Sunset — by Rubico
Overview

Sunset is a dynamic map where tactics and positioning are extremely important. Because of the linear rather than circular nature of the map, the ability to move to either defend or attack is much more difficult. This combined with the relatively low requirements of three towns to score a victory makes for an interesting tactical game where you are always on your toes.

This map is only available on the doubles playlist.

The first move of the game is to take the town only a couple hexes away from the pirate’s lair, and then take the second town closer to the center. This is how the game usually progresses, with each team having two towns apiece. After both teams have captured their respective towns, then the fight really begins. A usual setup and positioning of ships involves one player controlling the front town and defending it and the other player in between the first and second towns, giving the ability to move to defense. This also gives the player the ability to get resources from the villages and curses from merchant ships. Players can switch positioning at will if one wishes to hold a curse and let their teammate acquire a curse. When in this position, players should attempt to maximize their advantage by picking up crates and merchants while still defending adequately.

Because of the town positioning and the win requirements, winning on time is highly unlikely. Therefore, the objective is to size a third town, if only temporarily for the win.

Strategy 1 – Whirlpooling:

If both opposing players are near the center, there is an option to whirlpool a player to instantly transfer him the opposing side and capture their back town before they have a chance to defend.

Strategy 2 – No, you cannot upgrade

In order to upgrade a ship, a player must return to the lair, leaving the front town vulnerable to a possible attack. Even the threat of this attack my prevent a team from upgrading their ships and constrict them, giving you an advantage. If the town is not upgraded and the defender has only one or less armor upgrades than either a whirlpool or bomb and a coordinated attack should be sufficient to take the opposing team’s front town. A ghost ship is an added plus because it is harder to anticipate the second player joining the first to take the front town. Be sure that you can win in this particular scenario, because if you’re attack is not quick to kill the town you can be susceptible to a whirlpool attack.

Strategy 3 – Going for the gold

This strategy is very risky and is usually done later in the game when ships and towns are upgraded. To pull this off, a whirlpool is essential. It is also necessary to have both towns at least upgraded once, but it is preferred for both to be upgraded twice. The downside is that it requires both players to take out the double upgraded center gold town, which leaves you susceptible to both interdictions at the gold town and also a counter on one of your towns. The whirlpool is used to shut off the one hex wide entrance to prevent intruders while you are killing the gold town. But be wary, a smart opponent could take the whirlpool and attack one of your back towns.

Strategy 4 – Winning by a 2 v 1

In the last seconds of the game, if both teams have kept their towns secure and prevented an attack on the gold town, an otherwise unsuccessful attack can be perused on the front tow. Bombs are not required but highly useful, especially if the town is upgraded. The idea is during the last seconds of the game to focus as much fire on the town as possible, thus destroying the town for duration of the time. Even if the attack would otherwise be unsuccessful, if the town is still destroyed when the time runs out you win by a two towns to one margin.