Brethren fits you if…
- ✅ You run a 3–4 player crew
- ✅ You want one hull for many tasks in a single session
- ✅ You prefer slugging it out over kiting
- ✅ Your story choices align with the Pirate Brethren
Faction Comparison
Brethren vs Blackbeard
Every hull comes in three faction variants, but the real decision is Brethren (tankier) vs Blackbeard (faster + heavier guns). Pick wrong and you re-grind a full hull worth of resources.
Blackbeard fits you if…
- ✅ You play solo or 1–2 player crews
- ✅ You finish boss approaches and fleet fights with a single burst
- ✅ You favor hit-and-run over standing trades
- ✅ Your endgame revolves around the 36-pounder Frigate
Side-by-side breakdown
| Dimension | Brethren | Blackbeard |
|---|---|---|
| HP | Highest in class (e.g. 90k Brigantine) | Lowest in class (e.g. 50k Brigantine) |
| Speed | Slower (~2 knots below Blackbeard) | Fastest in class |
| Cannons | Standard calibers | Heavier calibers (36-pounders on Frigate) |
| Playstyle | Brawler — sit in range, soak hits, win trades | Skirmisher — kite, burst, retreat |
| Crew fit | 3–4 player crews that absorb damage | 1–2 player crews & solo hunters |
| Repair tempo | Repairs less often thanks to higher HP | Repairs frequently between fights |
Bottom line
Brigantine → almost always Brethren · Frigate → almost always Blackbeard
Brigantine: pick Brethren — that 90k HP is the entire reason the hull is worth investing in. Frigate: pick Blackbeard — those 36-pounders are why anyone wants a Frigate in the first place.