Jackdaw Upgrade Priority: What to Buy First
Progression · Naval

Jackdaw Upgrade Priority: What to Buy First

Every ship upgrade explained, optimal upgrade order for early/mid/late game, and how to farm metal efficiently.

The Jackdaw is Edward's home, weapon, and primary transport. A well-upgraded Jackdaw makes the game; a neglected one gets you sunk off every Spanish fort. Here's how to spend resources wisely.

Every Upgrade Explained

Hull Armor

How much damage you take before sinking. This is always your first purchase. Each level adds reinforced hull plating visible on the ship model. Costs mostly metal.

Broadside Cannons

Your main damage. Each level adds more guns per side and increases damage. A fully upgraded broadside shatters a frigate in two volleys.

Broadsides are your standard engagement weapon. Aim for a parallel position to the enemy to maximize hits.
Broadsides are your standard engagement weapon. Aim for a parallel position to the enemy to maximize hits.

Heavy Shot

Close-range scatter ammo — giant shotguns strapped to the sides. Devastating under 150m; useless at range. Upgrade capacity first.

Mortars

Long-range arcing explosives. Essential for forts, legendary ships, and men o' war. Unlock around Sequence 4 — upgrade ammo capacity and damage immediately after unlocking.

Mortar rounds arc through the air — aim ahead of moving targets. Open every major engagement with 3-4 mortar shells.
Mortar rounds arc through the air — aim ahead of moving targets. Open every major engagement with 3-4 mortar shells.

Swivel Gun

Bow-mounted precision gun. Use for weak-point hits (glowing target on crippled ships at ~20% health) and for picking off deck personnel or gunpowder barrels.

Chain Shot

Anti-sail ammo. Destroys masts and mobility without damaging hull. Use on ships you want to board alive.

Fire Barrels

Rear-deployed floating explosives. Defensive — useful for escaping pirate hunters or multi-ship chases.

Ram

Metal-reinforced bow. Higher levels let you split smaller ships in half. Useful but not top priority early.

Compartment / Storage

Ammo capacity for all shot types. Upgrade alongside weapons so you can fight extended battles without restocking.

Optimal Upgrade Order

Early Game (Sequences 1-4)

  1. Hull Armor → Level 2-3 (absolute first)
  2. Broadside Cannons → Level 2-3
  3. Heavy Shot ammo capacity (buy heavy shot ammo at minimum)
  4. Swivel Gun damage (cheap, makes weak-point hits reliable)

Mid Game (Sequences 5-8)

  1. Mortars (unlock + upgrade to Level 2)
  2. Hull Armor → Level 4-5
  3. Broadside Cannons → Level 4-5
  4. Chain Shot capacity
  5. Recruit Lucy for 15% damage reduction
Naval contracts are great for metal farming — they send you after specific ships and pay well on top of the loot.
Naval contracts are great for metal farming — they send you after specific ships and pay well on top of the loot.

Late Game / Legendary Prep (Sequences 9-12)

  1. Hull Armor → max
  2. Broadside Cannons → max
  3. Mortars → max
  4. Heavy Shot damage → max
  5. Recruit Tobias for 30% swivel damage
  6. Recruit The Padre for easier boarding
Metal farming: Attack convoys (blue convoy icon on the map) rather than random ships. Convoys always include a frigate or man o' war loaded with metal, and they often drop special upgrade plans.

Elite Upgrade Plans

Some upgrades have an Elite tier beyond standard max. Blueprints are found in underwater wrecks, buried treasure, and secret locations. Elite plans aren't needed to finish the game, but they make you effectively unsinkable. Prioritize Elite Hull and Elite Broadside if you're hunting legendary ships.

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