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When you start playing Windrose, things might feel tough at first. Without a good ship, you’re stuck on the starting islands with very limited resources. Luckily, there’s a way to get a better ship so you can head back into the open sea and begin your adventure of plundering.
Here’s how to get your first ship, upgrade it, and grow your fleet of powerful vessels to challenge Blackbeard and his crew. There’s a lot to do if you want to unlock your full potential, so dive in now.
How to Get a Larger Boat
After your ship is destroyed, you’re left with a tiny, slow dinghy to get around. As you play through the main story and reunite with the doctor, you’ll discover that there are several shipwrecks nearby worth exploring.
One of these shipwrecks is still usable if you can find it. You’ll need the ship if you plan to sail to Tortuga and earn your reputation as a pirate.
Where to Find a Ship
Check your map for markers that show shipwreck locations. If you’re not using quest markers, look along the shores of smaller nearby islands. These locations should have ships resting nearby. Usually, they’re close together, but if you see one broken in half, it’s not worth pursuing. You’re looking for a mostly intact Ketch — there’s just one of its kind.
When you find the ship, you’ll need the following materials to repair it:
- 100 Wood
- 10 Ropes
- 20 Coarse Fabric
- 20 Nails
Make sure these materials are in your inventory, not just in storage at your camp.
Once the ship is fixed, the next step is to gather a crew for it.
How to Find a Crew
You’ll see several pirates trapped in cages around the starting islands, guarded by Blackbeard’s men. To set sail, you need to free them.
Each camp has about two pirates, so you’ll need to raid three camps plus free the first pirate you encounter in the main story. After freeing all seven pirates, return to your repaired ship and assemble your crew.
How to Use Your Ship
After gathering the crew, your ship is ready to set sail. You can leave right away, but it’s best to wait a moment. By default, your ship doesn’t have extra defenses or cannons installed.
How to Upgrade Your Ship
To strengthen your vessel, build a shipwright’s workshop to craft cannons and boarding gear. Then, construct a wharf to install these upgrades. Once done, your ship will be ready for real pirate adventures.
From the shipwright’s workshop, you can manage and build new ships, ensuring they’re in good shape before heading into battle. You can also summon your ships anywhere nearby with the appropriate key (on PC, it’s the K key).
How to Sail Your Ship
Onboard, head to the helm and use the wheel to steer or manage your cargo. Your cargo holds extra materials you can transport, so use it to carry supplies between camps or take on Blackbeard’s forces.
Initially, your options for ships are limited. As you improve your skills and build good relationships with different factions, more blueprints will unlock, allowing you to build bigger and stronger ships to defeat Blackbeard.
To sail, use the standard movement controls. Remember, sailing faster means less control. You can use your camera and right mouse button to aim your shots while on the sea, and the left mouse button to fire cannons.
Docking and Leaving the Ship
There’s no formal docking system. To disembark, press the same button used to take the helm and step away. You can then jump into the water and swim to shore. Just make sure you stay close enough so you don’t run out of stamina and drown before reaching land.
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