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Speedrunner's Guide to Andrew

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2023-12-04 10:12:02

Preface

This guide was made as a thought exercise over how to speedrun Andrew, but should also be useful to those who just want to get through the character quick or people who are stuck and want to figure out what to do next.

Warning: This guide will, of course, be full of spoilers. I will be skipping the content of the cutscenes (they won't even be indicated in the guide), as people can easily watch them if they want, but there will be more than enough hints to spoil part of the story.

You have been warned.

Note: Andrew is the worst character of this game to speedrun. Lots of back and forth, long voyages at sea, and the toughest check of the game to manage. The run is a pain to go through, and takes the longest of all main characters.

Setting Sail/Newcomer Onboard

As usual, Chapter 1 is very much a tutorial. You'll have more fights than usual in this tutorial, but nothing difficult. It's also one of the fastest in the game if not for said fight, which is an advantage as Andrew's story tends to be long.

Go to the Shipyard

Go to the Pier

Set Joyce as Surveyor

Set William as LookoutSail to Ceuta

Go to the Tavern

Talk to ElderlySet Sail

Get the Pillars of Hercules discovery

Return to CeutaSail to Madeira

Fight a single pirate halfway to Madeira

Fight a pair of pirate vessels closer to Madeira

Note: These two fights aren't anything difficult (the second can actually beaten by just staying in place and waiting until the enemies kill themselves on your crew), but the drops they have might have an effect on the rest of your game. Getting Sailor's Bandannas early gives extra speed and, with two, you can skip passing by Copenhagen. The same goes for getting a Hornet Helmet and Hamburg.

Go to the Trade Center

Sell whatever cargo you looted from the pirates

Buy 2 White SugarAuto-Sail to Lisbon

Use the Offshore Topographic Map: Portugal before setting sail

Once you've set sail, put Joyce as Lookout

Put William as Sail Master

Equip a Sailor's Bandanna on William if you have one

Great Navigators

Chapter 2, like all of the upcoming chapters, is exploration-heavy. You'll be visiting every port in Africa in this chapter, along with some back and forth to Lisbon. The advantage is that there are no battle in the entirety of this chapter, so you can relax and not stress about being attacked.

Go to the Tavern

Talk to Julianne

Talk to Sailor

Level Andrew up to 21, and put the point in ShipbuildingGo to the Shipyard

Buy two Common Foremast Hard Sails

Buy a Common Aftermast Gaff Topsail

Repair your ship while thereGo to the Item Store

Buy Offshore Nautical Chart: Portugal

Buy Offshore Nautical Chart: Spain

Note: Activating Andrew's Route Pathfinder ability is a major advantage, so you'll be buying those charts. If you don't have enough, you can sell every piece of equipment and every ship part save the compass we just got and any Sailor's Bandanna you have.

Sail to Copenhagen

You won't be taking a direct route to Copenhagen. Instead, you'll be grabbing treasures for spending money. There are three to be found: North of Porto on the Iberian Peninsula (20 000 gold and Rapier), in the bay East of Dublin in England (20 000 gold and King's Sword), and the peninsula at the top Northeast corner of Scotland (20 000 gold and Celtic Crown).

Note: Only the King's Sword is really necessary, and that's because it sells for 300 000 gold, which will cover your expenses for a long while.

Note 2: Normally, I'd say to grab the North Sea Fishery and even possibly the Scandinavian Fishery discoveries while near them, but Andrew doesn't need them for contribution purposes, and (due to a bug) they don't currently given XP. As such, they are useless detour, however slight they would be.

That will probably change when this gets fixed.

Go to the Equipment Store

Buy until you have 2 Sailor's Bandanna

Sell the King's Sword, Rapier, and Celtic Crown

Note: If you somehow, due to the graces of RNG, already have two Sailor's Bandanna, go straight to Hamburg instead of passing by Copenhagen and do the selling there.

Sail to Hamburg

Go to the Equipment Store

Buy Buy a Horned Helmet if you don't already have one.

Note: You need both an Horned Helmet and a Horn for the purposes of this speedrun. Again, if you already have a Horned Helmet, skip this place and go to the next (this time: London).

Sail to London

Go to the Item Store

Buy Floating DandelionGo to the Tavern

Set William as Sail Master

Set Loris as Lookout

Set Joyce back as Surveyor

Note: Yes, William is the one we will be building up to Brawling 5, as he already as enough of the other two needed stats that the rest of the equipment we'll find will let him pass the check.

Note 2: Loris is needed for the second, less difficult check, which is Music 4/Geography 3. We'll also be working up to that in time.

Sail to Genoa

Note: Grabbing the shipwreck next to Palma is not recommended, as nothing inside can be sold (quite possibly a bug) and it contains no money. As such, it is a waste of time.

Go to the Tavern

Talk to Scholar

Talk to Experienced SailorGo to the Pier

Talk to Sailor

Remove all cargo capacity for supplies

Note: Talking to the Scholar and Sailor isn't necessary for Andrew's main quest, but it unlocks Bernard's Gifts, which will be useful in making money later on, along with getting us a specific item.

Note 2: You won't be needing to transport anything anymore, so going full supplies makes it safer for long distances.

Sail towards Tunisia

Grab the Ras ben Sakka discovery North of Tunisia

Sail to Genoa once done.Go to the Tavern

Talk to Blanca

Equpi the second Sailor's Bandanna to Maltim

Set Maltim as second Sail MasterSail to Arguin

Sail to Las Palmas

Sail to Madeira

Auto-Sail to Lisbon

Go to the Royal Palace

Talk to OfficialAuto-Sail to Madeira

Sail to Cape Verde

Grab the Cape Verde discovery West of Cape VerdeSail to Sierra Leone

Sail to Abidjan

Sail to St-George

Go to the Item Store

Buy Nautical Chart: Gulf of Guinea

Buy Nautical Chart: Northwestern AfricaSail to Benin

Sail to Sao Tome

Grab one of Bernard's Gifts just outside the city (Advanced Telescope, 100 000 gold)

Note: If you're not grabbing all of thell, do grab this one, as the Advanced Telescope is necessary for the future Geography checks.

Sail to Luanda

Sail to Benguela

Grab the treasure just south of Benguela for Horn and 20 000 gold.

Note: Do not miss this one! The Horn will be necessary for the tough check needed in Chapter 3, and outside of this chest can't be gotten except after battles.

Sail to Cape town

Go to the Black Market

Buy Nautical Chart: Vasco da GamaSail to Natal

Grab the Cape of Good Hope discovery Southeast of Cape TownSail to Toamasina

Note: Passing around Madagascar isn't technically necessary for the main quest at this point, but will be in the future.

Sail to Sofala Province

Sail to Mozambique

Sail to Kilwa

Sail to Zanzibar

Go to the Item Shop

Buy the Nautical Chart: East AfricaSail to Mombasa

Sail to Mogadishu

Grab one of Bernard's Gifts Southwest of Mogadishu next to the river (Laurus Corolla, 100 000 gold)

Note: This one isn't necessary and can be skipped if your finances are good enough.

Sail to Socotra

Grab the Cape Adare discovery on the peninsula east of Socotra

Note: Technically, you do not need to sail to every East African Port to get this chart, but you won't be able to use it if that's the case. As you'll be going back and forth from Portugal, you will need it for Auto-Sail purposes.

Sail to Muscat

Go to the Item Store

Buy Nautical Chart: Arabian Sea

Use all chartsSail to Diu

Sail to Goa

Go to Governor's Office

Talk to the GovernorGo to the Teahouse

Oceanic History

Chapter 3 is where most people have issues with Andrew. Not only is there the most difficult check in all main quests of the game, but some of the quest directions aren't clear and can leave people stuck for a while. You also need to wait ten days at sea at the start, which some people might not realize and end up not knowing what to do.

Go to Calicut

Go to the Item Store

Buy Offshore Nautical Chart: India

Buy Nautical Chart: Bay of Bengal

Use all chartsGo to the Item Store

Sail to Kochi

Sail to Puducherry

Sail to Ceylon

Sail to Kolkata

Go to the Shipyard

Buy an Arab Windsail Ship

Install two Common Foremast Hard Sails at the front of your ship

Install a Common Aftermast Gaff Topsail to the back

Repair your ships as neededGo to the Teahouse

Level up Andrew to 31, and put the point in Geography

Level up Maltim to 31, and put the points in Sail Control

Level up Joyce to 31, and put the points in Mapping

Talk to Joyce

Recruit full crewGo to the Pier

Put your new ship as flagshipSail to Goa

Grab the treasure at the bottom of the Island of Sri Lanka (20 000 gold and Crown of Banten)

Stop before arriving in Goa, then wait until 10 days at sea have passed (you'll get a cutscene)

Dock in Goa then

Note: The Crown of Banten is necessary for the tough Humanities check you'll need to do later this chapter.

Note 2: Yes, you need to have been ten days at sea before you get the cutscene. As such, staying put is best; docking anywhere resets the timer, and there nothing else that'll gain you time within ten days of sailing. Just stay in place and wait.

Go to the Governor's Office

Go to the Teahouse

Auto-Sail to St-George

Go to the Tavern

Talk to Sailor (topmost one)Auto-Sail to Benguela

Go to the Tavern

Talk to Joyce to start her side-quest

Talk to Sailor (topmost one)

Note: Normally, side-quests don't make sense in speedruns, but hers unlocks faster Auto-Sail, and we are and will be doing a lot of that.

Auto-Sail to Sierra Leone

Stop just before turning towards the port, then sail West to South America, staying as close to the equator as possible

Grab another of Bernard's Gift at the mouth of the Amazon (Tiny Golden Scale and 100 000 gold)

Grab the Aztec Sun Stone discovery on the south side of the Amazon River

Sail to BahiaGo to the Tea Stall

Talk to SailorSail back to Abidjian

Scavenge the shipwreck just outside the city in the bright spot of sea.

Note: If you arrive closer to Sierra Leone, go there instead. It's just a launchiong point for Auto-Sail

Auto-Sail to Benin

Go to the Trade Center

Talk to Trade Center OwnerGo to the Pier

Auto-Sail to Muscat

Go to Tavern

Level up William to 31, and put the points in Brawling

Level up Loris to 21, and put the point in Geography

Note: With that, you have everything that's needed for the check save an item that comes later.

Auto-Sail to Puducherry

Stop before turning towards the port, and continue instead to Aceh

Dock in AcehSail to Malacca

Grab the Strait of Malacca discovery while passing thereSail to Jambi

Sail to Palembang

Go to the Bookstore

Buy Trade Nautical Chart: Java Sea

Buy Trade Nautical Chart: Banda Sea

Buy Trade Nautical Chart: Celebes SeaSail to Jakarta

Go to the Black Market

Buy Trade Nautical Chart: Eastern IndiaGo to the Commerce Guild

Talk to Wim Mestes

Note: This is part of Joyce's sidequest, and if it isn't available you either haven't leveled her to 31, or haven't talked to her in the Tavern/Tea Stall.

Go to the Shipyard

Install two Shrapnel Guns at the front of your ship

Repair your ship as needed

Note: There's a fight against two enemies coming up, and more fights against the Spanish after that. You'll need those guns.

Sail to Banjarmasin

Sail to Surabaya

Sail to Makassar

Sail to Dili

Sail southeast of Ambon to discover Maluku Islands

Fight the Pirate fleet

Note: this is an easy fight, especially at 2-on-2. Just focus on the flagship as usual.

Sail to Ambon

Sail to Ternate

Sail to Manila

Go to the Governor's Office

Talk to ArandaGo to the Pier

Auto-Sail to Jakarta

Note: By this point, you should have gotten at least the first part of Garaba's recruitment (the missing supllies scene).

Go to Commerce Guild

Talk to Wim MestesAuto-Sail to Mogadishu

Note: Joyce's last ability will unlock after a few days at sea from this point on.

Go to the Cafe

Talk to Scholar

Level up Garaba to 31, and put both points in Sail Control

Equip Garaba with William's Sailor's Bandanna

Put William as Helmsman

Put Garaba as Sail MasterAuto-Sail to Muscat

Stop Auto-sail before docking in Muscat, and continue to Hormuz

Dock in HormuzSail to Basrah

Go to the Bookstore

Buy the Nautical Chart: Red SeaGo to the Library

Equip Advanced Telescope to Loris

Talk to Scholar

Interpret the Ring Seekers using William and Loris

Note: It may be possible in the future to do both book at the same time, but at this point it isn't worth it. As such, you'll be returning to Basrah in not very long.

Sail to Socrota

Stop Auto-Sail before arriving in Socrota, and continue to Aden

Dock in AdenSail to Massawa

Fight the Spanish fleet

Note: You'll be fighting the Spanish right outside Aden. This isn't a tough fight: just two ships. It's also the reason why you kept those guns, as they'll help you deal with the quickly. Dock in Massawa when you're done.

Sail to Jeddah

Sail to Northern Red Sea

Bring four characters and only food

Go straight East to find the exclamation mark (1SE, 3NE, 3SE, 1NE, 2SE, 1NE)

Return to the exit once doneSail to Suez

Go to the Black Market

Buy the Nautical Chart for Smuggling: Indian Ocean

Use all chartsGo to the Shipyard

Replace your frontal guns by two Common Foremast Hard Sails

Repair your ships as neededAuto-Sail to Basrah

Go to the Library

Equip Advanced Telescope and Compass to Andrew

Equip Horn, Horned Helmet, Crown of Banten, and Ring of King Solomon to William

Interpret Damaged Logbook using Andrew and William

Note: Once this check is passed, none of the items are necessary (save the Ring of King Solomon, of course). You can sell those if needed.

Auto-Sail to Massawa

Go to the Governor's Office

Get the Land Expedition Qualification permitGo to the Post

Take four characters and only supplies

Go 8SW, 8S to reach the exact valid square

Return to the exit once done

Note: Unlike in most cases, the exact square is not indicated. As such, you'll need to follow the steps exactly to get there.

Set Sail

Wait outside Massawa for two days (you will get a cutscene)

Dock back in Massawa

Note: If you haven't visited every single East African port, you will not get the cutscene until two days after you've visited the last. That includes Toamasina (which isn't technically on the East coast of Africa), which is the reason we visited earlier.

Go to the Post

Take four characters and only supplies

Go 7SW, 8S to reach the exact valid square

Return to the exit once doneAuto-Sail to Lisbon

Go to Royal Palace

Talk to Official

Circumnavigation

Compared to the rest of the game, Chapter 4 is simple and boring. Just discovering ports and sailing around the map.

Go to Tavern

Level up your Sail Masters as much as possible, putting all points in Sail Control.Sail to Ushiaia

Note: There are multiple ways of sailing there, depending on how your game went. For speedrun purposes, the best is generally to Auto-Sail to Cape Verde, cancel auto-sail before arriving, then sail the rest of the way manually.

Go to the Pier

Talk to ResidentSet Sail

Go a little Southeast and grab the Cape Horn discovery there

Sail to Valparaiso once that's done.Sail to Copiapo

Sail to Lima

Buy Nautical Chart: American West Coasts

Use the Chart you just boughtSail to Lambayeque

Sail to Tumbes

Sail to Panama

Sail to Guatemala

Sail to Acapulco

Auto-Sail to Lima

Go to the Shipyard

Instal two Shrapnel guns in the front of your ship

Note: You'll need those now as there are no shipyards before the next battle.

Sail to Whanganui

Sail to Hiva Oa

Sail to Hawaii

Sail to Samoa

Sail to Samarai

Auto-Sail to Dili

Fight the Spanish on the way

Continue to Dili once that's done

Note: This is the toughest fight to date, but it isn't that tough. Three ships but nothing too dangerous. Just mow the crew of the flagship with your Shrapnel guns, and continue on your way.

Auto-Sail to Jakarta

Go to the Shipyard

Install two Foremast Hard Sails in the front of your ship

Note: these will only be there temporarily as we have one last fight to go through.

Auto-Sail to Goa

Go to the Governor's Office

Talk to GovernorAuto-Sail to Sofala Province

Go to the Shipyard

Install two Shrapnel guns in the front of your shipAuto-Sail to Luanda

Fight Aranda between Benguela and Luanda

Dock in Luanda after that

Note: This is the toughest mandatory fight of the game for Andrew, though it doesn't compare to some of the fights that other main characters have to face. Let the Fortuna act as your decoy for as long as it can, and while she does that, mow down the enemy flagship. It's more risky than usual as the four ships have decent broadside, but it's quite doable.

And, once that's done, there isn't any more difficulty left in this run.

Go to the Tea Stall (if needed)

Recruit crewAuto-sail to Lisbon

Note: And now you're done, save the final cutscenes.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2929367740

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