Pirate How To Corsair

Disclaimer: Portions of this guide are not up to date. Message me on discord Ryebread#0045 for updated advice.

Hi and welcome to How To Corsair.

My IGN is Jess, and I'm currently level 18X, #1 Corsair in the server.

Special thanks to Poppi for making the first guide (which I used). This guide is to build off of that and to add some helpful things I've learned.

Note: this is a training guide, not a leeching guide.

LAST UPDATE: 18/09/23, CURRENTLY IN-PROGRESS
________________________________________________________________
WHY CHOOSE A CORSAIR?

Spoiler: Pros

• Unique skills, fun and challenging to play
• Mobile and tactical skill set
• Funding for decent equips is not expensive
• Not a lot of HP Washing compared to other high damage jobs
• Potential for very high damage, one of the best in the game if used correctly
• Great for bossing

Spoiler: Cons

• Slow levelling and low damage until ~130
• Skill and bossing mechanics can be difficult to learn and master for some
• No useful party buffs either than Maple Warrior
• DPM depends on ability to maintain Battleship
• Low HP, can easily die

________________________________________________________________
FAQ

Spoiler: Do Corsairs have the best DPM?

They have potential to, but most likely not achievable unless you have flawless mechanics with ship and readily available buffs + attack pots

Spoiler: Do Corsairs HAVE to wash?

Technically, you only NEED to wash to be able to do specific bosses. It would be smart to prepare to wash regardless, just in case you end up this far by accident like me...
See the HP washing section for more details.

Spoiler: Will I need base INT?

Some people do, but I would not recommend if you are training. You would not enjoy the low damage, but if you are self-leeching/leeching, it wouldn't hurt. I'll explain more in the HP washing section

________________________________________________________________
AP BUILDS

Corsairs have DEX as their main stat, while STR is used for equipment requirements. In general it is recommended to keep STR as low as possible to maximize base DEX. This is done by wearing and scrolling STR equips. To go STR-less endgame would require godly STR gear.

Spoiler: AP Builds

Low-STR: This is the recommended route if you are not funded. Since Maple Guns may be expensive/hard to find, just get enough STR to equip the gun you want. Once you are around level 100 you should be able to have less than 60 base STR with decent STR gear.

No-STR to Low-STR Hybrid: This is now possible because of Maple Guns. These guns don't have a STR requirement. If you are funded, take this route. A good Maple Canon Shooter (level 64 Maple Gun) should keep you happy until around around level 80-90. Once you hit this point you might want to consider adding in some STR to equip higher level guns.

No-STR: As I mentioned, almost unattainable. I've only managed to get +85 STR from my gear, whereas you need +106 STR to get base 4 STR.

________________________________________________________________
HP WASHING

If you don't know what HP washing is, read up on some washing guides.

Essentially, you will need to increase your HP to be able to battle certain high level mobs and bosses. Equipping INT gear while you level or putting points into INT, increases your maximum MP. Once you have enough excess MP to reset, you will add 1 AP into HP, while resetting from MP into DEX.

Don't over think this!!! Just level with decent INT gear and reset excess MP into HP. About 45 resets should be good for when you get to Horntail level. Also note that washing too much will make the ship take more damage from 1/1 hits. So if you do wash a lot, make sure you dismount at those attacks.

I was able to get to 5.6k HP (Minimum HP needed for Horntail) at level 155 with 45-50 washes. I found out about washing around level 80-90. From there on I borrowed some INT gear whenever I levelled, since I never had base INT. I did make some really bad INT gear (~got 70 INT in total) for when I didn't have borrowed gear. But you really shouldn't need base INT at all if you are only going for the minimum by 155.

Another alternative would be to blood wash. This is adding AP right into HP. I did this to catch up on HP when I realized I didn't have enough. You will then reset excess MP into DEX.
________________________________________________________________
SKILL BUILDS

Here are the skill builds (Numbered from order of recommended SP distribution)

Spoiler: First Job - Pirate

You have two options at this point: Double Shot or Somersault Kick. People use Somersault Kick and hold a high attack common weapon (i.e. Frozen Tuna, etc.) which will give you higher damage and more mobbing ability than the gun build. Personally, I recommend the double shot build even though it is pretty weak, just because you might as well get used to using a gun. I have never tried this build but seen people have success with this.

Recommended Build:

1. Double Shot (MAX)
2. Dash (MAX)
3. Bullet Time (MAX)
4. Somersault Kick (11/20)

Somersault Kick Build:

1. Somersault Kick (MAX)
2. Dash (MAX)
3. Bullet Time (11/20)
4. Double Fire (MAX)

Spoiler: Second Job - Gunslinger

Second job gives you many options for skills. Depending on your playing style, you can distribute your SP many different ways, as long as you max everything EXCEPT Grenade.

If you are planning to grind for the most part use the recommended build. If you plan on PQing and questing early on, you might want to add a couple of points into Wings and Recoil Shot for mobility ***see Skill Mechanics section***, and 1 in Blank Shot for stun instead of maxing Invisible Shot right away.

Recommended Build:

1. Gun Mastery (MAX)
2. Invisible Shot (MAX)
3. Gun Booster (6/10)
4. Wings (5/10)
5. Recoil Shot (MAX)
6. Wings (MAX)
7. Blank Shot (MAX)
8. Gun Booster (MAX)
9. Bullet Time (MAX) + Grenade (Leftover SP)

Spoiler: Third Job - Outlaw

With Burst Fire you won't be AS weak so max this first. From there it is again up to you. I recommend maxing ice and fire first as they can be used alternatively when grinding ***see Skill Mechanics section***. YOU MUST MAX HOMING BEACON FOR AN ESSENTIAL FOURTH JOB SKILL.

Recommended Build:

1. Burst Fire (MAX)
2. Gaviota (1/20) + Homing Beacon (1/20)
3. Ice Splitter (26/30)
4. Flamethrower (MAX)
5. Gaviota (15/20)
6. Octopus (MAX)
7. Homing Beacon (MAX)

Spoiler: Fourth Job - Corsair

Now this is where it gets fun... well once you max Battleship Cannon. This skill give you very high damage when combined with Bullseye. Pretty straightforward. The core skills you will need to max for bossing are Battleship, Battleship Cannon, and Bullseye, so try to max them ASAP.

Recommended Build:

1. Battleship (1/10) + Rapid Fire (1/30)
2. Battleship Cannon 30 (MAX)
3. Bullseye 20 (MAX)
4. Rapidfire 30 (MAX) or Battleship 10 (MAX)
5. Maple Warrior 10 or 20 (9/10 or 19/20)
6. Wraith of the Octopi 20 (MAX) or Air Strike 30 (MAX) or Battleship Torpedo 30 (MAX)
7. Whatever you want...

________________________________________________________________
SKILL MECHANICS (TO BE UPDATED)

Spoiler: Recoil Shot > Wings MACRO

Use this to travel around in flat maps

Spoiler: Ice Splitter > Flamethrower MACRO

Use this as a main mobbing skill as an Outlaw. Alternates between ice and fire quickly and effectively.

Spoiler: Grinding as a Corsair (150+)

TO BE UPDATED

________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDED TRAINING LOCATIONS

Since Gunners are horrible at grinding, it is recommended that you do as many high exp quests as you can at low levels. Party Quests are also a great way to meet people at early levels to grind with, while also getting decent exp.

In general, grinding is pretty rough. It would be best to find a training partner! Some of the recommended spots may be tough without a partner but it is possible to go solo when strong enough.

Spoiler: Training Locations

• 1-10 Maple Island
• 11-20 Quests (Nautilus+ NLC Quiz + others), HPQ
• 21-30 KPQ, Ant Tunnel, Boars, Quests
• 31-34 Quests (Ariant), Teddies
• 35-50 LPQ, Quests
• 51-57 LMPQ, OPQ, PPQ, Quests
• 58-70 GS2, MP3, GS1
• 65-95 Windraiders, Wolf Spiders (75+ with party), Kents (83+ with party)
• 80+ Jr. Newts (Boring/lazy sniping whenever you have enough HP)
• 89-94 Gallopera, Nightshadows
• 95-108 Himes, Nightshadows
• 108+ Himes, Skeles, Petris, Headless Horseman (if enough HP)
• 130+ Essentially any boss you are strong enough to kill, Shaolin Temple, Skeles, Petris

_________________________________________________________
BOSSING (TO BE UPDATED)

I suck at this, but I'll update this soon.
________________________________________________________________
EQUIPMENT

Here are the gears I think should be reasonable to obtain for end game gear. Ideally, perfect gear would be nice, but this gear should be possible to make without the use of white scrolls:

Spoiler: End Game Gear

• 105+ ATT Dragonfire Revolver
• 14+ ATT Brown Work Glove or Yellow Marker
• 8+ ATT Pink Adventurer Cape or Pink Gaia Cape
• 30+ STR Red Barbay (Less Required STR)
• 23 STR, 23 DEX Horned Tail Necklace
• 19 STR, 30+ DEX Scarlion Helmet
• 12+ DEX earrings
• 7+ STR, 12+ DEX shoes OR 2+ ATT Red Christmas Sock
• +ATT, STR, or DEX face accessory
• +1 ALL Broken Glasses
• Anything else I missed

 

Thanks!!!

No cuz I can't do that property either :^)...

):

 

It is definitely worth t to upgrade to a revolver. I think it's it's 5-7 dex = 1 WA... not too sure of the exact values but I know WA should definitely be more of a focus at later levels

 

Base int is not required but is beneficial if you are able to.
If you need damage to grind early on, it is possible to reach 5.6k by 155 through some int gear and a bit of blood washing.
However, if you want have 5.6k HP earlier and maximize the amount of MP you can wash out for the long term, base int is the way to go. Just make sure it is not too much int to hinder your leveling if you are not leeching. And be aware that the more HP you gain, the more damage you take on your ship if hit.

Tl;Dr - base int is not needed but is beneficial. If you intend to grind with your sair I would not recommend base int as it is hell to grind to 130 as is. If you are leeching, add base int for long term gains

 

Going to make some updates soon, hopefully!

 

I think it is worth it to upgrade to a revolver. Your main focus should be upgrading attack and revolvers have the best base attack.

 

Zakum and Horntail preheads are relatively easy to dismount to, however it does take away from dpm, can be really frustrating, and takes time to master. I've never really tested out when it's optimal to dismount, but there are times where I consider it essential to maintain battleship hp.

For Zakum and Horntail I highly suggest dismounting before you get hit with 1/1 attacks (both bosses will make a glowing effect). These attacks damage the ship the most. Also if you cannot dodge attacks that stun while on ship, I would dismount as it leaves you vulnerable to extra damage while stunned.

As for WR until 95, there are other options.
With a party: gs2, mp3, wolfspiders, kents
Solo: nightshadows, Jr. newtie sniping (can be boring), galloperas (never tried)

 

Hmm, I'm not too sure of washing strategies for the new updates. If there are new bosses to battle that give good exp, it might be worth it to wash more. I don't have plans on washing more but if you are able to try it out, let me know how it goes.