Assassin's.Creed.IV.Black.Flag.-.PRIMA.Game.Guide
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - PRIMA Game Guide
If you are a fan of the Assassin's Creed series, you probably know that the fourth installment, Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, is one of the best games in the franchise. It combines the thrilling historical adventure of the previous games with an open-world pirate setting that lets you explore the Caribbean Sea in the 18th century. You play as Edward Kenway, a charismatic pirate who gets involved in the ancient conflict between the Assassins and the Templars.
But as amazing as this game is, it can also be quite challenging and overwhelming. There are so many things to do, places to visit, enemies to fight, secrets to uncover, and upgrades to unlock. That's why you need a reliable guide that can help you get the most out of your gaming experience.
That's where PRIMA Game Guide comes in. PRIMA is a trusted brand that has been producing high-quality game guides for over 20 years. They have a team of expert writers, editors, and designers who work hard to create comprehensive and user-friendly guides for every major game release.
In this article, we will give you an overview of what PRIMA Game Guide offers for Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. We will cover the gameplay basics, the main story walkthrough, the side activities and collectibles, and the multiplayer mode. We will also provide you with some tips and tricks that will make your life as a pirate easier and more fun.
So grab your hidden blade, your flintlock pistol, and your cutlass, and get ready to sail into the world of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag with PRIMA Game Guide!
Gameplay Basics
Before we dive into the details of the game, let's go over some of the gameplay basics that you need to know. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is an action-adventure game that mixes stealth, combat, exploration, and naval warfare. You can switch between third-person and first-person perspectives depending on your preference. You can also use various tools and weapons to aid you in your missions.
Controls and Interface
The game has a simple and intuitive control scheme that allows you to perform different actions with ease. You can move around with the left analog stick or the WASD keys on PC, look around with the right analog stick or the mouse on PC, jump or climb with the A button or the spacebar on PC, crouch or drop with the B button or the C key on PC, interact with objects or people with the X button or the E key on PC, use your primary weapon with the Y button or the F key on PC, use your secondary weapon with the right trigger or the left mouse button on PC, and use your tool with the left trigger or the right mouse button on PC.
The game also has a clear and informative interface that shows you important information such as your health, your ammo, your objectives, your map, your compass, and your notoriety. You can access the main menu with the start button or the escape key on PC, where you can adjust your settings, check your progress, view your inventory, access the database, and more. You can also access the quick menu with the back button or the tab key on PC, where you can switch your weapons, tools, outfits, and ships.
Combat and Stealth
As an Assassin, you will often find yourself in situations where you have to fight or avoid enemies. The game gives you the option to choose between combat and stealth, depending on your style and preference. You can also mix and match both approaches to suit different scenarios.
Combat is fast-paced and dynamic, requiring you to use your skills and reflexes to defeat your foes. You can attack with your primary weapon, which can be a sword, an axe, a dagger, or a hidden blade. You can also use your secondary weapon, which can be a pistol, a dart, a smoke bomb, or a rope dart. You can also use your tool, which can be a whistle, a berserk dart, a sleep dart, or a firecracker. You can also counter enemy attacks with the B button or the Q key on PC, which will allow you to perform a kill move or a disarm move. You can also break enemy defenses with the A button or the spacebar on PC, which will allow you to perform a heavy attack or a throw move. You can also dodge enemy attacks with the X button or the E key on PC, which will allow you to perform a roll move or a slide move.
Stealth is more subtle and strategic, requiring you to use your environment and your tools to avoid detection and eliminate enemies silently. You can crouch behind cover or in bushes with the B button or the C key on PC, which will make you less visible and more quiet. You can also use your eagle vision with the left trigger or the V key on PC, which will highlight enemies and allies in different colors and show you their vision cones and patrol routes. You can also use your whistle with the down button or the Z key on PC, which will lure enemies to your location and allow you to perform a stealth kill. You can also use your berserk dart or sleep dart with the left trigger or the right mouse button on PC, which will affect enemies in different ways depending on their type. You can also use your smoke bomb or firecracker with the right trigger or the left mouse button on PC, which will create distractions and opportunities for escape.
Naval Exploration and Combat
One of the most unique and exciting features of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is the naval exploration and combat. You have your own ship, called the Jackdaw, which you can customize and upgrade with different weapons, sails, figureheads, and more. You can sail across the Caribbean Sea and visit various islands, ports, forts, shipwrecks, caves, and more. You can also engage in naval battles with other ships, ranging from small gunboats to massive frigates.
Naval exploration is fun and rewarding, allowing you to discover new locations and secrets. You can steer your ship with the left analog stick or the WASD keys on PC, adjust your speed with the A button or the shift key on PC, use your spyglass with the Y button or the F key on PC, fire your swivel gun with the right trigger or the left mouse button on PC, board enemy ships with the X button or the E key on PC, harpoon sea creatures with the B button or the C key on PC, and dive underwater with the left trigger or the V key on PC.
Naval combat is intense and strategic, requiring you to use your weapons and maneuvers to defeat your enemies. You can fire your broadside cannons with the right trigger or the left mouse button on PC, fire your chain shot or round shot with the left trigger or the right mouse button on PC, fire your mortar or fire barrel with the Y button or the F key on PC, fire your heavy shot with the B button or the C key on PC, and brace for impact with the A button or the spacebar on PC. You can also use your swivel gun to target weak points on enemy ships, such as masts, sails, and powder barrels. You can also board enemy ships after damaging them enough, which will allow you to fight their crew and captain and loot their cargo.
Crafting and Upgrading
Another important aspect of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag is the crafting and upgrading system. You can improve your character and your ship by collecting various resources and materials throughout the game. You can find them by hunting animals, looting chests, harpooning sea creatures, diving underwater, boarding ships, completing missions, and more. You can also buy them from shops and traders if you have enough money.
You can use these resources and materials to craft new items and upgrades for yourself and your ship. You can craft new outfits, pouches, holsters, darts, bombs, and more for yourself. You can craft new hull armor, cannons, mortars, harpoons, fire barrels, and more for your ship. You can access the crafting menu from the main menu or the quick menu. You can also upgrade your weapons and tools by buying them from shops and blacksmiths.
Crafting and upgrading is essential for your survival and success in the game. It will make you stronger, faster, more durable, more versatile, and more deadly. It will also make your ship more powerful, agile, resilient, diverse, and formidable. It will also unlock new abilities and perks for you and your ship.
Main Story Walkthrough
Now that we have covered the gameplay basics, let's move on to the main story walkthrough. Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag has a rich and engaging story that spans 12 sequences and 38 memories. You will follow the adventures of Edward Kenway as he becomes an Assassin and uncovers a mysterious plot involving a legendary sage and a powerful artifact.
The main story walkthrough will guide you through every memory in chronological order. It will provide you with detailed instructions on how to complete each objective, how to achieve 100% synchronization (optional), how to find hidden secrets (optional), and how to deal with any challenges or enemies along the way. It will also give you some tips and tricks that will make your journey easier and more enjoyable.
So without further ado, let's begin the main story walkthrough of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag!
Sequence 1: Edward Kenway
The first sequence introduces you to Edward Kenway, a young and ambitious pirate who dreams of wealth and glory. You will learn the basics of naval combat and exploration, as well as meet some of the main characters of the game.
Memory 1: Edward Kenway
This memory serves as a tutorial for naval combat. You will take control of Edward's ship, the Jackdaw (temporarily), and chase after a Spanish galleon that carries a valuable cargo.
Follow the on-screen instructions to learn how to steer your ship, adjust your speed, use your spyglass, fire your broadside cannons, fire your chain shot or round shot, fire your mortar or fire barrel, fire your heavy shot, and brace for impact.
Keep following the Spanish galleon until you reach a stormy area.
Avoid the rogue waves by steering into them or bracing for impact.
Avoid the waterspouts by steering away from them or using your mortar to destroy them.
Damage the Spanish galleon enough to trigger a cutscene.
100% Synchronization:
Use a swivel gun to kill 3 sailors (optional).
Take less than 25% damage (optional).
Tips:
Use your spyglass to identify enemy ships and their level of threat.
Use your chain shot or round shot to slow down enemy ships and expose their weak points.
Use your mortar or fire barrel to damage enemy ships from a distance or create traps.
Use your heavy shot to deal massive damage to enemy ships at close range.
Use your swivel gun to target weak points on enemy ships, such as masts, sails, and powder barrels.
Brace for impact to reduce the damage you take from enemy fire or environmental hazards.
Memory 2: Lively Havana
This memory serves as a tutorial for naval exploration and land exploration. You will take control of Edward on foot and explore the city of Havana, as well as meet some of the main characters of the game.
Follow the on-screen instructions to learn how to swim, dive, climb, jump, drop, crouch, interact, use your eagle vision, whistle, and perform stealth kills.
Follow Duncan Walpole, the Assassin you killed in the previous memory, to the shore.
Steal a rowboat and row to Havana.
Follow Duncan Walpole to the governor's mansion.
Eavesdrop on the conversation between Duncan Walpole and Governor Torres.
Follow Duncan Walpole to the Assassin bureau.
Steal Duncan Walpole's money pouch when he is distracted by a courtesan.
Escape the area and become anonymous.
100% Synchronization:
Hire dancers to distract guards (optional).
Pickpocket all Templars (optional).
Tips:
Use your eagle vision to highlight enemies and allies in different colors and show you their vision cones and patrol routes.
Use your whistle to lure enemies to your location and allow you to perform stealth kills.
Use your environment and your tools to avoid detection and eliminate enemies silently.
Hire dancers, pirates, or mercenaries to distract or fight guards for you.
Pickpocket enemies or civilians to obtain money or items.
Memory 3: This Tyro Captain
This memory serves as a tutorial for naval boarding. You will take control of Edward's ship, the Jackdaw (permanently), and board an enemy ship that carries a valuable cargo.
Follow the on-screen instructions to learn how to board enemy ships.
Damage the enemy ship enough to make it vulnerable for boarding.
Approach the enemy ship and press the X button or the E key on PC to initiate boarding.
Kill 5 enemy crew members by using your weapons or tools, or by using environmental objects such as barrels or ropes.
Kill the enemy captain by using your weapons or tools, or by using environmental objects such as barrels or ropes.
100% Synchronization:
Kill 2 sailors with a running assassination (optional).
Kill 2 sailors with a musket (optional).
Tips:
Use your broadside cannons, chain shot or round shot, mortar or fire barrel, heavy shot, and swivel gun to damage enemy ships enough to make them vulnerable for boarding.
Avoid damaging enemy ships too much or they will sink and you will lose their cargo.
You can board enemy ships from any side, but it is easier from the front or the back.
You can use your weapons or tools, such as swords, axes, daggers, hidden blades, pistols, darts, bombs, rope darts, or whistles to kill enemy crew members and captains. You can also use environmental objects such as barrels or ropes to kill them with explosions or hanging. You can also use counter attacks or break defenses to perform kill moves or disarm moves on them. You can also dodge attacks to perform roll moves or slide moves on them.
You can use running assassinations to kill enemies quickly and fluidly. You can also use muskets to kill enemies from a distance. You can find muskets on the deck of enemy ships or on dead enemies.
Memory 4: Now Hiring
This memory introduces you to some of the side activities and collectibles in the game. You will recruit new crew members for your ship, buy new weapons and outfits for yourself, and find some treasure maps and chests in Havana.
Follow Adewale, your quartermaster, to the tavern.
Recruit 5 crew members by talking to them or by saving them from guards.
Buy a pair of swords and a pair of pistols from the shop.
Buy an outfit from the shop (optional).
Follow Adewale to the shipyard.
Find a treasure map in a bottle near the shipyard (optional).
Find a treasure chest using the treasure map (optional).
100% Synchronization:
Purchase an intermediate hull (optional).
Use a rope swing to kill the captain (optional).
Tips:
You can recruit crew members by talking to them in taverns or on the streets, or by saving them from guards or slave traders. You can also recruit them by boarding enemy ships or liberating forts.
You can buy weapons, outfits, and upgrades from shops and blacksmiths. You can also find weapons and outfits in chests or as rewards for completing missions or challenges.
You can find treasure maps in bottles scattered around the world. You can use them to locate hidden treasure chests that contain money or items. You can also find treasure chests without maps by exploring the world or using your eagle vision.
You can purchase an intermediate hull from the shipyard to increase your ship's health and resistance. You can also purchase other upgrades for your ship, such as cannons, mortars, harpoons, fire barrels, and more.
You can use a rope swing to kill the captain of the enemy ship that you have to board in this memory. You can find a rope swing on the mast of your ship. You can use it to swing across to the enemy ship and perform an aerial assassination on the captain.
Memory 5: Prizes and Plunder
This memory introduces you to some of the naval side activities and collectibles in the game. You will plunder enemy ships for cargo and money, harpoon sea creatures for resources and trophies, and dive underwater for treasures and secrets.
Follow Adewale to the open sea.
Plunder a hunter ship by damaging it enough to make it vulnerable for boarding, then boarding it and killing its crew and captain.
Plunder a Spanish brig by damaging it enough to make it vulnerable for boarding, then boarding it and killing its crew and captain.
Harpoon a bull shark by following it with your rowboat, then throwing harpoons at it until it dies.
Dive underwater at the diving spot by using your diving bell, then swimming to the sunken ship and looting its chests.
100% Synchronization:
Loot 20 rum (optional).
Loot 20 sugar (optional).
Tips:
You can plunder enemy ships for cargo and money by damaging them enough to make them vulnerable for boarding, then boarding them and killing their crew and captain. You can also plunder them by sinking them with your cannons or mortars, but you will get less loot that way.
You can harpoon sea creatures for resources and trophies by following them with your rowboat, then throwing harpoons at them until they die. You can use these resources to craft new items and upgrades for yourself and your ship. You can also display these trophies in your cabin or on your ship.
You can dive underwater for treasures and secrets by using your diving bell at diving spots, then swimming to sunken ships, caves, ruins, or wrecks and looting their chests or finding their secrets. You can use these treasures and secrets to obtain money or items, or to unlock new locations or missions. You can also find underwater animals that you can interact with or avoid.
You can loot rum and sugar from enemy ships by boarding them and looting their cargo crates. You can use rum and sugar to sell them for money or to trade them for other resources or items.
Sequence 2: The Spanish Main
The second sequence continues Edward's story as he travels to Nassau, meets some of the most notorious pirates of his time, and learns more about the Assassins and the Templars.
Memory 1: Laying the First Brick
This memory introduces you to Nassau, the pirate haven where you will meet some of the main characters of the game. You will also learn more about the Assassin bureau and the Templar key that you possess.
Follow James Kidd, the mysterious pirate who helped you escape from Havana, to Nassau.
Meet with Benjamin Hornigold, Edward Thatch (Blackbeard), and Charles Vane, some of the most famous pirates of the era.
Follow James Kidd to the Assassin bureau.
Learn about the Templar key and the Observatory, a secret location that can spy on anyone in the world.
Follow James Kidd to the tavern.
100% Synchronization:
Stay out of combat (optional).
Use a pistol in combat (optional).
Tips:
You can stay out of combat by using stealth or avoiding enemies. You can also use your allies or hired groups to distrac