Navigating the High Seas: Your Guide to Spending Pirate Gold in Windrose

Ahoy, fellow gamers! Once you’ve established your Wharf and built the Ketch, it’s high time to start gathering materials to craft your next ship in Windrose and enhance your gear. It can seem a bit overwhelming at first, especially since ship blueprints can cost a pretty penny. But don’t fret! I’ve made some questionable financial decisions on my own journey so you won’t have to. Having acquired every ship and upgrade in the game thus far, I’m here to share the lowdown on essential materials for building your favorite vessels. Plus, I’ll throw in some top tips for the best ship builds if you’re feeling a bit lost.

The Ultimate Windrose Ship Picks

I can’t pick just one ship as the best in Windrose, so I recommend starting with the Brethren Brig and saving up for the Blackbeard Frigate down the line. They share a lot of gear, so you won’t break the bank getting them both. The Frigate offers additional battery power and a slight boost in stats compared to your starter Ketch, making it a worthy investment.

Keep in mind that there’s only one type of Boarding Party Gear in early access, so you’ll need to focus on upgrades at the Shipwright’s workshop to enhance your boarding capabilities. For instance, investing in the Keelhold Hull Bracing is crucial. While the Iron Resolve does its job, switching to the Keelhold significantly improves your repair kit efficiency, which is a game-changer.

Starting with the Brethren Brig

If you’re tempted to stick with the Ketch, think again. I found myself struggling during some of the epic sea battles essential for progressing through the main story and faction quests. Upgrading to the Brethren Brig (with its extra gear) was what finally helped me take down the Unsinkable during the “Needle in a Haystack” quest.

Before you make that leap, I suggest snagging a few crucial upgrades like the Hull and the Devastating 12-Pounder. Then go ahead and build the Brethren Brig. Also, keep reinvesting in the same ship gear to make your resources last. The good news is that upgrades aren’t locked to just one vessel, so you can switch them to the Blackbeard Frigate later.

Brethren Brig Specs:

• HP: 90,000
• Max Speed: 18
• Cargo Size: 32
• Main Battery: 6 guns, 12 lbs
• Secondary Battery: None
• Restoration Cost: Medium

Essential Gear for the Brig:

• Cannon: Devastating 12-Pounders – Increases damage to targets hit with over 50% of the volley.
• Hull: Keelhold Hull Bracing – Repair kits work without interruption from damage.
• Naval Tactics: Silence the Guns – Reduces enemy reload speed and damage.
• Boarding Gear: Upgraded Boarding Party Gear – Boosts crew power during boarding.

Upgrading to the Blackbeard Frigate

Once I upgraded to the Blackbeard Frigate, I breezed through battles thanks to the extra cannons and gear improvements. I also became a better player by then! Skipping the Brethren Build was an easy choice for me, despite its HP boost and more cargo space. Honestly, you can return to camp or offload goods easily at any Windrose faction buyer, making that cargo space less of a priority.

Plus, with a secondary cannon and a speed boost, I found I didn’t need the extra HP since my foes rarely lasted long enough to wear down my ship.

Blackbeard Frigate Specs:

• HP: 110,000
• Max Speed: 20
• Cargo Size: 28
• Main Battery: 12 guns, 24 or 36 lbs
• Secondary Battery: 6 guns, 12 or 24 lbs
• Restoration Cost: High

So, whether you’re just starting or looking to optimize your fleet, remember to weigh your options carefully. Investing wisely will have you ruling the seas in no time!