Windrose puts you in the Caribbean as an outnumbered captain from the moment the tutorial ends. The naval AI sends sloops at your flanks while a man-o'-war hammers you from range, and your starter cannons just don't cut it past the early zones. The solution is the 36-Pounders, a trio of Epic-rarity heavy artillery pieces that sit at the top of the game's damage hierarchy. Getting there takes faction grinding, a specific ship, and knowing which variant actually fits your combat style.
Why the 36-Pounders are the best cannons in Windrose
The 36-Pounders are the strongest cannons currently available in Windrose's early access build. At maximum level (15), each variant hits 380 attack, which is the highest direct hull damage output in the game. There are three versions to choose from: 36-Pounders: Perfectly Ordered, 36-Pounders: Devastating, and 36-Pounders: Tempered. All three are Epic rarity and share the same base damage ceiling, but their passive effects push your playstyle in very different directions.
Before these, the natural progression runs through 12-Pounders in the early game and 24-Pounders as a solid mid-game option for Brig builds. According to sportsrant.indiatimes.com, 24-Pounders are a strong enough upgrade to speed up faction farming and get you to the 36-Pounder tier faster. Don't skip them entirely if you're still a few reputation levels away from the endgame unlock.
36-Pounders loadout selection
Windrose is currently in early access, developed and published by Kraken Express. Stats and unlock requirements may shift with future patches.
Which 36-Pounder variant should you pick?
This is where most guides stop short. All three variants cost 500 Piastre each from the Rogue Buccaneers, and you can only mount one type at a time, so the decision matters. Here's a breakdown based on their documented passive effects:
Perfectly Ordered is the stronger pick for most of the game because it keeps your firing rhythm fast and consistent without requiring setup. The reload bonus triggers constantly, which means you stay aggressive even when your positioning isn't perfect.
Devastating becomes the better option later, once you're consistently landing clean volleys. The Raked effect stacks up to 3 times, and at that point each follow-up shot hits significantly harder. It's the right call for taking down large boss ships where fights stretch beyond a few exchanges.
Tempered sounds powerful on paper, the 40% damage boost is real, but the 6-second wait after reloading works against how naval combat flows. Ships move, angles change, and holding your fire usually means eating a broadside while you wait. Community testing documented by gamerblurb.com consistently shows it underperforms in practice.
If you're farming PvE encounters and fights feel chaotic, stick with Perfectly Ordered. Switch to Devastating once you're landing full volleys reliably and fights are lasting more than a few exchanges.
How to unlock the 36-Pounders
Rogue Buccaneers shop tier 4
Step 1: Reach reputation level 4 with the Rogue Buccaneers
The Rogue Buccaneers are the only faction that sells 36-Pounder plans. They won't show you their Epic inventory until you hit reputation level 4 with them. The two main questlines that build this reputation are "Buccaneers" and "Glorious Hunters", both of which are combat-heavy missions involving sea monsters and rival captains. You'll also need to turn in trophies like Crocodile Heads or Boar Heads to push your standing up between quests.
According to sportskeeda.com, the Rogue Buccaneers are allies of the Brethren of the Coast and are described as the finest marksmen in the Caribbean, which is reflected in the quality of their stock once you earn their trust.
Step 2: Buy the plan for your chosen variant
Once you hit level 4 reputation, the Epic section of the Rogue Buccaneers shop unlocks. Each 36-Pounders Plan costs 500 Piastre. Buy the one that matches your intended playstyle from the table above. You can only equip one variant at a time, so there's no need to purchase all three unless you want the flexibility to swap.
Step 3: Get the Frigate (the only ship that can mount 36-Pounders)
Here's the part that catches players off guard. Standard ships like the Brigantine or Sloop are mechanically blocked from equipping 36-Pounders due to weight and recoil limits. You need Blackbeard's Frigate, which is currently the only vessel in the game that can handle this artillery.
To build it, purchase the Ship Designs: Frigate from the Brethren of the Coast for 3,000 Piastre. Then gather the following materials for construction:
- Nails (x300)
- Foothills Iron Ingot (x120)
- Wooden Plank (x320)
- Timber (x160)
- Tarred Planks (x80)
- Linen Fabric (x240)
- Tarred Fabric (x80)
- Rope (x80)
- Shipwright's Tools (x50)
Foothills Iron Ingots require mining Foothills Iron Ore from rocky islands in the southern part of the map and smelting them at a Furnace. Tarred Planks and Tarred Fabric need the Alchemy Table and Charcoal. Shipwright's Tools can be found in crates at Port Royal or bought from traders.
The Frigate is significantly slower than a Sloop and has a wider turning radius. You'll need to compensate with range and positioning rather than speed.
Step 4: Craft and mount at the Shipwright's Workshop
With the plan purchased and the Frigate built, head to your Shipwright's Workshop. Select your chosen 36-Pounder variant, confirm you have the required Iron and Timber, and craft it. Once built, enter the Ship Customization menu while docked and drag the cannons into the broadside slots.
What about ammunition?
The 36-Pounders are strong with standard cannonballs, but the right ammo type multiplies their effectiveness. According to xboxplay.games, carrying Heated Shot for fire damage and Grapeshot for crew kills turns these cannons from good to genuinely oppressive. The Tempered variant in particular benefits from learning to aim at the glowing Weak Spots on enemy hulls, where the 20% bonus damage applies.
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