Pirates! - Guide and FAQ - The Gamers Temple

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=                             SID MEIER'S PIRATES                             =
*                                LIVE THE LIFE                                *
=                                  FULL FAQ                                   =
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Author: Sashanan (sashanan@gfmods.com)
Date: 22 December 2004
Version: 1.0

DISCLAIMER
Arr, this document be a copyright of Sashanan, 2004. All rights reserved.

Ye be allowed to do the following with this document, by thunder:

- Make copies (electronical or physical) for ye own, personal use;
- Post this FAQ on a non-commercial, freely accessible web site. Me 
permission be not required, however, the FAQ must be posted in its full, 
original form, including this disclaimer in full, and credited to that salty
dog Sashanan;
- Posting this FAQ up on a commercial site, or requiring payment for its
access, is not permitted unless me explicit written permission be obtained
first, scallywag.

Using this FAQ (or part of it) on a commercial site, or in a magazine,
guide, book etc. without me explicit written permission be a copyright
infringement. Editing this FAQ in any way, using it as a basis for ye
own FAQ, or posting it without giving proper credit be plagiarism. Both
be violations of international copyright law and will result in keelhauling,
tarring and feathering, walking the plank and/or legal prosecution.

DISCLAIMER IN LANDLUBBER TERMS
Use to play the game. Do not use to make a profit and do not steal or rip off.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
===============================================================================

 [1] Introduction
 [2] Overview
 [3] New since Pirates and Pirates Gold
 [4] Character creation
 [5] Strategies
  [5.1] Crew and recruiting
  [5.2] Gold and plunder
  [5.3] Ranks and promotions
  [5.4] Ships to use
 [6] Minigames
  [6.1] Naval battles
  [6.2] Fencing
  [6.3] Land battles
  [6.4] Dancing
  [6.5] Sneaking
 [7] Quests
  [7.1] Criminals
  [7.2] Named pirates
  [7.3] Pirate treasures
  [7.4] Lost family members
  [7.5] Lost cities
  [7.6] Marquis de la Montalban
  [7.7] Romance
 [8] Reference lists
  [8.1] Ships
  [8.2] Ship upgrades
  [8.3] Crew specialists
  [8.4] Special items
  [8.5] Ranks and benefits
  [8.6] Fame points
  [8.7] Retirement jobs
 [9] Frequently asked questions
[10] Revision history
[11] Final words


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[1] INTRODUCTION
===============================================================================

Arr! Only one more arr in this document, promise. After the release of Pirates!
in 1987 and the subsequent appearance of Pirates Gold, it's been very quiet for
years. November 2004, however, brought a full remake of the game to the PC, all
updated to meet modern expectations in terms of graphics, and with the gameplay
fully redone as well. The concept is still the same: sail around the Caribbean,
plunder ships and ports, and retire a wealthy and high ranking privateer who
has saved as many of his missing family members as he can. That part hasn't
changed. Everything else has, though; the game centers around a set of fully
redone minigames, and to be successful at Sid Meier's Pirates, you'll need to
master them. Additionally, an overall strategy is still required to get the
most out of your pirating career.

Sid Meier's Pirates comes with a very good manual, and the purpose of this FAQ
is not to restate what's already in there. Consider this a hint book, rather,
meant to add to the information already in the game's documentation. This FAQ
is based on my own experiences and those of others I've discussed the game with
online, and has a twofold purpose: to inform you about the game's concepts in
more detail than the manual does, and to give you the advice you need to become
a superior pirate.

As FAQs tend to be, this is a work in progress. Future updates will come as
more information is uncovered or I've devised new or updated strategies. And,
of course, if quality reader input comes in. The latest version of this guide
can always be found on GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com), so be sure to check there
if you got this guide anywhere else. Might just be an updated version waiting
for you.

So, without further ado, on to the 17th century Caribbean!