jolly Roger - definitely a pirate, sink ‘em if you see ‘em.
    THD - pirate
    Bilge Rat - pirate

  • Thestjestery
    Founder

    Most players will not adhere to the flag code, so this is all chance.

    I'd like to make one distinction.

    Jolly Roger - Doesn't care to sink your ship, they just want your treasure and will kill if needed or if they find resistance. They board and hold you hostage. This is a true pirate.

    Red Flag - The "GET GUD" crew, Attacks on sight with little to no care of Gold. This is a Pirate Hunter, not a Pirate.

  • I V4POR I
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    sorry to burst your bubble but the noobasapian species can hardly grasp the fact that to remove water from the ship one must throw it overboard l**o.. these flags should just be intended for fun and thought of as a cosmetic. I just run the jolly roger and people stay out of our way

  • Thestjestery
    Founder

    @vapor1080

    I instantly attack anyone with a Jolly Roger, Red or Black flag up lol

  • I V4POR I
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    @thestjestery we may have sunk you then ? lol :D i agree, simply put most people disregard the flags all together. Depending on our mood that's what we do

  • Thestjestery
    Founder

    @Vapor1080 I haven't been sunk since closed alpha LOL. I'm not saying i'm great at PVP, i'm actually not really that good at it, but what I am good at is knowing where i'm good at. Cannons, Sailing and Pirate intuition. Being in control of my ship at all times and never being the pursuer unless absolutely needed. Its very easy to outrun other ships, especially the naive players that pursue, so my preference is that my "victims" come to me. What usually ends up happening is during a pursuit, my crew usually jumps out and boards the pursuing ship, killing them repetidly while I turn around and bombard them to kingdom come.

    I try to only target ships that are anchored and most likely unsuspecting of our approach. I rarely ever get into a cannon/ship fight, usually its my crew keeping the other crew busy, and fire going one way.

    I'm sure if I did get into a cannon fight with another ship, i'd probably lose. That's why I avoid it entirely. I only go for the battles where the chance is in my favor ;)

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