The Submarine in Curse of Pirates is an unlockable vessel designed for captains who want direct control over their firepower. First introduced in the "Winds of Change" major content update by developer Funky Parrot and publisher HeroCraft PC, the submarine strips away standard auto-targeting mechanics in exchange for precision manual aiming and defensive rear artillery.
How to Unlock the Submarine in Curse of Pirates
According to official Steam patch notes for the "Winds of Change" update, you unlock the Submarine after defeating the Kraken boss.
In a standard run through the game's five nautical maps, the Kraken appears as an early-game maritime boss before players push deeper into corrupted waters and the Abyss. Surviving the encounter and sending the tentacled terror to the locker makes the Submarine available for selection on future voyages.
Players tracking their progress on Steam can also monitor submarine milestones through the achievement system:
- Das boot: Unlocked upon finding and acquiring the submarine.
- Sub-o-nautica: Unlocked by defeating the Kraken while piloting the submarine.
Submarine Mechanics and Combat Features
Unlike the other playable vessels in the game, the Submarine fundamentally changes how combat flows from a top-down perspective.
1. Pure Manual Targeting
Standard ships in Curse of Pirates feature automated targeting components, firing active abilities and broadsides at surrounding enemies as you steer through enemy fleets and obstacle-heavy archipelagos. The Submarine removes auto-targeting entirely:
- Every primary shot relies entirely on the player's manual aim and crosshair positioning.
- Players transitioning to the Submarine must balance ship steering inertia with continuous hand-eye coordination.
- Missing shots against swift swarms or diving hazards punishes poor positioning, making the vessel an intentional high-skill pick.
2. Stern-Mounted Cannons
To balance the difficulty of manual front-facing aim, the Submarine features dedicated rear-mounted stern cannons. As hostile ships, sea creatures, or suicidal airborne pests trail in your wake, these rear cannons automatically blast pursuing threats chasing your tail. This creates a distinct "kite and shoot" play pattern where retreating lets you deal consistent rear damage while aiming your main offensive payload forward.
Curse of Pirates Playable Ship Comparison
The full 1.0 release features five distinct playable vessels. The known ship profiles confirmed across developer notes and gameplay reviews include:
| Ship Type | Aiming Style | Key Vessel Trait | Verified Unlock Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submarine | Full manual targeting (no auto-aim) | Stern-mounted rear cannons that fire at pursuing targets | Defeat the Kraken |
| Projectile Ship | Standard auto-targeting components | Increases the quantity of projectiles spawned by abilities | Available in ship roster |
| Summoner Ship | Standard auto-targeting components | Buffs summoned creatures and deep-sea companions | Available in ship roster |
| Junk / Standard Ships | Standard naval movement and auto-targeting | Balanced fleet baseline for stacking crew tags | Available in ship roster |
Gameplay Tips for Piloting the Submarine
- Manage Obstacles and Inertia: Naval movement in Curse of Pirates incorporates momentum and turning radius rather than instant directional pivots. Because manual aiming requires your attention on the reticle, plan navigational paths around islands, weather effects like thunderstorms, and terrain obstacles to avoid traffic jams.
- Capitalize on Rear Chasers: When waves become dense, turn your stern toward chasing swarms. Letting your rear cannons clear out melee pursuers frees your primary aim to target elite ships, electro-airships, or flying enemies like aggressive parrots.
- Coordinate Crew Synergy: Whether drafting Edrik Stormblade for lightning chain crits, fire abilities for area denial, or wind rifts to control spacing, pick upgrades that cover wide angles to compensate for narrow manual firing arcs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Submarine have any auto-aiming options?
No. Official patch announcements confirm that the Submarine possesses no auto-targeting for its primary armament. All standard forward shots require manual player aim.
How do you get the Sub-o-nautica achievement?
You earn the Sub-o-nautica achievement by defeating the Kraken boss during a run while actively piloting the Submarine.
When was the Submarine added to Curse of Pirates?
The Submarine was added in the "Winds of Change" content update on May 25, alongside crew member Edrik Stormblade, thunderstorm weather conditions, and electro-airship enemies.
