You may come across six different categories of ship during the game.

• Men-o-War – Often with four masts and heavily armed, these major naval vessels are the kings of the deep seas, but are generally only found in national navies.
• Sailing Ships – The traditional three-masted vessel favoured by merchants, pirates and navies. More lightly armed than Men-o-War, these are the most common vessels found on the open sea.
• Junks – These oriental ships are slightly smaller than sailing ships, and carry less cargo. However, they are as fast as any other ship, and be well armed.
• Long Ships - originally from the north, their large crews mean they are great for raiding. About as long as a junk, and as low as a keelboat, they are powered into battle by a company of rowers. They are rarely used as merchant vessels.
• Coasters - About the same size as junks, but often with a single mast, they can sail in open water, but perform better close to the coast. They rarely carry valuable cargo.
• Keelboats – Slower and smaller vessels, which can venture into deep water, but often fare better close to the shore. They serve as deep water fishing ships, local merchant ships or as vessel for shore based pirates.