I bought every ship in Windrose – here's what you should spend your pirate gold on first

After you build the Wharf and Ketch, it's time to start collecting materials to build your next Windrose ship and accompanying gear upgrades. It's not a hard process, but since ship plans are so pricey, I get the desire to feel out your options before making any commitments.

That's where I come in, having misspent much of my own piastre so you don't have to. I've bought every ship and available upgrade in Windrose so far, so I've compiled a list of all the Brig and Frigate materials required to build your favorite model. I've also included a few suggestions on the best Windrose ship builds for those of you struggling to make a decision.

The Best Windrose ships and equipment

I couldn't name just one vessel as the best Windrose ship, so instead, I'm suggesting you build the Brethren Brig first and then save for the Blackbeard Frigate later. They'll share the same gear, so you shouldn't have to spend much more, but the Frigate's extra battery and slight stat boost over your starter Ketch make it too good to go ignored.

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Keep in mind that there's only one Boarding Party Gear in early access, so you'll have to rely on upgrades at the Shipwright's workshop to improve your boarding power. I would also prioritize upgrades to the Keelhold Hull Bracing. The Iron Resolve was fine enough, but removing the interruption to repair kits with the Keelhold was truly a game-changer.

Best Windrose ship: Brethren Brig, for mid to late game

(Image credit: Kraken Express)

It's tempting to stick with the Ketch and save for the Frigate, but I really struggled with some of the big sea battles required to progress the main story and faction quests. The Brethren Brig upgrade (with the extra ship gear) was how I finally managed to board the Unsinkable in the Needle in a Haystack main quest.

I suggest buying a few ship upgrades first, like the Hull and Devastating 12-Pounder, then go ahead and build the Brethren Brig. Also, keep investing in the same ship gear to conserve your resources. The upgrades aren't locked to any one ship, so you can pop them out of your old vessel and add them to the Blackbeard Frigate later.

HP: 90,000
Max Speed: 18
Cargo Size: 32
Main Battery: 6 guns, 12 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Medium

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Brethren Brig ship gear

Best Windrose ship: Blackbeard Frigate, for the endgame

By the time I upgraded to the Blackbeard Frigate, I had no trouble surviving with the extra cannon and my other gear upgrades (and I was just better at the game by that point, too). That's why I didn't bother with the Brethren Build, despite its HP boost and increased cargo space.

The Brethren Frigate seems fine enough, but I see no point in prioritizing cargo space when it's so easy to return to camp or unload wares at any Windrose faction buyer. You also don't need the increased HP when you've got a secondary cannon and a slight speed bump. I always need a hefty supply of repair kits, but my enemies don't last long enough to whittle away all of my ship's HP.

HP: 110,000
Max Speed: 20
Cargo Size: 28
Main Battery: 12 guns, 24 or 36 lbs
Secondary Battery: 6 guns, 12 or 24 lbs
Restoration Cost: High

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Frigate ship gear

Ketch materials and stats

(Image credit: Kraken Express)

• Obtain the Ketch plans by completing two main quests: Rescuing the Crew and I need a Bigger Boat
• Repairs: (20) Wood, (5) Coarse Fabric

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Ketch materials

Ketch models

Ketch

HP: 50,000
Max Speed: 19
Cargo Size: 28
Main Battery: 3 guns, 12 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Low

Brethren Ketch

HP: 65,000
Max Speed: 17
Cargo Size: 36
Main Battery: 3 guns, 12 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Low

Blackbeard Ketch

HP: 35,000
Max Speed: 21
Cargo Size: 20
Main Battery: 3 guns, 12 or 24 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Low

Brig materials and stats

(Image credit: Kraken Express)

• Obtain the Brig Plans by reaching Rank 2 with the Brethren of the Coast and buying Ship Design: Brig (1,000 piastre)
• Repairs: (30) Wooden Planks, (5) Linen Fabric

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Brig materials

Brig models

Brig

HP: 70,000
Max Speed: 20
Cargo Size: 24
Main Battery: 6 guns, 12 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Medium

Brethren Brig

HP: 90,000
Max Speed: 18
Cargo Size: 32
Main Battery: 6 guns, 12 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Medium

Blackbeard Brig

HP: 50,000
Max Speed: 22
Cargo Size: 16
Main Battery: 6 guns, 12 or 24 lbs
Secondary Battery: None
Restoration Cost: Medium

Frigate materials and stats

(Image credit: Kraken Express)

• Obtain the Frigate Plans by reaching Rank 4 with the Brethren of the Coast and buying Ship Design: Frigate (3,000 piastre)
• Repairs: (30) Tarred Planks, (20) Timber, (10) Tarred Fabric

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Frigate materials

Frigate models

Frigate

HP: 160,000
Max Speed: 18
Cargo Size: 40
Main Battery: 12 guns, 24 lbs
Secondary Battery: 6 guns, 12 lbs
Restoration Cost: High

Brethren Frigate

HP: 200,000
Max Speed: 16
Cargo Size: 52
Main Battery: 12 guns, 24 or 36 lbs
Secondary Battery: 6 guns, 12 or 24 lbs
Restoration Cost: High

Blackbeard Frigate

HP: 110,000
Max Speed: 20
Cargo Size: 28
Main Battery: 12 guns, 24 or 36 lbs
Secondary Battery: 6 guns, 12 or 24 lbs Restoration Cost: High