What good is grapeshot?

[Sir Upticious]

We beat a kingfisher flag ship down and grappled it. Then we proceeded to
shoot at the crew with grapeshot. After two hits, the crew "disappeared."
We kept shooting but it was having no effect since we had no target.

Then, we boarded. The crew was still there but it was impossible to tell his status
because the ship status bar was still up. I healed my friend while he fought the guy.
I watched my friends health go lower and lower.

Then it was down to me.. I drew my sword. The guy was a level 16 and was virtually undamaged. I watched as he jumped to another ship and continued to peg me while I could do nothing to hit him. Needless to say I died.

So much for realism.