The naval combat in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag works because every weapon aboard the Jackdaw has a clear purpose. Mortars soften targets from afar, chain shot controls movement, heavy shot turns close-range combat into maritime vandalism, and fire barrels punish anyone foolish enough to follow directly behind.
Some weapons are far more useful than others, though. A fully upgraded Jackdaw can carry an impressive arsenal, but upgrading everything requires a considerable amount of metal, wood, cloth and reales. Choosing the right weapons first makes the Caribbean much less hostile.
This ranking considers damage, range, reliability, ease of use and performance against forts, Man O’ Wars and legendary ships. It covers the original Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, where the highest upgrade tier is described as Elite.
Best Naval Weapons in Black Flag at a Glance
| Rank | Naval weapon | Best use | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heavy Shot | Devastating close-range damage | Very short range |
| 2 | Mortar | Long-range attacks against ships and forts | Limited ammunition |
| 3 | Broadside Cannons | Consistent damage in most battles | Requires good positioning |
| 4 | Naval Ram | Aggressive attacks and finishing damaged ships | Can expose the Jackdaw |
| 5 | Chain Shot | Slowing ships and controlling distance | Relatively low direct damage |
| 6 | Swivel Guns | Hitting weak points and supporting boarding | Situational and partly contextual |
| 7 | Fire Barrels | Defending against pursuing ships | Awkward to position reliably |
1. Heavy Shot
Heavy shot is the most destructive naval weapon aboard the Jackdaw. Fired from the broadside cannons without aiming, it launches a brutal close-range volley that can remove enormous sections of an enemy ship’s health.
The trade-off is range. Heavy shot is only effective when the Jackdaw is sailing uncomfortably close to its target. This makes it dangerous against powerful Man O’ Wars, particularly if their cannons are already trained on you. Get the angle right, however, and the damage is frankly rude.
Heavy shot becomes especially effective when combined with chain shot. Slow the enemy, turn alongside it and release a full heavy-shot broadside into the hull. If the ship survives, it will probably be reconsidering its career.
Why Heavy Shot Ranks First
- Delivers some of the highest immediate damage available
- Excellent against frigates and Man O’ Wars
- Particularly strong after exposing a ship’s weak points
- Can end close-range engagements before the enemy retaliates
- Works extremely well with armour and broadside cannon upgrades
Heavy Shot Upgrade Priority
Heavy-shot strength should be upgraded early if you favour aggressive combat. The Elite Heavy Shot Storage plan is found at Petite Caverne using a treasure map obtained at Cayman Sound.
The weapon consumes heavy-shot ammunition, so increased storage is useful during longer fights. Running out halfway through a legendary encounter feels rather like bringing a butter knife to a cannon duel.
2. Mortar
The mortar is the Jackdaw’s finest long-range weapon. It allows Edward to target an area of water and bombard enemies before their conventional cannons can respond.
Mortars are effective against almost every large naval target. They can weaken forts before the Jackdaw enters broadside range, strip health from slow Man O’ Wars and pressure legendary ships while Edward concentrates on avoiding their attacks.
The arcing trajectory makes mortars less effective against fast vessels that frequently change direction. Ammunition is also limited, so firing repeatedly at a small gunboat is technically possible but spiritually wasteful.
Why the Mortar Is So Effective
- Has the longest practical range of the Jackdaw’s weapons
- Can damage enemies before they can return fire
- Excellent against forts and large ships
- Useful when approaching dangerous targets
- Allows the player to maintain distance during difficult battles
When to Use Mortars
Mortars are at their best during the opening stage of an encounter. Mark the target with the spyglass, approach from a safe direction and begin firing before the enemy reaches broadside range.
Against forts, focus on the defensive towers while watching for incoming mortar zones. Against ships, aim slightly ahead of moving targets rather than placing the marker directly over their current position.
The Elite Mortar Storage plan is found at Matanzas through a treasure map collected at Tortuga.
3. Broadside Cannons
Broadside cannons are the dependable centre of naval combat. They lack the terrifying close-range damage of heavy shot and the reach of mortars, but no weapon is used more consistently across a complete playthrough.
Holding the aiming control displays the projected firing path. The longer the aim is held, the more focused the shot becomes. A tightly grouped volley deals concentrated damage, while a wider spread is easier to land against a moving target.
Upgrading the broadside cannons increases both the number of guns and their damage. The Jackdaw eventually fires a magnificent wall of iron that makes the early-game armament look like someone throwing cutlery from a rowing boat.
Strengths of Broadside Cannons
- Reliable at short and medium range
- Ammunition replenishes automatically
- Effective against every standard ship class
- Creates weak points for swivel-gun attacks
- Benefits heavily from cannon-number and round-shot upgrades
Best Broadside Tactic
Try to cross behind the enemy’s stern or ahead of its bow. These angles reduce the number of guns that can return fire. Release a focused broadside, hit the newly exposed weak points and turn away before the enemy completes its response.
The Elite Round Shot Strength plan can be found at the Kabah Ruins after the diving bell becomes available.
4. Naval Ram
The ram is technically a ship upgrade rather than a projectile weapon, but it earns its place because it can become one of the Jackdaw’s most damaging attacks.
Ramming works best when striking the side of an enemy vessel at speed. It is particularly useful against schooners and brigs, which can be badly damaged or destroyed by a sufficiently upgraded frontal attack.
It also feels wonderfully piratical. Subtlety has left the harbour by this point.
The problem is commitment. Charging directly towards a powerful vessel can place the Jackdaw inside its strongest firing arc. A failed or poorly angled attack may leave Edward scraping along the enemy hull while every cannon in the Caribbean takes an interest.
Advantages of the Ram
- Does not consume ammunition
- Can rapidly destroy smaller ships
- Useful for finishing weakened targets
- Combines movement and damage in a single action
- Becomes extremely powerful after obtaining the Elite Ram plan
Best Way to Ram Enemy Ships
Use chain shot first to slow or immobilise the target. Turn away briefly to create distance, then accelerate into the exposed side of the ship.
Avoid ramming directly into the bow of a large warship unless you have a specific plan. “It seemed dramatic at the time” is not a recognised naval doctrine.
The Elite Ram plan is found at the La Concepcion shipwreck.
5. Chain Shot
Chain shot is fired from the Jackdaw’s forward-facing chase cannons. It deals limited hull damage but temporarily slows enemy ships by damaging their sails and rigging.
That may sound less exciting than launching a mortar into a frigate, but controlling movement is enormously useful. Chain shot prevents faster ships from escaping, interrupts enemy manoeuvres and creates opportunities for ramming or heavy-shot attacks.
It is also invaluable when attempting to board rather than sink a damaged vessel. Accidentally destroying a cargo ship full of metal because you fired one broadside too many is a very Edward Kenway problem.
Why Chain Shot Matters
- Slows enemy vessels
- Helps the Jackdaw dictate the range of combat
- Sets up ramming attacks
- Prevents damaged ships from escaping
- Useful against aggressive legendary vessels
Best Chain-Shot Combination
Fire chain shot while approaching the enemy’s stern. Once its movement is disrupted, accelerate past the ship, turn across its side and attack with heavy shot.
Chain shot is a control weapon rather than a major source of damage. Players who judge it entirely by the health removed are missing the point. It wins battles by making every stronger weapon easier to use.
The Elite Chase Cannons plan is located at the La Concepcion shipwreck.
6. Swivel Guns
Swivel guns serve two related roles. During naval battles, they can target glowing weak points created by successful cannon attacks. During boarding sequences, they can be used to eliminate enemy sailors and complete boarding objectives from the Jackdaw’s deck.
They are not powerful enough to form the centre of a combat strategy, but ignoring them wastes free damage. After landing a broadside, immediately look for highlighted weak points and fire before they disappear.
Swivel guns are particularly satisfying when they trigger explosions aboard an enemy vessel. The Jackdaw’s crew cheers, the target loses another piece of its hull, and Edward once again avoids doing any paperwork.
Where Swivel Guns Excel
- Detonating exposed weak points
- Adding damage between cannon volleys
- Killing enemy crew during boarding
- Destroying powder barrels on hostile decks
- Completing boarding requirements more quickly
Their Main Weakness
Swivel guns depend on available targets. If no weak point or boarding objective is exposed, they contribute relatively little. Their usefulness also declines when the player is concentrating on manoeuvring through a chaotic fight involving several ships.
The Elite Swivel Guns plan is found at Devil’s Eye Caverns.
7. Fire Barrels
Fire barrels are dropped from the rear of the Jackdaw and explode when an enemy ship sails into them. They are intended to deter pursuit, defend the Jackdaw’s stern and damage ships following through confined areas.
In theory, this is excellent. In practice, enemy captains do not always sail politely into the floating explosives Edward has left for them.
Fire barrels become more useful when fighting an aggressive opponent that repeatedly attempts to chase or ram the Jackdaw. They can also be dropped while passing close to an enemy vessel, although this requires precise timing.
When Fire Barrels Are Worth Using
- An enemy ship is pursuing directly behind the Jackdaw
- You need to discourage a ramming attack
- The battle is taking place in a confined channel
- You are turning away after a close broadside
- Several hostile ships are clustered together
Why They Rank Last
Fire barrels require the enemy to occupy a relatively narrow area behind the ship. Mortars, broadside cannons and heavy shot allow the player to aim more directly and react to changing positions.
They are not useless. They are simply the weapon most likely to sit unused while the rest of the arsenal does the actual pirating.
The Elite Fire Barrel Strength plan is discovered at San Juan.
Best Naval Weapon Combinations
Individual weapons become much more effective when used as part of a sequence.
Chain Shot, Ram and Heavy Shot
This is the best aggressive combination for standard naval battles.
- Fire chain shot to slow the enemy
- Accelerate into its side with the ram
- Turn alongside the damaged vessel
- Release heavy shot at close range
- Use the swivel gun against exposed weak points
Against smaller ships, the sequence may end at the ram. Against larger targets, the heavy-shot volley usually causes the most substantial damage.
Mortar and Broadside Cannons
This combination is safer against forts and Man O’ Wars.
- Begin with mortar fire from long range
- Approach at an angle rather than sailing directly towards the target
- Brace when passing through incoming fire
- Turn broadside at medium range
- Fire a focused cannon volley
- Break away before repeating the attack
This approach is slower than charging into close combat, but it preserves the Jackdaw’s health and reduces the chance of being trapped beside a larger vessel.
Fire Barrels and Rear Withdrawal
Fire barrels work best as part of a controlled retreat.
- Pass across the enemy’s side
- Fire a broadside
- Turn away before the return volley
- Drop fire barrels into the pursuing ship’s path
- Use mortars while rebuilding distance
It is a slightly impolite exit, but piracy has never been celebrated for etiquette.
Best Weapons Against Legendary Ships
The legendary ship battles punish players who rely on a single favourite attack. Each encounter requires different positioning, but several weapons remain consistently valuable.
Heavy Shot
Heavy shot is the best option when a legendary ship exposes its side or becomes trapped in a turn. The danger is surviving long enough to reach that position.
Mortars
Mortars provide reliable damage while keeping the Jackdaw away from enemy broadsides. They are especially helpful during the opening phase of a legendary battle.
Chain Shot
Chain shot limits enemy movement and can disrupt ships that rely on speed or ramming. Its damage is modest, but the control it provides can prevent much larger losses.
Fire Barrels
Fire barrels are situational but useful against ships that pursue aggressively. They should support a wider strategy rather than become the main attack.
Before attempting legendary encounters, upgrade the hull, broadside cannons, heavy shot, mortars and ram as far as possible. Weapon strength means very little if the Jackdaw disintegrates during the first exchange.
Which Naval Weapons Should You Upgrade First?
The strongest upgrade order for most players is:
- Broadside cannons
- Hull armour
- Heavy shot
- Mortars
- Ram
- Chase cannons
- Swivel guns
- Fire barrels
Hull armour is not a weapon, but it deserves an early investment. Better armour gives you enough time to use the expensive cannons you have been enthusiastically purchasing.
Broadside cannons should receive the first offensive upgrades because they are useful in practically every battle. Heavy shot and mortars then give the Jackdaw powerful options at opposite ends of the engagement range.
Players who prefer aggressive combat can prioritise the ram earlier. Anyone focusing on forts and high-level naval contracts should invest in mortar damage and storage.
Best Naval Weapon Overall
Heavy shot is the best naval weapon in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag. Its limited range prevents it from dominating every situation, but no other weapon delivers the same combination of speed, damage and sheer satisfaction once the Jackdaw reaches an enemy’s flank.
Mortars come close because of their range and versatility, while broadside cannons remain the most dependable part of the arsenal. Chain shot deserves more respect than its damage figures suggest, and the ram can be absurdly powerful in confident hands.
The real strength of the Jackdaw is how these weapons work together. Slow a ship, break its formation, strike the hull and exploit the weak points. Naval combat becomes much easier once it is treated as a sequence of decisions rather than a competition to see who can fire the most cannons at once.
Although, to be fair, firing the most cannons at once remains a very respectable ambition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most powerful weapon in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag?
Heavy shot is the most powerful close-range weapon aboard the Jackdaw. A fully upgraded volley can inflict enormous damage on frigates, Man O’ Wars and legendary ships.
What is the best long-range naval weapon?
The mortar is the best long-range option. It can attack ships and forts before the Jackdaw enters conventional cannon range.
Is chain shot worth upgrading?
Yes. Chain shot deals relatively little direct damage, but it slows enemy ships and creates opportunities for ramming, broadside attacks and heavy shot.
Are fire barrels useful?
Fire barrels are useful against pursuing ships, particularly aggressive enemies that attempt to ram the Jackdaw. Their narrow deployment area makes them less reliable than direct-fire weapons.
Do swivel guns damage enemy ships?
Swivel guns can damage highlighted weak points exposed by cannon fire. They are also useful during boarding, where they can kill enemy crew or destroy marked targets.
What should be upgraded before fighting legendary ships?
Prioritise the Jackdaw’s hull armour, broadside cannons, heavy shot, mortars and ram. Mortar storage and heavy-shot storage are also important during prolonged engagements.
