Swivel

Swivels are special miniature cannons mounted atop the edges of a ship. Each swivel can be freely aimed within a 180 degree radius, and will fire a single fast-moving projectile before slowly reloading itself automatically. Ammunition for swivel guns is unlimited.

There are two varieties of swivel with different functions: the Anti-Sail Swivel, and the Anti-Personnel Swivel. Every ship in Blackwake has at least one Swivel of either type.

The Hoy
There are two anti-sail swivels mounted at the front of the ship, and two normal swivels mounted between the middle two sets of cannons on either side of the deck. The two front anti-sails have an identical turning radius centered on the front of the ship, so switching between them will not confer a range advantage.

The Galleon
There are two anti-sail swivels mounted at the front of the ship, and two normal swivels mounted between the the rear cannons and the cabin on either side of the deck.

Gameplay Strategies
The two types of swivels serve drastically different purposes. Both are very useful, but are also a low priority if your ship is damaged or loaded cannons are ready to fire at the enemy, as a general rule.

Anti-Sail Swivels
Anti-Sail Swivel shots will damage the sails of an enemy ship upon a direct hit, and serve no other function. This can be used to make it more difficult for the enemy ship to chase or escape you. The range of the projectile is 1200 meters, although travel time must also be taken into account. When out of combat after all repairs are done and cannons are loaded, these should be manned and firing, as they significantly outrange cannon, and can provide aid to teammates in battle or distract approaching enemy crews with sail repairs. When chasing an enemy ship, both anti-sail swivels should be used to close the distance. If engaged in a long range cannon battle, extra crewmen should prioritize repairs first, then anti-sail swivels over the normal swivels.

Normal Swivels
Normal (or "anti-personnel" swivels) can kill players in a single hit, and serve no other function. The projectile has a hitbox the size of a beach ball, with drop-off that begins to take effect at 200 meters. They cannot damage the sails or hulls of enemy ships, but can shoot through up to three parts of a ship and players, and are capable of hitting players below deck and in cabins.

Manning the swivel and taking out any above deck crew members you can see is a relatively easy way to get one or two kills, and help your crew.

When engaged in a ship battle at 25 to 100 meters, Swivels are the strongest tool at your disposal. They are easier to aim than guns, have a higher fire rate/penetration/lethality than cannons, and the large hitbox of the Swivel can often kill multiple people with a single shot. As such, killing the enemy Swivel user is your first priority, as players standing still at a Swivel are vulnerable but powerful if left alone. After that, a player on Swivel should aim for the enemy captain, pumper, or (if during a Grapple) any above deck enemy crew member you can see, and finally the general area of cannons to kill anyone who is trying to load the cannons through the wall.

Outside of 100 meters, Cannons are a much more effective weapon choice, being more reliable, more easy to hit, and actually able to put holes in enemy ships so they sink. Inside of 25 meters, enemies can often attack you from outside the Swivel's turning circle.