In the game Age of Sail Legends, when players explore mysterious seas, they will inevitably encounter various powerful enemy ships blocking their path. Among them, the Thistle is undoubtedly a ship that many new players struggle to defeat. How to defeat the Thistle in Age of Sail Legends? In fact, as long as you find one weakness, you can strike it powerfully. Many new players encounter the Thistle when they are just starting to get familiar with the combat mechanics and may not yet know how to master this part of the operation. So, the suggestions below from the editor can be referenced.
The reason why the Thistle is so troublesome is not because of its own firepower being overwhelmingly fierce, but because of a unique escort mechanism on this ship. When it appears, it is surrounded by multiple Spanish escort ships, so if you rashly launch a strong attack, it is very easy to lead to a total annihilation. Therefore, the key point of the Thistle battle lies in first dismantling its tight escort fleet. At the beginning of the battle, observant players will notice that 5 to 6 Spanish warships are densely surrounding the Thistle. These escort ships follow a specific attack logic and will prioritize launching fierce attacks on any approaching friendly NPC ships.
Therefore, at this time, do not impulsively rush into the enemy formation, but maintain a cautious medium distance, roughly half a screen's range. Then, you can maneuver your ship around the battlefield, fully utilizing the advantages of long-range cannons. For example, a powerful long-barreled cannon would be a great choice here. It is recommended to first lock onto and attack an outermost enemy ship. Once an enemy ship is hit, it will break away from its original formation and relentlessly pursue the player. At this point, you will see the benefits of flexible positioning; quickly increase the distance from it and lure the isolated enemy ship to the edge of the battlefield, where you can engage in a one-on-one fight until it is completely sunk.
In the first phase, such luring operations need to be repeated at least twice. When choosing targets, it is recommended to focus on the lighter escort ships on the flanks, such as Caravels, which are a good choice. These ships usually have thinner health and poorer mobility, making them easier to isolate. Each time you successfully sink an enemy ship, you will tear a crack in the Thistle's sturdy defense. As the battle progresses, when the number of remaining escort ships reduces to 3, the enemy AI system will show noticeable confusion, and the ships' movements will become chaotic.
This is when the Thistle shows its weakness. You can seize this rare opportunity, command your fleet to focus fire, and try to quickly eliminate 1 to 2 remaining escort ships, clearing the way for the final assault. After smoothly transitioning to the decisive phase, the Thistle, now without the protection of its escort ships, will be directly exposed to your firepower. At this point, pay close attention to the effective range of its main cannons, approximately 200 yards. You can boldly approach within 150 yards and unleash your full firepower.
At the same time, you can use friendly NPC ships as bait to attract the attention and firepower of the remaining escort ships, creating a favorable environment for your own output. In terms of weapon selection, it is recommended to use high-explosive ammunition with strong destructive power, such as chain shot, and concentrate your firepower on the masts of the Thistle, effectively reducing its mobility and making it difficult to reorganize an effective counterattack. If your own health is in danger at this point, don't force a fight to the end. You can retreat to a safe area at the edge of the battlefield, wait for your allied ships to pin down the enemy, and then return to the fight.
Throughout the entire battle, in the early stages of luring, you must be meticulous and try to retain at least 80% of your ammunition to ensure sufficient firepower output during the critical later stages. If you find that the escort ships are not being effectively divided as expected, you can decisively abandon the current round, readjust your strategic layout, and look for new breakthroughs. After successfully defeating the Thistle, you can obtain rich spoils, including the rare ship material, Spanish Gilded Armor, which is a precious material that enhances the durability and survivability of ships, and is definitely worth repeatedly farming.
From the above, you can find enough techniques on how to defeat the Thistle in Age of Sail Legends. The battle against the Thistle is not particularly difficult in the early stages. As long as you use certain luring strategies and decisive, efficient focused attacks, you are fully capable of conquering it with minimal cost. Once you master the strategic essence of breaking down the enemy fleet in stages, you can also apply such strategies in similar multi-target naval battles in the future.
