Attacking Forts/Towns

If a bucket load of real gold is what you aresearching high and low for, forget about sea battles and hit the motherload. Towns!

Attacking towns by sea...

Sea battles with forts can prove to be very difficult and time consuming. You have to continually assault the fort, while dealing with wind conditions, and avoiding oncoming cannon blasts. Eventually the fort will run out of cannons and be vulnerable, but probably not until some fierce damage is done to your vessel.

That's why I suggest as your main objective to win is sailing into or close by the fort, then get out on foot and scale the fort's walls.

A fencing match with the commander of the town's defense force will follow upon reaching the top of the fort.

Beat him to conquer the town!

Attacking towns by foot...

This tends to be even trickier than on ocean in part because of the slower movement of your party.

You alternate control over 3 parties of crewmen by pressing A. The main goal is the same as by sea; reach the fort.

When the yellow-colored enemy is near, your men will automatically fire off their muskets.

Tip: Taking advantage of the surrounding environment is essential to winning. Flat land makes moving faster but also makes your men more visible for attack. Marshes slow your guys down, however, provide some defense. And moving through forests (trees) is the slowest, but best, setting to disappear from the enemy's eye.

Tip: Don't feel bad for killing off some of your crew. Winning these kinds of land battles means some sacrifice. Just hold on to the priority that reaching the fort is your number one concern.

Try hiding a party within a thick forest and lure enemy troops to the other parties. While they are busy dealing with your other crew parties, you can make a break for the home stretch.

Just as you would loot defeated ships after sea battles, taking goods from towns is only limited to the amount of space you have available.

The pillaging window is also the same.

Don't get too cocky, now! Going from town to town or attacking the same towns may result in a much lower gold and goods amount. They get wised up to your antics and that should be a signal to move yonder!

If you want to stay patriotic to your home nationality, attacking enemy-governed towns gives you more prestige (and power) with friendly governors.

Shady pirates hiding in towns or captured captains from pirate fleets provide information on the whereabouts of Treasure Fleets and Silver Trains.

When one is in town, the pickings are ripe!