Man'o'War Battles

there are places in the world where a Man'o'War is idle, these i normally find to be areas where you can be detected while you sail, there may be areas outside these however it's easier here because you can see what their light of sight is.

here's is the process i go about capturing them

1. Sail the Jackdaw around into their blind spot behind and aim the ship so it's directly in line

2. when i am as close as i can be i let go of the wheel and run to the front of the Jackdaw and jump off them

3. while swiming to avoid getting shot i remain underwater trying only to come up for air as little as i can, (this part is hit and miss but i find chances of success better with a 3rd health upgrade)

4. Once at the Ma'o'War i climb onto it, being on it stops the sniper attacks (i assume they are snipers)

5. i climb to the top without getting detected and kill of the gunmen on the main masts, using the guns they drop and my own i try and kill off as much of the crew as i can taking out the strongest first.

6. After everyone is dead, jump off the back of the Man'o'War and swim back to the Jackdaw

7. Sail alongside the Man'o'War and fire off a round, the Man'o'War will be instently cripled

8. during the boarding phase you will not fight anyone (at least i don't), instead the only things to do to capture the ships is to blow up barrels and take down the flag

it can take anywhere between 10 - 30 minutes depending on how careful you want to be, obviously a quicker method is a max out Jackdaw but this way is much more fun.

Man'o'wars are generally for later in the game once your Jackdaw is built up enough. They should be avoided until you are maxed out or very closed to maxed out.

A strategy you can use if you absolutely have to take down a Man'o'war is destroy the little Brigs around them (Man'o'wars are rarely alone) and board them to heal your Jackdaw mid combat.

When boarding a Man'o'war be ready for additional harder objectives to achieve victory, (kill the captain, tear off the flag, kill many more enemies, etc)

You are able to board a Man'o'War by swimming up to it, but getting on boats like that is VERY difficult. I tried climbing onto a smaller ship, and it took me a good while to get in its way to get aboard.

Personally, I would suggest going after small ships, then getting the hunters on your tail. They generally carry ok loot drops for early-mid game, and even with the default Jackdaw you can avoid going under 2 bars of health (so that you repair up to full by selecting "Repair the Jackdaw"). After hunters get too small, frigates are good loot.

If you really must go after a Man'o'War, treat it like you are attacking a fort. Use your speed; launch mortars from afar and often; and stay broadside, while aiming at the hull.