Your ship is your home, your weapon, and your lifeline in Windrose. Picking the right hull and cannons decides whether you win naval duels or end up swimming. This guide breaks down every ship class — the Ketch, Brig, and Frigate — their variants, and which to use at each stage of the game.
The three ship classes in Windrose
Windrose has three main ship classes that mark your progression from a scrappy starter boat to a floating fortress:
- Ketch — your early-game starter ship.
- Brig (Brigantine) — the mid-game all-rounder most crews settle into.
- Frigate — the late-game powerhouse and naval endgame.
Each class also comes in three variants that change its character:
- Stock — the balanced, well-rounded version. The safe default.
- Blackbeard — faster and lighter, but with less health. Built for aggression and hit-and-run tactics.
- Brethren — slower but tankier, trading speed for survivability.
The Ketch — your early-game ship
The Stock Ketch is the boat everyone starts with, and it’s the safe choice while you’re learning the ropes. With around 50,000 HP and a top speed near 19 knots, it’s nimble enough to escape fights you can’t win and tough enough to survive early encounters. Don’t over-invest in it — the Ketch is a stepping stone. Learn to sail, handle your first cannons, and gather the resources to move up to a Brig.
The Brig — the best all-around ship
The Brig (Brigantine) is widely considered the best all-around ship in Windrose. It carries enough firepower to handle most threats while staying fast enough to travel and reposition efficiently — the classic mid-game sweet spot where most crews spend the bulk of their playthrough.
The standout variant is the Blackbeard Brigantine: fast at around 22 knots and able to mount six 24-pound cannons. Its lower HP is very manageable if you play to its strengths — prioritise hull upgrades and actually use your speed advantage to control the engagement, keeping your guns on target while denying the enemy a clean broadside. Aggressive captains who like dictating the fight will get the most out of it.
The Frigate — the naval endgame
The Frigate is where Windrose’s naval game truly opens up. With around 160,000 base HP and up to 18 cannons, it’s a devastating floating fortress that can trade blows with anything in the game. It’s slower and far more expensive to build and maintain than a Brig, so it’s an endgame commitment rather than an everyday cruiser — but in a stand-up fight, nothing else compares.
Cannons and naval combat
Your hull is only half the equation — cannons win fights. A few key rules:
- Perfectly Ordered cannons are the top choice for the Ketch and Brigantine, in the highest pound rating your ship supports. Their passive triggers when you hit an enemy within 4 seconds of reloading — easy to maintain consistently — giving you an effective 30% faster reload almost all the time.
- 24-pound cannons can only be mounted on the Blackbeard Ketch, Blackbeard Brig, and all Frigates.
- 36-pound cannons — the heaviest in the game — are exclusive to the Blackbeard Frigate.
In a fight, position matters as much as raw firepower. Aim for broadsides where all your guns bear on the target, keep moving so the enemy can’t line up a clean volley, and assign crew roles — one player steering, others reloading and firing, someone repairing the hull. A coordinated crew on a Brig will routinely beat a sloppy crew on a bigger ship.
Which ship should you use?
- Just starting out? Stick with the Stock Ketch until you can comfortably afford a Brig. Don’t sink resources into upgrading it.
- Mid-game crew? The Brig is your home — the Blackbeard Brigantine if you like fast, aggressive play, the Stock or Brethren if you prefer durability.
- Endgame? Build toward a Frigate when you have the resources to maintain it, and reach for the Blackbeard Frigate if you want access to 36-pound cannons.
Planning upgrades with a crew? Our free Windrose ship calculator lets you compare hulls and cannon loadouts before you commit the resources, so your whole crew invests in the same build.
Play on your own crew’s server
Ship progression is a long-term project, and it’s most rewarding when your world is always online so your crew can grind upgrades on their own schedules. A dedicated Windrose server keeps your settlement and fleet persistent 24/7, with automated backups so a bad naval battle never costs you your save. Size your plan with the player slot calculator and you’re ready to set sail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ship in Windrose?
The Brig (Brigantine) is the best all-around ship — enough firepower for most threats while staying fast. The Frigate is the strongest in a straight fight but is an expensive endgame commitment.
What’s the difference between Stock, Blackbeard, and Brethren ships?
Stock is balanced, Blackbeard is faster and lighter with less HP (built for aggression), and Brethren is slower but tankier. Each ship class offers all three variants.
Which ships can use 24-pound cannons?
Only the Blackbeard Ketch, Blackbeard Brig, and all Frigates can mount 24-pound cannons. The 36-pound cannons are exclusive to the Blackbeard Frigate.
What are the best cannons in Windrose?
Perfectly Ordered cannons in the highest pound rating your ship supports — their passive gives an effective 30% faster reload that’s easy to keep active in a fight.
