Boarding large ships help

[wmslone]

I feel like I must be missing something when it comes to boarding large ships, maybe someone here can help. I’m playing the “Objects in Motion” mission, and my main line consists of 4 5th rates with fully upgraded boarding gear, (unfortunately no heavies in my fleet at this point), backed up by 4 well armed 6th rates that can help on the flanks from range. I have no problem wiping out the first two lines of enemy ships, and with minimal casualties, so I should be all ready to pounce on the enemy third rates and board them into submission. Problem is, every time I line up the intercept with my 5th rates (2 per enemy 3rd rate) to board, they get to the target, throw hooks and grapples, and then don’t board, the third rate just sails right through and apparently breaks the lines. Then what usually follows is a quick turn by the 3rd rates to launch point blank broadsides into my now bunched up frigates, still basically stuck in each other’s rigging after missing the boarding attempt. (or something like that).
So.. what am I doing wrong? Why aren’t my boys boarding after grappling the enemy 3rd rates? Any advice?

Edit: so I was able to beat this mission, after a few tries, by just microing all of my ships individually to run in different directions to split the 2 3rd rates, and once they were isolated enough and unable to support each other, surrounding them with 4 ships each and just shooting them to death. My question still stands though, as I’m still confused about boarding large ships. My frigates are specialized for boarding, not prolonged firefights with ships of the line
(they BARELY survived) 😅

[Commisar Jon Fuklaw]

When boarding, you need to take pains to ensure that the distance and angle (middle and right) markers stay green until all boarding hooks are attached. At that point, boarding starts either when the boarding hooks draw the two ships up to each other, or when an order is issued to turn into the ship you are attempting to board, causing the two to come into direct contact.

Using the match speed button helps greatly with boarding, but you shouldn't rely on it overly much, as it's easier for an enemy to break away if you are not micromanaging your boarders.

When performing a doubled boarding action, at least one of the boarding ships needs to turn into the ship being boarded to prevent outpacing, breakaways, and an indefinite point blank doubling (both boarding crews are trying to pull the boardee in opposite directions). Doing so, again, speeds up the initiation of boarding actions and forces the target to come to a stop.

In short: Micromanage your boarding attempts. Yes, even if you have to watch six parts of the battlefield at the same time.

Additional tip: Boarding ops are helped most by speed and turning upgrades, especially the rightmost 2 * crew upgrade.

[wmslone]

Originally posted by Commisar Jon Fuklaw:

When boarding, you need to take pains to ensure that the distance and angle (middle and right) markers stay green until all boarding hooks are attached. At that point, boarding starts either when the boarding hooks draw the two ships up to each other, or when an order is issued to turn into the ship you are attempting to board, causing the two to come into direct contact.

Using the match speed button helps greatly with boarding, but you shouldn't rely on it overly much, as it's easier for an enemy to break away if you are not micromanaging your boarders.

When performing a doubled boarding action, at least one of the boarding ships needs to turn into the ship being boarded to prevent outpacing, breakaways, and an indefinite point blank doubling (both boarding crews are trying to pull the boardee in opposite directions). Doing so, again, speeds up the initiation of boarding actions and forces the target to come to a stop.

In short: Micromanage your boarding attempts. Yes, even if you have to watch six parts of the battlefield at the same time.

Additional tip: Boarding ops are helped most by speed and turning upgrades, especially the rightmost 2 * crew upgrade.

Wow, such a helpful post, thanks a lot, that all makes sense. I wasn’t aware of some of the other mechanics that are at play in boarding attempts that you described here. Very elucidating. I look forward to trying it out again.

[albrightwillie0]

Be careful what you wish for though. SOLs have higher decks making for a boarding blood bath. Better to shoot them into submission first. But if you must, park a ship across the bow of the target. That should help with making the boarding happen.

[wmslone]

Originally posted by albrightwillie0:

Be careful what you wish for though. SOLs have higher decks making for a boarding blood bath. Better to shoot them into submission first. But if you must, park a ship across the bow of the target. That should help with making the boarding happen.

For sure, it’s a bloodbath alright, but my thinking is I’m less likely to lose the entire ship this way, and it’s a lot cheaper to replace the crew anyway. It helps that they’re 2 or 3 star crews specialized in boarding perks with upgraded boarding equipment as well. It’s a bloody affair, but it’s still an unfair fight for the enemy if I can manage to board them.

[Commisar Jon Fuklaw]

Originally posted by albrightwillie0:

Be careful what you wish for though. SOLs have higher decks making for a boarding blood bath. Better to shoot them into submission first. But if you must, park a ship across the bow of the target. That should help with making the boarding happen.

Higher decks only matter inasmuch as it allows the crew to be more effective at causing pre-boarding casualties with musket fire while suffering less casualties from return fire. As long as you have a numeric advantage, good morale, and good boarding/efficiency stats for your crew, you will win a boarding exchange.

What might matter is the extra guns available to ships of the line, but if you are swift and decisive in initiating boarding, then those guns won't be able to tank your morale enough to cause you to fail the boarding attempt. Even if you are utterly inept/extremely unlucky with breakaways, the extra guns shouldn't be an issue, as you are supposed to isolate and pound ships of the line with grape (and/or stern rake them) to soften them up for boarding.

[Ninjasquirrel]

The debuff for having a lower deck applies for the entire boarding action.

[albrightwillie0]

What does anyone know about this musketry phase or ship board musketry in general? How many shoot and when? Do they contribute to broadside damage?

[Ninjasquirrel]

AFAIK they just melee each other when it actually starts. If you're talking about when the ships are being pulled together, you can definitely get some decent grapeshot broadsides and small arms kills in before you board. Helps when AI is wavering and not shooting back lol.

[albrightwillie0]

I wonder how many shoot? Only larger ships have marines. I once dissolved a rifle-armed skirmisher unit and gave the guns to a frigate which seemed more effective at close range.

[Lakel]

One thing to be aware of, is its much easier for a large ship to pull a small ship in, as opposed to the opposite.
Your 5th rates are able to just yank a 7th rate on in, but that 3rd rate you are going to actively have to close in on.

[FreedomFighter]

I tag along a troop transport to help with boarding some ship. Not using it to board directly but put those soldiers on a rowboat and row it to the on-going action.