Freetrader

[marks76]

I'm new to the game and was giving the freetader a try. Just wondering what captain skill line should i head down first? I'm sorry for my newb question.

[marks76]

Also where can a freetrader recipe trainer be found?

[reggie]

i think the town was called san juan ? for the recipies. in the trader house.

[Richard Bonhamy]

Well, I'm still getting familiar with the Captain Skills for FT also, but I do know that some skills are essential if you are going to be hauling cargo around on the OS. Anything that improves speed and handling, for example. You'll also want good boarding defense skills, to help fight off those pesky Pirates.
I wasn't in Beta, but maybe someone who was could answer your question better than me.
The FT recipe trainer can be found in San Juan. I don't know if there are plans on them being in other areas.

[Narninian]

The Free trader advanced recipes can be found in San Juan - but you can not use those skills unti level 30 so I wouldnt recommend getting the Logistics skills unless you planned on using Trade connections to view Distant Auction Houses.

I'm going with Desperation 3, Trade 3, and Travel 2 at first for some better manuevering/speed/ and a nice +40% damage shot every minute for faster missions. Now I'm debating on whether I want to get logistics 3 to monitor prices during the 2 week head start, or to not worry about it, and get Provisions 2 and Hold Together or Rum Ration (Although I dont like spend the money on those using 2 skills this early)

[Zotto]

for solo leveling, i have found that being able to reduce the target crew and grapple on quickly goes fastest. the Desperation line helps with that by increasing your damage. Desperation Fire does also do damage to your own ship, but since you automatically repair to full after a fight, it is really not a problem unless you are seriously outmatched.

if you want to play with the economy, i would go Logistics up to Trade Connections and then start on the Travel line. being able to see all the auction houses, you can buy low in one place and sell for a profit in another. this takes some study though, you have to know where commodities will actually sell well, too.

freetraders do get boosts to crafting with their class recipes, but at these preboarding low levels and with the brand new economies in place, i dont think they are worth it yet.

for pvp, freetraders make awesome tacklers because of the buffs to speed and Deter Pursuit which is hax.

no matter how you spec, find one point to put into Travel for the open sea speed boost.

[Narninian]

Originally Posted by Zotto no matter how you spec, find one point to put into Travel for the open sea speed boost.

Highly agree with this one; and as long as that point is placed might as well put one more point to get a permanent (Unless you use a different Battle Prep) +20% Turn rate buff. This is helpful for trading (getting to correct angle quickly on OS or for running away in battles) or General combat.

[marks76]

Thank you all for the help )