[Arioch]

There is probably a 1-2 second delay in activating one command till the next even in the best situation without lagging. The open fire command when maxed out is a full 12 seconds long.

In that much time you can fire one broadside, leadership, come about and do a 180 degree turn and hit the ship with the other broadside and still have time.

On a war sloop with a few tacking points.

Actually you don't need to do leadership until the end but you can continue to circle and use the first broadside yet again after leadership and still get the open fire effect.

Open fire is best used on broadsides when you maneuver your ship so that the full effect hits the opposing ship at its weakest point. Or a section of hull with zero armor plating left

Their are Sweet spots to fire on all ship classes learning where they are gives a big advantage. Being able to hit those spots repeatedly while on a fast moving ship means all the difference.

A weak gunner with good aim is better then a max fury gunner with poor aim

This biggest thing in ship versus ship is skill level and pirate level.

plain and simple the higher the level not only the more damage but shots are more effective against lower level ships.

If your ship captain is level 28 and master cannon and sailing even with all those skills he or she will be eaten alive by a level 40 ship even without crew.

Everything in the game is based on levels. Ever attack a enemy 10 levels higher and you keep missing time after time?

Same idea. A level 37 pirate is at a disadvantage in privateering.

it does not become even up until you reach level 38 and higher and even then the level 40 has an advantage because all his skills charge faster simply because of the level 40 being attained.

With a New pirate I do not privateer until level 35 and up and then only to finish the quests.