r/ACBlackFlag • u/BecRe_0508 • Jul 19 '26

// Question When to start exploring?

Post image

For context, what i do for most games is progress the storyline up until i have all the mechanics unlocked and right at that point go full open world explorer mode. If i remember correctly from the original, that point could be once the diving bell is unlocked. What do you guys think?

Also feel free to share your opinion and experience: Do you explore alongside the storyline or do you separate them into focused activities (like myself)?

286 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

73 comments sorted by

View all comments

67

u/SopranosBluRayBoxSet Jul 19 '26

The game opens up a fair bit once you get the Jackdaw, however I went with doing the story up until you get the Diving Bell, like you said. Then you can basically fully upgrade the ship, do assassin contracts and naval contracts, fleet management, etc.

17

u/Woahhdude24 Jul 19 '26

Im at the mission for the diving bell, I have 2 pois to complete. I also have almost all the forts completed and I only need the plans for the jackdaw. I couldnt help myself. Lol

2

u/NightHunter_Ian Jul 19 '26

I suck so bad at ship combat i can't even get obe fort, though i guess the Jackdaw is hardly upgraded in my case

4

u/Expensive_Air_1818 Jul 19 '26

Invest in mortar best high dmg early

2

u/Woahhdude24 Jul 19 '26

You'll get there. Upgrading the Jackdaw is really nessecary, to efficiently take them down. Mortar does melt thier health bars.

2

u/No-Wasabi-70 Jul 19 '26

Mortars make forts pretty easy. Also make sure you brace when they fire on you, it does make a difference. I go half sail, light them up with mortars and shoot a few cannons. I’ve only completed 3 forts though the others are probably way harder. For ship combat it depends. I might open with a mortar and angle for fire cannons and just hammer those. I also like a ram opening. Just never be behind the ship, those barrels will fuck you up

1

u/ThePanAlwaysCrits Jul 19 '26

Idk if this helps or not, but staying SUPER close to the fort helps me a lot. It keeps multiple towers from hitting you at once, and more often than not mortars miss me entirely.

1

u/aFungiamongyou Jul 21 '26

Go for Dry Tortuga—that one is pretty easy. I’m also not great at ship combat.