WilyJaymes
Honorable Pirate
There's many threads which talk about ships of the line being made available for purchase, but I think we've all accepted by now that it's too insane. Moving on. A few others, including myself, have thought of the idea of adding a 4th rate SOTL instead of the one that currently exists. I didn't want my elaboration to get lost in those discussions, so I decided it would be best to make my own thread about it. But after doing a bit of research on the topic, I think it's better if we take a look at the 3rd rates. 4th rates are like the awkward middle child with few redeeming qualities. So... without further ado, an introduction:
What the heck is a 3rd rate SOTL?
It was a warship used by the British Royal Navy throughout the 18th century and in the early 19th century. It was one of the smaller ships classified as a "ship of the line." They would carry anywhere from 60 to 80 guns (most commonly 74, hence the title they came to be known as). 74s, as well as higher rated ships of the line, were primarily used for heavy bombardment, known for their difficulty to maneuver. A compromise in firepower, compared to the larger 2nd & 1st rates, made this ship more versatile. In some of the articles I read, it's called a "supremely practical weapon of war." They were so effective, that during the Napoleonic wars, there were more commissioned 74s in the Royal Navy than any other type of ship of the line. 3rd rates were famous for having a devastating broadside and being very durable. It could withstand great damage and continue fighting. However, it was quite slow and difficult to turn.These elements are perfect for a final mac daddy ship for us pirates to invest in.
Why does it need to come to TLOPO?
For years, many people have wanted a big, end game ship that's incredibly powerful and incredibly hard to acquire. The problem is that the SOTL that exists in the game currently is nothing more than a fat raid boss totally unfit for player usage, and in all honesty, not even worthy of the name. A new 3rd rate ship of the line, however, would be designed from the ground up to be smaller and much more compatible with player usage. It would also have checks and balances to ensure that it wouldn't rule the seas completely unchallenged.
Notice the lack of an exaggerated, raised forecastle and stern. There's a reason warships in the 18th century began to take on this shape. From a designer's perspective, the goal is to keep the ship's mass close to the waterline, while leaving only the important bits exposed. That makes it harder to hit. The British Navy really knew what they were doing back in the day. If you'll notice, the current in-game SOTL actually floats way above its waterline. So much of the hull, that should be underwater, is exposed. I'd strongly argue that if this ship were to be brought into the game, it should follow the real world design. That would make the 3rd rate viable in SvS.
Here are some stats I've put together for a potential in-game 3rd rate:
Armor: 16,800
Sails: 15,000
Speed: 9
Cannons: 16 (7 on each side, with 2 facing directly forward)
Broadsides: 30
Cargo: 18
Crew: 14
Turning Radius: Very large
(Around 10-15% larger than that of a base frigate)
Weak Armor Location: Back
Strong Armor Location: Front
Base Cost: Acquired via quest. Explained further down.
Resale: 60,000
Required Sailing Level: Mastered
Upgrade Costs: Will add a dedicated section for this soon.
Possible New Mechanic: Slightly increased sail opening time to incentivize proper decision making, rather than repeatedly stopping and going. That means the climb to max turning speed would be slower, but after that it would increase normally.
Ships of the line are basically bigger, cumbersome versions of frigates with more gun decks slapped on top, so I used the war frigate's stats as a base template. When progressing from light, medium, to war, frigate armor increases each class by 4,200 and the sail health increases by 3,000. That's how I arrived at those numbers. The broadside count is high because that it is the defining characteristic of any line ship. Without that, it might as well be a different ship. The tank and damage potential makes up for the undesirable maneuverability. Don't underestimate the drastic effect that not being able to turn quickly can have.
Its biggest weakness, and number one balancing check, is the large turning radius. In SvS, a sloop could easily out-maneuver it, avoid that devastating broadside, and take her down from the rear (the location of the weak armor, and where there is no ability to retaliate). Even in historical times, big ships of the line had great difficulty if caught out alone by a smaller, nimbler vessel. The helmsman would need to be very skilled, experienced, and really think ahead as to not get stuck in an unfavorable position - unable to quickly rebound from a mistake. This is a ship of commitment and carefully planned decisions. That downside, of course, could be minimized with the use of sea charts/tacking, but it's a tradeoff of firepower gained from cannon rams. I believe this feature, as well as the sluggish start off, would prevent the 3rd rate from being grossly overpowered, while still retaining its status as king of the ships.
Means of Acquisition:
A ship of this status should require more than just standard purchasing procedures. So I've thought of a short quest that would unlock as soon as you master sailing. It'll be given by Darby Drydock, the same guy who gave you your first light sloop. How poetic.
Title: Rite of Admiralty
Quest Giver: Darby Drydock
Objective 1: Show Darby that you have 1 of 4 swords in your inventory. Admiral's/Vice Admiral's Cutlass OR Admiral's/Vice Admiral's Sabre. A badge of honor that must be presented before being judged worthy to advance further. Simple, difficult, perfect.
Objective 2: Pay Darby handsomely with a hefty 200,000 gold for labor and as compensation for sending his "associates" to steal secret drawings of this new ship design from the navy. Being a shipwright in the most navy occupied port in the Caribbean, he has access to inside know-hows on where some of the navy's most innovative plans are made and stored. "It'll cost me a whole war brig's worth to get those drawings. Ye best be payin' extra mate."
Objective 3: Spend 2000 oak, 1500 silk, 800 iron, and 400 steel on initial construction. Since Darby shadily acquired the drawings of the 3rd rate, that means he doesn't have one just lying around to sell. Building a ship of this size from scratch would require very large amounts of high quality timber. Oak is one of those things most high level pirates - with hundreds of mat runs under their belts - have an abundance of. This'll give you something to use it on. The silk is needed in large amounts to produce enough surface area of high quality sail to propel this monster at a decent speed. Lastly, iron and steel for all the fittings, nails, cannons, and all that good stuff.
Now, let's say you're one of those few really crazy pirates, and you want more than one 3rd rate just so the other can be a firestorm with pink sails. After completing this quest for the first time, you'll no longer have to present your sword (unless you lost it somehow?) The material cost will stay the same. The price will fall to 120,000, seeing as your guy on the inside already risked his neck to steal the drawings and still has them. You're a cool pirate admiral now. So it's a simple stroll over to ya homeboy Drydock, whip out yer giant gold bag, and say "you know the drill mate."
Conclusion:
Of course our first goal should be to get the game back running the way it was, but I wanted to share this idea if a time arises when we get new content. Thanks for reading!
Below are some additional depictions of the 74 for those who wish to see. Click to enlarge.
What the heck is a 3rd rate SOTL?
It was a warship used by the British Royal Navy throughout the 18th century and in the early 19th century. It was one of the smaller ships classified as a "ship of the line." They would carry anywhere from 60 to 80 guns (most commonly 74, hence the title they came to be known as). 74s, as well as higher rated ships of the line, were primarily used for heavy bombardment, known for their difficulty to maneuver. A compromise in firepower, compared to the larger 2nd & 1st rates, made this ship more versatile. In some of the articles I read, it's called a "supremely practical weapon of war." They were so effective, that during the Napoleonic wars, there were more commissioned 74s in the Royal Navy than any other type of ship of the line. 3rd rates were famous for having a devastating broadside and being very durable. It could withstand great damage and continue fighting. However, it was quite slow and difficult to turn.These elements are perfect for a final mac daddy ship for us pirates to invest in.
Why does it need to come to TLOPO?
For years, many people have wanted a big, end game ship that's incredibly powerful and incredibly hard to acquire. The problem is that the SOTL that exists in the game currently is nothing more than a fat raid boss totally unfit for player usage, and in all honesty, not even worthy of the name. A new 3rd rate ship of the line, however, would be designed from the ground up to be smaller and much more compatible with player usage. It would also have checks and balances to ensure that it wouldn't rule the seas completely unchallenged.
Notice the lack of an exaggerated, raised forecastle and stern. There's a reason warships in the 18th century began to take on this shape. From a designer's perspective, the goal is to keep the ship's mass close to the waterline, while leaving only the important bits exposed. That makes it harder to hit. The British Navy really knew what they were doing back in the day. If you'll notice, the current in-game SOTL actually floats way above its waterline. So much of the hull, that should be underwater, is exposed. I'd strongly argue that if this ship were to be brought into the game, it should follow the real world design. That would make the 3rd rate viable in SvS.
Here are some stats I've put together for a potential in-game 3rd rate:
Armor: 16,800
Sails: 15,000
Speed: 9
Cannons: 16 (7 on each side, with 2 facing directly forward)
Broadsides: 30
Cargo: 18
Crew: 14
Turning Radius: Very large
(Around 10-15% larger than that of a base frigate)
Weak Armor Location: Back
Strong Armor Location: Front
Base Cost: Acquired via quest. Explained further down.
Resale: 60,000
Required Sailing Level: Mastered
Upgrade Costs: Will add a dedicated section for this soon.
Possible New Mechanic: Slightly increased sail opening time to incentivize proper decision making, rather than repeatedly stopping and going. That means the climb to max turning speed would be slower, but after that it would increase normally.
Ships of the line are basically bigger, cumbersome versions of frigates with more gun decks slapped on top, so I used the war frigate's stats as a base template. When progressing from light, medium, to war, frigate armor increases each class by 4,200 and the sail health increases by 3,000. That's how I arrived at those numbers. The broadside count is high because that it is the defining characteristic of any line ship. Without that, it might as well be a different ship. The tank and damage potential makes up for the undesirable maneuverability. Don't underestimate the drastic effect that not being able to turn quickly can have.
Its biggest weakness, and number one balancing check, is the large turning radius. In SvS, a sloop could easily out-maneuver it, avoid that devastating broadside, and take her down from the rear (the location of the weak armor, and where there is no ability to retaliate). Even in historical times, big ships of the line had great difficulty if caught out alone by a smaller, nimbler vessel. The helmsman would need to be very skilled, experienced, and really think ahead as to not get stuck in an unfavorable position - unable to quickly rebound from a mistake. This is a ship of commitment and carefully planned decisions. That downside, of course, could be minimized with the use of sea charts/tacking, but it's a tradeoff of firepower gained from cannon rams. I believe this feature, as well as the sluggish start off, would prevent the 3rd rate from being grossly overpowered, while still retaining its status as king of the ships.
Means of Acquisition:
A ship of this status should require more than just standard purchasing procedures. So I've thought of a short quest that would unlock as soon as you master sailing. It'll be given by Darby Drydock, the same guy who gave you your first light sloop. How poetic.
Title: Rite of Admiralty
Quest Giver: Darby Drydock
Objective 1: Show Darby that you have 1 of 4 swords in your inventory. Admiral's/Vice Admiral's Cutlass OR Admiral's/Vice Admiral's Sabre. A badge of honor that must be presented before being judged worthy to advance further. Simple, difficult, perfect.
Objective 2: Pay Darby handsomely with a hefty 200,000 gold for labor and as compensation for sending his "associates" to steal secret drawings of this new ship design from the navy. Being a shipwright in the most navy occupied port in the Caribbean, he has access to inside know-hows on where some of the navy's most innovative plans are made and stored. "It'll cost me a whole war brig's worth to get those drawings. Ye best be payin' extra mate."
Objective 3: Spend 2000 oak, 1500 silk, 800 iron, and 400 steel on initial construction. Since Darby shadily acquired the drawings of the 3rd rate, that means he doesn't have one just lying around to sell. Building a ship of this size from scratch would require very large amounts of high quality timber. Oak is one of those things most high level pirates - with hundreds of mat runs under their belts - have an abundance of. This'll give you something to use it on. The silk is needed in large amounts to produce enough surface area of high quality sail to propel this monster at a decent speed. Lastly, iron and steel for all the fittings, nails, cannons, and all that good stuff.
Now, let's say you're one of those few really crazy pirates, and you want more than one 3rd rate just so the other can be a firestorm with pink sails. After completing this quest for the first time, you'll no longer have to present your sword (unless you lost it somehow?) The material cost will stay the same. The price will fall to 120,000, seeing as your guy on the inside already risked his neck to steal the drawings and still has them. You're a cool pirate admiral now. So it's a simple stroll over to ya homeboy Drydock, whip out yer giant gold bag, and say "you know the drill mate."
Conclusion:
Of course our first goal should be to get the game back running the way it was, but I wanted to share this idea if a time arises when we get new content. Thanks for reading!
Below are some additional depictions of the 74 for those who wish to see. Click to enlarge.
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