Argomenti trattati
The world of Windrose pushes you from a modest starter vessel into choices that shape how you sail, fight, and trade. Early on the game gives you a ketch, but the real decisions start when you weigh whether to invest in a mid-game brig or save for the endgame frigate. This guide breaks down the variants, the exact building materials you will need, and the equipment worth buying first so you can spend your piastre wisely.
Below you will find three focused sections: one that clarifies which ship suits which stage of play, a practical materials list for each hull, and a recommended upgrade path to get the most value from your purchases. Throughout the text I use technical terms like hull names and gear items, and I mark definitions with italics so you can quickly scan for what matters in crafting and combat.
Which ship fits your stage of progress
Ketch: the starter coastal option
The ketch is the first vessel most players will use. It arrives through main quest progression and handles early zones well thanks to a modest balance of mobility and survivability. Typical stats are about 50,000 HP, 19 max speed, 28 cargo and 3 main cannons (12 lb). Variants exist: a slower Brethren Ketch trades speed for ~65,000 HP, while a nimble Blackbeard Ketch boosts speed to ~21 but lowers HP to ~35,000. Use the stock ketch until you can fund a brig upgrade or a set of crucial ship upgrades.
Brig: the pivotal mid-game ship
The jump to a brig is where naval combat opens up—double the cannon slots and a meaningful HP increase change how you engage enemies. The base brig sits near 70,000 HP, 20 speed, 24 cargo, and 6 main guns (12 lb). The Brethren Brig variant trades speed for toughness (~90,000 HP and 32 cargo), while the Blackbeard Brig prioritizes speed (~22) and optional heavier guns at the cost of HP. For most players the brig is the best first purchase because it solves the three-cannon shortfall from the ketch.
Frigate: the late-game powerhouse
The frigate is the endgame hull: large batteries, secondary guns, and massive HP make it intimidatory. Base frigate stats are in the ballpark of 160,000 HP, 18 speed, 40 cargo, with 12 main guns (24 lb) and a 6-gun secondary battery. Brethren and Blackbeard frigate variants shift HP, cargo, and speed while allowing heavier calibers. Building a frigate requires a substantial investment but rewards you with the firepower to dominate high-level encounters.
Materials and plan requirements
Ketch materials and repairs
Acquiring the ketch plan is handled by following the early main questline. When you assemble a ketch you will need core resources such as 100 Nails (crafted from copper ingots), 150 Wood, 40 Coarse Fabric and 30 Rope. Routine repairs cost small amounts like 20 Wood and 5 Coarse Fabric. Treat nails and rope as recurring items you should stockpile during early exploration.
Brig materials and unlocking
To unlock the brig plans you must reach Rank 2 with the Brethren of the Coast and purchase the design (about 1,000 piastre). Building a brig requires a larger recipe: roughly 200 Nails, 80 Copper Ingots, 40 Timber, 200 Wooden Planks, 40 Linen Fabric, 120 Coarse Fabric, 40 Rope and 30 Shipwright’s Tools. Repairs for brigs commonly use 30 Wooden Planks and 5 Linen Fabric.
Frigate materials and unlocking
The frigate requires reputation (Rank 4) and a heftier purchase (~3,000 piastre for the design). Its build list includes 300 Nails, 120 Foothills Iron Ingots, 320 Wooden Planks, 160 Timber, 80 Tarred Planks, 240 Linen Fabric, 80 Tarred Fabric, 80 Rope, and 50 Shipwright’s Tools. Expect repair recipes to use tarred materials and a higher restoration cost.
Recommended gear and upgrade path
Spend early piastre on upgrades that transfer between hulls: the Devastating 12-Pounders cannon and Keelhold Hull Bracing hull upgrade are high value because you can move them to a later ship. Prioritize Naval Tactics V: Silence the Guns for long fights and seek the single available Boarding Party Gear (Upgraded) if you plan to board—note that early access limits availability, so use shipwright workshop upgrades to boost boarding power. A pragmatic build order is to buy a few quality upgrades, assemble a Brethren Brig for mid-game durability, then refit into a Blackbeard Frigate when you can afford the plans and materials.
In short, treat the brig as your first long-term upgrade and the frigate as your eventual goal. Keep repairing supplies stocked, swap transferable equipment between hulls, and lean on hull bracing and tactical upgrades to turn tough encounters into manageable fights.