Blackbeard answers our questions on Assassin's Creed 4's weapons

The optimal way for an assassin to dispatch his foe is always going to be a cannonball. That's just a fact. But sometimes, you find yourself on the open sea, and the waves are crashing onto the boat, and everything's turning topsy-turvy, and you're going to think to yourself, "Yar, me thinks somthin' practical wou'd do just the trick to fell yon' villain. Yarrr, this cannon is heavy. Yarrrrr."

Luckily, in Assassin's Creed 4, you'll have just an option. In advance of Ubisoft's anticipated buccaneer adventure, we caught up with Edward "Blackbeard" Thatch (or at least, a man working for Ubisoft who claims to be just such a figure), to get the skivvy on a number of weapons that will appear in the game.

I took my first Scimitar off a damnd Moor who hadnt the bloody Sense to know when he was beat. And let me tell you, Lads, theres naught better than a curved Scimitar for separating a Navy Captains accursd Head from his Body. After, of course, we separate his Treasure from his Chest.

I remember the first Time I laid Eyes upon a Cutlass. More seductive than any Woman, more dangerous than any Man. Its Blade sharp as a Razor, its Steel stout as a ships Mast. Ive slain countless Men with my trusty Blade, and Terrorized countless more. And when at last they bury my Body, it will be with my Cutlass by my Side.

They call her a Gentlemans Weapon. And mayhap she is. But watch a true Pirate wield her, and you will bear witness to an Attack worthy of the Devil Himself. With her long Reach and light Weight, she is the ideal Companion for a Man who wishes to strike swiftly while remaining outside his Opponents Reach.

Rarely do I set Foot outside my Cabin without my trusty Flintlocks. For in close-quarters Battle, when the press of Combat leaves scarce Room to draw ones Blade, the Flintlock can mean the Difference between sweet days of Plunder and a short trip to the Hangmans Noose.

It is said aboard Pirate Vessels that there are two Methods of instantly clearing a Room. First, eat a hearty Diet of Beans and Vegetables, and store up ones Gas for a Noxious Dose. Second, unleash a Blunderbuss. Its short, fat barrel packs a lethal Punch, enough to Fell multiple Assailants.

Having thus related his story on the Blunderbuss, Blackbard promptly vanished in a cloud of smoke. It was weird. Which weapons are you looking forward to wielding in Assassin's Creed 4?

And if you're looking for more, check out 25 amazing things we did in Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag on PS4 or Family secrets, slavery, and Easter Eggs: how Black Flag links to Assassin's Creed 3.