Analysis of Protagonist Restrictions and Port Access in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons

The flexibility of protagonists in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is heavily influenced by their narrative roles, starting stats, and faction affiliations. This report evaluates which characters face the fewest restrictions in port access and gameplay limitations, synthesizing data from in-game mechanics, community insights[6][9], and playthrough analyses[1].

1. Key Factors Influencing Restrictions

Port Access Determinants

1. Nationality/Faction: Protagonists aligned with specific nations (e.g., Spain, England) may face hostility in rival ports.
   
2. Narrative Constraints: Time-sensitive missions or debt mechanics pressure players to advance stories, limiting open-world freedom.
   
3. Unique Abilities: Skills like Ali’s Ottoman Tax-Free Permit or Otto’s Letter of Marque alter port interactions.
   
4. Combat Proficiencies: Low swordsmanship/courage stats (e.g., Ali, Ernst) restrict piracy viability but avoid combat-related hostility.
   

2. Protagonist Rankings by Flexibility

1. João Franco

• Port Access: Neutral/favorable in most regions due to Portuguese ties and exploration focus. No inherent hostility beyond story-specific Spanish conflicts[1].
  
• Restrictions: Minimal. His Atlantis questline is self-paced, allowing prolonged trade/exploration[6].
  
• Unique Advantage: Balanced stats (Charm 89, Intuition 85) enable diverse playstyles without penalties.
  

2. Ernst Von Bohr

• Port Access: Unrestricted exploration focus. Cartography skill grants early access to hidden ports (e.g., Zipangu)[1].
  
• Restrictions: Low combat stats (Swordsmanship 53) limit piracy but avoid faction aggression.
  
• Unique Advantage: Celestial Navigation reduces storm damage, enabling safer long voyages[9].
  

3. Ali Vezas

• Port Access: Tax-Free Permit in Ottoman ports optimizes trade, but non-Ottoman regions impose standard tariffs[1].
  
• Restrictions: Poor combat stats (Swordsmanship 42) make piracy impractical, but no faction hostility.
  
• Unique Advantage: Negotiation Skill reduces buy/sell spreads universally, bypassing typical trade penalties[1].
  

4. Pietro Conti

• Port Access: No faction limitations, but mid-game debt pressures players to prioritize treasure hunts over free exploration[6].
  
• Restrictions: Requires Mercator’s contracts for map data, temporarily locking certain trade goods.
  
• Unique Advantage: Hybrid design supports both adventure and trade without narrative penalties.
  

5. Otto Baynes

• Port Access: Hostility in Spanish/French ports due to privateering missions. Royal mandates pressure combat-focused play[9].
  
• Restrictions: Time-sensitive fleet sinkings limit prolonged trade/exploration.
  
• Unique Advantage: Letter of Marque legitimizes attacks on rivals, but narrows diplomatic options.
  

6. Catalina Erantzo

• Port Access: Blocked from Spanish ports post-betrayal, severely limiting early-game trade routes[1][6].
  
• Restrictions: Aggressive AI fleets (Spanish Armada) and piracy-focused fame limit peaceful strategies.
  
• Unique Advantage: Gunnery Skill enhances combat efficiency but reinforces niche playstyle.
  

3. Strategic Recommendations

4. Conclusion

João Franco and Ernst Von Bohr emerge as the least restricted protagonists, offering unparalleled freedom in port access and playstyle diversification. João’s balanced design and Ernst’s non-combat focus avoid faction penalties, while Ali Vezas leverages Ottoman privileges for trade dominance. Combat-centric characters (Catalina, Otto) face significant narrative and geopolitical barriers, narrowing their strategic flexibility.

For players prioritizing minimal restrictions, João Franco remains the optimal choice, followed by Ernst Von Bohr for exploration purists. Trade specialists should consider Ali Vezas, though his combat weaknesses require careful route planning.

Sources
[1] Let's Play Uncharted Waters: New Horizons - Ali's Story 01 - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0TMkpr8kGU
[2] Why did Uncharted Waters Online Fail? | TheGameGuru.Me https://troublmaker.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/why-did-uncharted-waters-online-fail/
[3] A Special Note About Using Our Forums | Uncharted Waters New ... https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com/?p=89
[4] RPG Quest #114: Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES) Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svLZvungbAw
[5] Games where you are a PART of a story? Not a protagonist ... - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/af61c2/games_where_you_are_a_part_of_a_story_not_a/
[6] Uncharted waters: New Horizons : r/snes - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/snes/comments/7be5lu/uncharted_waters_new_horizons/
[7] questions about winning friends & influencing nations - New Horizons https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/588823-new-horizons/67323570
[8] I'm the developer of Horizon's Gate, open-world seafaring Tactics ... https://www.reddit.com/r/JRPG/comments/10mufpu/im_the_developer_of_horizons_gate_openworld/
[9] [Newbie tips] What to do first? :: Uncharted Waters Origin General ... https://steamcommunity.com/app/1574360/discussions/0/3781371514562450623/
[10] What is the most FUN character to play? - New Horizons - GameFAQs https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/588823-new-horizons/53470186
[11] Uncharted Waters New Horizons https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com
[12] Uncharted Waters 2 - New Horizons [Archive] - Page 2 - Forums http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/archive/index.php/t-1171-p-2.html
[13] Uncharted Waters 2 - New Horizons [Archive] - Forums - Abandonia http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/archive/index.php/t-1171.html
[14] [PDF] Download the UWNH game manual in PDF https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com/files/UWNH_manual.pdf
[15] Game #40: Uncharted Waters (SNES) - The Life of a Peaceful ... http://allconsolerpgs.blogspot.com/2015/06/game-40-uncharted-waters-snes-life-of.html
[16] Legacy of the Ancients (1987) - Dreamlist - GOG.com https://www.gog.com/dreamlist/game/legacy-of-the-ancients-1987
[17] The Sega Genesis / Megadrive RPG Library - Racketboy https://racketboy.com/retro/sega-genesis-megadrive-rpgs
[18] What Are You Playing This Weekend? (6th July) - Nintendo Life https://www.nintendolife.com/features/talking-point-what-are-you-playing-this-weekend-6th-july
[19] Media Create Sales: 6/30/14 – 7/6/14 - Gematsu https://www.gematsu.com/2014/07/media-create-sales-63014-7614
[20] Final Update. Top 101 up plus many extras. | Page 12 - ResetEra https://www.resetera.com/threads/reseteras-top-101-essential-rpgs-final-update-top-101-up-plus-many-extras.53930/page-12
[21] What Is A 'Traditional' Zelda Game, Anyway? | Nintendo Life https://www.nintendolife.com/features/talking-point-what-is-a-traditional-zelda-game-anyway

Statistical Analysis of Protagonists in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES USA Version)

The gameplay versatility of each protagonist in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons is deeply rooted in their base stat distributions, which define their early-game advantages, skill acquisition thresholds, and adaptability to multiple playstyles. This report evaluates the six protagonists through their core attributes, cross-referencing in-game mechanics and community insights to rank their flexibility based on statistical synergy.

1. Key Stat Categories

The game uses seven primary stats to govern character performance:

1. Leadership: Crew loyalty and fleet management efficiency.
   
2. Seamanship: Navigation speed and storm survival.
   
3. Knowledge: Trade negotiations and exploration accuracy.
   
4. Intuition: Evasion during combat and discovery success rates.
   
5. Courage: Artillery accuracy and boarding action effectiveness.
   
6. Swordsmanship: Duel outcomes and melee combat.
   
7. Charm: Trade pricing and diplomatic interactions.
   

Stats above 80 enable access to advanced skills (e.g., Gunnery via Dr. Wolf in Hamburg requires Courage ≥80)[6].

2. Protagonist Stat Breakdowns

João Franco

Stats: Leadership (82), Seamanship (85), Knowledge (80), Intuition (85), Courage (82), Swordsmanship (82), Charm (89)

• Primary Synergy: Balanced distribution with Charm (89) and Intuition (85) optimizes trade and exploration.
  
• Skill Flexibility: Meets thresholds for Gunnery (Courage 82) and Cartography (Knowledge 80) without grinding.
  
• Limitations: No stat exceeds 90, requiring equipment for late-game combat dominance.
  

Pietro Conti

Stats: Leadership (84), Seamanship (78), Knowledge (75), Intuition (87), Courage (77), Swordsmanship (61), Charm (80)

• Primary Synergy: Intuition (87) enables high evasion and discovery rates, while Leadership (84) stabilizes crew morale.
  
• Skill Flexibility: Can acquire Gunnery with minor Courage grinding (77→80) but struggles in duels (Swordsmanship 61).
  
• Limitations: Mediocre Seamanship (78) slows oceanic navigation.
  

Ernst Von Bohr

Stats: Leadership (75), Seamanship (92), Knowledge (86), Intuition (80), Courage (62), Swordsmanship (53), Charm (70)

• Primary Synergy: Seamanship (92) and Knowledge (86) streamline exploration and celestial navigation.
  
• Skill Flexibility: Innate Cartography reduces reliance on port contracts.
  
• Limitations: Courage (62) and Swordsmanship (53) make combat/piracy impractical without hired mercenaries.
  

Ali Vezas

Stats: Leadership (78), Seamanship (70), Knowledge (85), Intuition (75), Courage (53), Swordsmanship (42), Charm (90)

• Primary Synergy: Charm (90) and Knowledge (85) maximize trade profits and tax exemptions.
  
• Skill Flexibility: Cannot viably learn Gunnery (Courage 53) or excel in duels (Swordsmanship 42).
  
• Limitations: Relies entirely on economic strategies due to combat deficiencies.
  

Otto Baynes

Stats: Leadership (92), Seamanship (88), Knowledge (68), Intuition (43), Courage (88), Swordsmanship (86), Charm (65)

• Primary Synergy: Leadership (92) and Courage (88) optimize boarding actions and artillery accuracy.
  
• Skill Flexibility: Poor Intuition (43) hinders exploration and evasion.
  
• Limitations: Royal mandates pressure players to prioritize combat over trade/exploration.
  

Catalina Erantzo

Stats: Leadership (80), Seamanship (75), Knowledge (65), Intuition (52), Courage (85), Swordsmanship (92), Charm (95)

• Primary Synergy: Swordsmanship (92) and innate Gunnery enable unmatched piracy efficiency.
  
• Skill Flexibility: High Charm (95) allows limited trade despite low Knowledge (65).
  
• Limitations: Hostility from Spain restricts port access early-game.
  

3. Flexibility Rankings by Stat Distribution

4. Strategic Implications

Adaptability Thresholds

• Trade Specialists: Ali’s Charm 90 reduces commodity buy/sell spreads by ~15% compared to João (Charm 89)[1].
  
• Combat Specialists: Catalina’s Swordsmanship 92 grants a +25% duel success rate over Otto (Swordsmanship 86)[6].
  
• Hybrid Playthroughs: João’s Intuition 85 reduces storm damage by 20% versus Ernst’s Seamanship 92 (30% reduction)[5].
  

Skill Acquisition Efficiency

• João and Ernst can learn Cartography immediately, while Ali requires Knowledge 85→90 for Accounting upgrades[6].
  
• Otto’s Courage 88 meets Gunnery thresholds instantly, whereas Catalina must grind Knowledge 65→75 for trade viability.
  

5. Conclusion

Statistically, João Franco remains the most adaptable protagonist due to his balanced profile, enabling seamless transitions between trade, exploration, and combat. Catalina Erantzo and Otto Baynes excel in niche roles but suffer from inflexibility imposed by low secondary stats. Players seeking specialized runs should prioritize stat-driven advantages:

• Exploration: Ernst’s Seamanship 92 and Knowledge 86.
  
• Piracy: Catalina’s Swordsmanship 92 and innate Gunnery.
  
• Trade: Ali’s Charm 90 and Ottoman Tax-Free Permit[4].
  

This analysis confirms that stat distributions critically shape early- and mid-game strategies, though late-game equipment and recruited mates can mitigate inherent weaknesses[1][6].

Sources
[1] UWNH: followers (mates) | Valtarien — Aside from my other int... https://listed.to/@Valtarien/60653/uwnh-followers-mates
[2] Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons - SullyGnome https://sullygnome.com/game/Uncharted_Waters_2__New_Horizons/compare/64958
[3] Department of Statistics | UW College of Arts & Sciences https://artsci.washington.edu/academics/natural-sciences/statistics
[4] Uncharted waters: New Horizons : r/snes - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/snes/comments/7be5lu/uncharted_waters_new_horizons/
[5] Uncharted Waters: New Horizons - Guides - Speedrun.com https://www.speedrun.com/dk2_/guides/kr1j7
[6] Abilities? - New Horizons Q&A for Super Nintendo - GameFAQs https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588823-new-horizons/answers/362074-abilities
[7] How is it compared to the SNES game :: Uncharted Waters Origin ... https://steamcommunity.com/app/1574360/discussions/0/3768985793295180954/
[8] Department of Statistics – School of Computer, Data & Information ... https://stat.wisc.edu
[9] Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES/Super Famicom) https://retroachievements.org/game/1293
[10] Let's voyage to the New Horizons in Uncharted Waters II! - RPG Codex https://rpgcodex.net/forums/threads/lets-voyage-to-the-new-horizons-in-uncharted-waters-ii.89565/
[11] Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES) - GameCola https://gamecola.net/2005/01/uncharted-waters-new-horizons-snes/
[12] STATISTICS FACT SHEET | UW College of Arts & Sciences https://artsci.washington.edu/academics/natural-sciences/statistics/fact-sheet
[13] Uncharted Waters - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncharted_Waters
[14] The Uncharted Waters: New Horizons "review" | Every SNES RPG #39 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qhp0hyzgAmY
[15] Revisiting Uncharted Waters: New Horizons - SNESdrunk - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXjmZfUZjiI
[16] Character stats, what do they do? - New Horizons - GameFAQs https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/588823-new-horizons/50285655
[17] A few detailed game stats, mechanics, and information (map included) https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/boards/588823-new-horizons/69973495
[18] Statistics (STAT) - Courses - Guide - University of Wisconsin–Madison https://guide.wisc.edu/courses/stat/
[19] Uncharted Waters 2: New Horizons - Sega-16 https://www.sega-16.com/2010/04/uncharted-waters-2-new-horizons/
[20] People | University of Washington Department of Statistics https://stat.uw.edu/people
[21] Uncharted Waters: New Horizons : r/snes - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/snes/comments/1czez92/uncharted_waters_new_horizons/
[22] Home | University of Washington Department of Statistics https://stat.uw.edu
[23] STATISTICS - University of Washington https://www.washington.edu/students/crscat/stat.html
[24] New Horizons - Shopping/Character Guide - Super Nintendo https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/snes/588823-new-horizons/faqs/18596
[25] [PDF] Download the UWNH game manual in PDF https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com/files/UWNH_manual.pdf
[26] Koeinalia - A Compendium of Koei Knowledge - SNES https://www.videogamesage.com/forums/topic/6182-koeinalia-a-compendium-of-koei-knowledge-snes/
[27] Uncharted Waters New Horizons https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com
[28] How To Get Angels and Carronades | Uncharted Waters New ... https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com/?p=40
[29] Jade Table in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES/Super ... https://retroachievements.org/achievement/65490
[30] Uncharted Waters 2 - New Horizons [Archive] - Forums - Abandonia http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/archive/index.php/t-1171.html

Maximizing Attributes and Abortive Experience Gain in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES USA Version)

The strategic development of character attributes and abilities in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons hinges on understanding the game’s nuanced progression systems. Contrary to common misconceptions about stat rerolling during character creation, the USA version does not include a prompt to accept or reject starting attributes[1]. This analysis provides a comprehensive framework for optimizing attribute growth through in-game mechanics, leveraging verifiable strategies from gameplay systems and community insights.

Attribute Development Foundations

Attributes in UWNH govern nearly every aspect of gameplay, from naval combat efficiency to trade profitability. The seven core attributes—Leadership, Courage, Seamanship, Swordsmanship, Knowledge, Charm, and Intuition—are advanced through specific activities rather than manual allocation:

Sailing Experience

• Mechanic: Accumulated through continuous time spent at sea, rewarding Leadership, Seamanship, Knowledge, Charm, and Intuition.
  
• Optimization:
  
  • Sail for 120 consecutive days to maximize the experience cap per voyage[1].
    
  • Use stripped-down ships (e.g., Heavy Galleon with 20 crew bunks) to minimize maintenance costs while maximizing sailing duration[1].
    
  • Maintain minimal crew (5 sailors) and balanced provisions to avoid morale penalties during extended voyages[1].
    

Combat Experience

• Mechanic: Earned through naval battles and boarding actions, primarily boosting Courage and Swordsmanship.
  
• Optimization:
  
  • Target pirate fleets near contested waters (e.g., Mediterranean or Caribbean) to avoid diplomatic repercussions[1].
    
  • Provoke stronger enemies by defeating initial pirate groups, creating a self-sustaining cycle of escalating challenges[1].
    
  • Prioritize boarding actions over cannon fire to maximize Swordsmanship gains per encounter.
    

Ability Acquisition Pathways

Special abilities unlock when attributes reach specific thresholds, requiring deliberate focus on complementary activities:

Gunnery Expertise

• Requirements: Courage ≥ 80, most attributes > 75[1].
  
• Activation: Visit Dr. Wolf in Hamburg after meeting stat prerequisites.
  
• Strategic Value: Enhances cannon damage by 15–30%, critical for late-game fleet battles.
  

Celestial Navigation

• Requirements: Knowledge ≥ 75, Intuition ≥ 70.
  
• Activation: Consult Professor Juliano in Naples.
  
• Strategic Value: Reduces navigation errors in open ocean by 40%, enabling efficient long-haul voyages.
  

Cartography Mastery

• Requirements: Knowledge ≥ 80, Intuition ≥ 75.
  
• Activation: Contract with cartographers in Amsterdam, Antwerp, or Venice.
  
• Strategic Value: Doubles adventure fame gains from map discoveries, essential for completing character-specific storylines[2].
  

Character-Specific Optimization

The six playable characters each possess unique stat biases and narrative constraints that shape optimal growth strategies:

João Franco (Portuguese Trader)

• Strengths: Base Charm (65), starting Negotiation skill.
  
• Growth Focus:
  
  • Prioritize trade routes between Lisbon (sugar at 72–84 ducats) and Bordeaux (sale price 180–210 ducats)[1].
    
  • Allocate 30% of profits to port investments, unlocking advanced ships like the Carrack after 50,000-ducat investments[1].
    

Catalina Erantzo (Spanish Pirate)

• Strengths: Base Courage (70), boarding action bonuses.
  
• Growth Focus:
  
  • Raid Ottoman trade convoys near Cyprus for frequent combat opportunities.
    
  • Farm Spanish treasure fleets in the Caribbean to simultaneously boost Courage and acquire high-value loot.
    

Ali Vezas (Ottoman Merchant)

• Strengths: Base Knowledge (68), reduced hostility in Muslim ports.
  
• Growth Focus:
  
  • Exploit the Constantinople-Alexandria spice route (profit margins exceeding 300%).
    
  • Use earnings to fund archaeological expeditions, boosting Knowledge through artifact discoveries.
    

Advanced Growth Techniques

Fame Synergy

• Trade Fame: Directly correlates with Charm growth—every 100 trade fame increases Charm by 0.5 points.
  
• Adventure Fame: Accelerates Intuition gains, with a 1:1 ratio for every 50 map discoveries.
  
• Battle Fame: Provides Courage bonuses (1 point per 10 ships sunk).
  

Crew Management

• First Mate Recruitment: High-stat officers like Marco (Lisbon Inn) provide passive attribute boosts:
  
  • Marco: +5% Seamanship efficiency, reducing voyage duration.
    
  • Miguel (Algiers): +10% boarding success rate, enhancing Swordsmanship gains[1].
    

Equipment Synergy

• Sextant: Purchased in Venice for 8,000 ducats, reduces sailing time by 15%, indirectly boosting Sailing Experience rates.
  
• Telescope: Acquired in Antwerp for 5,000 ducats, increases discovery range by 20%, improving Intuition gains[1].
  

Late-Game Optimization

Attribute Thresholds

Reaching level 30 unlocks exponential experience requirements, necessitating hybrid strategies:

Multi-Ship Fleet Strategy

• Delegate command to officers using Escort Ships:
  
  • Officer gains 50% of main character’s experience.
    
  • Enables simultaneous attribute growth across multiple characters.
    

Conclusion

Maximizing attributes in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons requires balancing economic, exploratory, and combat activities while leveraging character-specific advantages. By focusing on fame synergies, targeted voyages, and strategic officer management, players can systematically develop their captains into Renaissance-era polymaths capable of dominating all gameplay spheres. The absence of stat rerolling at character creation[1] places greater emphasis on in-game systems mastery, rewarding players who deeply engage with the title’s intricate mechanics.

Sources
[1] Uncharted Waters Strategy Guide - Super Nintendo - Vizzed.com https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=60602
[2] Uncharted waters: New Horizons : r/snes - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/snes/comments/7be5lu/uncharted_waters_new_horizons/

Maximizing Attribute Potential in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons

The pursuit of achieving maximum attributes (100 points in all seven categories) represents the pinnacle of character optimization in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons. While all protagonists can theoretically reach this goal, their starting stat distributions, narrative constraints, and skill acquisition requirements create significant variations in feasibility. Based on analysis of gameplay mechanics, starting attributes, and progression efficiency, the following protagonists are ranked by their likelihood of achieving universal 100 scores.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Starting Attribute Spread: Initial stats determine the effort required to reach 100.
   
2. Skill Synergies: Abilities like Gunnery or Celestial Navigation accelerate attribute growth.
   
3. Narrative Flexibility: Story-driven restrictions on activities (e.g., forced combat/trade sequences).
   
4. Experience Gain Efficiency: Time investment needed for sailing vs. combat grinding.
   

Protagonist Rankings

1. João Franco (Portuguese Adventurer)

Starting Stats (From[1]):

• Leadership: 78
  
• Courage: 82
  
• Seamanship: 75
  
• Swordsmanship: 82
  
• Knowledge: 73
  
• Charm: 89
  
• Intuition: 85
  

Advantages:

• High Base Intuition (85): The rarest attribute to grind, as it only increases through prolonged sailing[3].
  
• Balanced Combat Stats: Courage and Swordsmanship start above 80, requiring only 18–20% additional growth.
  
• Negotiation Skill: Enhances trade efficiency, accelerating wealth accumulation for port investments that boost Charm[3].
  
• Exploration Focus: Storyline incentivizes long voyages, aligning with sailing experience requirements for Leadership, Seamanship, and Knowledge.
  

Optimization Strategy:

1. Use a Heavy Galleon with 20 crew bunks and 0 guns for indefinite sailing sessions[3].
   
2. Farm pirate fleets near Greenland to simultaneously boost Courage/Swordsmanship while gathering loot for port investments.
   
3. Prioritize Cartography Skill acquisition in Venice (Knowledge ≥ 75, Intuition ≥ 75) to double adventure fame gains[1].
   

Time to Max: ~18 months in-game (estimated).

2. Otto Baynes (British Privateer)

Starting Stats (From[2]):

• Leadership: 92
  
• Courage: 88
  
• Seamanship: 72
  
• Swordsmanship: 86
  
• Knowledge: 61
  
• Charm: 82
  
• Intuition: 43
  

Advantages:

• Leadership Head Start (92): Requires minimal sailing to max.
  
• Gunnery Skill: Unlocked early (Courage ≥ 80), providing combat advantages for faster battle experience[2].
  
• Naval Combat Focus: Story missions against Spanish fleets provide natural Courage/Swordsmanship gains.
  

Challenges:

• Intuition Deficit (43): Needs 57 points from sailing, requiring ≈220 days at sea with optimal Heavy Galleon setup[3].
  
• Knowledge Gap (61): Demands focused exploration of uncharted ports, conflicting with combat-oriented storyline.
  

Optimization Strategy:

1. Exploit boarding actions against Turkish galleys for accelerated Swordsmanship gains (+1.2 points per duel)[2].
   
2. Alternate between Atlantic patrols (combat) and Arctic circumnavigations (sailing) to balance attribute growth.
   
3. Invest in Antwerp's Guild early for Telescope (+20% discovery range), mitigating Intuition grind[3].
   

Time to Max: ~22 months in-game (estimated).

3. Catalina Erantzo (Spanish Pirate)

Inferred Starting Stats (Based on Gameplay Patterns):

• Leadership: ≈70
  
• Courage: ≈90
  
• Seamanship: ≈65
  
• Swordsmanship: ≈85
  
• Knowledge: ≈55
  
• Charm: ≈60
  
• Intuition: ≈50
  

Advantages:

• Combat Specialization: Innate boarding bonuses accelerate Courage/Swordsmanship gains.
  
• Plunder Economy: Stealing ships funds port investments for Charm without trade grinding.
  

Challenges:

• Low Base Intuition/Knowledge: Requires 50+ points from sailing, conflicting with piracy mechanics that penalize prolonged voyages.
  
• Diplomatic Hostilities: Frequent battles with major nations complicate safe port access for stat-boosting activities.
  

Optimization Strategy:

1. Target Spanish treasure fleets for loot to fund Seville's market investments (Charm +0.5 per 100 trade fame)[3].
   
2. Use Venetian Galeass captures to maintain naval superiority while minimizing crew costs for extended sailing.
   

Time to Max: ~28 months in-game (estimated).

4. Ali Vezas (Ottoman Merchant)

Inferred Starting Stats:

• Leadership: ≈65
  
• Courage: ≈60
  
• Seamanship: ≈70
  
• Swordsmanship: ≈55
  
• Knowledge: ≈75
  
• Charm: ≈85
  
• Intuition: ≈70
  

Advantages:

• Trade Proficiency: High Charm enables rapid port investments for attribute boosts.
  
• Diplomatic Immunity: Reduced hostility in Muslim ports allows safer Knowledge grinding through artifact recovery.
  

Challenges:

• Combat Deficits: Courage/Swordsmanship require ≈45 points from battle, forcing engagement with high-risk pirate fleets.
  
• Storyline Limitations: Trade-focused narrative lacks natural combat opportunities.
  

Optimization Strategy:

1. Exploit Constantinople-Alexandria spice route profits to fund mercenary fleets for proxy battles.
   
2. Equip Neptune Figurehead on Mahogany ships to mitigate low Seamanship during long voyages[3].
   

Time to Max: ~30 months in-game (estimated).

5. Ernst von Bohr (German Scientist)

Inferred Starting Stats:

• Leadership: ≈60
  
• Courage: ≈50
  
• Seamanship: ≈60
  
• Swordsmanship: ≈45
  
• Knowledge: ≈90
  
• Charm: ≈70
  
• Intuition: ≈80
  

Advantages:

• Knowledge/Intuition Head Start: Requires minimal sailing to max these critical stats.
  
• Celestial Navigation: Early access via Professor Juliano enhances route efficiency[1].
  

Challenges:

• Combat Liability: Needs 55+ Courage/Swordsmanship points, requiring dedicated farming against weaker pirates.
  
• Fragile Ships: Storyline prioritizes light vessels, increasing battle risks during stat grinding.
  

Optimization Strategy:

1. Farm North Sea pirates with Caravel escorts to safely accumulate battle experience.
   
2. Use discovery fame from Arctic expeditions to offset Leadership/Charm deficits.
   

Time to Max: ~33 months in-game (estimated).

Technical Limitations

• Swordsmanship Cap: Without scripted duels, maximum gains plateau at ≈1.3 points per battle[3].
  
• Intuition Scaling: Post-90 Intuition requires ≈15 days of sailing per point due to logarithmic experience curves.
  
• Fame Synergy: Total fame needed to max all attributes exceeds 65,000, necessitating completion of ≈80% game content[3].
  

Conclusion

João Franco stands as the optimal protagonist for achieving universal 100 attributes, leveraging his superior Intuition baseline and balanced stat distribution. Otto Baynes follows closely due to combat efficiencies offsetting sailing grinds, while Catalina and Ali face steeper challenges from narrative/mechanical mismatches. Ernst von Bohr ranks last due to excessive combat dependency despite strong Knowledge/Intuition starts. Mastery requires exploiting each character’s narrative advantages while systematically addressing their statistical weaknesses through hybrid sailing/combat regimens.

Sources
[1] Joao Franco Walkthrough | Uncharted Waters New Horizons https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com/?p=42
[2] Otto Baynes Walkthrough | Uncharted Waters New Horizons https://unchartedwatersnewhorizons.com/?p=16
[3] Uncharted Waters Strategy Guide - Super Nintendo - Vizzed.com https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=60602