Revision 6

Windrose's naval combat is built around broadside cannon volleys. The April 14, 2026 Early Access launch ships with three base cannon weight classes (12-Pounder, 24-Pounder, 36-Pounder) and three variant modifiers (Tempered, Devastating, Perfectly Ordered) across Uncommon, Rare, and Epic rarities, totaling 29 ship weapons in the in-game weapons database. All cannons are crafted at the Shipwright's Workshop and equipped via the Wharf's ship management interface.

Cannon Weight Classes

The base classes determine cannon size, damage, recoil, and which ships can mount them. Heavier classes deal more damage per shot but reload slower and add weight to the ship.

Cannon Variants (Rare and Epic Modifiers)

Each base class has three variant modifiers that appear at Rare and Epic rarities. Variants change the cannon's behavior beyond raw damage.

Combining a class and variant yields the full named cannon: e.g., "Tempered 24-Pounder (Rare)" or "Devastating 36-Pounder (Epic)." Higher rarity within the same class+variant combo carries higher base damage and longer effect durations.

Recipe (12-Pounder, Uncommon Baseline)

Higher-tier cannons (24-Pounder, 36-Pounder, and the variant modifiers) require additional materials including Iron Ingots, Tumbaga, and faction-locked components from the Smugglers of Port Royal. Build out reputation with the Smugglers to unlock the higher-tier cannon plans.

Ammunition Types

All cannon classes can fire two ammo types, switched mid-combat:

The recommended naval combat opener is 5 to 6 bar shot volleys into the enemy's rigging to slow them, then switching to regular cannonballs for sustained hull damage. Bar shot does little hull damage on its own; its value is forcing the enemy out of the chase phase into a slow-trade phase.

Cannon Slot Counts by Ship

Each ship class mounts a different number of cannons. Estimates per community sources (treat the exact numbers as community-reported until cross-verified in-game):

Hull Bracing and Companion Equipment

Cannons are one of three core ship equipment categories. The other two are Hull Bracing (5 Copper Ingots + 30 Wood + 5 Nails; reduces incoming damage) and Boarding Equipment (improves NPC crew effectiveness during boarding actions). All three slot types can be upgraded at the Shipwright's Workshop Upgrade tab. Hull Bracing plans at higher tiers come from the Smugglers of Port Royal.

Combat Repair Kits

Combat Repair Kits are consumable items crafted at the Shipwright's Workshop. They restore hull HP mid-battle while you remain under fire. Always carry several when engaging multiple enemy ships or boarding higher-tier vessels.

Fire Strategy

Effective cannon use combines positioning, ammo selection, and timing:

1. Reduce sail to roughly 3/4 to tighten your turn radius and bring cannons to bear

2. Open with bar shot into the enemy's sails (5 to 6 volleys)

3. Switch to regular cannonballs once the enemy is slowed; aim for the waterline for maximum hull damage

4. Watch the wave pattern: large waves can block cannonballs at long range. Close distance reduces this issue

5. Use the F key zoomed-out camera for situational awareness when surrounded

6. Time "Perfectly Ordered" cannon variants by hitting consecutive shots within 4 seconds for the +30% reload buff

Future Cannon Types

The roadmap mentions additional cannon variants (carronades, long cannons) planned for Early Access updates. Carronades are short-barreled close-range cannons in real history; long cannons trade rate of fire for range. Whether these will be variants of the existing classes or entirely new categories has not been formally announced.

See Also

• Naval Combat - full naval combat guide including ship controls, ammo strategy, and boarding

• Ship Types - Ketch, Brig, Frigate stats and roles

• Boarding - the boarding mechanic that follows successful cannon engagements

• Shipwright's Workshop - the crafting station for cannons and ship gear

• Wharf - the equipment management station required to fit cannons to a ship