Some of the following has already been posted, but I believe it is necessary to start this thread:

==== BEGIN REDUNDANT INFORMATION ====

Why has MnP never released a Pirates vs. West India Company map? I had begun some work on a One-Eyed Willy map a while back and after putting a pretty good amount of the ship together, I either lost interest in it, or more likely, I dreaded having to design the cave ceilings and walls around it.

Well, we have recently realized that a "forts style" Pirates vs East India Company map would be quite fun. Mostly Bazookas and Petrols would help to establish a great scheme where your ships are slowly beaten to pieces!

I have a pirate ship that would probably just love being raised from the dead. Bits of it were taken to produce the small pirate-like float on Last Resort.

Bonz mentioned that the name could be: "Arrrgh!" (nice one)

==== END REDUNDANT INFORMATION ====

I have decided that we are going to have to start with only one version of this map, as opposed to a series of maps based on this theme. Someday, there may be more, but for now, it will be just one.

A few questions for our readers:

1. The pirate ship I worked on previously is a side view, basically a profile view of the ship, with a few masts and the like. For THIS map, I was considering a straight-on view of the battling ships. I was thinking this would be a better PLAYING view since it allows players to rely more on accurate offence since the ship itself will be a bit "leaner". Also, the straight-on view would be, I think, a more realistic battle. I want to emphasize the hectic nature of the gun room in this map. I want easy access to slots in the side of the vessel where worms can spew forth bazookas and receive incoming missiles. I also wanted to reduce the amount of sails that I would have to navigate over if I wanted to get a worm to the "front lines". The sail problem would also tend to lead to a more tedious match as each player tries to slowly carve a hole to their targets through 3 gigantic sails. Not fun. I think the pace of this map should be quick and calculated. So... I guess the first question is, what is YOUR take on the view choice? Any other benefits of the straight-on view that you can think of? Cons? Don't understand what the heck I am talking about???

I did have another question, but it will have to wait till the next time I can post. I have somewere to be, and have to go.

But please ponder this one, and let's see if all you geniuses out there can help me make this one come to life.

Yes, the straight-on view is the better choice for the game type you are aiming for.

A side view (or a half-side view, as in the mission #3 from WWP that I mentioned before) will definitely slow the game down to a dig-yourself-in, darksiding forts game with the same shots all the time.

You would need to make a huge vessel though with 2-3 floors of gun ports and rather thick hull to prevent easy breaching.
That said, you might consider omitting bazookas from the scheme and using the mortar for the main gun ammo. I'd think that a few consecutive bazooka hits to the same spot will destroy even the thickest hull and make the map unplayable in that area quickly.

Shotgun, handgun, mortar and petrol bombs seem to be the weapons of choice for me.
Of course, add some ropes (with no re-shot) with delay, so every worm gets the chance to board the enemy sheep later in the game.

Too bad that there is no bladed melee weapon in WA to get that authentic saber-wielding pirate feeling, but maybe the battle axe or the baseball bat will do.

To adress the problem of the sails I thought of two things you could do:
1. Have the sails battle damaged/shredded
2. Or have "reefed sails" which are mostly retracted sails that would give better handling and reduce the possibility of damaging the sails in a ship battle.
As for a head on view, I think that would be perfect since that would mean both ships are firing broadside. Will you have both ships traveling the same way, or two ships passing each other (probably more likley)?

Weapon set:

I agree that we should limit the weapons and I (believe it or not) had not thought of adding any delay to the ninja rope. In fact, I don't believe ANY of my schemes have delayed weapons. Weird. However, I tend to lean toward levels becoming nearly unplayable fairly quickly. That way you are forced (especially without the use of movement items like ninja ropes) to find cover in the most unusual and unaccomadating of places. It also forces you to return fire in as precise a way as your opponent, in order to displace his "firing position" so that he cannot simply keep pummeling the same spot with a full blast bazooka. I would, however, be placing the boats far enough apart to make shots more difficult - to avoid the point blank full power shots entirely. This should increase the need for accuracy.

One question I have is, and please flame me if I am total N3wB P0Z3R, what is THE USE OF THE MORTAR???? I have never fired one that resulted in a positive outcome.

Layout:

I am glad you agree with the straight-on view. I would suppose one would be coming and the other would be going (although you will barely notice those details since most of the map will be "interior" rooms). And yes, ships of that era typically fired broadside - another reason for this view. The sails may be out or in - I don't know for sure yet. Depends on how useful sail-top and crows nest positions would be in the gameplay itself.

One question I have is, and please flame me if I am total N3wB P0Z3R, what is THE USE OF THE MORTAR???? I have never fired one that resulted in a positive outcome.
http://worms2d.info/Mortar :)

One question I have is, and please flame me if I am total N3wB P0Z3R, what is THE USE OF THE MORTAR???? I have never fired one that resulted in a positive outcome.

Overall, it isn't very useful. However there is a one use I realy enjoy. It's quite funny realy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYVMaY-iG9o Its about a minute and fifteen seconds in. I find it very good way humiliate an opponent by elminating him this way (if thats what you want to do).

Thanks guys. Yeah worms2d pretty much confirms my suspicions. Maybe Cybershadow can take the mortar adn replace it with a fully throwable light saber instead... er... light sword.

mortars are useful for destroying girder roof protection in elite