In one of the guides or forum topics (I forgot which) it was mentioned that during a plunder attack it is the fastest fleet that fires first.

I've been sailing around Avonmora with a single Cutter, having set the attributes for max speed I tested it on fleets that were way stronger but slower. Only on a few instances did my fleet shoot first. Is this how it should be? What is the rule here?

From my personal tests, attributes that affect speed play a role. Cotton Sails and Double Hammocks.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=76

I am not sure if Favorable winds affect who shoots first in battle. Most probably they will.

A single cutter should be able to fire first against all ships when double hammocks and cotton sails are max.

Black sparrow wrote:A single cutter should be able to fire first against all ships when double hammocks and cotton sails are max.

I would say this is true, but you are missing one aspect... Copper Plating makes the ship turn faster : Meaning the first ship if this is maxed, and the opponents ship is not, can get the first hit. (As well as double hammocks and cotton Sails )....

But hey, I am wrong probably.

Black sparrow wrote:From my personal tests, attributes that affect speed play a role. Cotton Sails and Double Hammocks.
viewtopic.php?f=13&t=76

I am not sure if Favorable winds affect who shoots first in battle. Most probably they will.

A single cutter should be able to fire first against all ships when double hammocks and cotton sails are max.

Thanks, that's not what is happing.

Cotton sails, hammocks and copper plating are maxed but the poor old cutter doesn't get a shot off.

I'll try again with some favourable winds cards but doubt this is the case. It happened with two different opponents.

Can you just share those battles here ?

May I ask, is a opponent by any chance me?

Afraid not Mr Roberts

Below are the two battles....... Just tried a couple of other and the cutter did come in first.

Monarch (1350 HP) VERSUS Unnamed (90 HP)

Round: 1
Monarch attacks against Unnamed!
Monarch hits for 95.88 points of damage and A BIG HOLE opens in the main deck of Unnamed! FEAR and DESPAIR spreads among the crew as it seems that the end is near!
(Cannons fired: 30 Cannons Missed: 14)
Unnamed main deck get teared apart into pieces and the ship is immediately dragged to the sea bottom!

Monarch Wins
You lost 2,153 gold coins!

SOL-07 (1350 HP) VERSUS Unnamed (90 HP)

Round: 1
A deafening assault from SOL-07 makes the hearts of Unnamed crew to pound rapidly!
SOL-07 hits for 142.8 points of damage and part of the Unnamed crew ABANDON the ship! WATER FLOODS the main deck and it seems that the end is near!
(Cannons fired: 30 Cannons Missed: 11)
Screams of horror and despair are heard as Unnamed begins its journey for the sea bottom!

SOL-07 Wins

I guess your crew was transfixed by the awesome beauty of SOL-07's somewhat risqué figurehead, such that they forgot to take first shot at her?

Truly, that was a bust.

Perhaps the opponent had Favorable winds on.
It should be down to luck when both ships have the same final speed.