How To Use Mortar In Assassin's Creed Black Flag

Mastering Mortar Usage in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag

Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag offers a thrilling pirate experience, complete with naval combat and exciting land-based missions. While swordplay and hidden blade assassinations are staples of the series, mastering the use of the mortar adds a powerful, explosive dimension to your gameplay, especially during sieges and naval battles. This guide will walk you through effective mortar usage, helping you dominate the battlefield.

Understanding the Mortar's Strengths and Weaknesses:

The mortar is a powerful siege weapon, ideal for taking down fortifications and enemy ships from a distance. Its high arc and explosive payload make it perfect for hitting targets behind cover. However, it's not without its limitations. The mortar's reload time is relatively slow, and its accuracy suffers at longer ranges. Effective use requires careful aiming and tactical positioning.

Choosing the Right Ammunition:

Several different ammunition types are available for the mortar, each with its own strengths and weaknesses:

• Standard Explosive Shells: These are your everyday mortar rounds, offering a good balance of damage and area-of-effect. Ideal for general-purpose use against both infantry and structures.

• Explosive Canisters (optional): These spread smaller explosive charges over a wider area. They are useful against larger groups of enemies, but may be less effective against heavily fortified positions.

• Chain Shot: Designed to damage enemy ships, this special round tears through sails and hulls, greatly hindering enemy vessels. This is particularly useful during naval battles. This ammunition type will vary based on the mission and your acquisition of the blueprint.

Effective Mortar Tactics:

• Positioning is Key: Find high ground or a stable position with a clear line of sight to your target. The less obstructed your view, the more accurate your shots will be. Utilize the mini-map to plan your shots.

• Aiming and Firing: Take your time to aim carefully, especially at longer ranges. The mortar's trajectory is quite high, so compensate for the arc when aiming. Use the aiming reticule to gauge distance and adjust your aim accordingly.

• Prioritize Targets: Focus fire on high-value targets, such as cannons, enemy commanders, or heavily armored units. Taking these threats down first can significantly alter the flow of battle in your favour.

• Combine with Other Weapons: Don't rely solely on the mortar. Use it in conjunction with other weapons, such as your pistols or rifle, to take down targets quickly and efficiently. Coordinate your mortar attacks with your allies.

• Understand the Environment: Use the environment to your advantage. Consider the wind, the trajectory of your shot and the destruction potential around your targets. Some missions have specific targets you must hit in order to complete the objective, others do not.

Mastering Advanced Techniques:

• Leading Targets: Moving targets require you to lead your shots, aiming slightly ahead of where they will be when the mortar round lands. This becomes increasingly important at longer ranges.

• Multiple Shots: Utilize multiple shots to overwhelm enemy defenses or to deal significant damage to stronger targets.

• Exploit Weak Points: Look for weak points in enemy fortifications or vulnerable areas on enemy ships. Focusing your fire on these areas can maximize your damage output.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the mortar, selecting the correct ammunition and applying these tactics, you will significantly enhance your combat effectiveness in Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. Remember, practice makes perfect! Experiment with different approaches and find what works best for your playstyle. Happy raiding!