New Terror on the High Seas - Introducing the Frigate

[-=4th=-1/2Hawk]

PiratePlunder brings us the largest ship in the BFP2 fleet to date - called the Frigate. This beauty features eight captain controlled 12lb cannons, with several additional crew controlled cannons mounted on the rear firing deck. In this article, we'll review the Frigate, compare it to other ships available in Release 2 and check out some screenshots of it used on a Naval Deathmatch map called "Lost At Sea" created by Catbox.


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The term Frigate comes from the French term "to build long and low". The Dutch were among the first to employ Frigates on the high seas in the early 17th century, using them to protect merchant ships, to blockade ports and to combat privateers. Built for speed and maneuverability, the Frigates had very long range and could deliver marines to distant shores making them choice ships for naval captains eager to see some action - as compared to the larger ships of the line which were considered more valuable.



One of the primary challenges we have in deploying larger ships is that the BF2 engine doesnt allow ladders to be attached to vehicles. This makes it difficult to get around on ships and prevents an enemy team from attempting a boarding action on the other team's vessels. Our tests with grappling hooks show that they work okay but will fall as soon as a vehicle is in motion. So for now, our drivable ships will have low long decks that can be reached by a jump or two up some steps. But for the latter problem, we are doing some experimentation with a triggered effect that will teleport an enemy player a short distance up onto the deck if they can get within a small radius of a ladder on the side of the ship. This will mean that not only will a crew need to man the guns and repair the ship, they may also need to grab a boarding axe and clean the decks of marauders!



Coming in right between the size of the Brig and the static Tallships you may know from the map Dead Calm, the Frigate is a truely terrifying sight for any other ship captian to see pull broadside. No other ship is able to put more leadshot downrange in a single volley. With thicker armor and heavier armament, the Frigate's primary disadvantage is its turning speed and its lack of defensively mounted portcannons. Being such a prize ship for any salty pirate crew worth their weight, the ship will frequently be only available after capping and holding a neutral flag in Naval Deathmatch maps.



Lets again review the entire fleet of ships in BFP2:

- Gnat: A single seat row boat with a powerful frontmounted cannon. Useful for offshore artillery bombardments or just getting from place to place, the Gnat also has an unarmed sister ship known as the Dinghy.

- Runabout: One of the fastest ships in the game, the Runabout is able to quickly get an entire squad to a remote location by water. Also, whenever the ship is being driven - it also serves as a mobile spawn point for your team.

- Wherry: This cargo ship serves a key tactical role, as it is the only ship that is able to give repairs and fresh ammunition to friendly vessels within a short radius. Its also unique in that its twin cannons are forward facing.

- Cutter: The light tank of the high seas, a Cutter is fast, agile and able to hold its own against any but the largest of enemy ships. Like all the larger ships, the captain is able to control the pitch of the cannons with the up/down arrow keys and can fire to either side using the left/right mouse buttons.

- Brig: This ship forms the backbone of any naval fleet and performs best with a sizeable crew manning its passenger controlled cannons. The captain can fire six 6lb cannons, with four additional cannons for the crew as well as several port cannons.

- Frigate: The team able to maintain the Frigate has a decided advantage over the enemy. With eight captain controlled 12lb cannons, and four additional crew controlled cannons, the Frigate has the muscle to put down anyone. When protected fore and aft by other vessels, this thing is unstoppable.

- Tallship: The Tallship will always be anchored in place, often serving as a main base of operations on many of the naval maps where crew can spawn and jump overboard to take a smaller ship to battle. It may or may not be armed to the teeth with 12 cannons or mortars depending on the map. If there are no obvious ladders to climb to get aboard, try standing up in a ship and tossing a grappling hook. [A less obvious place to do this is on the rear of the ship]. Some times a flag placed on this ship may be way up in the rigging so keep a sharp eye open for ways to access them!


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[frontpage]

you guys are goining to love this thing

[Quint]

This looks so awesome. Now I'm probably gonna replace the brig on my map with a Frigate and put a Brig instead of the 2nd Cutter. I can't wait for the sea battles the next release.
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[VII Chris]

I think the big ships are cool and all, but anyone can take out the captain in 1 well-aimed shot, making ships useless on most maps..


Im tired of sniper-rifles ruining sea-battles..

[frontpage]

[Quint]

Also, the captain's invisible shield helps against snipers, but it's gonna be a problem. Just make sure to sink whatever ship the sniper's on before he can shoot or evasive maneuvers.
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[Ducking]

Wow! This just looks so cool! The naval maps will be awsome!
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[elander]

[Carne]

This ship looks SWEET !
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[-=4th=-1/2Hawk]

Sniper class will not be selectable on Naval maps.

Hint: Probably not a good idea to have the squad leader drive the boats either.
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[terrorpirate]

Looks great! Can't wait.

[-=4th=-1/2Hawk]

Surprised nobody asked anything about the boarding axe comment... LOL
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[elander]

can we see a picture of have some info about the boarding axe please?


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[VII Chris]

thanks half hawk

maybe i can sail my cutter without being sniped now

[Count_Dracula]

Did you have to inform me of this?! Now I really can't wait for the next release!!
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'You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest, honestly. It's the honest ones you want to watch out for, 'cause you never know when they're gonna do something incredibly... stupid."