Skull and Bones LvL15 Frigate Build that Slams

Creating a Level 15 Frigate build in Skull and Bones that "slams" implies a high-damage, aggressive setup optimized for dealing massive destruction in PvE or PvP, leveraging the Frigate’s tanky nature and high gunport count. The Frigate, introduced in Year 2 Season 2 (Oaths of War), is a large ship with 34 gunports (up to 17 per side depending on weapon type), dual auxiliary weapon slots, and the Grit perk, which boosts armor and reduces damage for nearby allies. Below is a recommended DPS-focused build for a Level 15 Frigate, based on available information and community insights, tailored to maximize damage output while maintaining some survivability. At U4GM, we offer a vast selection of Skull and Bones items, including Silver, commodities, weapons, armor, and ship upgrades, all at unbeatable prices. Whether you're battling the Compagnie Royale or building your Helm Empire, our items will help you dominate the high seas.

Frigate Build: DPS "Slam" Loadout

Ship Overview

• Class: Tank (Large Ship)
• Perks:
  • Grit: Gain stacks (up to 10) when taking damage, each lasting 15 seconds, increasing Armor by 40 per stack. Allied extra-small, small, and medium ships within 200m take 10% less damage (20% at 10 stacks).
  • Payback (Upgrade Perk): Gain Grit stacks when dealing damage.
  • Resolve (at 10 Grit stacks): Taking damage restores 10% Brace Strength, reduces status effect damage by 20%, and increases threat generation by 100% for 10 seconds.
• Weaknesses: 30% increased damage to weakpoints in PvP, reduced sailing speed in rivers/shallows (-30%), and high resource costs for crafting/upgrading.

Build Goals

• Maximize DPS with explosive or high-damage weapons.
• Leverage the Frigate’s 34 gunports and dual auxiliary slots for sustained and burst damage.
• Maintain enough survivability to tank hits while dishing out punishment.
• Optimize for both PvE (e.g., Megaforts, boss fights) and PvP (e.g., Death Tides).

Recommended Loadout

Weapons

1. Broadsides (13–17 gunports per side, 26–34 total):
   • Fire Bombards (Max Ascended): These are ideal for a "slam" build due to their explosive damage, which synergizes with the Frigate’s high gunport count for devastating volleys. Fire Bombards apply the Ablaze status, dealing burning damage over time, perfect for sustained DPS in prolonged fights. Ascend to Tier IV for maximum damage (requires Deep Iron Plates).
   • Alternative: Kallinikos Flame I (if available): These deal fire damage and apply Ablaze, amplifying damage against burning targets. They’re great for chaining damage across multiple enemies in PvE or PvP. Use if Fire Bombards feel too slow to reload.
   • Why: Explosive and fire-based weapons maximize area-of-effect and status damage, making the Frigate a floating fortress that “slams” enemies with overwhelming firepower.
2. Auxiliary Weapons (Dual Slots, 2 weapons, 1 fires at a time):
   • Warhammer III: A heavy-hitting mortar for long-range explosive damage, ideal for initiating fights or softening up Megaforts/bosses. Its area-of-effect damage complements the Frigate’s tank role by drawing aggro while dealing significant burst damage.
   • Alternative: Royal Custodian: If you prefer a support-DPS hybrid, this auxiliary weapon provides healing to allies, allowing you to tank and sustain your team in PvP while still contributing damage via broadsides.
3. Bow and Stern Weapons:
   • Long Gun IX (Bow): High-precision, long-range damage to snipe weakpoints or kite enemies in PvP. Ascend for piercing damage to counter enemy armor.
   • Culverin IX (Stern): Use for defensive kiting when retreating or repositioning, as Culverins offer solid range and damage. Ascend for additional piercing or explosive effects if available.

Armor

• Ironclad Armor (Tier IV): Maximizes hull strength and damage resistance, crucial for surviving heavy incoming fire in PvE (e.g., Megafort barrages) or PvP focus-fire scenarios. The Frigate’s tank role shines with high armor, allowing you to stay in the fight longer. Requires Deep Iron Plates to craft/upgrade.

Furniture

• Powder Magazine IV: Increases explosive damage by 20% and reload speed, synergizing with Fire Bombards or Warhammer for maximum “slam” potential.
• Gunner’s Quadrant IV: Boosts weapon accuracy and damage, ensuring your broadsides hit harder and more consistently.
• Grand Armory IV: Increases ammo capacity, critical for sustained DPS in long engagements like Megaforts or Death Tides.
• Repair Station IV: Enhances repair speed and Brace Strength recovery, helping you tank through heavy damage while maintaining offensive pressure.

Consumables

• Enhanced Repair Kit II: Restores significant Hull Health and purges status effects (e.g., Ablaze, Flood), vital for surviving PvP or tough PvE content.
• Water Barrels: Boost top speed by 15% for 20 seconds, useful for repositioning in PvP or chasing down enemies.
• Gunpowder Kegs: Temporary damage boost for explosive weapons, amplifying your Fire Bombards or Warhammer for burst phases against bosses or players.

Playstyle and Tactics

• Positioning: Use the Frigate’s stability in rough waters to hold the frontline in open-sea battles. Avoid rivers due to the 30% speed penalty. In PvP, stay aware of your weakpoints, as they take 30% more damage—position to minimize exposure to enemy snipers.
• Kiting and Broadside Management: Swing the ship side-to-side to alternate broadsides, allowing one side to reload while the other fires. This maximizes DPS uptime, especially with Fire Bombards’ slower reload. Keep medium range to leverage explosive damage without overexposing to enemy rams or torpedoes.
• Grit Stacking: Take controlled damage to build Grit stacks (via Payback, also gain from dealing damage) to activate Resolve. This boosts your Brace Strength and threat generation, making you a focal point in team fights while reducing allied damage. Use Resolve’s 20% status effect reduction to mitigate fire/flood damage in PvP.
• PvE Focus (Megaforts/Bosses): Lead the charge against Megaforts by drawing tower aggro with Warhammer shots, then unleash Fire Bombard volleys on clustered enemies. Coordinate with allies to capitalize on your Grit aura (20% damage reduction at 10 stacks) to keep smaller ships alive.
• PvP Focus (Death Tides): In Death Tides, position near control points to tank damage and support allies with Grit’s damage reduction. Use Long Guns to snipe enemy weakpoints from afar, then close in with Fire Bombards for devastating broadsides. Watch for enemy healers or DPS ships like the Sambuk, and prioritize them with your Warhammer.

Crafting and Upgrading

• Blueprint: Obtain via the Smuggler Pass (free track, Tier 45) or later from the Helm Black Market with endgame currency (e.g., Sovereigns).
• Materials:
  • Deep Iron: Needed for Level IV upgrades, acquired from Blackwood with Gildmarks or Megaforts.
  • Deep Iron Plates: Refined from Deep Iron, required for Level VII upgrades and Tier IV gear (e.g., Ironclad Armor, ascended Fire Bombards). Also available via Pirate Ledger post-Faction Wars launch.
  • Expect high resource costs (e.g., Juniper Planks, Steel Ingots, etc.) for initial crafting and upgrades to Level 15.
• Grind Tips: Farm Megaforts in World Tier 2 for Deep Iron and ascension materials. Complete Smuggler Pass contracts to hit Tier 45 quickly. Avoid overstocking cargo (50 slots fill fast) by regularly offloading at outposts.

Notes and Considerations

• Why This Build “Slams”: The combination of Fire Bombards and Warhammer maximizes explosive damage, creating a “slam” effect with massive volleys and area-of-effect destruction. The Frigate’s high gunport count and Grit perk ensure you can dish out and take punishment, making it ideal for aggressive play.
• Trade-offs: This build sacrifices some maneuverability and river navigation for raw power. If you prefer a faster, more agile DPS ship, consider a Sambuk or Padewakang instead.
• Community Feedback: Players on Reddit suggest Fire Bombards or Hellepoorts (with piercing ascensions) for broadsides, but Hellepoorts may lack the explosive punch needed for a “slam” build. Warhammer is a popular auxiliary choice for its burst potential.
• Balance Changes: A Death Tides debuff reduces Frigate damage/healing output, so prioritize raw damage over healing weapons in PvP unless paired with a dedicated healer ally.