How do I know if my sloop can take on a fluyt, or a merchantman, or a howker level 4?

is the sloop lvl 4 or the others?

I just started the game. I have a sloop level 1, with possibly not the smartest use of points on it's upgrades. Full 50 crew and 12 cannons. Then there's a list of NPC ships I can attack. Howker level 6, Galleon level 4, cutter level 3, Fluyt level 4, and a few repeats, naval ones too.

I've done a little experimenting, so much for undefeated, lol. By looking at the shipwright I've gotten some basic stats. But how much do levels improve them(npc enemy ships)?

lvls give more attribute points which can be applied to make ships useful, and ur 1 lvl 1 sloop isnt gonna do mcuh against those, lvl 1's always s**k XD

Well, I have won a few battles at least. But it seems starting as a privateer is a poor choice, lol. Does getting more crew make a ship faster or anything?

the more crew will give you more speed and make the ship fight better. But really to help your ship be better lvl it up.

contact me in game on this id number (#10325) i ll help you out

May i suggest worrying about money first, money is key, and to upgrade your sloop you need money, i would say run trade fleets.

I thank you for the advice, but I've got two problems. First, it takes money to get trade fleets, lol. Secondly, setting an automatic trade route and coming by one or twice a day for a minute each time is boring as hell.

Rhys gethin wrote:I thank you for the advice, but I've got two problems. First, it takes money to get trade fleets, lol. Secondly, setting an automatic trade route and coming by one or twice a day for a minute each time is boring as hell.

If you have any ideas on how we could improve your experience, please free to share here:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=204

It is always good to hear ideas from the new players as you got a different perspective that the rest of us lack due to our adaptation to how the game is.