Returning Player Qs

Returning player after 2-3 years, here's a quick summary of my stats:
Level 43, full Overload cannons mixed with various levels, level 35-33 gems, understand the gameplay loop.

Some questions and recommendations would be helpful:
1) Changing my cannons to Thunderloads — are they at all levels better than Overloads? Also, is there any viability left with Bastions for PvE? Should I still be working on upgrading them as well?
2) I also need some help with ship setups for PvP, PvE, PvE + max damage. What gem combinations on pet and boat are you all working with? Can I get the same for expansion recommendations too?
3) Only 20 cannon slots are left to upgrade, but with such a large currency requirement, is it better to utilize it for upgrades?

Would appreciate any other recommendations.

 

Ahoy .Pivot.!

Welcome back Pirate!

Bastions L6s are still used for PvE but only for certain admirals / NPCs during the events which have a lot of HP.

Current event David Wreck'em NPC is a good example of it, here Bastions L6 are more than welcome, especially when facing this NPC 1v1.

Even the weakest Thunderbolt Cannon (L0) is stronger than Bastion (L6).

Thunderbolt Cannons can be obtained from various places, Season, events, payment packs etc. so it is not that hard to get them

Personally I do recommend visiting quest-giver Fang (found in every SH), this crafty guy provides you with a daily quest (random) and reward you with Thunderbolts of a high level! On top of that every 7th day you can redeem 7 Jade Dragons for additional loot!

So yeah, a player should run set of Bastions L6 and Thunderbolt Cannons on their account.

When it comes to setups this did not change to much from past years - when we are talking about gems.

PvP - Damage, Hit Prob., Dodge, Repair Gem (or Damage Prevention - everything depends on your play style and how much you fight) + special Pnenumbral Gem (if you do not have that one go with Aventurine - 5% Armour Plates bonus) - that summary ship gems.

When it comes to Pet Hit Prob, Dodge chance + 10 Extensions extra on pet - that's what I mainly run.

PvE - Damage, Hit prob. / Critical Damage (depends on the event or which NPCs I am focusing on), Damage Prevention, Dodge Chance - here a special also depends on what I am doing, but mainly I stick with Aventurine special gem.

Pet for PvE is quite hard to select, if event is "easy - almost no damage" then I do go with Critical Damage / Damage, if it is harder I try to findout which def. is better Dodge or Damage Prevention. If its Dodge then I keep that one and add anything that would cause more damage on NPC (hit prob. crit dmg. damage). Everything is up to what event NPCs I hunt and how they are "set" within the event.

Now when it comes to expansions:

• PvP (in my opinion there are two options)
  • Full Ravens (no mixing) - provides you with great rocket damage and lots of Dodge which helps reduce the damage received. Disadvantage: Low HP
  • Full Ablative Platings (no mixing) - boost your damage prevention and Hitpoints. Disadvantage: Takes much longer to repair unless your ship is running a repair gem.
• PvE (in my opinion there are 4 options)
  • Full Ribs L6 (no mixing) - Fine additional HP and VP, great damage prevention, great for the beginning.
  • Full Ablative Platings L5/6 (can be mixed if you don't care to much about HP) - Ablative Platings keep their Damage Prevention bonus (which adds up 1+1=2) which makes them great for mixing!
  • Full Ravens L6 (no mixing) - Works great when you try to "steal" last hit from other players boosting your Rockets Damage - pssst! Works even better with Skull Ammo bonus + Forgotten Love making things easy
  • Full Lanterns - these should be used only and only when event NPCs deal close to no damage to you. Disadvantage: If a player decide to sink ya - well... kaboom!

When it comes to unlocking additional weapon slots it would be better to open them "quickly" however... take a closer look at the event market before doing that. In my opinion you should move forward with several buffs / cannons / designs purchases before taking weapon slots.

We are currently running a major event which allow you to collect plenty of the event currency - so you'll be able to obtain your weapon slots very soon

Hope this helps! If you have further questions feel free to ask, we will gladly help ya!

Happy Sailing!

Rymar

 

Thank you so much Rymar, appreciate it!

For shards/cores, is there any particular build with them or whatever you got just shove it in for now?

Aside from the premium benefits of keeping certain decks and crew, is there anything else is helps keep?

 

I just wanted to add one tidbit. I've played since 2009, and I'm big on the math aspect of things. If you compare the cannon stats (critical damage, range, etc.), the Overlord Level 6 and Thunderbolt Level 3 cannons are really close to equal. That is roughly the "breakeven point". I ran Overlord 6s in place of lower level Thunderbolts until I reached the point where I could have all Thunderbolt Level 4s and higher on my decks. With the Overlord Level 6s, you may have to fight at closer range, because you lose some of the range advantage from Thunderbolts, but it is workable. Overlord 6s have 50% critical damage, 27% critical hit probability, 5.3 second reload, and 30 range. Thunderbolt 3s have 45% critical damage, 28% critical hit probability, 5.2 second reload, and 32.5 range. But if you have Level 6 Steeled Chains, they will help you to offset the reload time difference. In fact, I don't even need the chains anymore, except when using Bastion Level 6 cannons, which have a higher reload time of 5.9 seconds. Hope this helps!

 

Ahoy .Pivot.!

When it comes to Cores try to create a set of Critical Core (Starjute), these can be created for gold.

You simply need to collect lots and lots of gold and then:

Craft 55s -> Destroy 55s -> Craft 60s -> Destroy 60s -> Craft Admiral Cannons -> Destroy Admiral Cannons -> Create Core from obtained Shards -> Repeat

When it comes to other cores in my personal oponion your shouldn't "jump" on them simply due to how small amount you'll get for your cannons. Unless you already have plenty in your storage then you could go to Reclamation Station and do quick math to findout if this crafting action will be or won't be of use to you.

Regular Premium can't be purchased anymore - you can still obtain it via Premium Gifts and Treasure Chests found within the game, our main premium (better version) is called Slashing Blades.

Slashing Blades provides you with the following:

• + 40 000 Hitpoints
• + 40 000 Voodoo Points
• + 1 Quest Slot
• + 5% ELP Bonus
• + 100% Reputation Points Bonus
• + 10% Crowns / Yulongs / Safanads loot Bonus

Additionally to that:

• -10% for all purchases within the game (payment included, cheaper buffs during the events)
• Faster entry to Safe Haven
• Increased chance to jump a level of gem while upgrading
• Access to exclusive special Slashing Blades market
• It include all regular premium bonuses (keep your crew members safe, increase your repair etc.)

Hope this helps!

Rymar

 

Thanks buddy, makes alot of sense! I've played with you many times over the years, glad you're still active