Where to find ships of the line

[Tornmean9]

just wondering where you find the big ships to capture i have all ports unlocked and tried looking in harbours and open seas but i cant seem to come across anything bigger then frigates to capture

[JebusDied4Bacon]

In my experience, progressing through the main missions advances the level of ships you meet.
But by then you should have figured out how to solo the entire spanish armada.

Also, you don't figure this out until a while in, but you basically start out one of the first missions by getting one of the most advanced ships in the game.

[Aldeveron]

I haven'nt seen a lot of them, but they are certainly out there. I've come up against them among fleets that defend 4-star ports.

[Aldeveron]

(1st rate ships, that is.)

[Aldeveron]

PS - When I took over a 4-star port and forgot to upgrade the fort, the nation I took the port from soon sent a small fleet consisting of 2x 2nd rate and 1x first rate to retake the port.

[TheMe260]

Find the plans for Montagne and build it at your base port (with shipyard). It's a 1st rate.