Freetrader

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A Freetrader (short: FT) is a career which strengths lie in trading and sailing. As such Freetraders are usually at a disadvantage in combat compared to other careers. However they can boost the effectiveness of a fleet with their group buff skills.

[edit] Introduction

You are a freetrader an independent merchant adventurer tied to no company or government. You are the fuel that jumpstarts the engine of a thriving new world economy. You are an explorer, seeking lost treasures, undiscovered resources, and deadly secrets that will bring you fame, wealth, and glory. Most of all, you are the master of your own ship, and your own domain. Others inherit fortunes you will forge yours in the crucible of the Burning Sea.[1]

[edit] Starting out as Freetrader

Freetraders start with the standard 'Otter' Skuda (Fallback). They have access to the same missions as a Navy Officer or Privateer. By default Freetraders start as Florentine melee fighters. That is they fight with a small sword and main gauche (left hand off dagger).

[edit] Leveling as a Freetrader

Freetraders have a repair skill available at the start, therefore they are easy to level early. They lack early offense skills and as such become harder at the low-mid levels. Experts becoming available make leveling easy again though.

For strict leveling, it is advisable to pick up the Desperation and Ship Mastery skill trees. The last two skills in the Desperation tree (Rum Ration and Hasty Fire) allow Freetraders to get +60% to reload for two minutes. When combined with Ship Mastery skills, this allows Freetraders to easily defeat NPCs. A solid path is: Hold Together, all Desperation skills, then the rest of the Ship Mastery skills. After that, skills are more flexible, though many players choose to take the Travel skills for the powerful passive boosts (Optimal Rigging and Sailhandling Drills).

Complete all the starting missions as these are easy, this will take you to a high enough level to start doing as you please (more missions or Open Sea play).

[edit] So what are Freetraders good at?

For one sailing in the Open Sea: A Freetrader in a slow ship is often as fast as a Navy Officer, Privateer or Pirate in a faster ship. Sure, there are limits how fast a fully laden big cargo ship can be pushed but it's not unheard for Freetraders in small ships to make over 100 knots with the right wind, their travel speed buff and an ocean current. They also have the ability to become immune to all OS attacks for 30 seconds, meaning they have a distinct advantage in PvP zones.

Secondly trading: Freetraders can choose to gain advances in the Trade section of their skill tree and thus gain access to advanced production options, talking in the Trade Chat (they listen for free) and search from any Auction House across the Caribbean. This is very powerful as it means they can direct their travels much more efficiently (and this faster) than their nation counterparts. For this skill alone most players intend to make a Freetrader Alternative character to save time searching for goods. PvPers avoid these skills as it takes points away from other areas. This is a major factor in the power of the FT, when Trade Skills are not taken they have the ability to take several powerful buffs.

Last but not least Manufacturing: With exclusive access to Advanced Structures and Advanced Ship Components Freetraders have a labor advantage in production of large, huge and colossal ships.

[edit] So what about PvP?

High level Freetraders that avoid Trade skills can take several powerful buffs, such as Rum Ration and Hasty Fire. They also have access to what is described as the sole reason behind FTs being OP, Experts. FT career skills give them access to overpowered buffs from Experts. The combination of multiple Experts in a battle means the FT can repair near double that of any other career. The Expert Carpenter/Minor Carpenter combo contributes to this.

FTs are also able to DR% stack. This involves using outfittings and skills to raise the Damage Resistance stat to its maximum. DR% is often referred to as broken by players due to the opinion it is too powerful. A FT increases this power even more because of the repairs.

[edit] Skills

The following Sailing Skills are specific to Freetraders:

Career: Freetrader
Claim Prize Ship (Freetrader)
Freetraders do not suffer Acceleration Rate Penalties associated with crew loss.

Skill overview
Skill Tree	Tier 1	Tier 2	Tier 3	Tier 4	Tier 5
Career¹	Expert Sailmaster	Expert Mercenary	Expert Carpenter	Expert Gunner	Expert Captain
Desperation	Underdog	Dump Guns	Desperation Fire	Rum Ration	Hasty Fire
Escape	Repel Grapples	Defense	Determination	Evasion	Deter Pursuit
Logistics	Economy: Production	Economy: Manufacturing	Trade Connections	Economy: Shipwright	Skilled Negotiator
Provisions	Provision Allies: Defense	Provision Allies: Maneuver	Provision Allies: Boarding	Provision Allies: Offense	Extra Rations
Ship Mastery	Hold Together	Reinforcement	Identify Weakness	Overloaded Shot	Debilitating Broadside
Smuggling	Ranging Shot	Smuggled Cargo	Give The Slip	Misdirection	Running Dark
Trade	Tax Evasion	Rescue Me	Before The Wind	Optimal Rigging	Sailhandling Drills
Travel	Travel	Battle Preparations: Maneuver	Battle Preparations: Defense	Battle Preparations: Speed	Battle Preparations: Offense

¹ These skills are gained through the career quests and don't require skill points.

[edit] Career Specific Ships

The following ships are exclusive to Freetraders. Of course Freetraders can also use the All Career ships but the ships below tend to go better with the role and skills of a Freetrader.

Level 14: