We continue with Age of Booty Tips & Tricks.

Team Gambit 1:  Speed Ship, Siege Ship

Waiting in the lobby, before the game starts, you can see a mini-map.  Looking at the below mini-map you can see there is a 3 hex wide choke point, and all of the towns you need to capture are on the other side. From your volcano lair you have to sail around a cape to reach the towns (all of which generate gold resources only).  Since you will need Rum and Wood to upgrade ships, it may be difficult in general to gain these resources on this particular map. 

Lastly, it’s good to know the speedy ship that retrieves crates is also often cruising around the far side of the map.  This ship can take advantage of “targets of opportunity” the slower siege ship cannot get to in time.  A speed ship is often a good candidate to cherry pick a town (like the above image). 

Eventually, as the battle moves on, you will continue to gain resource crates and capture towns.  You can then consider balancing your ships with speed and cannons, and adding needed armor, to create a more powerful well rounded force.

Of course there is a counter to this gambit.  That is to concentrate on the slow gunship and prevent it from winning any battles over towns.  The other team may not be able to catch the speed ship, but the siege ship will need help from the speed ship if outnumbered.  A balanced enemy team of ships could double team a siege ship by itself, and drive it into the icy depths.