Upgrading your pirate haven and the Jackdaw in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced is crucial for efficiently navigating the game's world and challenges. Strategic choices in facility development and ship enhancements can significantly streamline progression, from resource management to naval combat.
Developing Your Pirate Sanctuary
Players gain the ability to build and upgrade facilities in Great Inagua during the "Old Cove" main quest in Sequence Four. NPCs marked with a square icon on the map are your primary contacts for constructing and improving these structures. Upgrades are often indicated by a square icon with a small arrow. The exception is Edward's Manor, which is managed by interacting with a table in the office on the northwest side of the building.
Early in the game, prioritizing which facilities to invest in is important due to the cost of building. The Harbourmaster should be the first priority. This facility is essential for managing the Jackdaw, your ship. While Nassau offers basic ship repairs and upgrades, the Harbourmaster in Great Inagua unlocks more powerful weapons and functions necessary for naval combat. The Jackdaw is presented as a vital element of the game, and its preparedness is key to progressing through the game's frequent naval engagements.
Following initial Harbourmaster upgrades, focus on the General Store. While it offers basic items initially, its higher-tier upgrades provide access to a wide array of land and ocean wildlife materials. These materials are often required for weapon upgrades, allowing players to purchase needed components rather than hunting for them.
After securing a functional General Store and an upgraded Harbourmaster, attention can turn to Edward's Manor. The "Facade" upgrade grants access to the Protection Money Box, which generates currency while the player is away from Great Inagua. Further manor upgrades unlock Edward's Fleet, a system that allows players to send ships on missions for resources and currency, providing valuable passive income streams.
Later in the game, with a steady income of reales, restoring the Treasure Dealer becomes a worthwhile endeavor. This facility allows for the restoration of treasure maps, offering a method to acquire additional money, materials, and equipment for both Edward and the Jackdaw. The Treasure Dealer also sells bones, which can be exchanged for wildlife materials at the General Store. Restoring the Tavern and General Store are prerequisites for unlocking the Treasure Dealer.
Enhancing the Jackdaw's Capabilities
Upgrading the Jackdaw is paramount for tackling the game's naval challenges. Most upgrades require cloth, metal, wood, and reales, with some advanced options needing unique plans. Careful consideration of resource allocation is necessary due to scarcity.
The Armored Hull upgrades should be a primary focus for improving the Jackdaw's survivability. Increased resistance to damage is vital for enduring enemy cannon fire and environmental hazards like islands.
Mortar upgrades are highly recommended for their strategic utility. While not the highest damage dealers, mortars allow players to engage enemies from a safe distance. Mastering their timing is key to dealing significant damage while minimizing incoming fire, and they are particularly effective against forts.
Broadside Cannons are fundamental to the Jackdaw's offensive capabilities. Each tier of this upgrade increases the number of cannons, thereby enhancing damage output with all shot types. Investing in this early is generally more beneficial than upgrading individual shot types separately.
Storage upgrades for Heavy Shot and Mortars are also important investments. These powerful munitions have limited ammunition, and upgrades that increase carrying capacity provide a distinct advantage in prolonged engagements. These upgrades are relatively inexpensive compared to others.
Harpooning is a key secondary activity for gathering crafting materials. As players progress, they will encounter more challenging prey such as killer whales. Prioritizing Harpoon upgrades increases damage output against these tougher targets. Complementary Harpoon Storage upgrades, which increase the number of available harpoons, further improve the chances of success during these hunts.