First, let me say I'm in full agreement with the concept of an even playing field when it comes to pirates and skill level. I don't want that to change.
What I think would be cool, and interesting, and engaging, is small and medium items you can find in a single session that increase your abilities, much like cursed cannonballs, but with a wider net of improvements.
Just for example:
- Expert Shovel: Digs at double the rate.
- Improved Spyglass: Zooms to 1.5x the standard power.
- Extra Powder: One extra shot in your ammo pouch.
- Bullseye Lantern: Shines brighter.
- Wonder Grog: Doubles your move rate for 20 seconds, then your exhausted for 5 seconds.
- Fly Wheel: Increases raising the anchor by 50%.
- Master Sails: Increases raising sails by 50%.
- Iron Prow: Does additional damage when you ram another ship.
Finding these things would be random and take time, but a crew that spent hours in a session would find some physical reward for their efforts. This would also make legacy ships handed down from player to player a valuable thing. This ship may look a little worn and patched, but she's worth keeping around. Trust me.
As stated, when you log out the improvements go away.
Ship improvements might go away when sunk, or only when scuttled without remaining crew.
Thoughts?
