Briefly: To complete a naval convoy, you need to immobilize and board the leading ship—the flagship. It’s best to destroy or capture the escort before the main battle. Resynced introduces vertical flight and aerial assassinations, which make boarding easier if you know how and when to use them. Choosing between the captain’s stash and Kenway’s fleet is no longer just a matter of “what to take,” but a strategic decision that affects the pace of progression.
Convoys in Black Flag Resynced are the main source of real money and ship loot. But in the early stages, they are also the main reason why the Seagull sinks. The problem isn’t that you’re a bad shot. The problem is that you’re trying to fight three ships the same way you would one. This won’t work in the remake—the enemies are smarter, the mechanics are more sophisticated, and the rewards are greater. Let’s break it down.
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How naval convoys work in Black Flag Resynced
A convoy always consists of a leading ship (flagship) and at least two escort vessels. Your only target is the flagship. You must immobilize it (knock it down to the point where it can’t move) and board it. You can ignore the escort, but that’s a bad idea: smaller ships will gradually chip away at the Seagull’s health while you’re busy dealing with the main target.
Convoys spawn randomly in different parts of the Caribbean. The farther you are from the starting locations, the higher the ship level and the greater the reward. In the early stages, it’s best to avoid three-star convoys without upgrading—the Seagull won’t be able to handle you.
Turn-based battle tactics: how to destroy an escort and capture the flagship
Step 1. Assess your forces. Before the battle, open the map and look at the convoy’s stars. If there are three or more, and you haven’t yet upgraded your hull and guns, it’s best to skip it. At least level 2 armor and side guns are required.
Step 2. Mortar attack the escort. Start the battle from a distance. Mortars are your best friend against escort ships. One or two well-aimed salvos, and one of the escort ships either sinks or is seriously damaged. If your mortar is upgraded, you can confidently knock out both escort ships before they even return fire.
Step 3. Boarding the escort (optional, but recommended). If you haven’t sunk the escort, but only damaged it, board it. This provides three advantages:
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additional loot;
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the opportunity to repair the Seagull before the main battle;
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a chance to reduce your wanted level, preventing pirate hunters from bursting in at the most inopportune moment.
Step 4. The main battle with the flagship. Once the escort is neutralized, focus on the lead ship. Keep your distance, use broadsides, and don’t forget to defend (hold Square/X on the gamepad). The orange glow of the fuses on enemy cannons signals defense. If you have an officer with the “Perfect Defense” perk (Lucy Baldwin), a well-timed press will almost completely neutralize damage.
Step 5. Boarding the flagship. Once the ship is immobilized, bring the Chaika close and hold Triangle/Y. Then it’s on to the deck.
Boarding Innovations in Resynced: Vertical Flight and Air Assassinations
In the original Black Flag, boarding was good but predictable. In Resynced, it’s been completely reworked.
Its main advantage is vertical flight. Edward can now climb to the top of the Seagull’s mast and fly to the stern of an enemy ship using a rope. While flying—watch out—you can perform an air assassination by pressing Triangle/Y. This instantly lowers the enemy team’s morale and knocks out one of the most dangerous gunners on the stern.
But there are some details. In Resynced, enemies adapt to your tactics. If you use the same technique over and over, they’ll start to anticipate you. Therefore, vertical flight should be combined with classic boarding and stealth assassinations. Variety is the key to success.
Another important change: boarding now yields twice as much loot as sinking. This changes the strategy: sinking ships is no longer profitable if you have even a minimal chance of boarding them.
What’s more profitable to take after boarding: the Captain’s Stash or Kenway’s fleet reinforcements?
After a successful boarding, you’ll be offered four options:
The main contradiction that most guides don’t address: online guides always recommend taking the Captain’s Stash. But that’s a simplified approach. Yes, the stash provides quick cash. But Kenway’s fleet in Resynced is fully integrated into the game (without a mobile app, as in the original) and unlocks immediately upon arriving on Great Inagua.
VPEsports’ recommendation: in the early stages (the first 10-15 hours), take the stash. You need cash for upgrades to the hull, cannons, and mortars. But once the Chaika has been upgraded and you start systematically hunting convoys, send every other ship to the fleet. Passive income will pay off in the long run, especially if you’re aiming for 100% completion and collecting all the upgrades.
Bonus: What else you need to know about convoys
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Upgrade the Chaika constantly. Harbormasters are your best friends. Priority: hull → broadside cannons → mortar → heavy cannonballs.
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Use swivel cannons before boarding. As soon as Edward lets go of the wheel, run to the swivels and shoot the red barrels on the enemy deck. This will seriously reduce morale even before you step aboard.
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Cut the flag. If you don’t want to risk close combat, climb the mainmast and cut the flag. This will have a significant impact on morale. But beware of snipers on the other masts—one hit and you’re going down.
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Don’t forget about your officers. Resynced introduces new perks: Lucy Baldwin (defense), Padre (Ram Dash), and Tobias Smith (additional salvo). They radically change the tactics of naval combat.
Bottom line: naval convoys in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced are considered yet another side content, but they are also the main source of leveling up and the main source of real money in the game. New boarding mechanics (vertical flights, aerial assassinations, adaptive enemies) make every battle unique. And choosing the right reward—a stash or a fleet—will determine your progress for dozens of hours to come.
Next step: enter the nearest port, check out the available Chaika upgrades, and set out to find your first convoy. And remember: boarding is always better than sinking. Good luck, Captain.
