01 - Edward Kenway | Sequence 1 AC IV: Black Flag Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Quite literally, the game tosses you right in the middle of the action. You first need to take over the steering wheel. Ignore the nearby explosions and get towards the bridge straight away. Remember that you can use the "run" button straight away to give speed to your actions.
After you have taken the steering wheel, you will have to destroy the enemy units. You first need to aim the cannons by holding down the aiming button and determining the flight path for the cannonball, using the right analog stick. You shoot with the right trigger. If the distance to the target is greater, also take into consideration the time necessary for the cannonball to reach its target and aim a bit ahead of the ship, instead of at the hull itself. You can deal the most damage by hitting the hull itself. Remember that, apart from controlling the cannons, you are still steering the ship itself, using the left analog stick. Keep an eye on the minimap to prevent colliding with the mainland and to set the ship at the right angle, relative to the other ships.
The smaller ships are not too much of a challenge and they can be destroyed with a single, well-aimed shot. Afterwards, you will have to square off against the enemy's flagship. Fortunately, it will soon be thunderstruck, which will damage it severely at the very beginning of the battle. Still, the enemy will remain relatively dangerous and he will respond with fire from the cannons. Whenever you are under fire, press and hold down, the button for hiding, in order to minimize damage. Shoot whenever it is possible (the cannonball icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen lets you know when the cannons are loaded). To destroy the enemy ship, you are going to need, around, four salvos.
Reach the shore after you watch the cutscene.
Find the assassin
Start your chase. Remember that you need to hold down the run button, which allows you not only to run, but also to climb trees, buildings, rocks, etc. Keep along your path, up the slope.
You will reach some primitive developments in the form of huts. To keep ahead, you need to get to the peak. Start climbing until you reach the passage shown in the screenshot. Remember that you only need to hold down the run button for your character to climb/jump, indicate the direction and approach the wall/edge. The rest will virtually do itself. Reach the other end where you need to climb again, over the tower that you can see in the background.
Directly past the tower, run ahead deeper into the island. To find your target you need to keep pushing ahead and up the path. Still, at first, you can get off the path a bit to explore this area and find the nearby treasures, or skin the nearby animals. You will be able to explore the entire area in the future, right after you complete this mission so, depending on which you prefer, you can focus only on the mission itself or try to kill two birds with one stone and pick up the collectibles along your way. This rule is unchangeable throughout the game. You will be able to return to, virtually, any location you want to collect what you have missed earlier.
After you make it to the next, higher, level you will notice your target for a moment again. Climb onto the hut and follow him towards the waterfall.
Once at the waterfall, the assassin will open fire at you and will resume his escape. Now, you will have to kill him. Follow the same path as he does. The whole trick is to choose the direction in which you are running correctly. All of the jumps and tricks are performed by your character automatically.
After a bit of running, the target will give up the escape and a battle will ensue. The easiest method is to wait for the right moment to counter the strike and kill the enemy quickly. Press the counter-attack button when you notice the red exclamation mark above the his head and, right after time briefly slows down, press the attack button to finish the assassin off with one blow.
Find a way to Havana
You will find the way to get to Havana below the place where you have just fought. Note the red glow on the minimap. This means that it is a closed area where you have no right to be. If you happen to walk in there, you will be immediately attacked after you are detected by the enemy. That is where you need to go to reach the only ship around. So, start your descent.
Soon it will turn out that there is a lot of guards there. And also a lot of thick bushes that you can hide among. All of the spots where you can hide will highlight if you initiate the eagle vision. Climb down when there is nobody around and take down silently the solitary guards when there is nobody to see you. You should remember about the very useful function of whistling to lure guards to you. Once such a guard comes round, use the attack button immediately to perform the assassination. You should watch out, however, and do not whistle when the guards are near each other because you will, this way, attract more than one.
Unlike others, the three soldiers directly near the merchant are not patrolling the area alone so, taking them down silently is not an option. Additionally, you will find there a gunner equipped with a musket, who may be problematic if left alive for too long. Therefore, he should be pacified as quickly as possible. The best option is to approach them, as much as possible, from the right and dash towards them to take them two out by surprise, before they realize what struck them (i.e. before the red circle above their heads fills up). To do that, simply run towards them and press the attack button once you get close enough. The remaining guard will react, naturally, and you will have to fight with him. The best idea is to copy the strategy from the previous fight you have just had and counter the blow, to kill the enemy afterwards. Once all three are dead, approach the merchant on the ground.
After you watch the cutscene, swim up to the ship and take the steering wheel. Then, you will have to sail away from the island over a course that resembles slalom a bit. To prevent running aground, you need to slow down to increase the ship's maneuverability. Once you sail out of the quay, you will leave the isle and sail towards Havana.