Pirates - how to sack?

[flyinj]

I tried to attack a spanish settlement, but it just lets me sail into it. I then tried to land some troops on shore and attack it from land, but they again just walk into the settlement. How do I attack a settlement? Can I not attack it if it doesn't have a fort?

I want to loot and pillage!!

[Jakub]

Settlements can't be attacked.

Only the larger towns with forts can.

[jpinard]

I've attacked settlements I think. Just start bombarding them from sea by hitting the spacebar until they're pissed off enough you can't dock without a fight.

[Walter Yarbrough]

Make sure the host nation and the settlement are good and pissed off at ya.

Once they are, you no longer have the option to sail into town, you get the invasion menu.

I've never sacked a settlement, yet, but I have sacked fortified towns this way.

-Walt

[Raife]

If I want to take a fortified town that's not angry with me, I'll land near it and walk in. You'll always get the attack option that way.

I was wondering about settlements since I've seen them change hands. It sounds like you have to jump through hoops to manage it, which is kind of annoying.

[Lum]

I think that's mostly intentional so that you always have an easier option for getting "faction" with hostile countries back up.

[flyinj]

Spacebar fires cannons when in the sailing screen? I never knew...

Does this also damage other ships?

[Raife]

I think that's mostly intentional so that you always have an easier option for getting "faction" with hostile countries back up.

I suppose that makes sense, but it would have been nice if they'd added the Attack option when approaching from land like they did with fortified towns.

[Matthew Gallant]

Somebody had to post this sooner or later and it might as well be me. An oldie but a goodie.

http://www.truemeaningoflife.com/images/piratekeyboard.jpg

[Walter Yarbrough]

Spacebar fires cannons when in the sailing screen? I never knew...

Does this also damage other ships?

I would assume so - other ships can fire at you and damage you if you refuse to fight.

-Walt