Edward Kenway is a mess. Let’s be real. Unlike Altaïr or Ezio, he isn't some noble soul born into a Creed with a sense of duty. He’s a greedy, charismatic privateer who basically stumbles into the Assassin-Templar war because he wants to get paid. That’s what makes this game special. But if you’re looking for an assassin's creed iv black flag walkthrough that actually respects your time, you’ve gotta understand that this isn’t just a stealth game. It’s a pirate simulator with a hidden blade.
Most people play this wrong. They rush the main story and then wonder why their ship, the Jackdaw, gets absolutely shredded by a Man-o'-War in the late-game missions. You can't do that. You shouldn't do that. The Caribbean is big, blue, and incredibly lethal if you aren't prepared.
Getting Your Sea Legs in Havana
Havana is where the game tries to trick you into thinking it's a traditional Assassin's Creed game. It’s got the narrow streets, the red-tiled roofs, and the plenty of haystacks. You’re following the "False Duncan Walpole" storyline here. Honestly? Don't stress the 100% synchronization on your first pass through the city.
The main thing to focus on in these early Sequences is learning the movement. Edward feels a bit heavier than Ezio. His parkour is fluid, but the climbing mechanics in 2013—which is when this gem dropped—can occasionally result in Edward leaping off a cathedral when you just wanted him to grab a ledge.
Wait.
Before you leave Havana, go find the taverns. Unlocking them reveals the map locations for collectibles. Even if you aren't a completionist, the extra pocket change from the chests helps when you finally get your hands on the Jackdaw.
The Jackdaw is the Real Main Character
You get the ship in Sequence 3. This is where the assassin's creed iv black flag walkthrough really begins. Everything in this game revolves around the Jackdaw. If you don't upgrade your hull and your broadside cannons, you are going to have a miserable time during the "Prisons and Ships" mission.
Here is the secret: Prioritize the Mortars.
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A lot of players ignore mortars because they’re tricky to aim at first. Big mistake. Being able to rain fire from 500 meters away before a Spanish frigate even knows you're there is the ultimate "get out of jail free" card. To upgrade these, you need metal. Wood is everywhere. Cloth is easy. But metal? You have to hunt for it. Use your spyglass. Look for ships carrying at least 30 or 40 units of metal. If they’re in a convoy, even better.
Also, don't sleep on the diving bell missions later on. They're claustrophobic and the sharks are jerks, but that’s where the elite upgrade plans live. You literally cannot max out your ship without them.
Stealth is Optional (Until It Isn't)
Assassin’s Creed IV loves its "tailing" missions. Fans hate them. We all know this. The game forces you to eavesdrop on conversations while hiding in bushes or blending with crowds.
The trick to surviving these without throwing your controller? Use the Berserk Darts.
Seriously. The blowpipe is the most broken tool in Edward’s arsenal. If there’s a guard tower overlooking the area where you need to eavesdrop, don’t try to sneak up there. Hit the guard with a Berserk Dart. He’ll start a fight, draw the attention of every other guard in the vicinity, and leave a nice, quiet path for you to stroll through while listening to the Templars yap about the Observatory.
It’s not "honorable," but Edward Kenway isn't an honorable guy for 80% of the game. Lean into it.
The Observatory and the Late Game Grind
By the time you reach the final sequences, the plot gets heavy. Blackbeard, Mary Read, Anne Bonny—the historical cameos are top-tier, but the missions get significantly harder. The "Observatory" mission is a gauntlet. You’ll be fighting through jungle terrain filled with Guardians who use blowpipes just as well as you do.
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Stay in the trees. The ground is a death trap.
Essential Upgrades for the Finale:
- Hull Armor: Level 4 minimum.
- Heavy Shot: This is for when you're side-by-side with a legendary ship. It deals massive damage without needing to aim.
- Swivel Guns: Upgrade these so you can hit the weak spots quickly during boarding actions.
The legendary ships—those four bosses in the corners of the map—are the true test. Don't even look at them until your ship is gold-plated and you've mastered the "ram and fire" technique. The El Impoluto will literally delete your health bar if you let it ram you.
Making Money Fast (The Pirate Way)
Money (reales) makes the world go round. The best way to stack cash isn't the main missions. It’s the Naval Contracts. You find these at the various forts you capture. They usually involve taking out a specific target or protecting a merchant. They pay well, and they usually put you in the path of ships carrying high-value cargo like rum and sugar.
Sell the sugar. Sell the rum. Keep the metal and wood for the ship.
One thing people often overlook is the Kenway’s Fleet minigame. It’s tucked away in the captain’s cabin. It looks like a boring mobile game, but it’s a passive income engine. Capture ships, add them to your fleet, and send them on trade routes. By the time you’re halfway through the story, the fleet can be generating thousands of reales every time you log in.
Navigating the Modern Day Abstergo Sections
Every now and then, the game yanks you out of the 18th century and puts you in the shoes of a nameless Abstergo Entertainment employee. It’s jarring. Some people hate it.
However, if you're a lore nerd, these sections are gold. Use your tablet to hack computers. You’ll find files on Desmond Miles, the fate of other Assassins, and some pretty creepy stuff about Juno. If you just want to get back to the pirating, just follow the waypoint and ignore the collectibles. But you'll miss out on the "why" behind the game's setting.
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Hunter and Prey: Dealing with the Spanish and British
The naval AI in Black Flag is actually pretty decent. They will try to flank you. The Spanish ships tend to be a bit more aggressive with ramming, while the British have better gunnery.
When you’re in a massive fleet battle, don’t just focus on the biggest ship. Take out the small schooners first. They’re annoying, they chip away at your health, and—most importantly—sinking them allows you to "repair in combat." If your ship is failing, board a small vessel you've disabled. Choosing the "Repair Jackdaw" option mid-battle is the only way to survive the high-level zones in the south.
Final Practical Steps for Success
To truly master the Caribbean and finish the story with ease, follow this specific progression logic:
- Clear the Fog: As soon as you get the Jackdaw, sail to every viewpoint you can reach without getting sunk. It makes fast travel much easier later.
- Upgrade the Harpoon: Whaling is the easiest way to get materials for Edward’s personal upgrades (health upgrades and holsters). You need those extra pistols. Carrying four loaded pistols means you can end most boarding fights in about ten seconds.
- Capture Forts: Capturing a fort reveals everything on the map in that sector. It also gives you a safe harbor where the Navy won't chase you.
- Master the Counter: In land combat, Edward is a beast. Don't spam the attack button. Wait for the yellow icon, counter, and then chain your kills. You can wipe out ten soldiers in a row if you get the rhythm down.
- Ignore the White Whale (Initially): Unless you have the upgraded harpoon strength, the White Whale will just wreck your rowboat. Focus on bull sharks and hammerheads first.
Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag is arguably the peak of the "old school" AC style before the series went full RPG with Origins and Odyssey. It’s a game about freedom. Don't let the mission markers dictate your fun. If you see a weird island on the horizon, go sail to it. Usually, there’s a treasure map or a piece of Mayan armor waiting for you.
The story of Edward Kenway is one of the best in the franchise because it’s a redemption arc that actually feels earned. By the time the "Parting Glass" starts playing at the end, you’ll be glad you spent those hours upgrading the Jackdaw and exploring the West Indies.
Stop reading and go get that gold. The Spanish Treasure Fleet isn't going to loot itself.