Assassin’s Creed Black Flag has sailed into people’s hearts, releasing dopamine and nostalgia all at once! Black Flag is a much-needed remake of the 2013 original, creating something that new audiences can experience and enjoy.
Whether you’re a new player of Black Flag, like me, or someone returning to the game years later, this guide will apply to you. Let’s dive into some helpful tips to aid you on your journey once you’re more than halfway through the game.
Until the Eighth Mission, You’re Technically Still in the Tutorial
The beginning of Black Flag is incredibly accommodating for new players, especially those who are new to Assassin’s Creed. Up until mission eight, you’re still very much a tyro captain, with the game guiding you through how to do many things, including different assassination techniques.
After mission eight, you’re on your own, in a manner of speaking, with only minor tutorial interruptions. In my previous article, Five Tips for Starting Out in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, I discuss tips that will greatly help you when starting the game, and those same tips still apply across the board. I would say they apply even more once you’re in the meat of the game. The only difference is that things become more in-depth.
Learning how to do everything you need will provide the building blocks for success in Black Flag, from extensive crafting to raiding other ships. There’s a lot that this game throws at you, so learning how to assassinate properly, alongside building your pirate fleet, will work to your advantage. Knowing how to tackle each situation when the game throws you into the wolves’ den will also be incredibly beneficial.
Learn How to Parry!
One of, if not the most important, combat tips I can provide is to understand and utilize parrying. Much like the rest of the combat in Black Flag, there is an art to how it’s done. This is not me telling you how to play the game you bought; but rather offering advice on how to take on enemies more swiftly and avoid fighting clumsily like Jack Sparrow. Parrying in this game is almost as satisfying as parrying in Bloodborne. The ding you hear after a successful parry is positively satisfying.
To complete a successful parry, you need to keep an eye on your attacker. Once you see a shining bluish glint, that will be your window to parry. Pay attention during the tutorials to learn how to parry. Depending on which console you’re playing on, or whether you’re playing on PC, the button will vary. It’s very important to utilize this mechanic to get the most out of Edward’s move set.
Constantly Loot the Ships Around You
Much like in my previous article on five tips for beginners, looting from every source imaginable is key to success. Like many other mechanics, looting is a staple of Black Flag. Looting allows you to obtain valuable materials for crafting, as well as crew members. Yes, you can recruit crew members from other ships. You can take crew members from ships you’re looting, and they will become part of your crew! You can also save people during different altercations throughout the game, and they will join your crew as well.
When looting in Black Flag, you’ll also have to be somewhat sneaky, depending on the difficulty you choose. You can pickpocket someone while they’re standing right next to you, or you can steal valuables while walking behind another person. The looting potential is endless.
Craft Everything!
Crafting will be your best friend and is something you should do whenever the opportunity presents itself. You will pick up some very, and I emphasize very, nice weaponry. Consistently upgrading your weapons and finding the ones that best fit your playstyle are not only important, but also part of the fun of Black Flag. As you get deeper into the game, you’ll get your hands on weapons that can do some real damage. After upgrading your health, guns, and honestly everything else on your person, you’re going to be a force to be reckoned with.
It’s also worth going after many of the legendary weapons in the game. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they also pack a punch. You can find some great weapons by visiting the Treasure Dealer, who can be unlocked after gaining access to the Great Inagua hideout. While you’re at it, you can customize the Jackdaw to your liking, making it your home away from home while at sea.
There’s a Storm Brewing
While sailing the seas, you’ll need to keep an eye on the weather conditions. The increased intensity of the ocean’s waves, alongside waterspouts and lightning, can be hazardous to your ship. Three bars on the lower-left side of your screen indicate your ship’s health. To avoid lightning, look for the small circle that appears on the water where it is about to strike. As for the waterspouts, you simply need to maneuver carefully and weave between them.
You will also need to keep an eye on the waves, as they can reduce your visibility of potential storm hazards and approaching ships. You will be spending a lot of time on your ship, so treat it well!
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced offers a lot of content in the compact package it comes in. This isn’t a long game by any means, but there are plenty of things within it that make the experience worthwhile. From shivering timbers and looting enemies to equipping Edward with the right armament, you’ll become the one pirate Davy Jones wouldn’t dare take on.
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