North Atlantic
The North Atlantic is a vast and treacherous region, offering both immense rewards and formidable challenges. As Shay Cormac, you'll navigate icy waters, encounter hostile factions, and uncover hidden secrets. This guide will help you master the North Atlantic, focusing on key settlements, naval strategies, and valuable collectibles.
Navigating the Icy Waters
The North Atlantic's environment is unforgiving. Icebergs are common hazards, and extreme weather conditions can severely impact your ship's maneuverability. Always keep an eye on the weather forecast on your minimap and be prepared to adjust your course. Breaking through thin ice can reveal hidden paths or collectibles, but thicker ice will damage the Morrigan.
Key Settlements and Activities
The North Atlantic is home to several important settlements, each offering unique opportunities for Shay. We'll focus on two primary locations:
Perce
Perce is a small but strategically important settlement in the North Atlantic. It serves as an excellent resupply point and often contains valuable resources.
- Location: Northeastern section of the North Atlantic map.
- Activities:
- Liberation: Perce is typically under gang control. To liberate it, you'll need to eliminate the gang leader and their lieutenants. Use stealth to thin out the numbers before engaging directly. The gang leader often patrols the docks or a central building.
- Chests: Several chests containing Reales and crafting materials are scattered throughout Perce. Check rooftops, hidden alleys, and inside buildings.
- Animus Fragments: Look for glowing Animus Fragments in elevated positions, often requiring some parkour to reach.
- Shanties: Discover new shanties to entertain your crew by finding the floating musical notes.
- Resources: Perce often has a general store for purchasing supplies and upgrades, and you can frequently find animal hides and metal in the surrounding wilderness.
St. John's
St. John's is a larger, more bustling port city compared to Perce. It's a hub for trade and often features more complex side activities.
- Location: Southeastern section of the North Atlantic map.
- Activities:
- Gang Stronghold: St. John's is usually a significant gang stronghold. Liberating it will require a more coordinated effort. Consider using sleep darts and berserk darts to create diversions among the larger groups of enemies. The gang leader here is often heavily guarded.
- Naval Contracts: St. John's is a good place to pick up naval contracts from the harbormaster. These contracts often involve sinking specific ships or escorting convoys, providing valuable Reales and ship upgrades.
- Collectibles: Expect a higher density of collectibles, including multiple chests, Animus Fragments, and shanties. Pay close attention to the bustling market areas and the docks for hidden items.
- Renovation Opportunities: After liberating St. John's, you may find opportunities to renovate buildings, which will increase your income over time. Look for the renovation icon on your map.
- Resources: St. John's offers a wider variety of goods at its general store and often has a larger selection of crafting materials available for purchase or discovery.
Naval Combat in the North Atlantic
Naval combat in the North Atlantic is distinct due to the presence of ice and unique enemy types. Be prepared for:
- Ice Breaker Maneuvers: Use the Morrigan's reinforced bow to break through thin ice, which can be used to outmaneuver enemies or access hidden areas.
- Iceberg Cover: Utilize large icebergs for cover during naval engagements. They can block enemy fire and provide opportunities for flanking maneuvers.
- Hostile Ships: Expect to encounter British and French naval vessels, as well as privateers. These ships are often heavily armed and will actively pursue you. Upgrade the Morrigan's hull and cannons to withstand their attacks.
- Forts: Several naval forts dot the North Atlantic coastline. Conquering these forts will reduce enemy presence in the surrounding waters and unlock new fast travel points. Focus on destroying their weak points (indicated by red barrels) and then boarding to eliminate the commander.
Recommended Upgrades for the Morrigan
To survive and thrive in the North Atlantic, prioritize these Morrigan upgrades:
- Reinforced Hull: Essential for resisting damage from ice and enemy fire.
- Heavy Shot: Excellent for quickly disabling enemy ships and forts.
- Puckle Gun: Effective against enemy crew and for targeting weak points on forts.
- Mortars: Ideal for long-range engagements and softening up heavily armored targets.
- Ice Breaker Ram: Improves your ability to navigate and utilize ice in combat.
By following these guidelines and adapting to the unique challenges of the North Atlantic, Shay Cormac will become an unstoppable force in this unforgiving yet rewarding region.