Definition[]
Broadside (Noun)[]
- 1) The long hull section on the side of a ship. Most vessels armament is mounted to fire sideways from the center of the hull. (Ex- "He couldn't even hit the broadside of a warship!")
- 2) Cannons mounted below deck, facing directly starboard or port.
- 3) The act of firing broadside mounted cannons. (Ex- "The captain gave them a broadside!")
- 4) A Pirate's Sailing skill for firing Left or Right Broadside guns.
Broadside (Verb)[]
- 1) To fire the below-deck side-mounted cannons (Ex- "We're gonna' broadside that frigate!")
Broadside Skill[]
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This sailing skill affects how much damage a pirate's right (starboard) or left (port) broadside guns will do when fired. |
Increasing this skill increases the overall damage.
| Rank | Damage |
| 1 | +5% |
| 2 | +10% |
| 3 | +15% |
| 4 | +20% |
| 5 | +25% |
Using Broadsides[]
To use this skill, press '1' (Left) or '2' (Right) or click on the Broadside icon from your screen while you are sailing. Your broadside guns have a limited angle of fire from the sides of the ship.
Because of this, you must try to have your target to the left or right sides when firing. Normally, your broadside gunners will automatically fire on the closest enemy ship. However, once engaged - they will continue to track a targeted ship - even at sharper angles.
Also, the lower-deck cannons are only medium range. If an enemy is not close enough or not targeted, the shots will go in random directions.
When you use Left Broadside your pirate will say; "Broadside Port!!!" When you use Right Broadside your pirate will say; "Broadside Starboard!!!"
Only the player helming (does not have to be the actual owner) can fire a broadside. When they select the Left or Right broadside guns, all of the below deck guns on that side fire. The amount of damage done depends on the pirate's Sailing Skill and Broadside ability as well as the size/class of the vessel.
As the fastest class of ship, Sloops carry the fewest; while Galleons carry the most, to compensate for their slower speed.
Special Broadside Ammo[]
With the Ship Customization update you can purchase upgrades, which offer a chance at firing a different broadside ammunition type.
| Ammo | Upgrade | Lvl IV | Lvl V | Lvl VI |
| Fury | Skull & Bones | 15% | 33% | 50% |
| Firebrand | Fortune Hunter | 15% | 30% | 45% |
| Firebrand | Firestorm | 20% | 40% | 60% |
| Explosive | Copperhead | 15% | 35% | 55% |
| Thunderbolt | Storm Chaser | 15% | 30% | 45% |
Enemy ships can broadside with different ammo types depending on their level at type. Most EITC ships fire Firebrand while most Undead ship fire Thunderbolt and Fury. Beware of Bounty Hunters, Warships and EITC Corsair which can fire Explosive broadsides.
Ship upgrades allow for player pirates to mount different ammunition broadsides based on the type of upgrades installed. Also, Cannon Rams can affect the ammunition and damage.
Tips for Accuracy[]
- Broadsides automatically aim towards the enemy ship most directly to the side of your ship. However, for the full range of cannons to hit, you will in most cases have to position your ship so that its broadside aligns with the enemy ship. Of course, this will also leave you completely open to the enemy's broadside, so this is not always the best strategy.
- When your are doing Privateering (SvS), targets will be even harder to hit with broadsides.
- Light sloops are the most difficult ships to hit with broadside cannons.
Also see: Sailing