Single player still terrible

  • rallyman2150
    Rogue

    I know the game is intended to be social, but my friends only have time to play 2-3 times a month. So I have in the past few weeks tried several times to make a single player run of it. Basically, I have just begun to scuttle my ship if a brig even breaths in my direction.
    Twice recently I just got to my first island before having to deal with another crew. Honestly, I am considering uninstalling the game. The grind is already difficult enough alone due to natural enemies. Let alone another crew arriving.

    Before, when there was no brig or special cannonballs, you could compete alone in a sloop. Now a brig shows up and just anchorballs you and you are done. I think I have probably sunk 12 hours recently by myself with probably 5k gold to show for it.

    There needs to be something for single players to give them a fighting chance. However, from what I have seen across the web. People seem to say the devs don't care about this aspect of the game. So is there someone who can provide a different view on this subject. If they devs truly don't care about the single player then I will probably uninstall the game.

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  • KnifeLife
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    @rallyman2150 The most common answer you will get is:

    “It’s meant to be hard mode, it’s how it was designed”

    But I don’t believe that personally, I feel that’s just the excuse given to say we don’t know how to balance it fairly. I do feel some tweaks should be made accessible and You are right, the more they add the harder it becomes.
    So eventually something will need to change.

    I haven’t jumped on a solo sloop for a long time now because it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth aha

  • Guarez
    Marauder
    Insider

    Ahoy, @rallyman2150!

    As someone who sailed to Pirate Legend (almost) entirely on a solo sloop, I can tell you its a matter of skill. Since there is no vertical progression, only experience (knowing what/what not to do) matters. True, you have to be very cautious sailing alone, and you will run into better-equipped crews that will take you for easy prey. There is, however, a counter for nearly anything you may encounter. I recommend watching YouTube videos on how to go it alone. May the wind be at your back, mate. Cheers!

    Guarez

  • Foxdodge
    Champion
    Insider
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @rallyman2150 Solo play is meant for experienced players who don't mind the extra challenge that sailing alone provides. If you wish to get the most out of the game I would recommend playing on a brigantine or galleon with other people, and you'll have plenty of new friends to play with in no time.

    Sailing a brigantine solo is another option.

  • AceBead40319154
    Master
    Insider

    Just need to know the basics until u get better... just have a little bit of loot on at a time. The meg and kracken are easier on a sloop but this may take a little time to learn to do. When u are at an island raise sails and anchor and then raise anchor to allow easy access to escape. Park your boat in places convenient to chest and skeleton locations. Before u stop look all around and if u do not see ships then your good for about 10 minutes or so. If u can't find chest locations move on so u dont waste time until u get better at it. Only do those islands with easy spots and easy to kill skeletons like small islands until u get use to things a little bit. U may not want to complete entire quests right off the bat. Hope this helps.

  • MortalzReign
    Marauder
    Insider

    If you must solo sloop keep your head on a swivel at all times, if a ship approaches sail directly against the wind with your sail forward, the sloop is fastest against the wind, sail close to rocks, the sloop has better manoeuvrability, if they are close like neck and neck next to you I've found a quick anchor turn works well to have them zoom past you before they have time to counter although watch your ladder for boarders doing this, the arena will hit early 2019 so people looking for pvp might die down for abit and you may voyage in relative peace

  • rallyman2150
    Rogue

    Thank you for the immediate response from fellow players. Most of the tips you have suggested I am aware of and practice. I am almost a legend at this point so I have had my share of battles and such. I wouldn't say I am an elite player in the game but also not a pushover (though I guess you can consider immediately scuttling my ship being a pushover haha). To the guy who mentioned solo slooping his way to almost legend. More power to ya, however maybe my overall skill just doesn't match.

  • Clumsy George
    Vanguard
    Insider
    Founder

    Hello Mr Rallyman2150.
    With a Sloop you may seem to be in a disadvantage but the Sloop carries a very great manueverability ...And if all that turning doesn't let you escape , then you can try the following...As a "sometime" Solo Slooper , i sometimes play a dirty trick...i try to outturn them but if they keep chasing me relentlessly, then i try to keep their bow into my stern, lower my sail a bit so they gain on me and then when they are so close that i can see the nosehairs in their nostrils , i drop a Boom Boom barrel, it's a gauranteed explosion since they can't outmaneuver since they are to close behind me...Then go completely left or right ,use the anchor and pepper them...Lift up anchor and run...They will have their hands full since a Brigantina , sinks fast...Or stay till they are sunk...Sloops may look weak , but don't underestimate some Pirates , they are really great in using this small nimble vessel and turning it into a nightmare for the bigger ships...

    Rare always stated that Solo Slooping is the hardest way to live the Pirate Dream but saying they don't care one bit is a little bit too far...Sure , they promote making Friends , because this game opens up on you completely when you find people who you can "connect" with...But Solo play ,i use ,for the moment , i only have 2 hours to spend on the Sea and just want to enjoy the waves and the music and surrounding sounds, and yes , take down a few Skellie Ships...Oh , one more little advice, cash in as often as you can and stock up on resources on islands and certainly , skeletonless forts...That's were you can find an arsenal on Boom Boom Barrels , who could be needed to create a diversion and some havok on a pursueing vessel...

  • DuMy2008
    Commander
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    Boatswain
    Founder

    @knifelife said in Single player still terrible:

    @rallyman2150 The most common answer you will get is:

    “It’s meant to be hard mode, it’s how it was designed”

    Every time I see this I feel it is a cop out of balancing a game. Normally a game with option to play solo or with players will have a balanced game. I feel that this can be done still but will need some serious thought and consideration to implement.

    I haven’t jumped on a solo sloop for a long time now because it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth aha

    I refuse to after a few bad sessions on sloops, it isnt worth the hassle anymore.

  • KnifeLife
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    @dumy2008 I know what you mean, and it’s a shame because going out alone was something I used to really enjoy doing.

    I would harbour a guess the developers are probably noticing the sloops a bit to under powered. I’m not sure how they could balance it without making it overpowered fora duo crew.

    Maybe we could see a single player only ship. I think that would be something I would be interested in learning.

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