Wind in sailing

[shawn]

something that was idealized in the movies as a strategic factor was wind. so it would make sense that their would be wind during sailing in the game. so you could add wind with random speeds if different directions to either speed up your ship of slow it down.

 

[Driftarr]

something that was idealized in the movies as a strategic factor was wind. so it would make sense that their would be wind during sailing in the game. so you could add wind with random speeds if different directions to either speed up your ship of slow it down.

I've thought about this before as well, as for realism, yeah wind is absolutely crucial in sailing, but as are the water currents. I've visualized in my own head to have an 'Overlay map' of wind patterns and another one of water currents that can be laid over the existing ocean map while sailing.

My thoughts were that the wind currents can be changing overtime and the water currents stay consistent. Sailing with the wind at your back gives added speed, against slows down, and same with the water currents. I know it would make sailing effectively more of a challenge to easy going sailors, but if the patterns were watched and learned, it could be fun to master.

Currently with where we are, major changes to sailing might be really far off haha. But I would be in support of a simple 'Wind Direction' pointer, or having a flag on the tallest mast of the ship to show which direction will give the greatest speed.

 

[Sky Kiwi]

This would be really, really cool.

Having wind affect cannonballs would be interesting too. Could have more effect on certain types (chain, grape, thunder and fury) moderate on normal cannonballs like round and firebrand, and almost none on the heavy guy (explosive).

Though it would be pretty annoying, so I don't see this being implemented as far as cannonballs go. Most people would hate it. It would be great for SvS, adding a lot more skill and tactics to it (upwind means more range than your foe!), but having wind in SvS and no wind in PvE would be a strange inconsistency.

Really I just wanted to talk about how interesting this idea is, without any real belief it would get added.

As for wind and ocean currents affecting the speed of ships, I really dig that idea, and I would absolutely love it.