🏴 Faction Guide
Every port and player belongs to a faction — join a guild to take sides
Faction at a Glance
| Faction | Best for | Top ship | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏴 Antilia | New players, all-rounders | Victory (Rate I Battle) | ⭐ Easy |
| ⚜️ Espaniol | Firepower, fleet battles | Santisima Trinidad (Rate I) | ⭐⭐ Medium |
| 🌅 Kai & Severia | Economy, endurance | 12 Apostolov (Rate I) | ⭐⭐ Medium |
| 💰 Trade Union | Trading, commerce | Any faction ship | ⭐⭐ Medium |
| ☠️ Pirates | Freedom, aggression | Any faction ship | ⭐⭐⭐ Hard |
🤝 Diplomatic Relations
Each faction has default diplomatic relations. Additionally, every player has individual reputation with the three military factions.
- Players not in any faction are considered neutral
- The three military factions (Antilia, Espaniol, Kai & Severia) are at war with each other
- The Trade Union is neutral toward all factions except Pirates
- Pirates are hostile to all other factions
- All faction members must maintain friendly reputation or be expelled
🏙️ Port Control
Most ports can be captured by military or pirate factions. Some ports have special rules:
🕌 Caliphate Ports
Contested by Trade Union guilds via tender system.
Assab · Al-Khalif · Sharhat
🏳️ Neutral Settlements
Cannot be captured by any faction.
Aldansk · Brandport · El Tigre · Freedom Bay · Nordberg · Puerto Salada · Santa Marta · Surako
🏴☠️ Pirate Coves
Can only be owned by Pirate faction members.
Corsa-Nois Bay · Naabad Stronghold · Pirate City · Tortuga
👑 The Empire
The Empire is a powerful NPC state seeking to reclaim the archipelago. It is technologically advanced, particularly in shipbuilding, comparable to Chinese maritime engineering. The exact location of the Empire's capital remains unknown, and its form of government is unclear — though it is believed to be a dynastic monarchy.
The Empire periodically launches fleet assaults on faction-held ports. During these events, each guild must defend their port by destroying all Imperial ships around their fort. Ports not controlled by any faction are under Empire control by default.
Imperial ships (Huracan, etc.) are acquired through Legend Tokens and Escudo — see the ship database for details.
Dominion of Antilia
18 ships
Lore
The British Dominion of Antilia was founded by descendants of English and German colonists. Current ruler: Lord Protector John Campbell. Under his command, you expand faction territory, develop cities, complete missions to earn influence, and contribute to seasonal victory. Allied cities offer combat and economic bonuses.
Playstyle
Balanced and flexible. Antilian ships cover all roles well, making this the most beginner-friendly faction. Their Rate I ships are craftable, so you aren't locked behind premium purchases to reach the top tier.
Strengths
- +Strong Rate I craftable ships (Victory)
- +Diverse fleet options
- +Good balance of speed and firepower
- +Recommended for new players
Weaknesses
- −No standout faction bonuses
- −Less extreme specialization than other factions
Available Ships (18)
Sovereign
⭐ Rate ICombat · Galleon
Victory
🔨 Rate ICombat · Ship of the Line
Adventure
🔨 Rate IISiege · Galley
Anson
🔨 Rate IIICombat · Ship of the Line
Bellona
🔨 Rate IIIHeavy · Ship of the Line
Mordaunt
🔨 Rate IIITransport · Ship of the Line
Constitution
🔨 Rate IVHeavy · Heavy Frigate
Essex
🔨 Rate IVCombat · Frigate
Falmouth
🔨 Rate IVTransport · Frigate
Flying Cloud
⭐ Rate IVTransport · Clipper
Friedrich Wilhelm
⭐ Rate IVTransport · Frigate
Sparrow
💰 Rate IVSiege · Tartane
Black Wind
🔨 Rate VCombat · Frigate
Eagle
💰 Rate VSiege · Flute
Southampton
⭐ Rate VTransport · Frigate
Golden Apostle
⭐ Rate VISiege · Cutter
Savannah
⭐ Rate VIFast · Frigate
Pickle
🔨 Rate VIIFast · Schooner
🔨 Craftable 💰 Premium ⭐ Unique 👑 Imperial
Viceroyalty of Espaniol
21 ships
Lore
The Viceroyalty of Espaniol was founded by descendants of Spanish, French, and Dutch colonists. Its head of state is Viceroy Alfonso III de Castro. Under his command, you expand faction territory, develop cities, complete missions to earn influence, and contribute to seasonal victory. Allied cities grant various economic and combat bonuses.
Playstyle
Firepower-focused. Espaniol ships have high broadside weapon counts and strong armor on their largest vessels. If you want to park broadside and unleash devastation, this is your faction.
Strengths
- +Highest broadside cannon counts at top rates
- +Strong Heavy class ships
- +Santisima Trinidad: massive Rate I ship
- +Redoutable and La Couronne are excellent craft ships
Weaknesses
- −Rate I heavy ships are slower
- −Less speed-focused than other factions
Available Ships (21)
De Zeven Provincien
💰 Rate ICombat · Ship of the Line
La Couronne
🔨 Rate ITransport · Galleon
La Royale
🔨 Rate ISiege · Galley
Santisima Trinidad
💰 Rate IHeavy · Ship of the Line
La Sirene
🔨 Rate IITransport · Ship of the Line
Montanes
⭐ Rate IICombat · Ship of the Line
Neptuno
💰 Rate IICombat · Galleon
Redoutable
🔨 Rate IIHeavy · Ship of the Line
Sans Pareil
🔨 Rate IICombat · Ship of the Line
Iberia
⭐ Rate IIIFast · Frigate
Le Saint Louis
⭐ Rate IIICombat · Ship of the Line
Prins Willem
💰 Rate IIITransport · Galleon
Surprise
🔨 Rate IVFast · Corvette
La Creole
🔨 Rate VFast · Corvette
Le Requin
🔨 Rate VSiege · Xebec
San Martin
🔨 Rate VHeavy · Heavy Galleon
La Salamandre
🔨 Rate VICombat · Ketch
Le Cerf
🔨 Rate VIFast · Cutter
Mercury
🔨 Rate VITransport · Galleon
Polacca
🔨 Rate VISiege · Polacca
Friede
🔨 Rate VIITransport · Flute
🔨 Craftable 💰 Premium ⭐ Unique 👑 Imperial
Kai & Severia
15 ships
Lore
A dynastic union formed through the marriage of Princess Lau Mi of the Kingdom of Kai and Afanasy Galitsyn, governor of the Severian Republic. The union blends Eastern philosophy and Northern resilience. Under their banner, you expand territory, grow cities, complete missions, earn influence, and push for seasonal victory.
Playstyle
Economy and endurance. Kai & Severia ships tend toward durability and cargo capacity. The faction suits players who want to build a trading empire alongside their combat career. Their crafting and resource production bonuses make them excellent long-term players.
Strengths
- +12 Apostolov: legendary Rate I Heavy ship
- +Good Transport class options
- +Strong crafting infrastructure
- +Ingermanland is one of the best Rate II Fast ships
Weaknesses
- −Fewer premium/unique options at low rates
- −Top-tier ships require high rank
Available Ships (15)
12 Apostolov
🔨 Rate IHeavy · Ship of the Line
Ingermanland
🔨 Rate IIFast · Ship of the Line
St. Pavel
⭐ Rate IIHeavy · Ship of the Line
Vasa
⭐ Rate IIHeavy · Ship of the Line
Azov
⭐ Rate IIIHeavy · Ship of the Line
Kobukson
🔨 Rate IIISiege · Siege
Poltava
🔨 Rate IIIFast · Ship of the Line
Shen
⭐ Rate IIISiege · Galiot
Three Hierarchs
⭐ Rate IVHeavy · Ship of the Line
Axel Thorsen
⭐ Rate VFast · Schooner
Kwee Song
⭐ Rate VCombat · Panokson
Russia
🔨 Rate VTransport · Frigate
Phoenix
🔨 Rate VIHeavy · Brig
Shunsen
⭐ Rate VICombat · Junk
Horizont
🔨 Rate VIICombat · Brigantine
🔨 Craftable 💰 Premium ⭐ Unique 👑 Imperial
The Empire
8 ships
Lore
The Empire is a powerful NPC state seeking to reclaim the archipelago. Technologically advanced in shipbuilding, they periodically launch fleet assaults on faction-held ports. Imperial ships are acquired through Legend Tokens and Escudo, not crafting.
Playstyle
Unique mechanics and elite ships. Imperial ships offer abilities no other faction provides. Best for experienced players who want something different.
Strengths
- +Huracan: highest HP in game (8,000)
- +Unique ship abilities
- +Extra upgrade slots on flagship ships
Weaknesses
- −Ships cost Legend Tokens + Escudo (hard to acquire)
- −Not beginner-friendly
- −Limited fleet variety
Imperial ships require Legend Tokens earned through high-rank play.
Available Ships (8)
Huracan
👑 Rate IHeavy · Ship of the Line
Firestorm
💰 Rate IIFast · Frigate
Octopus
👑 Rate IICombat · Ship
Deadfish
👑 Rate IIIHeavy · Imperial
Devourer
👑 Rate IVCombat · Barque
Red Arrow
💰 Rate IVCombat · Galleon
Black Prince
👑 Rate VCombat · Galleon
Balloon
👑 Rate VIFast · Montgolfiere
🔨 Craftable 💰 Premium ⭐ Unique 👑 Imperial
Trade Union
0 ships
Lore
The Trade Union is a merchant faction focused on commerce rather than conquest. Trade Union guilds cannot capture military ports, but they contest Caliphate ports through a tender system. They are neutral toward all factions except Pirates.
Playstyle
Commerce-focused. The Trade Union is for players who want to focus on trading, crafting, and economy rather than PvP warfare. Neutral standing with military factions means safer trade routes.
Strengths
- +Neutral to all military factions — safer trading
- +Contest Caliphate ports via tender system
- +Focus on economic gameplay
Weaknesses
- −Cannot capture regular ports
- −Hostile with Pirates
- −Limited PvP engagement
Pirates
0 ships
Lore
Pirates operate outside any national allegiance, raiding merchant lanes and port-hopping across the Archipelago. They control exclusive Pirate Coves — strongholds that can only be owned by pirate guilds. They have access to the Pirate Trader, who offers rare goods for Escudo currency.
Playstyle
Freedom and aggression. Pirates can attack anyone — but are also hostile to everyone. Pirate ports have unique bonuses including better powerup crafting and ship deconstruction returns. Recommended for experienced players only.
Strengths
- +Access to Pirate Trader (Escudo for rare items)
- +Exclusive Pirate Coves (Tortuga, Pirate City, etc.)
- +Fleet flexibility — no faction restrictions on ship use
- +Pirate port bonuses: powerup discount, fast recovery
Weaknesses
- −Hostile to ALL other factions
- −Limited safe harbors
- −Double taxes in enemy faction ports
Pirate players face double taxes when trading in enemy faction ports.
📌 See Also
🚀 Getting Started