This is my latest guide.
It is not meant to be the definitive answer to sea grind, it's just my way of using the Torpedo Ship to fight.
As for success of my method, I made sea level 32 so far :) First, a few basic principles. Like all successful Fighter Pilots, I always try to hit the mob before it knows I'm there. So sneak up and attack from the side or from behind if possible.
 From Behind
If not, a head on attack at close range is preferable.  Head on attack
The space bar is your friend. I use my thumb to tap it for changing weapons
If a target is not in the blue targeting area, you won't hit it.   Blue aiming area
Always pick at the edge of a pack of mobs. Diving straight into the middle is almost always fatal. Always have sea room to manouver, and use the extend and re-engage method if necessary. This means extend the range as you recover hp, or use pots, then go back to attack.
Torpedos will not fire if target area touches the shore. Pick a position where this doesn't happen.  Aim area touching land
Pick a home port close to the hunting area. If you die, it's not as far to sail back.Small islands do not have a smith, so no repair kits are available. You can repair your ship at the dock.  Home Port
 Repair Button
As far as supplies go, I always make sure I have a lot of ammunition and crew food. Running out of either can get you killed, and a death at sea means a long sail back to your quest/grind spot. A healthy supply of ship repair potions is a must, but I never use EN pots, as it recovers while I position the ship for the next Torpedo run. Right click on the sea and hold. This allows control of the camera, so you can look around as you sail. I also use this method to make sure I can always see my target. I consider this to be a vital skill, as it means you can see where the other mobs are.  Use Right mouse key to look
I use a particular skillbar layout for all combat, land and sea. Potions are always in the same slots, so I don't really have to think which key to hit.  Skill Bar layout My skill tree is heavy on defense, and to be honest I rarely use the active skill buttons in combat.  Skills Target selection.
Bearing in mind the aft, side and head on attack preferences: pick a target that is sailing away from the coast or it's friends.
Stay between the target and the coast.  Get inshore of target IMPORTANT POINT
I HAVE OBSERVED THAT TARGETS UNDER ATTACK WILL HEAD FOR THE COAST TO STOP YOU USING TORPEDOS THEY WILL HEAD FOR THEIR FRIENDS IF COAST IS TOO FAR.  Heads for coast  Heads for friends The Attack Attack at long range with Torpedos first. I get a lot of one hit kills at this point, so I just go to the next target. As soon as you fire, turn hard, preferably away from other mobs. You can and will miss, so turning away gives torpedos time to reload. Usually, a complete circle gives time for a reload. I have also seen my torpedos go straight under a target and keep going !! Sometime 3 or 4 times in a row !!  Turn away from other targets
I usually turn only 45 Deg, so side cannons are immediately available.  Fire and Turn
At the same time,switch to cannons.
The front cannons are weak 
Turn so that side cannons can be used. 
Fire a few shots, and get ready for torpedo attack again. After a while, you will know how long it takes your ship to reload. Turn away, select torpedos again, and attack. This is normally the killer blow.  Use torps when reloaded
I press "x" as they sink to auto loot. You may have noticed my speed is always mid to slow in combat. There are a few reasons for this. 
Slow means you can adjust position and tactics as things change. It also means you don't run into the target.
You can turn much harder at low speed.
My lvl 31 frame is as fast as the torpedos with a good wind, so I'm past the target when the torpedos hit !! You therefore need to watch where the wind is as well. 
Fastest speed
Attacking against the wind needs more speed on the control. Important point.
If speed drops to zero, through "s" key, or if you hit something; you cannot turn to fight. This is almost always fatal, as you are a sitting target, so keep moving.
The level of the mobs you attack is for you to decide. I prefer many fast kills to long hard fights. Balance it to your preferences.
Ora's guide To the sea is an underrated resource. I use it a lot :) It has not been updated for some time though. and some targets may have moved  As I said before, this is not a definitive guide. It just shows the way i have learned through practise.  As you improve, you can buy better ships ! |