Looking for advice on Pirate Ships

[Rieley]

Was reading threads the other day (could have been an old one) where players were having a hard time finding Merchant ships. Some explained the way the ships spawn, and I've only seen pirate ships the last two days on ATL. So I was thinking about trying to take down some pirates to get the merchants to spawn. I remember the pirates were much harder since they fight back.

Anyone have input on taking down the pirate ships? Tips, tricks, warnings?

 

[Pawain]

They do not fire back. Load all your side cannons.

Say Fire Port Broadside or Fire Starboard Broadside

That does 3 hits it takes 10 to sink them. I have one of the 3 cannons loaded with grapeshot so 2 hits from each side sinks them and bloodies the crew.

Get the pirate quest in Tokuno and sail off those docks. Easy pickings.

LS always has merchant ships, which I don't want.

 

[gwen]

if you sail with commands, not your mouse, you can vome enough close to fire cannons but ship will not notice you and will not sail away. Crew can start attacking you. but bows/soulglauves with Orc Slayer in it will kill em fast.
Then my hitter waits for pirate to regain health, jumps on boat, honors pirate and kills /captures him/her with AI sword and Enemy of One. While other toon clears all resources.

 

[Rieley]

wow, thanks much all.

 

[Ghost of Gramps]

They do not fire back. Load all your side cannons.

Say Fire Port Broadside or Fire Starboard Broadside

That does 3 hits it takes 10 to sink them. I have one of the 3 cannons loaded with grapeshot so 2 hits from each side sinks them and bloodies the crew.

Get the pirate quest in Tokuno and sail off those docks. Easy pickings.

LS always has merchant ships, which I don't want.

Just say "Fire...?"
All this time I have been manually loading and clicking fire on the gump. Or, did I misunderstand what you said?

 

[Pawain]

Just say "Fire...?"
All this time I have been manually loading and clicking fire on the gump. Or, did I misunderstand what you said?

Yes have to say it like that.

 

[Ghost of Gramps]

Yes have to say it like that.

What the hell. I only need to say "fire" for all freakin' cannons to fire?

 

[Ghost of Gramps]

Hee

Yes have to say it like that.

You got to be ****tin me. All this time I been fightin on the high seas alone and I could have been firin full cannons just with a holla? ****!
I woulda been king of the seas by now knowin that.

 

[Keven2002]

Hee
You got to be ****tin me. All this time I been fightin on the high seas alone and I could have been firin full cannons just with a holla? ****!
I woulda been king of the seas by now knowin that.

You have to say "Fire Port Broadside" or "Fire Starboard Broadside" as just "Fire" won't work. That said, this will fire all the cannons on that side; which will waste a shot if you aren't fully along side the enemy ship.

@Rieley - to add to what Pawain said, if you use an orc ship (they are pretty cheap now - these are only sold by player vendors or from doing the Tok pirate hunting quest Pawain talked about) you will do even more damage to enemy ships from your cannons and will take less ammo to scuttle the enemy. My advice is to use a ranged character to captain (archer/thrower/mage) and take out the crew (use Repond slayer) before using the cannons on the ship as it makes things easier and your cannon shots would only need to be cannonballs which do 6500dmg per hit with an orc ship.

 

[Anon McDougle]

You have to say "Fire Port Broadside" or "Fire Starboard Broadside" as just "Fire" won't work. That said, this will fire all the cannons on that side; which will waste a shot if you aren't fully along side the enemy ship.

@Rieley - to add to what Pawain said, if you use an orc ship (they are pretty cheap now - these are only sold by player vendors or from doing the Tok pirate hunting quest Pawain talked about) you will do even more damage to enemy ships from your cannons and will take less ammo to scuttle the enemy. My advice is to use a ranged character to captain (archer/thrower/mage) and take out the crew (use Repond slayer) before using the cannons on the ship as it makes things easier and your cannon shots would only need to be cannonballs which do 6500dmg per hit with an orc ship.

Use a tamer with a Mare using magery mastery thry teleport over and clean up

 

[Keven2002]

Use a tamer with a Mare using magery mastery thry teleport over and clean up

I've read that people have lost their pet that way if they don't keep up with the ship?? Not sure if this was something that was made up or maybe it was fixed? I wouldn't risk a pet but it's certainly an option to use a tamer too.

 

[Anon McDougle]

I've read that people have lost their pet that way if they don't keep up with the ship?? Not sure if this was something that was made up or maybe it was fixed? I wouldn't risk a pet but it's certainly an option to use a tamer too.

I've jumped server lines lost line of sight died had to sail to get rez then sail back never lost my pet..

 

[Petra Fyde]

This information is on the Ships Guide on uo.com. The page on cannons also informs you that once the loading process has started it will automatically go through the stages as long as you remain on the ship. This means you can start the process and move on to the next cannon. You don't have to stand by it until the process completes.
For anyone who is interested there's a short video showing broadsides on my youtube channel. Just search for my name.

 

[Rieley]

Usually google helps with most question I have regarding UO. But this thread is full of great information. I pinned it to my desktop. Thank you all.

All these years I've used the Orc ship and stood by each cannon firing one cannon at a time. Tried the Pirate once and died. Now I have this to go by it will be more fun to do the ships.

 

[Ellie]

If you go after the merchants they will give you a lot of resources. Also use cannonballs, they wont hurt the crew and after the ship is scuttled you can get on start looting things and they will stand around watching you.

 

[Anon McDougle]

If you go after the merchants they will give you a lot of resources. Also use cannonballs, they wont hurt the crew and after the ship is scuttled you can get on start looting things and they will stand around watching you.

Ellie sees crew members real pirates see cargo chest

 

[Draza]

4 years back now, and i never knew about the command to fire broadside

 

[HippoRedux]

I'm surprised no one mentioned that all you need to scuttle ships is fuse cord and powder charge. I noticed this 2-3 years back and thought it was a glitch but the Developers obviously know about it but haven't advertised this feature. Not needing cannonballs saves a ton of iron ingots by not making them. Initially you only need to buy 15-20 fuse cord and powder charge because once you have sacked an orc pirate or merchantman you can replace the ammo used to disable the vessel from their cargo hold. The cannonballs and grapeshot in the disabled ship's cargo hold I grab just for the clean up points - along with the refinement items. I play on two computers with the Captain being a Mystic-Mage and First Mate an archer with orc slayer bow and/or Necro-Archer as Captain and Tamer w/Magic Mastery mare. With the first combo I disable the pirate ship with cannon (you can man the guns while invis/hidden) and then I cast RC or EV's to kill crew. With the 2nd combo I let the mare "jump ship" and wipe out the crew while I sail along and disable with cannon. Happy Hunting on the High Seas!

 

[Anon McDougle]

I'm surprised no one mentioned that all you need to scuttle ships is fuse cord and powder charge. I noticed this 2-3 years back and thought it was a glitch but the Developers obviously know about it but haven't advertised this feature. Not needing cannonballs saves a ton of iron ingots by not making them. Initially you only need to buy 15-20 fuse cord and powder charge because once you have sacked an orc pirate or merchantman you can replace the ammo used to disable the vessel from their cargo hold. The cannonballs and grapeshot in the disabled ship's cargo hold I grab just for the clean up points - along with the refinement items. I play on two computers with the Captain being a Mystic-Mage and First Mate an archer with orc slayer bow and/or Necro-Archer as Captain and Tamer w/Magic Mastery mare. With the first combo I disable the pirate ship with cannon (you can man the guns while invis/hidden) and then I cast RC or EV's to kill crew. With the 2nd combo I let the mare "jump ship" and wipe out the crew while I sail along and disable with cannon. Happy Hunting on the High Seas!

Shhhhhhhhhh nothing to see here this person is drunken posting

 

[Pawain]

I keep mine loaded with cannon balls because you get so many.

The free cannon load is plain balls. I hoped they would default to what you shot last so I tried the reward types but the next shot is a plain ball.

Also hold a +60 hammer and it costs a lot less ingots to repair cannons.

 

[Rieley]

4 years back now, and i never knew about the command to fire broadside

I know, not to bore ya'll but this thread is so informative. I find it hard to find information on the ships, even google. Can't wait to try the broadside commands and was wondering where the OP found this info? Is there a site missed that contains more information? Still a little hesitant to take on Pirates but will do that today if RL allows. I must learn to bring on another account that can rez. If we die on a ship, can we still sail?

 

[Petra Fyde]

I know, not to bore ya'll but this thread is so informative. I find it hard to find information on the ships, even google. Can't wait to try the broadside commands and was wondering where the OP found this info? Is there a site missed that contains more information? Still a little hesitant to take on Pirates but will do that today if RL allows. I must learn to bring on another account that can rez. If we die on a ship, can we still sail?

Ships Guide – Ultima Online

uo.com

Cannons – Ultima Online

uo.com

 

[Rieley]

I'm surprised no one mentioned that all you need to scuttle ships is fuse cord and powder charge. I noticed this 2-3 years back and thought it was a glitch but the Developers obviously know about it but haven't advertised this feature. Not needing cannonballs saves a ton of iron ingots by not making them. Initially you only need to buy 15-20 fuse cord and powder charge because once you have sacked an orc pirate or merchantman you can replace the ammo used to disable the vessel from their cargo hold. The cannonballs and grapeshot in the disabled ship's cargo hold I grab just for the clean up points - along with the refinement items. I play on two computers with the Captain being a Mystic-Mage and First Mate an archer with orc slayer bow and/or Necro-Archer as Captain and Tamer w/Magic Mastery mare. With the first combo I disable the pirate ship with cannon (you can man the guns while invis/hidden) and then I cast RC or EV's to kill crew. With the 2nd combo I let the mare "jump ship" and wipe out the crew while I sail along and disable with cannon. Happy Hunting on the High Seas!

Did I read this correctly, no need to load the cannons with cannon balls? My character are no good at PVP and not much better at PVM. I play a mage, so EV will take out the crew on an orc ship, and I can be invis'd? We can now cast 2 EVs, so that makes it easier. I have my 1 month old grbaby today, but so eager to get out on the sea.

 

[HippoRedux]

Did I read this correctly, no need to load the cannons with cannon balls? My character are no good at PVP and not much better at PVM. I play a mage, so EV will take out the crew on an orc ship, and I can be invis'd? We can now cast 2 EVs, so that makes it easier. I have my 1 month old grbaby today, but so eager to get out on the sea.

I haven't loaded cannon ball nor grapeshot in close to 3 years. You can't use EV's on the orc ship deck until after you have disabled it with cannon fire. And yes, the gunner/s can be Hidden or invisible and still shoot and load cannon. You can't use the "broadside" command though or you will be revealed.

 

[Rieley]

Ships Guide – Ultima Online

uo.com

Cannons – Ultima Online

uo.com

Thank you for these links. I have read them several times, but it appears there is information on this thread that doesn't appear at those links. I was wondering if there was another site that gave more information.

 

[Pawain]

I just want Beacons so I find the Merchant ships a lot on LS.

But 3 shots at a time works great.



For Beacons I take my 4 guys. 2 archers with Orc Slayer bows then they just shoot at the Beacon. I steer and shoot the bow cannon and use commands. My other guy hides and shoots 1 shot from the bow cannon. His main job is reloading the side cannons. So he stays back there and hides.

All four get Mythical cargo from a Beacon.
When in a party all four get the reward from a pirate, even the hidden one.
So 4 orc ship parts per dread pirate is common.

 

[Maith Ceol]

@Pawain Your ship is pretty adorable for a pirate!

 

[Anon McDougle]

Just adding pumpkin cannons to the black market would have helped this crappy publish...

 

[skett]

will the pumpkin cannons disappear if not repaired like other cannons ?

 

[Anon McDougle]

will the pumpkin cannons disappear if not repaired like other cannons ?

Yes they are exactly like all other cannons just look good

 

[skett]

They should just stop working not disappear they can’t be replaced as of yet

 

[Anon McDougle]

They should just stop working not disappear they can’t be replaced as of yet

They don't disappear they "explode" from disrepair

 

[skett]

I wish they would give us new paint dye tubs and the this ship with the Halloween Deco

 

[Pawain]

Yes such an easy thing to add to the game. Not the ship but the individual items.

Also let us have sail designs and paint those.

 

[gwen]

@Pawain 4 toons is 4game windows. My laptop will burn through my table. I think 2 windows with pinco's UI is quite much for me. Anyway I am doing it for more mystic cargo.

 

[Pawain]

@Pawain 4 toons is 4game windows. My laptop will burn through my table. I think 2 windows with pinco's UI is quite much for me. Anyway I am doing it for more mystic cargo.

I have never owned a laptop. So when I am not home I don't play.
I can see 3 guys at a time.

 

[Rieley]

OK, so I did a pirate ship. Just me and my blue bug. Stayed a small distance and used the overhead map to direct me as when to fire. I invis'd the bug and myself after I broadsided the ship. Forgot to use the grapeshot, next time. After the pirate ship sunk, I was able to cast 2 EVs and they took out the crew. Very little healing on my part to keep me alive.

There was one that just wouldn't die. Think he was a 'dread something'. So as EVs were beating him up, I boarded the ship with my bug and looted. Didn't get it all because I wasn't sure what the guy that wouldn't die was going to do. With more experience on my part my comfort level will go up. Hoping soon I'll try a beacon. Is that the only place to get the Mythic cargo?

Thanks all. I'm off to get paint for my ship today. On my way to being a pirate.

 

[Pawain]

Yes Mythic is from beacons.

That red Pirate is the the Dread Pirate. Best to use a pet with Chiv on it. But with your 1 slot bug and 2 EVs It will take quite a while to kill it.
As you saw, you can just leave him alone and loot everything you want. Make sure you open the hold and get the cannon ammo and stuff.

If you are going to be alone. Try to get a repond or orc slayer book for the crew of the Beacon.
You should look at this video and learn how to place your ship along the side of the beacon to kill the crew without taking damage. Beacons do fight back. The orcs die fast with an orc slayer book and chain lightning. You can also cast an EV on the orcs if you hit the right spot.

Video: How To Fight A Plunderbeacon | uo-cah.com

www.uo-cah.com

I prefer to attack from the back side of the beacon. The beacon itself is vulnerable to fire. Cast flamestrike while the cannon reloads. Flame cannonballs do not do fire damage so plain ones are same.


General info on Pirating for cargo: Ultima Online Publish 104: Rising Tide Event Guide *Updated* | uo-cah.com

 

[Rieley]

I'm going to spend my day getting better organized. Awesome set up. Thank you for sharing!

I have never owned a laptop. So when I am not home I don't play.
I can see 3 guys at a time.
View attachment 126590

 

[PlayerSkillFTW]

@Pawain 4 toons is 4game windows. My laptop will burn through my table. I think 2 windows with pinco's UI is quite much for me. Anyway I am doing it for more mystic cargo.

I've used 8 chars at a time on the Plunder Beacons, alt-tabbing through 8 CC windows. One 4x120 Bard/Mage running Provo Masteries (for party healing) and seven Chiv/Throwers (although EoO no longer works on Plunder Beacons ) with Bane Soul Glaives (the main Chiv/Thrower also has an Orc Slayer Soul Glaive). The Throwing Masteries, Elemental Fury and Called Shot, work well against the Plunder Beacon. My main Thrower will hop on a Rowboat (which can't be damaged) and use it to take down the Orcs, before moving in with my Orc Ship. I can take down Plunder Beacons within just a couple minutes without expending any cannon ammo.
Get the max of 8 Mythic Cargo per Plunder Beacon that way. I do this on a dead shard, so i can easily find the Plunder Beacons via tracking without the seas being cluttered with player ships.

 

[gwen]

I've used 8 chars at a time on the Plunder Beacons, alt-tabbing through 8 CC windows.

8 windows alt-tabbing looks more like work for me. )

 

[Naitch]

8 windows alt-tabbing looks more like work for me. )

Not a problem for cyborgs

 

[PlayerSkillFTW]

8 windows alt-tabbing looks more like work for me. )

It's not that bad. I alt-tab between them to get them on the ship, and then i'm mostly just using my main Thrower to pilot the ship and find the Plunder Beacons. After i kill off the Orc Crew with my main Thrower, that's when i alt-tab between the 8 windows again to activate Elemental Fury, Called Shot, and attack the Plunder Beacon. I only really need to alt-tab between all 8 when i get them on a new Plunder Beacon. The Bard/Mage running Inspire/Invigorate gets enough credit for a Mythic Cargo just by healing up the Throwers from lightning damage with Invigorate.

 

[Drakelord]

Fire Port Broadside or Fire Starboard Broadside

Port is what side of the ship? Right ?? to lazy to look it up

ok Port is left, so the commands to fire are Fire Starboard Broadside (right side) and Fire Port Broadside (left side) thanks you!

 

[Parnoc]

Are you all sure Grapeshot actually is useful? Seems to me to be a really weak shot with very little damage to the crew, I gave up using them long long ago. My fisherman is also an Archer and even at his lower skill still his area bow hits about 3 times more with one shot than a Grapeshot that spreads it's damage.` Most of the time I do it with my regular archer on board so the crew of the targeted ship go down in a hurry except for the Captain of course. Try sneaking up on them and shoot and the ship is scuttled in no time with only one cannon and no movement from the target ship, but you have to be really cagey and very patient to get close to them at first, but if you're successful, and you're in the right place, your ship will take no damage. Oh and I'm only talking about Pirate ships, not merchants.

 

[Pawain]

Are you all sure Grapeshot actually is useful? Seems to me to be a really weak shot with very little damage to the crew, I gave up using them long long ago. My fisherman is also an Archer and even at his lower skill still his area bow hits about 3 times more with one shot than a Grapeshot that spreads it's damage.` Most of the time I do it with my regular archer on board so the crew of the targeted ship go down in a hurry except for the Captain of course. Try sneaking up on them and shoot and the ship is scuttled in no time with only one cannon and no movement from the target ship, but you have to be really cagey and very patient to get close to them at first, but if you're successful, and you're in the right place, your ship will take no damage. Oh and I'm only talking about Pirate ships, not merchants.

It takes 10 regular cannon shots to sink the pirate ship. Since I use the 3 side cannons that's 12 shots. I found that using a cannon on each side with grapeshot I still sink the pirate ship and do damage to the crew.

I do it so I can use some of the grapeshot they all have in their holds.

It is irrelevant because once the ship is scuttled my pet can wipe out the crew in 5 seconds.

I don't think pirate or merchant ships can damage your ship. But beacons sure can.

 

[Pawain]

Since this is becoming a general info thread.

For tamers:
Many of us use a built AI/AP giant beetle since it can hold stuff. They can kill the Dread pirate but take a while alone.

Any AI/Chiv pet will kill it faster.
Those two together kill it before you can loot the ship so be careful if you are catching the pirate.

A magery mastery pet can jump to the pirate ship and kill the crew. They can also jump to beacons but not as often. They will not jump back to you. So you have to log off and on to retrieve them from a beacon.

A current spawning 2 slot nightmare makes a good AI/magery mastery pet. Please do not use a prepatch nightmare for that build

 

[Laura_Gold]

log off and on

Try recalling to your ship?

 

[Petra Fyde]

Port is what side of the ship? Right ?? to lazy to look it up
View attachment 126748
ok Port is left, so the commands to fire are Fire Starboard Broadside (right side) and Fire Port Broadside (left side) thanks you!

I admit to getting confused as the ship turns. I solved this by dying the port cannons purple and the starboard cannons blue. Hopeless I know, but it works for me - in case anyone doesn't know, to dye a cannon you have to take the metal dye tub onboard and dye them in place. You can't dye the deeds, and the colour is lost if you re-deed the cannon.

 

[MalagAste]

Port is what side of the ship? Right ?? to lazy to look it up
View attachment 126748
ok Port is left, so the commands to fire are Fire Starboard Broadside (right side) and Fire Port Broadside (left side) thanks you!

The way I remember is that Port is short... Left is short... Starboard is long Right is longer than Left... otherwise I'd never remember.