Ahoy there, aspiring pirate kingpin! So, you're looking to get your hands on the mighty Vanguard, a true beast of the seas in Skull and Bones, eh? Well, you've come to the right place. This isn't just any ship; the Vanguard is a formidable tank-class vessel, perfect for withstanding heavy punishment and dishing it out in return. It's a game-changer for any serious pirate.
Let's dive deep into how you can acquire this magnificent ship and truly become a force to be reckoned with on the high seas!
A Comprehensive Guide to Acquiring the Vanguard in Skull and Bones
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| How To Get The Vanguard Skull And Bones |
Step 1: Embrace Your Inner Pirate and Set Sail!
Before we talk about the Vanguard, let's make sure you're ready for the journey. Have you started your pirate adventure in Skull and Bones yet? If not, that's your very first step! The game thrusts you into the treacherous waters of the Indian Ocean, where you begin as a humble outcast and must climb the ranks to become a feared kingpin.
- Understanding the Basics: Get familiar with naval combat, resource gathering, and the various outposts. The early game is crucial for understanding the core mechanics.
- Infamy is Key: In Skull and Bones, your progress is tied to your Infamy Rank. This is essentially your pirate reputation. The higher your Infamy, the more opportunities, blueprints, and powerful ships become available to you. You gain Infamy by completing contracts, plundering settlements, and sinking enemy ships.
Step 2: Ascend the Ranks – Reaching Corsair Infamy
The Vanguard is not a ship for novice pirates. To even think about acquiring its blueprint, you'll need to prove your worth.
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Grind for Infamy: The Vanguard blueprint requires you to reach the Infamy Rank of Corsair. This means you'll be spending a significant amount of time at sea, engaging in various activities to boost your reputation.
- Focus on Main Contracts: These often provide the most substantial Infamy gains and guide you through the game's story.
- Plunder Everything: Raiding settlements and sinking ships are excellent ways to accumulate Infamy and loot.
- Complete Side Quests and Bounties: These offer quick Infamy boosts and can be done while traveling between main objectives.
- Participate in World Events: Keep an eye out for challenging world events, as they offer significant rewards, including Infamy.
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Efficient Infamy Gaining:
- Always be doing something: Don't just sail aimlessly. Have a contract active, track resources, or look for enemy ships to engage.
- Check the job board regularly: New contracts appear frequently and can provide easy Infamy.
- Utilize your spyglass: Use your spyglass to identify enemy ship levels and potential loot before engaging.
Step 3: Locating the Vanguard Blueprint
Once you've achieved the esteemed rank of Corsair, the path to the Vanguard opens up. There are two primary ways to obtain the blueprint:
Tip: Train your eye to catch repeated ideas.
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Option A: Purchase from the Shipwrecked Rogue Vendor
- Destination: You'll need to travel to the Khmoy Estate Outpost, located in the East Indies region. This outpost is situated to the Northwest of Telok Penjarah.
- The Vendor: Look for the shipwrecked Rogue vendor at this outpost. They are the one who holds the key to the Vanguard's secrets.
- Cost: Prepare to spend a hefty sum of 10,560 Silver for the blueprint. Start saving your silver early!
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Option B: Complete the "Nightfall Missives Contract" Quest
- Admiral Rahma: Alternatively, you can acquire the blueprint for free by completing the "Nightfall Missives Contract" quest. This quest is given by Admiral Rahma in Telok Penjarah.
- Quest Progression: Keep an eye on your available contracts as you progress. This quest will likely appear once you've reached a certain point in the East Indies storyline or have a high enough Infamy.
- This option is ideal if you're low on silver or prefer to earn your rewards through challenging gameplay.
Step 4: Gathering the Resources – The Crafting Challenge
Acquiring the blueprint is only half the battle. Crafting the Vanguard is a significant undertaking that requires a variety of rare and common materials. This is where your resourcefulness as a pirate will truly be tested.
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Essential Materials List:
- Juniper Plank x12: Juniper is a type of wood. You'll likely find Juniper trees in specific regions, often requiring a higher-tier logging tool.
- Zinc Ingot x12: Zinc ore needs to be mined, and then refined into ingots at a Refinery. Look for mining spots in higher-level zones.
- Fine Abaka x12: Abaka is a fiber, which you'll need to harvest from plants. Again, higher-tier harvesting tools and specific regions will be required.
- Ironwood Plank x13: Ironwood is another type of wood, generally found in more dangerous or resource-rich areas.
- Steel Ingot x12: Steel is a refined metal, usually made from Iron ore and potentially other materials at a Refinery.
- Sheet Glass x2: Sheet Glass is a manufactured material. You might find its components (like sand) in certain coastal areas or obtain it from sunken ships.
- Screw Mechanism x2: Screw Mechanisms are crafted or found as rare drops from certain enemies or treasure chests.
- Silver x5,760: In addition to the blueprint cost, you'll need a significant amount of silver for the crafting fee itself.
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Tips for Resource Gathering:
- Upgrade Your Tools: Before embarking on serious resource runs, ensure your logging axe, pickaxe, and sickle are of the highest possible tier. This increases your yield and allows you to harvest higher-quality materials.
- Utilize the Map and Codex: The in-game map and codex are your best friends. You can track specific materials, and the map will highlight locations where they can be found.
- Refine Raw Materials: Remember that most ingots and planks require refining raw ore and wood at a Refinery. Plan your resource runs to include trips to these facilities.
- Plunder and Loot Shipwrecks: Don't underestimate the power of plundering. Many materials, including rare ones, can be obtained from defeated enemy ships and discovered shipwrecks.
- Trade and Buy: While it's generally more cost-effective to gather, some rarer materials might be worth purchasing from vendors if you're struggling to find them. However, prioritize gathering to save your precious silver.
- Team up with friends: Resource gathering can be more efficient and safer when you're sailing with a crew. Share the spoils and protect each other from hostile encounters.
Step 5: Crafting Your Vanguard at the Shipwright
With the blueprint in hand and your cargo hold bursting with the necessary materials, it's time for the grand finale!
- Head to the Shipwright: Sail to any major pirate den with a Shipwright (Sainte-Anne or Telok Penjarah are good options).
- Select the Vanguard: Interact with the Shipwright and navigate to the ship crafting menu. Select the Vanguard.
- Initiate Crafting: If you have all the required materials and silver, the option to craft the Vanguard will be available. Confirm your choice, and witness your magnificent new vessel come to life!
Step 6: Outfitting Your New Beast – Weapons, Armor, and Furniture
Congratulations, Captain! You now own the formidable Vanguard. But a ship is only as good as its loadout. The Vanguard is a Tank-class ship, meaning it excels at soaking up damage and can be built to be incredibly resilient.
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Weaponry: The Vanguard starts at base level 5 and has a high Hull Strength. Consider weapons that capitalize on its tankiness:
- Broadside Cannons: Heavy cannons for sustained damage.
- Mortars: Excellent for long-range bombardments, allowing you to deal damage while keeping a safer distance.
- Ballistas: Good for targeting specific weak points on larger ships or monsters.
- Experiment with different weapon combinations to find what suits your playstyle.
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Armor: As a tank, focus on the best possible armor you can craft or buy. This will significantly increase your survivability.
- Heavy Plating: Provides maximum damage reduction.
- Specialized Armor: Look for armor that offers resistance to specific damage types (e.g., fire, piercing) if you're frequently encountering certain enemies.
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Furniture: Furniture provides passive buffs to your ship. For the Vanguard, prioritize furniture that enhances its tanking capabilities:
- Brace Strength Boosts: The Vanguard's "Tenacity" perk already offers significant Brace Strength recovery. Enhance this further with furniture that boosts Brace Strength and recovery.
- Repair Efficiency: Furniture that improves the effectiveness of your repair kits is invaluable for a tank ship.
- Damage Resistance: Any furniture that reduces incoming damage will make your Vanguard even more unyielding.
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Understanding the "Tenacity" Perk: The Vanguard features the Tenacity perk. This is a game-changer for a tank ship!
- While bracing, the ship will recover Brace Strength by 4% per second.
- Increases Brace Strength by 50%.
- Increases Brace Strength Recovery by 150%.
- Leverage this perk! Learn to time your bracing effectively during combat to become an almost unkillable force.
Step 7: Dominate the Seas with Your Vanguard!
With your fully outfitted Vanguard, you're now ready to tackle the most challenging encounters Skull and Bones has to offer.
Tip: Remember, the small details add value.
- Frontline Engagements: As a tank, you're meant to be in the thick of the action. Draw enemy fire, protect your squishier teammates (if playing co-op), and unleash your powerful broadsides.
- Solo vs. Group Play: The Vanguard is excellent for both. Solo, it allows you to take on tougher contracts. In a group, you can act as the main tank, shielding your allies.
- Endgame Content: The Vanguard is perfectly suited for tackling endgame content, including legendary sea lords, hostile takeovers, and challenging world events. Its resilience will allow you to survive encounters that would shatter lesser ships.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Vanguard and Skull and Bones
Here are 10 common questions about the Vanguard and related gameplay in Skull and Bones, with quick answers to help you on your pirate journey:
How to increase Infamy quickly in Skull and Bones?
To increase Infamy quickly, focus on completing main story contracts, plundering high-value settlements, sinking powerful enemy ships, and participating in world events.
How to earn Silver efficiently in Skull and Bones?
Earn Silver efficiently by selling high-demand commodities at outposts (check the market trends on your map), completing contracts that offer significant Silver rewards, and looting every enemy ship you sink.
How to get crafting materials for ships in Skull and Bones?
Crafting materials are obtained by harvesting resources (wood, ore, fiber) with appropriate tools, refining raw materials at a Refinery, looting defeated enemy ships, and discovering treasure chests or shipwrecks.
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
How to upgrade my tools in Skull and Bones?
You can upgrade your tools (logging axe, pickaxe, sickle, etc.) by purchasing higher-tier blueprints from the Carpenter or other vendors and then crafting them with the required materials.
How to use the bracing mechanic effectively with the Vanguard?
The Vanguard's "Tenacity" perk significantly boosts bracing. Use bracing just before incoming attacks to reduce damage, and allow its perk to quickly regenerate your brace strength for continuous protection.
How to customize my ship's appearance in Skull and Bones?
Ship appearance can be customized at the Shipwright or via the Vanity Chest on your ship. You can apply different ship sets, figureheads, and sails that you've unlocked or purchased.
How to unlock new weapons and armor blueprints in Skull and Bones?
New weapon and armor blueprints are unlocked by increasing your Infamy Rank, completing specific contracts, and purchasing them from Blacksmiths and other vendors at various outposts.
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
How to repair my ship mid-combat in Skull and Bones?
You can repair your ship mid-combat using Repair Kits, which are crafted at the Carpenter. Ensure you have a good supply before heading into challenging engagements.
How to play co-op with friends in Skull and Bones?
You can invite friends to your group via the Social Menu. Set your group privacy to "Friends Only" or "Open" for easier joining, and you can tackle contracts and events together.
How to manage cargo space and avoid losing loot in Skull and Bones?
Regularly offload loot at your Private Warehouse in safe havens like Sainte-Anne or Telok Penjarah. Your cargo hold has limited space, and if your ship is sunk, you'll lose a significant portion of your un-warehoused loot.
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