Ejects a stream of flaming chemicals at high velocity. Devastating against wooden ships.
The Flame Tower is a Harbour Building and a defence turret which uses a stream of flaming chemicals to attack enemy ships located within its range and line of sight. It deals significantly more damage to wooden-hulled ships (sailing ships) than to metal-hulled ships (steam ships). It can be built in every region, requires free harbour area, does not need any road connection. After construction or relocation, one minute needs to pass to train fusiliers, only after this time the flame tower can start attacking enemies.
Properties and usage[]
The Flame Tower is a defence turret with high damage and very high attack speed, but medium attack range and low hitpoints. It also has unique combat properties that make it particularly effective against certain types of ships, usually corresponding to sailing ships.
The Flame Tower deals 575% of its default damage to wooden-hulled ships and only 75% of default damage to metal-hulled ships. It translates into the following damage numbers:
- Against wooden-hulled ships: 109.25 damage per shot, 364.17 damage per second
- Against metal-hulled ships: 14.25 damage per shot, 47.5 damage per second
This largely correlates to whether the ship has sails and was built in a Sail Shipyard (which are all wooden-hulled), or uses steam power and was built in a Steam Shipyard (which are all metal-hulled). Effectively all metal-hulled ships are steam-powered; the only edge case to this is the Flagship. Other unique ships such as the Salvager, the Extravaganza Steamer, the Great Eastern, and the World-Class Reefer are all metal-hulled.
Additionally, like all fire weapons, the Flame Tower applies a special effect to ships under its attack. The applied effect is slightly different depending on whether a ship is wooden-hulled or metal-hulled. Upon getting shot by the Flame Tower, the first stage of appropriate effect is applied. Each stage has its specific duration, and after one stage ends the next stage starts. When the last stage is finished the effect completely disappears. Applied effects are:
- For wooden-hulled ships:
- Ablaze!: Hitpoints -500 • Movement Speed -50% • Attack Speed -65% • Stage 1/3 • Duration: 15 seconds
- Major Fires!: Hitpoints -500 • Movement Speed -30% • Attack Speed -40% • Stage 2/3 • Duration: 2 minutes
- Minor Fires!: Hitpoints -300 • Movement Speed -10% • Attack Speed -10% • Stage 3/3 • Duration: 15 minutes
- For metal-hulled ships:
- Ablaze!: Movement Speed -55% • Attack Speed -45% • Stage 1/3 • Duration: 15 seconds
- Major Fires!: Movement Speed -35% • Attack Speed -25% • Stage 2/3 • Duration: 5 minutes
- Minor Fires!: Movement Speed -10% • Attack Speed -10% • Stage 3/3 • Duration: 10 minutes
Thanks to increased damage and the special effects, Flame Towers can easily obliterate all sailing ships, and their high damage and attack speed means they are still a threat to steam ships in their range -- even with the reduced damage, the debuff from being set on fire is significant. Their biggest disadvantages are their limited range and low hitpoints. Flame Towers can be easily outranged by Battle Cruisers, by Ships-of-the-line equipped with items which increase attack range by at least 5%, and by Frigates or the Flagship with items increasing attack range by 30%. Flame Towers are very good defences at the earlier stages of the game, but they lose their value as the enemies progress and gain access to ships that can outrange them, particularly Battle Cruisers. They can still form a powerful part of a multi-element defense, however, if additionally protected by turrets with longer range like Cannon Towers or Big Betties which can force the enemy to either close into their range or take damage even while standing off.
Items[]
Some items when equipped in Harbourmaster's Offices can have an impact on Flame Towers.
Specific items[]
 GunnerCommon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Worth a shot. | ||
 Equipped in Harbourmaster's OfficeAffects Defense Turrets  Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Hitpoints: +200 |
Expedition Bonus Force: +5 Naval Power: +15 |
 ArtillerywomanUncommon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gives the enemy a whiff of grapeshot. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Self-Repair: +300% |
Expedition Bonus Force: +10 Naval Power: +25 |
 MegaphoneUncommon | ||
|---|---|---|
| You still end up shouting through it. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets when activated Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
When activated Morale +25% Duration:03:00Cooldown:20:00 Maintenance Cost: +15% |
Expedition Bonus Force: +10 |
 AuxetophoneRare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sure to get your troops' pulses racing. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets when activated Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
When activated Morale +30% Duration:03:00Cooldown:20:00 |
Expedition Bonus Force: +15 |
 CannoneerRare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Not so much a breech-loader, as a breech-stuffer! | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Damage per shot: +15% Hitpoints: +600 |
Expedition Bonus Force: +15 Naval Power: +35 |
 TrepanN8rRare DLC Required
Sunken Treasures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Makes holes in people so their souls may escape. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Attack Speed: +20% Damage per shot: +10% |
Expedition Bonus Naval Power: +20 Crafting Cost  10 Scrap 10 Weapons 10 Saltpetre |
| Source: crafting at Old Nate's workshop in Cape Trelawney | ||
 Vasco's LieutnantRare | ||
|---|---|---|
| She is in charge of defending this desolate place, and she will charge you extra for wasting her time. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Hitpoints: +600 Damage per shot: +15% |
Expedition Bonus Force: +15 Naval Power: +35 |
 AssassiN8rEpic DLC Required
Sunken Treasures | ||
|---|---|---|
| "Don't blame me, I just make 'em! I'm not the one pulling the trigger..." | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Attack Speed: +30% Damage per shot: +15% |
Expedition Bonus Naval Power: +30 Crafting Cost  10 Nice Scrap 10 Weapons 10 Saltpetre |
| Source: crafting at Old Nate's workshop in Cape Trelawney | ||
 Colonel BarzagliEpic | ||
|---|---|---|
| The colonel appears every inch his rank, his breast thick with proud decorations. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Maintenance Cost: -75% Attack Speed: +20% |
Expedition Bonus Force: +20 Naval Power: +45 |
 Dynamic LoudspeakerEpic | ||
|---|---|---|
| You only have to clear your throat, and they obey. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets when activated Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
When activated Attack Speed +20% Duration:03:00Morale +50% Cooldown:20:00 |
Expedition Bonus Force: +20 |
 Evil ExsanguiN8rLegendary DLC Required
Sunken Treasures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Even Old Nate seems to regret having begat a monster so mean and metallic. That's why he'll only give it to people he trusts. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Attack Speed: +50% Damage per shot: +25% |
Expedition Bonus Naval Power: +40 Crafting Cost  10 Special Scrap 10 Advanced Weapons 10 Saltpetre |
| Source: crafting at Old Nate's workshop in Cape Trelawney | ||
 Field Marshall Matravers, Conductor of ArmiesLegendary | ||
|---|---|---|
| "If every one of us is but a minor character in the endless theatre of war, then for God's sake, steal the show!" | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Spirited Your military buildings deal increased damage when their hitpoints are running low Self-Repair: +100% Active Healing Your buildings constantly repair themselves, even during combat. |
Expedition Bonus Diplomacy: +25 Force: +25 Naval Power: +55 |
 General Ewing Thomson, Planter of FlagsLegendary | ||
|---|---|---|
| An intimidating fellow, certainly - but if you knew him, you'd see he's as game for a lark as any of his soldiers. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
Effects Attack Range: +10% Unwavering Your military buildings deal increased damage when their hitpoints are running low Damage from Ships: -25% |
Expedition Bonus Diplomacy: +25 Force: +25 Naval Power: +55 |
 Thundering Loudspeaker NetworkLegendary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Extremely clear communication means a lightning-quick response! | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Defense Turrets when activated Anti-Armour Gun Big Betty Cannon Tower Flak Emplacement Flame Tower Mounted Guns |
When activated Attack Speed +30% Duration:03:00Will of Steel Residences no longer lose happiness as a result of morale loss during island wars. Morale +100% Cooldown:20:00 |
Expedition Bonus Force: +25 |
Items for all harbour buildings[]
 Carpenter's ToolsCommon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Good for repairing buildings. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings when activated |
When activated Self-Repair +200% Duration:00:45Active Healing Your buildings constantly repair themselves, even during combat. Destroyed after use |
Expedition Bonus Crafting: +6 |
 Builder's ToolsUncommon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Excellent for repairing buildings. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings when activated |
When activated Self-Repair +300% Duration:01:00Active Healing Your ship constantly repairs itself, even during combat. Destroyed after use |
Expedition Bonus Crafting: +8 |
 Dockyard ToolboxUncommon | ||
|---|---|---|
| Helps your harbour recover fast! | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings |
Effects Maintenance Cost: +15% Self-Repair: +50% |
Expedition Bonus Crafting: +20 |
 Dockyard ToolchestRare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Helps your harbour recover even faster! | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings |
Effects Self-Repair: +75% |
Expedition Bonus Crafting: +30 |
| Dockyard Tool System Epic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Wow, there's actually a system for keeping the dockyard running smooth now. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings |
Effects Self-Repair: +100% Active Healing Your buildings constantly repair themselves, even during combat. |
Expedition Bonus Crafting: +40 |
| Deke's Indispensible Dockyard Crate Legendary | ||
|---|---|---|
| A chest any salty sailor would be proud of, filled with things to keep your dockyard running whatever the weather. | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings |
Effects Maintenance Cost: -25% Self-Repair: +150% Active Healing Your buildings constantly repair themselves, even during combat. |
Expedition Bonus Crafting: +50 |
 Hogarth the Harbourmaster, Veteran Of TrelawneyLegendary DLC Required
Sunken Treasures | ||
|---|---|---|
| Joined after you helped the Queen at Trelawney. Was in charge of logistics during the war, so expect military efficiency at the docks! | ||
| Equipped in Harbourmaster's Office Affects Harbour Buildings |
Effects Harbour Activity: +30% Every time passive trade happens at the trading post, there is a chance of gaining 5t of  Coffee,  Gold,  Cotton Fabric,  Rum,  Chocolate.Loading Speed: +100% |
Expedition Bonus Diplomacy: +50 |
| Available from The Queen quest: Tribute to a Legend Unique: you can have only one such item in the game | ||
