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UWNH: Ship upgrades

April 11, 2025•1,255 words

Ship Guns in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons

Ship guns are essential weapons for naval combat in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons, providing your fleet with the firepower needed to defeat enemy vessels. The game features seven distinct types of guns, each with different characteristics that affect their performance in battle.

Standard Gun Types

The standard guns available in UWNH are ranked from weakest to strongest:

Gun Type Firing Range Power Rating Price Notes
Saker 2 spaces D 5 gold Basic starter gun
Demi-culverin 5 spaces D 40 gold Long range but weak
Culverin 5 spaces C 250 gold Long range with medium power
Cannon Pedero 2 spaces C 40 gold Short range with medium power
Demi-cannon 2 spaces B 80 gold Short range with good power
Cannon 3 spaces A 360 gold Medium range with excellent power
Carronade Special S Special Superior power, limited availability

Gun Characteristics

Range vs. Power Trade-off

The game presents an interesting strategic choice between range and power. Guns with longer range (like Demi-culverin) allow you to attack enemy ships from a distance, but they deal less damage. Conversely, short-range guns like Demi-cannon require you to get closer to the enemy but deliver more damage per shot.

Carronades - The Ultimate Weapon

Carronades are the most powerful guns in the game but are not readily available in standard shipyards. To unlock them:

  • You must invest in non-capital port shipyards until their industry level reaches 1000
  • Ports like Venice, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Athens can produce Carronades once developed
  • With Carronades, you can sometimes sink enemy ships with a single shot

Strategic Considerations

Gun Selection Based on Ship Type

Different ships have varying gun capacities:

  • Battle-oriented ships like the Full-Rigged Ship can hold up to 150 guns
  • The Barge can equip 120 guns
  • The Tekkousen can hold 100 guns
  • Smaller vessels like Light Galleys can only hold 10 guns

Damage Calculation

Gun damage in battle is determined by:

  • Gun type (power rating)
  • Number of guns firing
  • Distance to target
  • Battle skill of the captain
  • Gunnery skill (if present)

A fleet with 5 Tekkousens equipped with 100 Carronades each can defeat virtually any enemy fleet in the game, including 8 Flemish Galleons.

Gunpowder Management

Each shot fired in battle consumes gunpowder. You must maintain adequate supplies of gunpowder for your guns to be effective in extended campaigns. Running out of gunpowder during battle will severely limit your offensive capabilities.

Acquisition Strategy

For optimal progression:

  1. Start with affordable Sakers or Demi-culverins
  2. Upgrade to Cannons when finances permit
  3. Invest in shipyards to unlock Carronades
  4. Equip your war fleet with maximum Carronades and Goddess figureheads for ultimate naval dominance

By combining Carronades with powerful ships like Tekkousens or Full-Rigged Ships, you can create an unstoppable fleet capable of defeating any opposition in the game.

Ship Figureheads in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons

Figureheads in UWNH are decorative sculptures mounted on the bow of ships that provide statistical bonuses to your vessel. They are a crucial component of ship customization, offering various advantages depending on your sailing priorities.

Figurehead Hierarchy

The figureheads in UWNH are arranged in a clear hierarchy of effectiveness, from least to most powerful:

  1. Seahorse
  2. Commodore
  3. Unicorn
  4. Lion
  5. Giant Eagle
  6. Hero
  7. Neptune
  8. Dragon
  9. Angel
  10. Goddess

Standard Figureheads

These figureheads are commonly available at most shipyards:

Seahorse

  • Effects: Minimal speed boost
  • Cost: Lowest priced figurehead
  • Availability: Available at almost all shipyards from game start

Commodore

  • Effects: Small speed boost, slightly better than Seahorse
  • Cost: Low
  • Availability: Common at most shipyards

Unicorn

  • Effects: Moderate speed boost
  • Cost: Moderate
  • Availability: Common at most shipyards

Lion

  • Effects: Good speed boost
  • Cost: Moderate-high
  • Availability: Common at most shipyards

Giant Eagle

  • Effects: Very good speed boost
  • Cost: High
  • Availability: Common at most shipyards

Hero

  • Effects: Excellent speed boost
  • Cost: Very high
  • Availability: Common at most shipyards

Neptune

  • Effects: Superior speed boost
  • Cost: Premium
  • Availability: Common at most shipyards

Dragon

  • Effects: Outstanding speed boost
  • Cost: Very premium
  • Availability: Available at most shipyards, though some ports may not stock it until you've reached higher fame levels

Premium Figureheads

These figureheads require special conditions to purchase:

Angel

  • Effects: Exceptional speed boost, superior to all standard figureheads
  • Cost: Extremely high
  • Availability: Only available at non-capital shipyards with industry level of 1000
  • Special Requirements: Port must have an industry level of 1000 to appear in inventory

Goddess

  • Effects: Maximum possible speed boost, best figurehead in the game
  • Cost: Highest in the game
  • Availability: Extremely rare
  • Special Requirements: Port must have an industry level of 1000, and possibly an economy level of 1000 as well

Obtaining Premium Figureheads

To access the Angel and Goddess figureheads:

  1. Port Investment: You must invest in a non-capital port's shipyard until its industry level reaches 1000.
  2. Recommended Ports: Venice, Hamburg, Antwerp, and Athens are confirmed locations where these premium figureheads become available after sufficient investment.
  3. Economic Factors: Some players report that the port's economy must also reach 1000 for the Goddess figurehead to appear, though the Angel may appear when the economy is in the 900s.

Strategic Considerations

  • Speed vs. Cost: Higher-tier figureheads provide greater speed boosts but at exponentially higher costs
  • Early Game: Seahorse and Commodore provide adequate performance for early exploration
  • Mid Game: Lion and Giant Eagle offer good value for regular trading and combat
  • Late Game: Neptune and Dragon are excellent for most advanced activities
  • End Game: Angel and Goddess provide the ultimate advantage for time-sensitive missions and escaping dangerous situations

Figurehead Effects on Ship Performance

Figureheads primarily affect:

  1. Maximum Speed: Higher-tier figureheads increase your ship's top speed
  2. Acceleration: Better figureheads allow your ship to reach top speed more quickly
  3. Maneuverability: Some figureheads may slightly improve turning capability

The difference between the Seahorse and Goddess figureheads can be dramatic in practical terms, potentially reducing long voyages by several days of game time, which can be crucial for time-sensitive quests or when outrunning enemy fleets.

Investment Strategy for Premium Figureheads

To efficiently obtain the Angel and Goddess figureheads:

  1. Choose a non-capital port with a good shipyard (Venice, Hamburg, Antwerp, or Athens)
  2. Make regular investments of 50,000 gold until the industry level reaches 1000
  3. Check the shipyard inventory after each investment
  4. Be prepared to spend a significant amount on the figurehead itself once it becomes available

This investment strategy also has the added benefit of making powerful ships like Venetian Galeasses, Frigates, and Barges available for purchase at your chosen port.

Sources

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