Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Naval Convoys can be quite a serious challenge early on since you've got to fight multiple ships at once. But given how common these convoys are in Black Flag Resynced, and that they're a great opportunity for getting ship-based loot and plenty of Reales thanks to the Captain's Lockbox, knowing how best to tackle them is essential pirate knowledge. With that, I've explained exactly how these Naval Convoys work below, so that you can plunder the seas with ease.
How to complete Naval Convoys in Black Flag Resynced
To complete a Naval Convoy event in Black Flag, you need to board and successfully commandeer the lead ship in the convoy – that's the largest ship leading the way. The lead ship has at least two smaller escort ships which don't need to be destroyed, but as the tips further below explain, it's probably best to sink them.
To board and seize the lead ship, you need to damage the lead ship until it is immobilized, at which point you can sail the Jackdaw alongside and begin a boarding action by following the button prompt (hold Triangle/Y). Once you've swashbuckled your way on board, start reducing the morale of the enemy ship, by killing the enemy crew; cutting the flag, which can be done by climbing to the top of the main mast and following the button prompt; and destroying gunpowder stores on deck, though not every ship has these – just make sure you don't blow you and your crew up when you shoot these.
Once morale has been reduced entirely, the convoy crew will surrender and you'll be presented with the usual boarding action choices, as well as the Captain's Lockbox:
- Get Captain's Lockbox: This provides additional loot on top of your current earnings. From my experience, the additional rewards tend to be extra Reales and sometimes crew members. Unless you absolutely must choose a different option, you should always choose this to get greater rewards.
- Repair: Recover a portion of the Jackdaw's health.
- Send to Kenway's Fleet: If you have an empty fleet berth, you can add this ship to Kenway's Fleet, letting you send it on missions around the Caribbean to get you extra resources.
- Lower Wanted Level: Reduce your Wanted Level, lowering the risk of Pirate Hunters tracking down the Jackdaw.
Black Flag Resynced Naval Convoy tips
There's a good chance that you've been scuttled by one of these convoys in Black Flag Resynced as they're quite tough, especially early on, so here are some tips for making them as easy as possible:
- Upgrade the Jackdaw: The reason Naval Convoys are tough at first is because the Jackdaw is far too weak for fighting multiple ships at once, especially if the enemy ships are rated three stars or higher. Visit Harbourmasters often and buy whatever upgrades you can, especially the ones that improve broadside cannons, the mortar, and the hull to make the Jackdaw stronger in both offensive and defensive capacities. Any Black Flag Resynced Ultimate ship upgrades will help a lot
- Target the escort ships first: These smaller ships can be annoying if not dealt with first and will wear down the Jackdaw to the point of sinking while you're distract by the lead ship. Start the engagement with a well-placed mortar shot on one or both escorts and, with enough mortar upgrades, you might even destroy both ships, taking them out of the fight before it's even started.
- Board the escort ships: Again, it's not essential that you board these ships, but it's a good idea to do so, giving you opportunities to get more loot and either repair the Jackdaw or reduce your Wanted Level to keep Pirate Hunters from interrupting. I almost always opt for repairs to ensure the Jackdaw has as much health as possible when going to attack the lead ship. Bear in mind that shooting or ramming immobilized ships instead of boarding grants reduce rewards too.
- Use the swivel guns when preparing to board: Once Edward releases the ship's wheel as you prepare to board, run immediately to the swivel guns either side and start firing shots at any red barrels or enemy crew members. Assuming you land your shots, you'll reduce their morale a fair bit before you've even properly boarded.
- Cut down the flag if you don't want to fight: Cutting the flag at the top of the main mast is a great way to reduce enemy morale significantly without having to be in the thick of the fighting if that's not your thing. Just watch out for any snipers in the other masts as any shots that hit you mid-climb can cause you to fall off the mast.
- Remember to brace: Holding Square/X to get your crew to brace reduces the damage enemy cannonballs deal, so don't forget to use this ability rather than going purely on the offensive. If you've got the Black Flag Resynced Officer upgrade, Perfect Brace, timing your brace just before the cannonballs hit the Jackdaw's hull will substantially reduce the damage. Just keep an eye out for the orange glow of cannon fuses on enemy ships, meaning a volley is inbound.
You'll notice that these Naval Convoys become much easier as you get more upgrades and Officers for your crew, helping you get plenty more Reales and useful resources that you can sell. Some of these can traded with the Treasure Hunter in Great Inagua to piece together ruined Black Flag Resynced Treasure Maps.
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