Ahoy there fellow Pirates!
Two weeks ago I started a topic called The Skeleton Thrones Review & Feedback. My intention was to write a review (and feedback) of the current new content with both positive and constructive points based on my own experience, my crew's experience as well as what I hear from other people over here on the forum.
I've also been considering to give this a name, so I decided to use: 'The Captain's Quarters'. I quite like it :D
The purpose is to encourage healthy discussions about the things that have been added because I got tired of all the pointing fingers and salty comments (on both sides of the discussion) going back and forth on several topics.
So, now that patch 1.1.4 has been released, let's get on with this update's review!
The 2nd Bilge Rat Adventure: Gunpowder Skeletons
All things new: Gunpowder Skeletons, Fuses, Explosive Force and cosmetics
This time we're running away (not always of course) from skeletons that have learned from their opponent, us, and are now carrying powder kegs. Here's what the patch notes have to say about it.
Gunpowder Skeletons Event – Carrying a gunpowder keg, skeletons can now rush towards you, light their fuse and... BOOM, off to the Ferry you go! The Bilge Rats are challenging all brave pirates to defeat them in various ways, some less conventional than others! Keep an ear perked for a burning fuse, and a finger on the trigger... good luck!
Here's a Jack Sparrow impression of how that went down for me when starting a level 45 Order of Souls voyage together with a message in a bottle OoS voyage, both on the same island:
It actually went down like that. Gunpowder skeleton on the left, in front of me, on the right and I just bailed! I digress...
Gunpowder Skeletons
The way we approach fighting skeletons has changed quite a bit with the addition of gunpowder skeletons. In some cases it's become much easier to deal with a skeleton wave, in other cases you'll have your hands full trying to dodge the different kegs that got activated. I've seen people talk about how Skeleton Forts are too easy and too fast to do right now. I have yet to test that out for myself, but I can imagine the Skeleton Forts are a bit faster cleared now.
I personally think that the new skeletons add a level of depth to the fights we have, so long as you're not just sitting on some beach waiting for the skeletons to line up and shoot the keg. The reason I'm putting it that way is that Gunpowder Skeletons can spawn both in whatever wave you are clearing, assuming you are doing Order of Souls or a Skeleton Fort, but also in the regular "white" (i.e. no bandanas, plant, shadow or gold) skeleton waves. What that means is that now you not only have to look out for a gunpowder in the hands of whatever it is you are focussing, but also around you. This makes for a few awesome surprises and therefor moments!
The amount of Gunpowder Skeletons could, or rather should, be reduced. Not a single wave goes by without one or two spawning. I'm going to assume that Rare has dialed up the rate because of the current event, so hopefully it will be toned down a bit two weeks from now. My main concern with the higher occurance is that Skeleton Forts and Order of Souls will become easier to finish and stay that way.
One thing I am glad about is that kegs that explode don't necesarily kill the Captain you are trying to kill. I feel Order of Souls would become a bit too easy if that was the case. Speaking of Order of Souls, I think they now are the most fun Trading Company to do at this point in time. What do you think?
One final thing I would like to mention about the new skeletons is the name we should give them. @Wombaxx created a topic where the term 'kegleton' was coined. I very much like that, we now have Skeletons and Kegletons!
Explosive Force
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The above was from my working document... I couldn't for the life of me get my video file to work. So, unfortunately, no GIF of my Galleon being rocked because @mr-shatango lit a keg.
Barrels now knock around a vessel when detonated. I have yet to try out the effects while doing a skeleton fort when multiple ships are around. I imagine it will knock you back quite a bit. There has been one instance of someone shooting a keg near our Galleon and our Galleon just started rocking.
It makes for some immersive gameplay. Standing on your ship and having it rock like that feels pretty great. It makes the effect of the explosion so much better and I hope they keep adding little things like this.
@Lefaux2 was kind enough to share his experience with the new Keg physics. There's been a moment where his crew "kicked" a Galleon into the lagoon over at Keel Haul Fort with three barrels. Another instance where their Galleon got stuck on Sailor's Bounty and they figured: "Well.. we have barrels und panks.. lets speed the "get her free" process up a bit". He also figured out that if you put a Keg under a sloop, you'll be able to knock the person at the helm off the ship.
Fuses
This is been a feature that has been requested over, over and over again. Harr am I glad that it's finally here!
The gunpowder fuse is a feature that takes some getting used to. For one because it's a new way of handling gunpowder kegs, on of the more powerful tools we have to take down ships. Second because we can turn the fuse on and off. I've been part of a random crew that wasn't aware of this and our ship got sunken more times than I'd like to admit. How could he have known, though, I mean it's not mentioned anywhere in the patch notes. Rare, fix your patch notes.
Okay, but seriously, it adds a great new way of sinking one's ship. Just yesterday we were at a fort. A Galleon approached and asked if they could do the new commendation with us. We agreed and, as any good pirate should do, held up our guard. Our ship was lined up with their bow so we could shoot it if anything would happen. Shooting just the front of the ship, however, wouldn't do us any good right away. We got a keg ready and as soon as the Captain spawned on the island, I made my way over to their ship. As soon as I reached the ladder, my crewmate started firing their bow while I put the keg next to the stairs below deck. I lit the fuse, made a run for it and not 20 seconds later their Galleon was sitting at the bottom of the ocean.
Besides sinkin a ship, it's also great to use for these pesky Golden Skeletons. You group them up, light the fuse, put the keg down and make a run for it. No longer will you have to shoot the keg and mostly miss because they tent to suddenly walk in front of the keg somehow.
Now about the fuse itself... 5 seconds may be too short in some cases, too long in others. I can understand from a defensive point of view, you'd like to have a little more time to stop the fuse. From an attacking point of view you just want to get away safely and then let it blow. We'll have to see how it works out in the long run, this may be tweaked a little in the future. Who knows.
Bilge Rat Commendations, Doubloons and Cosmetics
Let's start with the Commendations, the part that makes this adventure. The different types of things we need to do are great fun. I'm glad the distinction was made between the four types of skeletons to make sure it isn't just one massive commendation you are trying to achieve.
That being said, I think the amount of times we need to complete a requirement for any commendation could be increased on some and decreased on others. For example, 3 and 10 times for the regular "Kill 3 X skeletons by shooting a Gunpowder Skeleton". You can achieve this a bit too fast with the way the game stands now. The amount we need to do it should increase or the amount of Gunpowder Skeletons that spawn should be decreased. Right now the majority of the non-Legendary Commendations can be achieved on day one. Considering this event is supposed to last two weeks, I feel that is way too fast. I'd be happy to do it 10 and 20 times to get the Commendation.
Some have mentioned that the 'Legendary Gunpowder Plot' Commendation is too hard to do. This one required you to kill 5 skeletons with a Gunpowder Skeleton on an active fort while another crew is there as well. I personally feel that I don't mind it, it's a 'Legendary' Commendation after all. It's not supposed to be easy.
Speaking of Legendary Commendations, how come there is no title for them? They seem like the best Commendations to gain titles for. Seems a little odd to me.
During the first Bilge Rat Adventure we were able to earn a total of 100 Doubloons which we in could use to buy cosmetics, gold and recommendations. This adventure is no different, except for a few changes.
The items we are able to buy now are: The Bone Crusher Sword, Pistol, Blunderbuss and Eye of Reach, priced at 15 Doubloons per item. They will go well with the Bone Crusher outfit we were able to obtain during the last adventure. I didn't buy the dress so I was left with 60 Doubloons from the last adventure and thus was able to buy the new items right away without doing any of the new content.
I really like the way they look, but the guns feel a little bit off to me. Maybe that's just a matter of getting used to, but my aim became very terrible once I equipped the Bone Crusher Pistol. Another thing is the Eye of Reach. It's quite a bit larger than other Eye of Reach skins which has an impact on your vision. I've put them side by side for you to see:
Letter of Formal Recommendation
This is something that deserves it's own section because there's a bit of a dicussion going on between players on what they think of it. Multiple topics, including this one and this one have been made to talk about buying your way to Pirate Legend. Buying a Letter of Formal Recommendation now grants you 1 level for a Trading Company of your choice. During our last adventure this was, according to some players, about 1/3 of a level. I'm not too sure on that, I didn't personally buy the Recommendation then so I'm a little fuzzy on the details.
So, what's the discussion about? Well in essence there are players that feel their Pirate Legend title is worth less now that newer players are able to buy themselves to Pirate Legend. While in essence this is true, you still have to play the game and spend time on it. My opinion on it is: I don't really mind. It's a new way for Pirates to reach Legend status and I can only encourage Rare to give us more ways to do anything, really.
Getting one level for only 30 Doubloons, however, is something I feel is discussion worthy. It may be a little cheap in comparison to the other things. Tkae the 10.000 gold, for example. You can easily earn yourself 10.000 gold, and then some, by doing a Skeleton Fort. You cannot, however, earn yourself an entire level by doing a Skeleton Fort. Yet the cost of 10.000 gold and a Formal Letter of Recommendation are very close to eachother. I say make the letter 50, maybe even 60 gold. That way it has an impact on what you are doing and you really need to consider whether spending 60 Doubloons is worth the extra level.
Other updates, fixes and known issues
Skeleton Accuracy
While I've heard mixed things about the actual change, my experience is that the Skeletons are a lot better to fight now that each shot isn't a 100% hit. Heading for a group of Skeletons with guns doesn't mean guaranteed death anymore. This is a welcome change in my opinion. Tho it may need to be looked at, because not everyone seems to be affected by the change.
Joinable Status
The other day I was solo on a Sloop. I had just defeated a Galleon to keep my hard earned two Villainous Bounty Skulls safe and sound so the adrenaline was still rushing. I turned in one skull, turned around and P**F... someone joined my session. It scared the living daylight out of me because I was 100% sure I had cleared the entire island of players. While a message would have been nice, as we talk about in this topic right here, the fact that we can now lock our sessions from our own friends is a good addition. No longer will people be able to randomly join, but need to be invited.
Turning speed on the Galleon
The community was divided on this, some really liked the fact that the Galleon now turns faster and felt they had more control. Others felt they had less controll and hoped it was a bug. I was in the latter group. I absolutely dreaded sailing around on the Galleon while this bug was in play so I'm glad this has been fixed.
Some players travel in an unintended direction when fired from a cannon
Until this has been fixed, boarding another ship by shooting at pretty much any speed is virtually impossible. I cannot wait until they have put out a fix for this. I have high hopes for next week's patch, because this has been going on for a few weeks now. Bring on the fix!
Thank you
If you've made it this far then I've got great news for you: the read is over! Thank you for reading and let me know what you think about the current update. I've got some pretty nice comments on my last story and I hope to continue this for a good while to come.
Thank you to the following people for their kind words last time and boosting my motivation to keep on doing this:
If you think I can do something better with The Captain's Quarters (TCP), please let me know. I want to create the best TCP I can make each time around so I'm open to all feedback :).
Smooth sailin' to ye,
Murkrage
