In Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, transforming the Great Inagua cove into a thriving pirate haven and ensuring the Jackdaw remains a formidable vessel are key to success. Both the Hideout Manor and the ship itself offer extensive upgrade paths that provide significant advantages, from unlocking new opportunities for Kenway's Fleet to improving combat capabilities.
Enhancing the Hideout Manor
Access to the Hideout Manor in Great Inagua is granted during the 'This Old Cove' main quest. To begin upgrading the Manor, players can interact with a stack of maps labeled 'Upgrade Hideout' located in the main office. These upgrades not only beautify the cove but also offer tangible benefits. For instance, the Facade, Tower and Garden, and Guesthouse upgrades all contribute to increasing the maximum Protection Money and unlock a new ship berth for Kenway's Fleet. The Guesthouse upgrade, specifically, requires the Tower and Garden upgrade to be completed first.
Beyond the Manor itself, numerous buildings around the cove can be restored and upgraded. These include the General Store, Tavern, Harbourmaster, Brothel, Campfire, Treasure Dealer, and Fisherman's Wharf. Upgrading the General Store, for example, progresses from unlocking more wildlife skins to eventually offering all skins and legendary weapons for purchase. Similarly, Harbourmaster upgrades are crucial for unlocking higher tiers of Jackdaw upgrades. The Tavern can be upgraded to unlock expert-level mini-games and increase the chance of Royal Convoys appearing, while the Brothel and Campfire upgrades offer benefits like free-to-hire dancers or drunkards, crew damage buffs, and additional berths for Kenway's Fleet. Certain upgrades, like those for the Treasure Dealer and Fisherman's Wharf, also increase Hideout profit over time and require prior restoration of other buildings, such as the General Store and Tavern or the Harbourmaster and Tavern respectively.
Maintaining the Jackdaw
Keeping the Jackdaw in optimal condition is vital for survival and dominance on the seas. There are three primary methods for repairing the ship. The first involves boarding enemy ships. After engaging in combat and boarding, players can choose to repair the Jackdaw using salvaged resources from the defeated vessel, a completely free option. However, this method requires the player to be in a position to successfully board another ship.
The second method involves visiting a Harbourmaster, found at docks in major locations. Players can pay a fee, typically 250 Reales per missing bar of health, to have the Jackdaw repaired instantly. This is a reliable option when immediate repairs are needed.
Finally, the Jackdaw can repair itself over time. If the ship is out of combat for a period, the crew will begin hammering and repairing the vessel. While this is a passive and free method, it is also the slowest and least reliable, making it unsuitable for players who need to re-engage in battles or continue their journey swiftly.
Upgrading the Jackdaw
To enhance the Jackdaw's combat effectiveness against powerful foes like Man o' Wars and hostile forts, players must find upgrade plans scattered throughout the Caribbean. Once plans are discovered, players need to visit a Harbourmaster and pay in both Reales and materials such as Wood and Metal to apply the upgrades. Some specific upgrades may only be available from certain Harbourmasters, requiring a visit to locations like Great Inagua.
Materials required for these upgrades can be gathered by sinking and boarding enemy ships. Money, the other essential resource, is acquired through various means including naval combat, pickpocketing, looting, and selling goods like Rum. The first essential upgrade encountered is typically the Armored Hull 1, which can be purchased from the Harbourmaster in Salt Key Bank. Investing in these upgrades is crucial for tackling the game's more challenging naval encounters and fort takeovers.