PvP and YOU!

I have seen several of our members going for PvP lately, so here are some hints that people should remember, I learned them from the good players out there and sometimes its good to know or remember the basics.

FIRST: Lets imagine that our Ad-Hoc PvP group is of 6 players, by average I would say 1 Privateer, 1 Free-trader, 4 Naval Officers, I will also assume that the ships used are: Free-trader uses any good combat ship (ask Ronnie I dont know any) Privateer uses Triton (Line Breaker and speed-runner) and the NO's stand in 4 SoL's.
Lets say we got engaged by 6 Spaniards with similar group and status.

Question 1: Why do we need to do a line? Why not pick targets freely like in PvE?
Answer 1: It gives us the ability to focus fire on a main target alongside it gives us the ability to protect each other, henceforth giving us more safety and time to repair, while dealing more damage in less time.

Question 2: Who Should be the Line Leader?
Answer 2: He who spawns on the FRONT of the group SHOULD take the lead, same to he who spawns on the BACK of the group SHOULD be the BACK.
By definition if we have time, Privateer should be front (since its faster then all other ships) and Free-traders SHOULD NEVER be the last.

Question 3: What type of Ammo should I use in PvP? What About Range?
Answer 3: The ammo on the MOST powerful cannons should ALWAYS be Bronze, on the front cannons AND ONLY if they are in range, shift to BAR shot, giving you on a normal SoL 2 cannons loaded for damage and 1 for de-masting the target. (slowing down the line). BAR shot is weaker but has 90% range cannon, giving you the ability to stand further away and further away means safer away.

Question 4: If both groups have same skills, same boats and Ammo, its all about the player?
Answer 4: Not really, there are many things that can screw up the group, (and I don't believe in luck), the weather gauge, the group position towards the other group, the speed were going, the speed their going, all these are factors that matter and make an important change in PvP, has a Player you are only expected to expect the worse, be calm, follow the leader and shoot until the end and NEVER BREAK THE LINE without being told!

Question 5: So what can WE do get the advantage on our side?
Answer 5: Ad-Hoc Encounts are normaly Line fights, but that does NOT mean that they are meant to be parallel (read: side-by-side) to each other, the group that can get the further advance (read: be in front of while side-by-side) will HAVE a BIG advantage, other things such has DO NOT TURN UPWIND, unless it means NOT showing your stern / weaker part to the enemy, focusing fire and popping escort on the targets.

Question 6: So who should be the first target?
Answer 6: This is tricky and depends on the enemy group, but by definition it should be he who has less broadside armour (Read: Mordant's instead of Alexander's, for example.) but since they may place the weakest on the back giving harder chance to hit you will FOCUS YOUR FIRE where EVERYONE else is, but lower levels, weaker targets go first instead of taking the big ones.

ALSO from time to time, shift ALL to BAR shot AND hit the MIDDLE of the LINE, making them ALL slow down (if they want to protect each other), this should normally only be called by the group leader.

Question 7: OMG OMG OMG We lost one player? What should we do?*Panics*
Answer 7: Its NOT the end of the world but by definition means that your probably next, so first keep you calm second keep doing what you were and try to take one of them fast, don't break the line just yet, keep your head, keep your target, if you need to repair ask someone to break the Line of Sight (read: LoS) from his enemy to him and then he may repair in safety, but the MAIN goal is let EVERYONE survive, so cover your friends just like you were covering yourself.

Question 8: Ok, what should I always remember in PvP?
Answer 8: Try to never sail upwind, ALWAYS CARRY BAR / BRONZE SHOT! FOLLOW the LEADER into hell WITH FAITH, protect EACH other, focus YOUR fire, KEEP YOUR PATIENCE AND CALM! (Yes shaking is acceptable!)

Ok, now that some of the basics I remember are covered, I will move on to the DO and DO NOT part.

DO: ALWAYAS have several crates of Bronze & Bar, fights are long and needful.
DO NOT: RUN OUT OF AMMO!!! NEVER! (PS I am a WeaponSmith )

DO: Hit the enemy middle of the line every 10 or 15 shots.
DO NOT: Forget to hit him, since speed will be the advantage to us. (PS. If you are the middle of our line, prepare to use sail repairs)

DO: Break the line to "cover" each other.
DO NOT: Break the line to run away.

DO: Be prepared to be sunk
DO NOT: Whine at group leader / Group / Society. (PS. YOU WILL BE SUNK THAT IS 200% guaranteed... if its no them, its me!)

DO: ALWAYS have spare outfitting. (they are NOT loss in combat)
DO NOT: EVER fight without outfittings, I will know and I/THEM will hunt you and sink you faster... just like Hovis in St. John. (PS. He did it twice!)

Apart from this, there is much to be learned but only time and action will be your teachers, assuming you are ready to learn of course.
I hope this can be of assist on taking some clouds away and I can assure you PvP is great fun if well done and a money sink if just played without knowledge.

Feel free to add or criticize and information here.
And yes I did do this on my Working hours.

Vice Admiral Lockhart

A nice little guide, should be fun to test on the field of battle, and i appreciate the shout out for a Privateers, warms my heart that one

Really good guide Sah, reminded me of why Im leveling up! I want to come PvPing with you guys! I will outfit and follow oders like a good Sea Monkey.

What level does an NO get a SoL?

5th rate (frigates) - would call the Stralsund the first real frigate, the Postillion - as sturdy as she is - is still a 6th rate in my eyes

4th rates and above: lvl 50