[h2]Hello there fellow pirates, it’s time for another update! [/h2] In our last post, we delved into the [url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2103470/view/6107508076986469993][b]fleet building mechanics of Republic of Pirates[/b][/url], a crucial aspect of which being the recruitment and management of captains. Well, today we’ll be elaborating on these systems further! Discover [b]why captains are so important[/b], learn more about the [b]Captain’s Inn building[/b], [b]how to choose and assign your captains[/b], and more. [b]PLEASE NOTE[/b]: While we are still working on the game, some of the terms, names, and quantities outlined below may be subject to change! [h3][b]Chain of Command: The Importance of Captains[/b][/h3] Your ships can’t navigate the archipelago without a trustworthy captain at the helm, and your fleet won’t grow unless you have enough captains waiting in the wings to lead a new crew. In gameplay terms, this means that [b]the total number of captains you can recruit at any one time will determine the number of ships[/b] you can field in your fleet. Captains can also learn [b]unique passive abilities [/b]that will allow them to develop interesting combat strategies and fleet compositions. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/752c923b984744fe7fc60d30ca89a074efda1254.png[/img] To maximise the effectiveness of your fleet and successfully expand your pirate utopia, you’ll therefore need to[b] recruit a wide variety of captains[/b], pair them up with their ideal ship classes, and deploy them in the most advantageous conditions. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/6f587b2007ec0469ff6a0ab9a6779328bffaa514.gif[/img] [h3][b]A Hive of Scum and Villainy: The Captain’s Inn[/b][/h3] Unlock the Shipbuilding category in the construction toolbar and look out for [b]Captain’s meeting places [/b]scattered across your conquered islands. These ruins hark back to the glory days of the former Republic of Pirates, and are [b]the only places where you can build a new Captain’s Inn[/b]. It's always worth scouting ahead to see which islands look interesting when planning your expansion, make sure to pay attention to rare resources and sites such as these! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/4a9c0fe68e243e42381dd3ecd80381ca3cc39a41.png[/img] Once constructed, interact with the Captain’s Inn to find [b]a selection of four random captains to recruit[/b]. [h3][b]Under a Black Flag: Recruiting Captains[/b][/h3] With four captains staying at the inn at a time you’ll need to decide which is the most suitable for your needs and budget. Each captain will have a [b]hiring fee[/b] which will differ based on their starting level as well as [b]three level milestones and associated skills[/b]. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/4501371a3e85c90a5c74fc887e30018c082578d0.jpg[/img] Captains will hit their[b] milestones at levels 20, 30, and 40[/b] with each milestone unlocking a [b]permanent skill or passive buff[/b]. These skills can include a random chance to fire twice or increased performance when leading or attacking certain ship classes. [h3][b]Battle Ready: Assigning Captains[/b][/h3] Ready to set sail? After you have hired your pirate captain, head to the shipyard and start building a new vessel. As the final step of shipbuilding, you’ll be prompted to assign an available captain to command your newly constructed ship, simple as! [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/c4810af35bdfc3b29f7a3b345fd4a99fbd5d8956.png[/img] [h3][b]Legends in the Making: Levelling Captains[/b][/h3] Your captains will gain experience and expertise at sea and [b]level up automatically in naval combat[/b]. This means that the higher their initial level, the faster they will reach their skill milestones at levels 20, 30, and 40. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/dfd9f1fd7f9fdd839c747ab023da0cbee410e728.gif[/img] Captain Sophia Delgado, for example, upon reaching level 20, will be rewarded with increased performance when leading a cog, ketch, or barque. At level 30, she’ll get a bonus for attacking rival ships of the same classes while her final skill will increase her performance when attacking any ship class. [img]{STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/44771533/6a7a394592cd881e9ba0cad5824c8c5355005bc0.png[/img] Ultimately you’ll need to think ahead as to how you want to build out your fleet and what you’ll be using it for! Is there a particular target you have in mind, or do you need a reliable local force to defend your shores? That's all for now but please stay tuned for more community posts, and be sure to [b]wishlist Republic of Pirates[/b] before the game launches later this year! Until next time. Crazy Goat Games & PQube