LAST UPDATED 4/22/2021
If there are any combat techniques that I missed that you would like to share below, I only ask that you use the same easy to read format as I have here:
Name of Combat Technique
(B=basic technique; A=advanced technique; E=easy to do; H=hard to do; O=offensive technique; D=defensive technique)
Description, using universal non-platform-specific terms (for example, saying "attack" instead of "RT" or "right-mouse click"); (#h=number of hits; #d=amount of damage dealt out of 100% health).
Useful for: why would you use it?
"Inspirational quote."
Sword Slash
(B)(E)(O)
Press attack quickly up to 3x (1h=25d/2h=50d/3h=75d).
Useful for: attacking and doing damage quickly in close-range; after 1st and 2nd hit, 3rd hit knocks back the opponent, even on block.
"I'm going to cut you!"
Evasive Jump
(B)(E)(D)
Jump in any direction.
Useful for: confusing foes and manuevering around obstacles.
"You can't catch me!"
Defensive Block
(B)(E)(D)
Press and hold block.
Useful for: blocking melee attacks from the front and setting up for advanced techniques.
"You can't touch this!"
Sword Charge
(B)(E)(O)
Press and hold attack (60d).
Useful for: doing massive damage to a target; 2-second cool-down on a miss.
"Incoming!"
Sword Surf
(A)(E)(D/O)
Hold attack while standing in waist-deep water or upon ledges.
Useful for: moving to/from shore; boarding enemy vessels; long-jumping off cliffs into water.
"Smooth, like a skipping stone over water."
Defensive Dodge
(A)(H)(D)
Block while moving in any direction, and jump.
Useful for: getting out of the way or getting closer; jumping through an opponent's otherwise impassable space.
"Over here! Over there! Ha ha ha!"
Running Slash
(A)(H)(O)
Block while moving in any direction, and press attack (1h=25d/2h=50d/3h=75d).
Useful for: getting around obstacles, an opponent's block, or for hitting multiple foes; can be chained into a 3-hit combo; increases speed and reach during the initial attack.
"And step, and cut..."
Extended Charge
(A)(H)(O)
Block while moving in any direction, hold attack, and then jump during beginning of lunge (1h=60d).
Useful for: damaging opponent from above and crossing them up; requires good timing on jump; allows for additional movement during the hold portion of the charge; 2-second cool-down on a miss; additional options available during cool-down period (e.g., block and slash).
"Aaagghhh!!!"
Firearm Quickdraw
(A)(H)(O)
While blocking, switch weapons and press attack.
Useful for: doing quick damage against an overly aggressive opponent; a pirate's riposte.
"Gun..."
Double Tap
(A)(H)(O)
With 2 firearms equipped, fire one, immediately switch to the other, and fire again (2h=100d).
Useful for: doing massive damage relatively quickly from a distance; has a long recovery, so don't miss; useless against multiple pirates.
"Bang, bang!"
Blind Snipe
(A)(E)(O)
Attack with eye of reach without aiming in close-range (1h=70d).
Useful for: doing massive damage up close with a long-range weapon; not very accurate.
"Aiming? Please..."
Blunder Blast
(B)(E)(O)
Fire the blunderbuss at point-blank range against an opponent (1h=100d).
Useful for: instant kills and repelling boarders; weak at mid- to long-range.
"Want to be holier than thou?"
Bite This!
(A)(H)(D)
When a shark charges to bite you, block with your sword just as it chomps.
Useful for: not getting eaten alive by hungry sharks; requires very precise timing; does not work against megalodons.
"Not today!"
Underwater Strafe
(A)(E)(D)
While underwater, swim sideways left or right, or down.
Useful for: avoiding sharks and underwater pirates with guns.
"Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming..."
Grog Toss
(A)(H)(D/O)
Drink 2 tankards of grog, hold a bucket, let loose, then throw it onto your foes.
Useful for: blinding your opponents.
"Eww, gross!"
Speed Dig
(A)(E)(D)
While digging, double-tap cancel input during 3rd sound.
Useful for: digging up treasure faster to save time or when enemies are near.
"It's here - I know it!"
Silent Repair
(A)(E)(D)
Hold attack and block at the same time while repairing the ship.
Useful for: repairing the ship quietly when enemies are near; can be started late into repair by holding block; 1st hit still makes a sound.
"Quiet!"
Quick Stop
(A)(E)(D)
While running with the sword, quickly tap block.
Useful for: stopping your forward momentum instantly.
"Okay, so you can stop fast... Big deal."
Tip-toe
(B)(E)(O)
Go barefoot; it's quieter.
Useful for: sneaking up behind someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is that a sword in your back?"
Ninja Boarding
(A)(E)(O)
Simply block or aim as you board an enemy ship's ladder to make a much quieter splash; alternatively, staying still in the water also works.
Useful for: boarding inattentive enemy ships.
"Dropped their anchor!"
Cannon Boarding
(A)(H)(O)
Fire yourself from a cannon at an enemy ship and pray that you don't miss their deck.
Useful for: an instant surprise attack.
"I'm alive!!!"
Blunder Boom
(B)(E)(O)
Switch to a blunderbomb, throw it near an enemy, and watch your opponent learn to fly in the opposite direction of your bomb.
Useful for: knocking your enemy off of a ship, cliff, or just out of your way.
"Pull!"
Defensive/Offensive Interactable
(A)(E)(D/O)
Block with a sword or aim with a firearm as you use an interactable. If held as you stop using it, you will instantly block or aim.
Useful for: blocking a sword an attacker is using in order to keep yourself alive, or for an immediate retaliatory shot at said individual.
"Not so easy to stop me, eh!?"
Defensive/Offensive Emote
(A)(E)(D/O)
Block with your sword or aim with your firearm as you start an emote; if held, you'll instantly block or aim as you cancel the emote.
Useful for: defending yourself from an aggressive adversary or for creating a surprise attack on some foolish foes.
"Let's hide in a barrel and then shoot them! It's the perfect plan!"
Expedient Loot Swim
(A)(H)(D)
While swimming with loot, quickly drop it, sprint, and then pick it back up; rinse and repeat (must have reduce hold to interact accessibility setting enabled).
Useful for: getting loot back to a ship or onto shore faster.
" Drop, sprint, lift, 1, 2, 3; drop, sprint, lift, 1, 2, 3..."
Faster Bail
(A)(E)(D)
While bailing, double tap cancel input quickly once the water leaves the bucket; also works when picking up water.
Useful for: saving your ship from sinking
"Stop putting holes in my ship!"
Charge Cooldown Cancel
(A)(E)(D)
During a charge onboard a ship, interact with something close by mid-charge such as cannons or sails to cancel the subsequent cooldown.
Useful for: recovering faster if you miss.
"Hold on to your butts!"
