SlightlyMadWizard on Jan 6, 2014 wrote:

If you are not able to unequip items from your ship, check to make sure your Backpack is not full since the unequiped item goes into your Backpack. If you try to unequip ship items and your Backpack is full, you are not allowed to unequip the item by double clicking on it and the background of the equip-hand is brown or gray indicating that you can't use it. There is NO error message shown except for when you put the cursor over the equip-hand. The error message says “You can't unequip this right now.” which doesn't really explain why you are not able to unequip that item.

Thanks for the advice and tip SlightlyMadWizard.

I am sure a lot of people have run into this, as I know I have a time or too. I also have run into issues trying to sell ship parts that are equipped on other ships. I go to unequip them as I am interfacing with the trader but they either won't unequip or I still don't see them in my list of parts and can't sell them. Sometimes I have to exit out of trade and unbottle ship- then double click on the ship parts on the picture of the ship - showing all the parts. For some reason, sometimes when I click on the parts on the list to the right (with the boxes) they won't unequip but they will if I unequip from the left side with ship picture. Pretty weird to say the least and I don't know why it happens only sometimes (my backpack is never full when it happens). Was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this besides me?

Thanks again for the tip!

Chrissy Th'Blesser on Jan 7, 2014 wrote:

I have had that happen too. No idea why the unequip gets stubborn on the right but on the left side they get really obedient. Perhaps they are Democratic parts (Ya know far left? nvm just kidding anyway.) The part about having to bottle and unbottle I have had happen too, I just thought it was a way of resetting the info. Not sure if that is a but or just how it works. At least we have figured out how to get it to work, so if you younger players are having these type of issues, don't worry, it's not you.

Democratic ship parts....far left....that's funny- others may not but I certainly appreciated that joke. Good to know that I am not the only one that has come across this issue. I wonder if any of the developers or administrators have an explanation for why it happens or if we are doing something wrong. Or like you said maybe it is just how that part of the game works and was intended to. Or perhaps they are not aware of the issue. Definitely not a big deal as we can make it work but something worth looking into I guess.

Scarlet Freeman on Jan 8, 2014 wrote:

General Tip

Never neglect your nautical experience bar. Better nautical level means better ships, right? And better ships means quicker broadside combat battles. Almost there. You still need to equip your ship with some ship equipment so that it can become the best it can be.

Most ships and ship equipment requires a certain nautical level and to stay up- to-date with enemy ships you have to buy new ships and ship equipment. This is where your nautical experience comes into play. If you don't have a high enough nautical level you won't be able to get some of the better gear for your ship, or perhaps, you may not even be able to get the ship you were planning on buying.

Nautical farming helps you avoid this hassle and it can grant you some great ship gear. Fight many ships around your level and do side quests to raise your nautical level as much as you can. It really helps in the long run.

Now, if only I had listened to this piece of advice.

Another great tip Scarlet

It is funny that you brought up this tip, because lately in the game I have seen lots of high level pirates 50 - Maxed, asking for help with ship battles because their Nautical level is still in mid 30s. I for one love to stay on top of my Nautical level because I rather enjoy naval warfare in the skyways. That being said, it serves you well to not be outgunned because as we all now- being surrounded by and battling much higher ships is definitely not fun.

It was hard to understand why so many high levels were asking for help due to neglecting Nautical level. There are a lot of ship battle quests in the main storyline and it only makes sense to build your XP and ship up to handle these situations. After all, you wouldn't go into battle in Aquila against level 55-60 enemies if your pirate was in Cool Ranch and 30 levels lower than the enemy.

With the advice of your tips, which I am sorry that you failed to heed your own wise words, everyone who owns a ship should keep that Nautical level up and gain naval superiority by equipping the best possible ship parts. Your life in the skyways will be so much easier.

Thanks again for the tip!

SlightlyMadWizard on Jan 9, 2014 wrote:

A slight correction: Ships use Pirate's Level and ship equipment use Nautical Level (at least in my experience so far). I haven't found a single ship that has a required Nautical Level, only the Pirate's Level.

I do believe you are right. Excellent catch. Well done.

Due to some delightfully 'noodging' I will re post this tip here.
When you see that you are about to graduate to a new level, check your training points you have earned doing quests that level. If it is under 10 be sure to buy some to the max of 10 that you can buy before the price goes up. In fact if you are heavy in gold, go ahead and buy the next 10 right after you level then when you earn more, it ignores the limit and you can have more than 10 waiting for you when you level again.

This is a matter of playing style but I always keep my first mate at my level, knowing that it will cost 3 or 4 tomes to do this but everyone else I let wait until they are low enough that one tome will bring them up at least one level. And the companions that have less epics and are at the end of my list, those I let stay lower until one tome will take them up at least 2 levels. That way you get more training out of your gold.

Melody the Swift on Jan 9, 2014 wrote:

Maybe we could meet at a certain realm at dungeon areas, and help other players?

Anyways, my helpful tip is to NEVER surround a swashbuckler (in PVP) that is level 23 or higher. This is because they have "Shadowdance" (the talent where they can attack all enemies surrounding them that are in the square next to them.) Also, at the start of a PVP match, spread out your team so they are not in a 3x3 space. This is because many players have "gunnery" which can go across the board and attack in a 3x3 square. I hope this helps!(Is this tip to "PVP" related?)(and is "Shadowdance" the correct talent?)

Quick Melody Nightngale, Level 21

Hi Melody and thanks for joining the tip parade!

Great tips and strategies on PvP combat against Swashbucklers and about defending against the Gunnery power.

I do believe, however, that the power Swashbuckler's gain at level 23 that you were referring to is Dance of Steel (and not Shadowdance). Shadowdance is a Swashbuckler Boost or Buffing power that provides one ally with a x2 critical hit chance for 3 rounds. That being said you are so right in being careful about not surrounding a swashbuckler for fear of them using Dance of Steel. The good news, or not so good news in some cases, is that any pirate that has the talent heavy armor-rank1 has access to the Dance of Steel power by equipping The Metal Guardian's Boots.

As far as the PvP tip, that is great advice. It is wise to spread your companions out to avoid getting hit with gunnery or other similar powers (or witchdoctor's AoE attacks for that matter). I don't do a lot of PvP but I have fought in battles with pirates who have the ranged powers that can attack up to 9 opponents in a 3 x 3 space (and I also have several of them as well). Gunnery is the lowest level of these powers, but against lower level pirates and enemies it can do major damage.

As your pirate gains levels you will face even tougher more superior ranged powers of this nature such as:
Artillery- Provides Major Barrage with 50% chance for fire on enemy tiles.
The Big Guns- Provides Superior Barrage with 100% chance for fire on enemy tiles.
Rain of Mortarshells- 1x damage plus scatter bomb traps

and the Musketeer class only powers:
Hail of cannonballs- +50% damage plus scatter bomb traps
Tempest of Torpedoes- +50% damage plus scatter bomb traps with knockback ability
Powder Monkey's Palisade- places powder kegs on open or empty tiles surrounding enemies

Needless to say all of these powers can do lots of damage and your tip to spread out your crew to minimize the damage is a great one.

Any PvP tips are more than welcomed. In fact, anything that could be seen as beneficial or helpful to your fellow pirates is seen as valuable to the thread.

Thank you so much for your tips and your input Melody!

Chrissy Th'Blesser on Jan 9, 2014 wrote:

Due to some delightfully 'noodging' I will re post this tip here.
When you see that you are about to graduate to a new level, check your training points you have earned doing quests that level. If it is under 10 be sure to buy some to the max of 10 that you can buy before the price goes up. In fact if you are heavy in gold, go ahead and buy the next 10 right after you level then when you earn more, it ignores the limit and you can have more than 10 waiting for you when you level again.

This is a matter of playing style but I always keep my first mate at my level, knowing that it will cost 3 or 4 tomes to do this but everyone else I let wait until they are low enough that one tome will bring them up at least one level. And the companions that have less epics and are at the end of my list, those I let stay lower until one tome will take them up at least 2 levels. That way you get more training out of your gold.

Thank you Chrissy- I will 'noodge' no more- (highly doubt that)

It is a great tip and one that I am sure often gets overlooked or players just lose track of how many tomes they have purchased on any given level. After all companion training will cause your pirate to have to get a second job just to cover the costs- might as well get the biggest bang for your buck. Great tips and thank you!

ValkoorTheVictorio... on Jan 10, 2014 wrote:

Hi Melody and thanks for joining the tip parade!

Great tips and strategies on PvP combat against Swashbucklers and about defending against the Gunnery power.

I do believe, however, that the power Swashbuckler's gain at level 23 that you were referring to is Dance of Steel (and not Shadowdance). Shadowdance is a Swashbuckler Boost or Buffing power that provides one ally with a x2 critical hit chance for 3 rounds. That being said you are so right in being careful about not surrounding a swashbuckler for fear of them using Dance of Steel. The good news, or not so good news in some cases, is that any pirate that has the talent heavy armor-rank1 has access to the Dance of Steel power by equipping The Metal Guardian's Boots.

As far as the PvP tip, that is great advice. It is wise to spread your companions out to avoid getting hit with gunnery or other similar powers (or witchdoctor's AoE attacks for that matter). I don't do a lot of PvP but I have fought in battles with pirates who have the ranged powers that can attack up to 9 opponents in a 3 x 3 space (and I also have several of them as well). Gunnery is the lowest level of these powers, but against lower level pirates and enemies it can do major damage.

As your pirate gains levels you will face even tougher more superior ranged powers of this nature such as:
Artillery- Provides Major Barrage with 50% chance for fire on enemy tiles.
The Big Guns- Provides Superior Barrage with 100% chance for fire on enemy tiles.
Rain of Mortarshells- 1x damage plus scatter bomb traps

and the Musketeer class only powers:
Hail of cannonballs- +50% damage plus scatter bomb traps
Tempest of Torpedoes- +50% damage plus scatter bomb traps with knockback ability
Powder Monkey's Palisade- places powder kegs on open or empty tiles surrounding enemies

Needless to say all of these powers can do lots of damage and your tip to spread out your crew to minimize the damage is a great one.

Any PvP tips are more than welcomed. In fact, anything that could be seen as beneficial or helpful to your fellow pirates is seen as valuable to the thread.

Thank you so much for your tips and your input Melody!

Correction! Shadowdance is a self-only power that +2 to your critical ability, not x2. I can't find the post that explains what +2 critical means, so I'll paraphrase it the best I can.

Say that a companion has a critical strike, but it's tier one, meaning it's a super hit. (Catbeard, Hawkules, Zeena, Shiruku Neko, etc.) If you +2 their critical, and then use their critical strike power, then it will become tier 3, or an epic hit.

This information is not mine, but from someone else who I can't remember the name of...

~Quick Pearl

Oh- and one more!

If you arr a Witchdoctor, maybe (I'm not a Witchdoctor myself) spend some of your training points on getting skills like +6 on Stabby weapons, since Witchdoctors aren't good at close-range attacks. Then use stabby, smashy, or slashy weapons,(whichever class you chose to train in) so you can have strength in melee attacking too, along with your spells. A tip- I would recommend that you do Swashbuckler if you can because it does the most damage. Also, I don't recommend Buccaneer because you would have to train in "Big Choppy Weapons" too.

Quick Melody Nightngale, Level 21

Golden Guardian on Jan 11, 2014 wrote:

Diskylos Zeena Fire Tip :

I know there is already a Diskylos tip, but I don't think I saw this tip there. If it is forgive me. Diskylos is a dog in Aquila with 13000 health, but here is a great tip me and my friend Bloody Alex found. Each fire caused by Zeena's Rain of fire does around 600 damage to Diskylos! That is great damage, so if you plan to face this demon dog, bring Zeena along!

Welcome Golden Guardian- good to have you back.

I know you have a lot of good tips because I have read them on other threads. Even though there is a tip about fighting Diskylos, any and all are welcome because: 1) Every pirate has different companions so they must use tips that relate to them; 2) Each player has different strategies and preferences in battle and 3) Variety is indeed the spice of life. So it is great to get tips about any and all approaches players have used with their own pirates.

Case in point, the Zeena tip is an excellent one! Many people love to use ranged fighters and she is one of, if not, the best there is especially, as you stated, considering the fires she rains down in battle, causing extra damage

Great strategy and choice in a companion as well.

Thank you again!

SHIP FARMING TIPS:
Hi everyone, I posted this info on a thread: https://www.pirate101.com/forum/the-tavern/best-way-to-farm-ships-8ad6a41541a7f35b0141b2704f513f44. If you read this thread you will understand why I started at a level 34 skiff.

If you have a level 34 ship (mooshu skiff, right?), I reccomend fighting those ghost ships in the haunted skyway. They have nice drops and are good for your skiff in the early parts of mooshu.

If you are trying to fight level 46-50 ships, look no further than the subata skyway in mooshu. Jade Ships and high level amber horde ships are to the right of Subata Temple and are in the the level 46+ region. I reccomend you have a good equiped level 50 mooshu galleon if you head into these waters. Look out for the level 50 boss ships (one is Timur Khan, the other is a black jade galleon). These ships are deadly to farm, but if you are lucky you may get good drops.

Golden Guardian on Jan 12, 2014 wrote:

SHIP FARM METHODS (PART 2):

To add to this I will tell you how to farm Marleybone and Aquilan ships:

Marleybone:
Level your guy to level 54 first. Buy the galleon in Isle of Dogs Docks. Go to bazzar and buy the 2nd best equiment for a marley bone galleon. Try and get your nautical Lv to 57. Dont spend much time here, because the aquilan galleon is not far off. I reccomend you fight the lv 51 armada skiffs, and if you get better drops go and fight the lv 54 cat pirates. If you dare, try and fight the lv 55 marleybone ships. If you are brave, grab a friend or 4 and kill the turret that lies there!

Aquila:
I didnt buy the skiff or frigate. In my opinion just go for the galleon. Try joining a bunch of players killing ophidian ships. It does not matter what type of ship you have here (try have a MB galleon though), because a lot of you will be safe together. Once your nautical level is at lv 62, I reccomend going to the boss ships. Pluton and Spartacos are best to be done with a friend or three! They give amazing drops!

Summary of ship farming methods:
-Fight low level ships and improve nautical level.
-Effectively stalk bazaar or kill boss ships with a friend or 2 to gain cool ship items.
-Help others. Even if you are max level, you will get gold (even if it slow process sometimes). More importantly, you will see the smiles on your friends faces!

The Realm Change Tactic:
This is the best way to farm for BOSS SHIPS only! It is fairly simple. Instead of waiting for the boss to respawn, go to the next realm and you may see him there instantly. This saves a lot of time!

Gold/Nautical EXP and Boss item tactic:
If you are looking for either or both Gold and Nautical XP, as well as getting boss drops, then this tactic is for you. Instead of realm changing after killing a boss, try and kill surrounding ships to gain gold and exp.

Hope that helped!

P.P.S: If you're looking for specific ship or any other items try :
http://pirate101.centralforums.com/wiki/Portal:Items

Well done Golden Guardian- fantastic advice and tips!

Very detailed and helpful strategies to say the least. I second the tactic about changing realms to avoid the respawning waiting period when fighting boss ships. This does indeed save a lot of time and makes farming so much more productive. It is also a great tactic to use if you often farm a locations many treasure chests in search of gold. This tip was shown to me by someone I shall not reveal- by the way thanks Chrissy for the tip! OOPS- I have said too much.

As you so well noted, it is wise to stay on top of your Nautical Level and to know where to look to find the best ships for your current level. With the info you provided, it makes finding them that much easier. Also great idea to periodically hit the bazaar for good ship parts. Like you said, often you do not need the absolute best equipment- sometimes the next best is all it takes to make ship battles an easier task to tackle.

Although, I prefer to fight ships at least at my level or a couple levels higher- as long as they are not giving me fits- for a higher Nautical XP gain. But as you mentioned, fighting them a couple levels lower can yield just as much XP because, even though you won't get as much XP per ship (as fighting ones a couple levels higher)- the battles against the lower ones will be easier and shorter, allowing you to fight possibly 2 in the time it takes to fight 1 of the higher level ships. So you get the same, if not more, XP in relatively the same time along with an easier more enjoyable experience.

With that said I think it is a good strategy to fight the highest level ships you can handle without the battle being a long, drawn out one in which the enemy ship has more opportunities to heal- and you are not having to spent too much time anchored in a sklyane having to recover ship health as well.

Fabulous tips Golden Guardian- ones that will surely come in handy to all that read them.