4. Sink or swim!
Pirates weren't known for their polite manners or easy-going nature, so at some point you'll end up in battle. Ship to ship combat doesn't just mean spamming the enemy with cannonballs. You need to sink them, and that means making holes that will let in water. Aim low, at the waterline. The more holes, the more your enemy's crew will have to disperse to patch them up and bail out the water, so don't keep shooting in the same spot - unless you want to stun the hapless player trying to patch your holes, of course. If the worst happens and you end up overboard, don't panic. If you get left behind, a mermaid will kindly appear and teleport you back to your ship.
Dan Whitehead
Writer