How to Win Sea Battles in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons (SNES)

In Uncharted Waters: New Horizons, sea battles are a thrilling mix of strategy and tactics. You’re not just blasting away like a modern shooter; you’re commanding a fleet of up to ten ships, each with its own crew, cannons, and purpose. Your goal? Sink the enemy flagship, wipe out their crew, or best their captain in a duel.

Battles end at 9:00 PM in-game, so if you don’t clinch victory by then, it’s a draw.

Before we get to the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick rundown of your battle commands:

• Move: Reposition your ships to gain the upper hand.
• Fire: Unleash cannon volleys to damage enemy ships or crew.
• Rush: Board an enemy ship for melee combat, potentially triggering a duel if it’s the flagship.
• Flee: Live to fight another day (flagship only).
• View: Check the status of ships in the fray.

Now, let’s talk strategy to make sure you’re the one sailing away with the loot.

Ship Positioning: Control the Battlefield

Positioning your fleet is like setting up a chessboard—every move counts. The key is to protect your flagship while maximizing your offensive potential. Here’s how to do it:

1. Keep Your Flagship Central but Safe: Your flagship is your command center, and if it goes down, it’s game over. Position it near the center of your fleet to keep it protected by other ships, but not so exposed that it’s eating cannonballs. Use sturdier vessels like Galleons to shield it.
2. Use Rowing Ships for Maneuverability: Ships with oars, like the La Reale, are your best friends in battle. Unlike sail-dependent ships, they don’t stall when the wind dies, letting you outmaneuver sluggish opponents. A fast ship can flank enemies or chase down a fleeing flagship. 
3. Spread or Gather Strategically: Use the “Spread” command to cover more ground and surround smaller enemy fleets, or “Gather” to consolidate your forces against a larger foe. Spreading can help you pincer an enemy ship, dealing extra damage if two of your ships attack simultaneously. 
4. Target the Flagship: The enemy flagship is your primary target. Position your strongest ships to focus fire on it, either with cannons or by rushing to reduce its crew. If you can isolate it by sinking or scattering escort ships, you’re halfway to victory.

Pro Tip: Assign crew roles wisely. Allocate more crew to combat if you’re planning to rush, or to sailing if you need speed to reposition. Check your mate’s skills—someone with high gunnery can boost your cannon accuracy, while a navigator with celestial navigation keeps your fleet nimble.

Mastering the Art of the Duel

Nothing screams “I’m the captain now” like challenging an enemy captain to a duel. Duels are a rock-paper-scissors-style mini-game triggered when you rush the enemy flagship and they accept (usually when their crew is low). Winning a duel can end a battle instantly, capturing the enemy ship and its cargo. Here’s how to come out on top:

• Know the Mechanics: Duels involve three attack types (Thrust, Lash, Strike) and three defenses (Parry, Block, Dodge). Each defense counters one attack but is vulnerable to another. For example, Parry stops Thrust but takes extra damage from Strike. Study your opponent’s patterns—experienced pirates might mix it up, but weaker ones stick to predictable moves. Weaker enemies use a lot of "Lash" and "Block".
• Gear Up: Equip the best sword and armor you can find. The Crusader Armor and a high-quality blade (like one from Timbuktu’s black market / 2A.M.) give you a massive edge. These items boost your stamina and damage, letting you outlast even tough opponents.
• Maximize Your Battle Skill: Your character’s battle skill directly affects duel performance. Engage in smaller battles or duels to level it up. One cheeky trick? Find a weak enemy, duel them repeatedly, and let the duel timer run out after 10 turns to grind experience without risk.
• Timing is Everything: Don’t rush into a duel too early. Whittle down the enemy flagship’s crew with cannon fire or melee rushes first—they’re more likely to accept a duel when their numbers are low, and a weaker crew means an easier fight.

Choosing the Right Ships for Battle

Not all ships are created equal in Uncharted Waters: New Horizons. Your choice of vessel can make or break a battle, so here’s a quick guide to picking the right ones:

• La Reale: This rowing ship is fast and nimble, perfect for hit-and-run tactics or chasing down enemies. It’s not great for duels due to its small crew, so pair it with a heavier ship.
• Galleon: A solid all-rounder with decent durability and crew capacity. Use it to soak up damage or board enemy ships.
• Frigate: After investing in shipyards like Antwerp or Hamburg, you can build Frigates—fast, tough, and great for prolonged battles.
• Tekkhousen: Available after investing in Sakai, this Japanese ship is a beast for both trade and combat, with high speed and cargo capacity. It’s a late-game gem for versatile captains.

Solo Tip

All those above are generally weak against the all might pirate (chasing you) sailing Venetian Galleass (320 crew). For solo fights with these pirates you will need to have a VG yourself or a Full rigged Ship.

Customization Tip

Remodel your ships to suit your strategy. Strip down cannons for speed if you prefer duels, or max out guns for bombardment. Adding a figurehead can boost luck, helping you avoid storms that might disrupt your battle plans.

General Battle Strategies

Beyond positioning and duels, here are some overarching tips to ensure you’re the scourge of the seas:

• Know When to Fight: Use the “View” command to scout enemy fleet strength. If their flagship has 200+ crew, consider softening them up with cannons before rushing.
• Capture, Don’t Sink: Reducing an enemy ship’s crew to zero lets you capture it, preserving valuable cargo for profit. This is especially useful against merchant fleets.
• Grind Experience: Sinking ships boosts your battle level faster, while duels improve your swordsmanship. Mix both to build a well-rounded captain.
• Invest in Ports: Pump gold into shipyards (like Bristol, Bordeaux, antwerp and Hamburg) to unlock better ships and upgrades. A stronger fleet means easier victories.

Uncharted Waters Online

Did you know that Uncharted Waters Online is the spiritual successor to Uncharted Waters New Horizons?

Why not download and try it? Here is how to start to play the smart way.

Here are some reviews.

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