User Guide

Information Screens
There are a variety of information screens available to you while at sea.
See the Game Controls pages to learn how to access them.
Fleet Status Screen
On this screen you can see all of the ships in your fleet as well as their
upgrades, crew size, and damage status. You can also change flagships,
rename your ships and abandon unwanted vessels.
Captain’s Log
This screen keeps a running list of your actions and accomplishments
as well as other events happening in the world.
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Book Three Sid Meier’s Pirates!
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Change Your Flagship
When you begin a game of Pirates! you have just one ship. Once you
capture another vessel and choose to keep it, you’ll then have two
ships in your fleet. Your original vessel is designated your “flagship.”
It is the vessel in the lead; any other vessels trail behind her. You can
change your flagship via the Change Flagship button (Tab) or by
going to the Fleet Status screen.
Maximum Fleet Size
You can have up to eight ships in your fleet (including your flagship).
If you defeat an additional ship, you’ll have to abandon one of the
current eight if you wish to add the new ship to your fleet.
Crew Requirements
Each vessel in your fleet requires a minimum number of crewmen to
sail at peak performance. If you have fewer than that number, your
sailing speed and combat performance will suffer. If you have more
than the minimum number of crewmen, the additional sailors take
part in any sea battles you get yourself into.
Fleet Speed
In general, your fleet sails approximately as fast as your flagship in the
present wind conditions. However, slower vessels will reduce your
fleet’s overall speed.
Abandoning Ships
The best way to get rid of a ship is to put into a city and sell it to a
shipwright. However, you may sometimes find it necessary to aban-
don a ship while at sea - because you have insufficient crew or
because you’re being chased by a faster and stronger opponent, for
example. You can abandon ships only from the Fleet Status screen
(see next page).
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Sid Meier’s Pirates!
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