A successful formation in Pirates of the Burning Sea is explicitly cautioned against as a model for real age-of-sail combat. The opening observation is that the manoeuvre would be a good way to get killed in reality even though it works within the game. Another game technique sends first rates through the middle of an opposing group to fire broadsides on both sides. The present group lacks the weight of shot for that approach and instead uses a position that brings opponents towards its guns. The exchange separates what the game rewards from what should be assumed safe for historical fleets.
Notable Point · 6:11:08-6:12:13
Game battle formations and the limits of historical comparison
A game formation can work through its rules and available firepower while remaining hazardous as a model for real sailing-warship tactics.