The Brigantine is the backbone of mid-game Windrose. With double the cannon ports of a Sloop, significantly more hull HP, and a cargo hold that makes long-distance trading profitable, the Brigantine is the ship that most players spend the majority of their playtime commanding. It occupies a sweet spot between the agile but fragile Sloop and the massive but resource-hungry Frigate. This guide covers every aspect of the Brigantine: how to unlock and craft it, the optimal upgrade path, cannon configurations for 3-4 crew, PvP and PvE loadouts, and a detailed comparison with both the Sloop and the Frigate.
Unlock Conditions and Crafting
The Brigantine is not available from the start. You must progress through the Shipwright skill tree and gain access to mid-game materials before you can build one. The unlock process has three prerequisites:
- Shipwright Level 4 — Reached by crafting and upgrading ships, completing ship-related quests, and salvaging wrecks. Most players hit Level 4 around 15-20 hours of playtime.
- Foothills Biome Access — The Brigantine requires Iron Ore and Copper Ore in quantities that exceed what you can gather from the starting islands. The Foothills biome unlocks around level 12 and provides reliable deposits of both.
- Wharf Tier 2 — Your Wharf must be upgraded to Tier 2 to support Brigantine-class construction. The Tier 2 Wharf upgrade costs Planks x60, Stone Bricks x30, and Iron Ingots x15.
Base Crafting Materials
Once you meet the prerequisites, the base Brigantine requires the following materials. This is a significant investment, so plan your resource gathering accordingly:
| Material | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planks | 200 | Best gathered in bulk with multiple Sawmills |
| Iron Ingots | 60 | Requires Foothills biome; smelt at Furnace |
| Copper Ingots | 40 | Mined in Foothills or purchased from merchant ships |
| Steel Ingots | 10 | Alloyed from Iron + Coal at the Blast Furnace |
| Coarse Rope | 30 | Crafted from Plant Fiber at the Workbench |
| Sails Canvas | 8 | Requires Cloth Scraps from Shipwreck looting |
| Tar | 20 | Refined from Coal at the Tar Kiln |
Crafting time is approximately 6 minutes of real-time at a Tier 2 Wharf. Unlike the Sloop, the Brigantine needs a larger stretch of open water to spawn — make sure your coastal base has adequate clearance, or the ship may fail to deploy and you will lose a portion of your materials.
Start gathering Brigantine materials while you are still upgrading your Sloop. By the time your Sloop is fully upgraded and you have explored the Foothills biome, you should already have most of what you need. This overlap saves hours of grinding and keeps your progression moving smoothly.
Brigantine Stats and Overview
Here are the Brigantine's statistics at base and fully upgraded levels. Compare these against the Sloop (covered in our Sloop Guide) to understand exactly what you are gaining:
| Stat | Base Value | Max Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Hull HP | 1,600 | 3,200 |
| Speed (base) | 12 knots | 17 knots |
| Turning Radius | Medium | Medium-Fast |
| Cannon Ports | 8 (4 per side) | 8 |
| Cargo Capacity | 24 slots | 36 slots |
| Crew Capacity | 3 | 4 |
| Draft | Medium | Medium |
| Broadside Damage (per volley) | 320 | 560 |
The Brigantine's 8 cannon ports are its defining feature. With 4 guns per side, you can output four times the broadside damage of a Sloop, making it the first ship that can genuinely threaten NPC Frigates and other Brigantines in direct combat. The cargo hold is also more than double the Sloop's, which transforms trading from a side activity into a primary gold source.
Sloop vs. Brigantine vs. Frigate Comparison
Understanding where the Brigantine sits in the ship hierarchy helps you decide when to build one and when to hold off. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the three ship classes at their fully upgraded states:
| Attribute | Sloop (Max) | Brigantine (Max) | Frigate (Max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull HP | 1,600 | 3,200 | 5,400 |
| Cannon Ports | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| Cargo Slots | 20 | 36 | 48 |
| Crew Capacity | 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Speed | 19 knots | 17 knots | 15 knots |
| Turning | Very Fast | Medium-Fast | Slow |
| Build Cost | Low | Medium | Very High |
| Draft | Shallow | Medium | Deep |
The Brigantine trades the Sloop's speed and turning for firepower and cargo. Against a Frigate, the Brigantine is faster and more maneuverable but cannot match the Frigate's raw durability and broadside weight. In practice, the Brigantine wins fights against Sloops by overwhelming firepower, beats Frigates through speed and positioning, and only struggles against well-crewed enemy Brigantines of equal upgrade tier.
Brigantine Pros and Cons
Advantages
- 8 cannon ports — Double the firepower of a Sloop. The broadside damage output makes the Brigantine viable for serious PvP and challenging PvE encounters.
- 3,200 max hull HP — Twice the survivability of a Sloop. You can absorb full broadsides from NPC Frigates and still fight effectively.
- 36 cargo slots — Large enough for profitable long-distance trade routes. You can fill your hold with high-value goods and earn significant gold per run.
- 4 crew capacity — Supports a full multiplayer squad. Each crew member can specialize: helmsman, two gunners, and a repair/buffer role.
- Versatile in all content — The Brigantine handles trading, exploration, combat, and PvP without needing to switch ships.
Disadvantages
- Higher material cost — Building and fully upgrading a Brigantine costs roughly three times the materials of a Sloop. You need reliable access to Iron, Copper, and Steel.
- Medium draft — The Brigantine cannot enter shallow waters, river mouths, or narrow reef channels that the Sloop navigates easily. Some shortcut routes are no longer available.
- Slower turning — You cannot dodge incoming fire as effectively as in a Sloop. Positioning and pre-turning become more important.
- Longer craft time — At 6 minutes, the Brigantine takes twice as long to build as the Sloop. Losing a Brigantine is a much bigger setback.
Best Upgrade Priority Order
With more systems to upgrade and a higher material cost per tier, the Brigantine upgrade path requires careful planning. Follow this sequence to maximize your combat effectiveness at each stage:
1. Hull Reinforcement (Priority: Critical)
As with the Sloop, hull reinforcement is always the first priority. The Brigantine's base hull of 1,600 HP is decent, but Tier 3 reinforcement brings it to 3,200 HP, which is the threshold you need to tank Frigate broadsides and survive extended PvP engagements.
| Upgrade | Materials Required | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Hull Reinforcement I | Planks x50, Iron Ingots x20, Tar x10 | Hull HP +400 (2,000 total) |
| Hull Reinforcement II | Planks x80, Iron Ingots x30, Tar x20, Steel Ingots x5 | Hull HP +600 (2,600 total) |
| Hull Reinforcement III | Planks x120, Steel Ingots x20, Tar x30 | Hull HP +600 (3,200 total) |
2. Cannon Upgrade (Priority: High)
The Brigantine's 8 cannon ports mean cannon quality has an outsized impact on your DPS. Upgrading all 8 ports from Iron Cannons to Long Iron Cannons increases your effective range and total broadside damage significantly. For players with Steel access, Steel Cannons on the broadside provide the best overall performance due to their superior range, damage, and reload speed.
3. Sail Upgrade (Priority: Medium)
The Brigantine is slower than the Sloop at every upgrade tier. Fine Canvas Sails add roughly 3 knots, which helps close the speed gap for trading and makes it easier to chase down fleeing ships. The speed upgrade also improves your ability to control engagement distance in PvP.
4. Crew Quarters Expansion (Priority: Medium)
Expanding the crew quarters from 3 to 4 capacity is essential if you play in a group of 4 or more. The extra crew slot allows for a dedicated repair specialist or a second gunner, which dramatically improves combat performance. Solo players with NPC crew should also expand, as a fourth NPC crew member can be assigned to repairs full-time.
5. Cargo Expansion (Priority: Low-Medium)
Cargo expansion from 24 to 36 slots is valuable for trading but not essential for combat-focused players. Upgrade cargo after hull, cannons, sails, and crew quarters unless trading is your primary gold source.
Do not spread your materials across multiple upgrade paths simultaneously. It is tempting to upgrade everything by one tier, but a half-upgraded Brigantine is weaker in every area than one with maxed hull and cannons and everything else at base. Focus each upgrade cycle on one system until it reaches Tier 2 or higher.
Best Cannon Configuration for 3-4 Crew
The Brigantine's 8 cannon ports give you meaningful choices about how to arm your ship. The optimal configuration depends on your crew size and playstyle. Here are the three recommended layouts:
Configuration A: Uniform Long Range (Recommended for PvP)
Equip all 8 ports with Long Iron Cannons or Steel Cannons. This maximizes your engagement range and keeps you at a safe distance from enemy broadsides. In PvP, the team that controls range usually wins. With all guns set to long range, you can fire at enemies before they can return fire, whittling them down while staying outside their effective range.
Configuration B: Mixed Broadside (Recommended for PvE)
Mount Long Iron Cannons on the port side and Heavy Iron Cannons on the starboard side. Use the long range side to open engagements and soften targets, then spin to the heavy side for devastating close-range volleys. This configuration excels against NPC ships because AI opponents tend to close distance, allowing you to punish them with the heavy broadside once they are in range.
Configuration C: Chase Configuration
For players who frequently engage in chase scenarios, mount 4 Long Iron Cannons on the broadside and 4 Swivel Cannons at the bow and stern chase ports. Swivel Cannons have a wider firing arc and can hit targets directly ahead or behind, giving you offensive capability during pursuit and retreat.
| Cannon Type | Damage | Range | Reload Time | Cost per Cannon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Iron Cannon | 40 | Long | 4.5s | Iron Ingots x3, Planks x5 |
| Heavy Iron Cannon | 60 | Short | 5.5s | Iron Ingots x5, Planks x8 |
| Steel Cannon | 55 | Long | 3.5s | Steel Ingots x4, Planks x10 |
| Swivel Cannon | 30 | Medium | 2.5s | Iron Ingots x2, Planks x3 |
Crew Roles for 3-4 Players
The Brigantine truly shines with a coordinated crew. Here are the recommended role assignments for different group sizes:
3-Crew Setup
- Helmsman — Steers the ship, manages sail angle, calls broadside timing. The helmsman is the captain and makes all positioning decisions.
- Gunner (Port) — Manages the port broadside, fires on command, reloads between volleys. The port gunner also handles boarding hooks during grapple attempts.
- Gunner/Repair (Starboard) — Manages the starboard broadside and performs hull repairs during combat lulls. This dual role requires quick switching between stations.
4-Crew Setup (Ideal)
- Helmsman — Same as above.
- Port Gunner — Dedicated port broadside operator.
- Starboard Gunner — Dedicated starboard broadside operator.
- Repair Specialist — Stays below deck, patches hull breaches, extinguishes fires, and manages the repair bench. Frees the gunners to focus entirely on DPS.
Communication is more important than raw ship stats. A well-coordinated 3-player Brigantine crew that communicates broadside timing, repair status, and wind conditions will consistently beat a disorganized 4-player crew in a stronger ship. Use voice chat if possible, and establish callouts before entering combat.
PvE Loadout Recommendations
For PvE content such as NPC ship hunting, bounty missions, and world events, the Brigantine should be configured for sustained damage output and durability:
- Cannons: Mixed broadside (Long Iron port, Heavy Iron starboard). The long range side opens engagements; the heavy side finishes them.
- Hull: At least Tier 2 reinforcement. NPC Frigates deal significant damage, and you need the buffer to survive their broadsides while closing range.
- Sails: Fine Canvas Sails for speed. PvE rewards fast engagement cycles — the quicker you sink NPCs, the more bounties you can complete per session.
- Cargo: Only upgrade cargo if you plan to loot and sell NPC cargo. Most PvE-focused players prioritize hull and cannons over cargo space.
- Ammo: Carry a mix of Round Shot (standard) and Chain Shot (anti-sail). Chain Shot slows fleeing targets and disables NPC ships that try to run.
PvP Loadout Recommendations
PvP in Windrose requires a different approach. Human opponents will exploit every weakness, so your Brigantine loadout needs to maximize survivability and tactical flexibility:
- Cannons: Uniform Steel Cannons if available, otherwise all Long Iron Cannons. Range advantage wins PvP fights. You want to deal damage before the enemy can respond.
- Hull: Maximum Tier 3 reinforcement. In PvP, hull HP is your most valuable stat. A 3,200 HP Brigantine can survive a full broadside from a Frigate and retreat to repair.
- Sails: Fine Canvas or better. Speed lets you control engagement distance — rush in when you have advantage, retreat when outnumbered.
- Ammo: Carry Round Shot for hull damage, Chain Shot for disabling enemy sails, and Grape Shot for anti-crew damage. Grape Shot is devastating in PvP because it kills enemy crew members, reducing the opposing ship's effectiveness.
- Boarding Prep: Keep boarding axes and cutlasses on your hotbar. PvP fights often end in boarding actions when both ships are damaged.
Do not chase PvP targets into unfamiliar waters. Players often lure you into reef fields, shallow water, or toward friendly fleets. The Brigantine's medium draft means you can run aground in shallows that a Sloop would clear. Always check your depth indicator and know the local geography before committing to a chase.
Sailing Performance Analysis
The Brigantine handles noticeably differently from the Sloop. Its heavier displacement means it responds more slowly to rudder input and takes longer to accelerate. Understanding these differences is critical for effective sailing:
- Plan your turns early. The Brigantine's turning radius means you need to start turning well before you reach the point where you want to change direction. Late turns result in overshooting and presenting your stern to the enemy.
- Momentum management matters. The Brigantine carries more speed through turns than the Sloop. Use this to your advantage by maintaining speed during broadside passes — a fast pass keeps you exposed for less time.
- Wind from the quarter is optimal. The Brigantine performs best with wind at a 45-degree angle off the stern. This gives the highest sustained speed and the best sail trim efficiency.
- Avoid head-on wind. The Brigantine loses more speed sailing into the wind than the Sloop because of its larger sail area. If you need to go upwind, tack at wider angles to maintain speed.
Complete Upgrade Cost Summary
Here is the total material cost for fully upgrading every system on the Brigantine:
| Upgrade Path | Total Planks | Total Iron | Total Steel | Total Tar | Total Rope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull (all tiers) | 250 | 50 | 25 | 60 | 0 |
| Cannons (all 8) | 80 | 64 | 32 | 0 | 0 |
| Sails (max tier) | 30 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Cargo (max tier) | 60 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Crew Quarters | 50 | 10 | 5 | 0 | 12 |
| Grand Total | 470 | 144 | 62 | 60 | 47 |
A fully upgraded Brigantine is a substantial investment, but it serves as your primary ship for a large portion of the game. Most players find the full upgrade path takes roughly 10-15 hours of dedicated resource gathering, spread across multiple play sessions. A partial upgrade focusing on hull Tier 2 and Steel Cannons costs about 60% of the total and is sufficient for most mid-game content.