Strategies for Defeating the Four Legendary Ships in Black Flag Resynced

Legendary ships were the ultimate challenge in the Caribbean from the original game, and they make a triumphant return in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, now with even more formidable mechanics and phases. These boss encounters hit harder than ever, but you also have a wider array of destructive tools at your disposal. Plus, the rewards have been revamped, and you can now face them repeatedly since they respawn.

In this remake, what stands out most is the blend of familiar and fresh elements. Revisiting the game after all these years, now with enhanced visuals, has been a delightful surprise on my journey to achieve 100% open-world completion. What I thought I knew inside and out feels new again.

Just like before, there are four legendary ships, each positioned in the corners of the map. You’ll unlock their locations by taking down the fortresses in their respective areas:

These battles are incredibly challenging and will require your Jackdaw to be nearly fully upgraded. I suggest equipping the best armor, broadside cannons, swivel cannons, and a ram—check out the Ultimate Ship Plans, some of which are hidden behind treasure maps.

In Resynced, the legendary ships are tougher than in the original, boasting increased health and damage output, along with clearer phases as you chip away at their health. Your best bet is to recruit the three new naval officers before tackling these legendary foes.

A significant change in the Resynced version is the reward system. The old Ram Dash upgrade, which you used to earn by defeating all four legendary ships, is now unlocked by recruiting Padre. This means you can access and utilize Ram Dash much earlier in the game, and it’s been buffed as well. Instead, defeating legendary ships now grants you ship cosmetics for the Jackdaw’s figurehead, hull, wheel, and sails.

Additionally, legendary ships are now repeatable; they will respawn after a certain period, allowing you to challenge them again.

Here’s a breakdown of all four legendary ships and strategies to conquer them:

El Impoluto, despite being in the starting region, is arguably the second-hardest legendary ship. It’s incredibly resilient and unleashes devastating damage with its long-range cannon barrages, making it tough to brace effectively. Plus, it prefers close-range ramming but also has powerful long-range cannons, so escaping isn’t an option.

Here are some tips for the encounter:

The battle kicks off with El Impoluto attempting to ram you. You could counter with a charge ram, but you’ll take significant damage in return, so I recommend perfect bracing instead.

It will frequently try to ram you, firing heavy shots from its front cannons before impact. When you see it charging, place explosive barrels behind you and fire a mortar in its path. Brace for the ram, then slide to either side of the ship to unleash a volley of broadsides and barrels before pulling away.

Using chain shots against El Impoluto’s sails can disable it, preventing ramming attempts for a short time. This is a prime opportunity for mortar strikes and broadside attacks.

In its second phase, it will unleash extended volleys of flaming cannonballs, starting at close range and sweeping outward. Brace to minimize damage and retaliate whenever you have a chance. Your best damage window is when it charges at you.

Once you defeat El Impoluto, you’ll earn the following rewards:

The HMS Fearless & Royal Sovereign battle is unique as it pits you against two ships simultaneously. This can feel quite unfair, and it’s the encounter I found most challenging. While they have reduced health compared to other legendary ships, once you take one down, the other will ignite and pursue you aggressively.

Here are some strategies:

HMS Fearless & Royal Sovereign will attempt to surround you, bombarding the Jackdaw with cannon fire from both sides. Even with a perfect brace, the damage can be overwhelming. To counter this, avoid sailing between them; instead, sail alongside one of them. This allows you to drop barrels behind, fire your broadsides, and launch mortars.

To level the playing field, use chain shots from your front cannons to disable one of the ships. This makes it vulnerable to ramming, broadsides, and especially mortars.

In phase two (after depleting a third of either ship’s health), they will occasionally drop explosive barrels behind them, which you need to dodge. However, you can shoot these barrels with your swivel guns right after they drop them for extra damage.

If you take down one ship, the other will catch fire and become more aggressive, trying to ram you. You can either focus on taking them both out simultaneously or concentrate on one, which will make it stronger. I prefer the former approach.

Once you conquer this legendary ship battle, you’ll earn the following rewards:

La Dama Negra is heavily armed and the only ship with armor. Its metal hull plates reduce damage from side attacks and prevent critical hits from swivel guns, making positioning crucial.

Here are my tips:

Since La Dama Negra is armored on the sides, focus on dealing damage to its front and back, where it’s vulnerable to critical hits. You can still inflict damage on the sides, so don’t ignore those opportunities, but prioritize the weak spots. This ship is also relatively slow compared to the others.

Utilize chain shots and shrapnel barrels to immobilize it, making it easier to attack from the front and back.

Watch out for its fast incendiary mortar. Look for orange patches on the water to anticipate its targeting, and brace yourself shortly after.

In phase two, La Dama Negra’s mortar strikes become longer, and it will start dropping explosive barrels behind it, complicating your approach from the rear. Be cautious of these and shoot them with your swivel guns for a chance to damage La Dama Negra if you’re quick.

In its final phase, La Dama Negra becomes even more aggressive, firing flaming cannonballs and long mortar barrages more frequently. Maintain your strategy of getting within medium range, bracing for mortar strikes, and returning fire against its front and rear.

Once you defeat the ghost ship, you’ll earn the following rewards:

HMS Prince, known as the ghost ship, is arguably the easiest legendary ship to battle, though it can drag on once it reaches its second phase and starts hiding in the fog.

Here are some tips to take it down:

HMS Prince starts as a typical ship battle, equipped with numerous broadside cannons and occasionally dropping mines and firing mortars. I recommend staying at medium range to minimize threats and using chain shots to disable its movement. Keep this back-and-forth going through each of its fog phases.

In the second phase, HMS Prince will retreat into the fog and rain mortar strikes down on you. You’ll need to sail towards it (but not directly at it) to cut it off while bracing to avoid damage. Once you’re close enough, the fight will return to normal, but this time it will fire stronger, flaming cannonballs.

In the third phase, HMS Prince will once again vanish into the fog, this time appearing faster and further away. As before, sail towards it while dodging mortars. Get close enough, and you’ll return to standard ship combat for the final stretch.

Once you defeat the ghost ship, you’ll earn the following rewards: