Shipwrightery: Required Reading

Shipwrightery is a puzzle that I feel is often overlooked. It doesn't seem to have a large following and the pay you get for excelling in the puzzle is usually overshadowed by the pay you might get from distilling. Nonetheless, I've had some requests asking me how to perform well at this puzzle so I'll do my best. Here are some basics to get you started:

Shipwrightery Basic Info
Shipwrighting Scoring Discussion

Bilging: Required Reading

With the introduction of trophies, I've noticed a lot more people are bilging in order to obtain the various crab trophies. As such, I figured I'd do a little piece on bilging.

As is the usual case, I'll start off by pointing folks towards existing tutorials and information. Be sure to check these out:

Basic Bilging Info
Bilging Tutorial

Duty Navigation: Required Reading

Unfortunately, there just isn't much for tutorials on duty navigation. Here are a few things that will help to get you started, though.

YPPedia Entry for Duty Navigation

Duty Navigation Tips Thread on the Y!PP Forums

Scarymuffin's Navigation Video

Start there and I'll come back with some of my own tips shortly.

Memorization: Required Reading

Memorization is the process of navigating over a league point so many times that you get to know it "by heart." Once a route is fully memorized (or memmed, for short), you never need a chart to sail that route again. Some things you should read to get the basics down regarding memorizing routes:

YPPedia Article

Also, as memming routes is primarily about duty navigation, you should read this, too.

I'll post more tips as time goes on, but this is a great place to start.

Rumbling: Required Reading

I'm going to get things started by talking about rumbling. The first thing everyone should do is take in some of the "required reading" that's out there for Rumbling.

First off is the YPPedia entry for rumbling. This is a short read but describes the basics of the game. In particular, make sure you understand the differences between major and minor strikes (aka striking vs. sprinkling), how to create combos, and defending teammates.

Next up is Boothook's Rumbling Guide. It's got some amazing information in there, but it's also stiflingly long. Take it in small doses, but most questions about rumbling can be found there. If you really want to be one of the "best of the best", I suggest reading this guide...a few times.

Also, check out this thread on the Y!PP forums about fighting barbarians. After all, not everyone wants to stand in the Inn and fight in the rumble pits. However, if you like to pillage, you're going to run across barbarians, and you're going to want to know how to fight them. There's not a lot there, but there is some basic info about barbarians.