Ship of the Line — Patch Notes

19th-Century Naval Warfare Expansion · 11 New American Warships · Explosive Shells & Ramming System

This update introduces 11 historic American warships, along with new naval artillery and an explosive shell system.

We've also made significant improvements to ramming physics, steam engine operations, naval gunnery accuracy, and ship combat balance, further expanding the tactical depth of 19th-century naval warfare.

1. 11 New Warships Added

Eleven historic vessels of the United States Navy have been added to the game.

These additions include several historically significant vessels, such as Admiral Farragut's flagship USS Hartford, USS Kearsarge, which famously fought CSS Alabama, and the powerful Civil War ironclad USS New Ironsides.

Each ship features historically appropriate armament, propulsion systems, and sailing rigs.

2. Nine New Naval Guns & Explosive Shell System

Nine new artillery models have been introduced, including Dahlgren guns and Parrott rifles used by the United States Navy during the 19th century.

• 9-inch, 10-inch, and 11-inch Dahlgren guns

• 20-pounder and 30-pounder Parrott rifles

• 150-pounder heavy Parrott rifle

• Dahlgren howitzers and rifled guns

Each weapon features its own ballistic characteristics, caliber, firing performance, and reload time.

New Explosive Shell System

Ships equipped with compatible shell guns and rifled artillery can now select between armor-piercing projectiles and explosive shells.

• Wooden Ships: Explosive shells that penetrate the hull can detonate inside, causing extensive structural damage and increasing the risk of fire.

• Ironclads: Explosive shells that fail to penetrate armor detonate on the surface, resulting in limited internal damage.

• Visual Effects: New volumetric explosion and smoke effects have been introduced.

Choosing the appropriate ammunition based on the enemy's hull construction and armor protection is now an important tactical decision.

3. Improved Ramming Combat System

Ship collisions and ramming physics have been extensively improved.

• Collision damage is calculated using ship mass, impact velocity, collision angle, hull material, and structural geometry.

• Ramming vessels can become embedded in enemy hulls.

• Automatic reversing behavior has been added for ships whose rams become lodged in an enemy vessel.

• Bowsprit damage has been improved and now occurs when the bowsprit physically catches on another ship.

These changes allow for more realistic ramming tactics, particularly when commanding 19th-century ironclads.

4. Steam Engine & AI Improvements

• Improved full-power operation and overheating management for steam engines.

• AI-controlled ships now normally operate at rated engine power, reserving overload operation for decisive tactical situations.

• Improved engine overheating indicators and instrument readability.

• Refined firing and operational behavior for ships equipped with modern naval artillery.

5. Ship Combat Rating & Catalog Balance Overhaul

Ship catalog points have been completely recalculated based on their actual combat capabilities.

The new combat rating system considers:

• Sustained broadside firepower, based on the weight of projectiles delivered per minute

• Hull durability and armor protection

• Maneuverability and propulsion performance

These changes provide a more meaningful distinction between traditional ships of the line, early ironclads, and modern armored cruisers.

Example Ship Ratings

Custom battles and point-based fleet battles now use the updated combat ratings and individual weapon data.

6. Combat Interface Improvements

• Reorganized ammunition selection and torpedo launch controls.

• Torpedo launchers now display their mounting positions and remaining ammunition.

• Ship information panels now display individual gun types, calibers, quantities, reload times, and firing ranges.

• Combat logs now identify the actual naval guns being fired.

• Bow and stern chaser fire is now identified separately in combat logs.

7. Gunnery Accuracy, Visuals & Performance Improvements

• Improved secondary battery accuracy by correcting target range and bearing calculations.

• Fixed an issue where upper-deck main guns could fire from incorrect gunports.

• Adjusted muzzle flashes and smoke effects to better match the physical dimensions of individual guns.

• Guns can no longer fire when their gunports become submerged due to flooding or excessive listing.

• Fixed an issue where collisions could incorrectly damage the foremast instead of the bowsprit.

• Reduced temporary stuttering at the beginning of battles and during the first exchange of gunfire.

• Adjusted ocean rendering for improved visual stability.

A Message from the Developer

This update focuses on bringing greater depth and historical authenticity to the defining elements of 19th-century naval warfare: quick-firing artillery, explosive shells, armor protection, ramming tactics, and steam propulsion.

From the galleys of Lepanto to the mighty ships of the line, and eventually to steam-powered ironclads and armored cruisers, Ship of the Line continues to bring centuries of naval technology and evolving battle tactics together into a single world.

I will continue researching and recreating historical warships, refining their individual characteristics, and expanding the systems that allow players to experience the unique tactical challenges of each era.

Your interest, suggestions, and feedback are what keep this long voyage moving forward.

Thank you sincerely to everyone who continues to play and support Ship of the Line.

Important: Please fully close and restart the game after updating to ensure all changes are applied correctly.

May the winds be with you!

From the Developer of Ship of the Line