Celia's Top Five

Picking the five ships any good captain should have...

Having played Pirates of the Burning Sea for several years I've sailed almost every tub in the game. This doesn't make me the expert at any one aspect of the game such as PVP or Econ & Trade or the infamous Port battle just another captain with an honest opinion.

The intention of this page is to give 50 Captains and Idea of what ships (in my ever humble opinion) might be good to have in their dockyard, and why.

On free accounts a captain can only have two ships in their dock but by purchasing account upgrades or captains club membership that increases up to fives ships and a storage yard for up to 100 ships.

Here are my top five picks for each national class: Naval Officer, Privateer, and Trader as each has some ships available only to their class but some you will see transcend each class.

Tiney Ships

Small Ships

Medium Ships

Trade Ships

Frigates

Rate Ships

Celia's Shipyard

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#1 LION (3rd Rate Ship of the Line) ~

Players have different opinions about which lineship is best. Some say the Wenden, others say Centurian, others ask why not a 1st rate like the Victory or a 2nd rate like the Trinity or Scepter. My reasoning is this ship has the best mix of firepower, speed and maneuverability to get you out of trouble. The Lion is used for Port Battles and is a good solo fleeter that with the right modifications can get a decent speed to pursue most 4th rates and even some frigates while having superior firepower. In my opinion a Naval Officer's dream as far as lineships go.

Naval Officer

#2 SAN FERNANDO (4th Rate Ship of the Line) ~

A fourth rate of some kind should always be in a Naval Officer's dock. This is one of the staples for port battles and port flips. The San Fernando is one of the largest, heaviest 4th rates. She doesn't Sail to windward as well as an Alexander, but has enough armor and hull integrity to sail in the main battle lines -- and the firepower to be a capable match. Her size makes her handle more like a lineship and she is a more cost effective choice if you can't afford a 3rd rate or better.

#3 DAUNTLESS (Frigate) ~

A tried and true heavy frigate, the Dauntless sports 2 heavy gun decks that can be loaded fairly quick and fire the same distance. She sports a better cargo capacity than most frigates and has enough armor and hull integrity to be found at port battles. Her heavy nature means she does not accelerate like other frigates but has staying power in a fight. This is a cost effective choice for PVP and can be surprisingly effective range fit and brought to group PVP by skilled captains.

#4 ADVENTURE (Frigate) ~

Blessed with the all around best attributes of the frigate, the Adventure has become the new mainstay for experienced level 50 captains. This frigate is aquired with a hector deed and a special turn in writ at spains capitol San Juan. She has 16lb guns on her bottom deck, excellent acceleration and turn ability and exceptional top speed to be used in PVP and in Skirmish and Scout groups at port battles. She does not have the same armor and integrity as a dauntless but more than makes up with speed and agility. If you don't have the marks for the turn in also look at the Hercules Mastercraft or Hector as a lower cost alternative.

#5 FALCON (Naval Frigate) ~

Although only a level 27 vessel, the Falcon is aquired by bringing a Stralsund deed and the writ to the Spanish capitol of San Jaun. She is nimble, fast and although her guns are not heavy they will reload much faster than heavier ships. The Falcon will serve as a speedy fighter to get you from one end of the map to the other. She can be used in the aid of a fleeting group to tag 8 or 12 packs. She can also serve as a good vessel for zipping into red zones and grabbing points of contention at the last moments before a port battle, while not risking the ship you plan on bringing to the battle. she can out run almost anything larger and given the best fittings still an effective PVP ship.

Privateer

#1 CENTURIAN (3rd Rate Ship of the Line) ~

No matter which 3rd rate is your favorite, or even 1st or 2nd rate, this is the only choice avaialable to Privateers and Traders. With 24 Lb guns on her Bottom deck and a solid level of Damage Resistance and Armor and Hull Integrity the Centurian can be a slightly better performer than a Wenden. The Centurian gets the edge in top speed and acceleration and even turning at the cost of having 32Lb guns on her bottom deck. She is a solid choice for any class to command. The Centurian is tougher and hits harder than all 4th rates and can potentially out sail several of them. The top choice for non Naval Officers for fleeting and Port Battles.

#2 SANTA ROSA (Privateer 4th Rate Ship of the Line) ~

The Santa Rosa is a special turn in only avaialable to privateers and is based off the San Fernando. She has slightly better sailing and turning, and is a valuable and flexible asset in Port battles. Since she is a 4th rate the Privateer will only be able to use jugular on huge and colossal ships, but with the Privateer's Unpredictability Skills the Santa Rosa can handle more like a Super Heavy Frigate. Its high cost in Marks of Victory and Trade for the turn in writ may make it seem expensive but it's not such a hard task for accomplished port battle and PVP captains and well worth every Mark.

#3 VENGEANCE (Privateer Frigate) ~

Based off the Minerva Mastercraft this is a special recipe available only to privateers. Its attributes out perform the MInerva if only by a little, and the difference counts. This ship is the Privateer's staple for PVP and it would not hurt to have this vessel filling the last 3 of the Top 5 slots. 2 Balanced decks of 12lb and 9lb guns, she's a swift and nimble craft. So popular is this vessel that you often see Pirates seeking to aquire captured versions alone or in group PVP. The Vengeance is a must for trecks into the red zones and fast paced action.

#4 ADVENTURE (Frigate) ~

#4 PEREGRINE (Frigate) ~

The Peregrine Frigate was probably the most difficult top 5 choice, as there are many that might perfrom equally well for a Privateer. Athena, Raa Mastercraft and Stralsund Mastercraft come to mind for similar Frigates. The Peregrine has lighter armor but outstanding speed and maneuverability. Her main deck sports 12Lb guns instead of 9Lb guns found on other frigates of her level. With a Privateer's Unpredictability Skills the peregrine is an outstanding performer. She would be a speedy vessel to get accross the map and still be able to fight alongside higher level frigates. Good as an interceptor or in Group PVP skirmishes. Another outstanding choice to keep in a Privateer's dock.