Concentrating naval fire under the game's rules

The opposing galleon is expected to offer serious resistance, while the other vessels should be defeated quickly. A squadron of one third rate and four fifth rates ought to make such a weak opponent give up rapidly under the age-of-sail comparison offered here. The immediate plan concentrates fire on the admiral's ship, whose guns provide most of the enemy's ability to resist. In the game, the attacking ships obstruct one another and form a five-ship pile-up. The battle is eventually won at the cost of a ship. Successful play requires relearning tactics around the game's behaviour, even when the ship types suggest an overwhelming historical advantage.