Close Combat Guide
Overview
Sea of Conquest features two fundamentally different combat modes: Naval Combat and Close Combat (also called boarding). While naval combat revolves around ship cannons, fleet formations, and ship-specific skills, close combat is a turn-based 5v5 RPG system in which heroes fight directly against one another. Many heroes who excel in naval combat are noticeably weaker in close combat — and vice versa. Understanding both modes is essential for long-term success in the game.
Close combat (boarding) is triggered in various situations: resource node contests on the world map, tavern brawls, certain trial stages, and PvP encounters when a player boards an enemy ship. Heroes fight without their ships during these encounters, relying on dedicated close combat skills that are completely separate from their naval warfare abilities.
Details
What Triggers Close Combat
Close combat is activated in the following situations:
- Boarding (Entering an enemy ship): A player or enemy boards a ship on the world map.
- Resource node conflicts: Two players claim the same gathering node simultaneously.
- Tavern brawls: Certain story quests and narrative missions.
- Trials: Some trial stages automatically switch to close combat mode.
Close Combat Mechanics
In close combat, up to 5 heroes per side fight in turn order. The Speed stat of each hero determines the action sequence. Each hero performs one action per round, typically targeting the nearest enemy.
Normal attacks generate Rage Points. Each party can accumulate up to 10 Rage Points. Tapping a hero's portrait in the lower right corner activates their Rage Skill — a powerful special attack with its own cooldown timer.
| Aspect | Naval Combat | Close Combat |
|---|---|---|
| Combat type | Ship vs. ship | Hero vs. hero (5v5) |
| Control | Cannon dragging + hero abilities | Automatic; Rage Skill manually activated |
| Relevant stats | Ship ATK, Armor, HP | Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Speed |
| Turn-based | No (real-time auto-battle) | Yes, based on hero Speed stats |
| Hero abilities | Naval warfare skills | Dedicated close combat skills |
| Damage system | 5 damage types, synergies | 5 damage types + status effects (bleed, poison) |
Key Hero Stats in Close Combat
Heroes possess five core stats that function differently in naval combat versus close combat:
| Stat | Effect in Naval Combat | Effect in Close Combat |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | +0.2% Ship ATK per point | +2 direct damage per point |
| Constitution | +0.2% Sailor HP per point | +10 HP per point (direct) |
| Agility | +0.2% Ship Armor per point | Increases block chance in close combat |
| Dexterity | +0.2% Ship Impact per point | Increases damage and critical hit chance |
| Speed | Largely irrelevant | Determines turn order |
The Speed stat is crucial in close combat: acting first grants an enormous tactical advantage. Heroes with high speed can apply crowd control before enemies can respond.
Best Heroes for Close Combat
Not every hero performs equally in close combat. Some heroes are designed primarily for naval warfare and contribute little during boarding. The following table shows the most important heroes and their performance in both modes:
| Hero | CC Performance | Naval Performance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ophelia | Excellent (S) | Good (A) | AoE damage + Panic effect (enemies attack each other); buffs allied damage against panicked targets |
| Cursed Ed | Excellent (S) | Good (A) | Delays enemy turns, suppresses healing, increases incoming damage; does not need to be the lead captain |
| Griffin | Very Good (A+) | Very Good (A+) | Undead transformation: massive AoE Vengeance Inferno; increases ATK after transformation |
| Luna | Very Good (A+) | Good (A) | 3 random attacks (270% ATK); increases own speed; 20% chance to reduce active skill cooldown by 1 turn |
| Eileen | Very Good (A+) | Good (A) | Increases speed; extends enemy cooldown; shortens allied cooldown; bonus effects against bleeding targets |
| Qi Lanting | Good (A) | Good (A) | Ideal against single targets; reliable single-target damage in both modes |
| Cordelia | Good (A) | Very Good (A+) | Reliable healing and dispelling; stable kit with few synergy requirements |
| Boa | Conditional (B) | Good (A) | Poison damage (DoT) only effective in longer close combat encounters; less useful in short fights |
| Old Ahab | Conditional (B) | Very Good (A+) | Excellent naval tank; shielding abilities are less impactful in close combat |
| Armstrong | Weak (C) | Excellent (S) | Optimized for naval combat; minimal close combat contribution |
Close Combat Team Composition
A close combat team of 5 heroes should include representatives from all three classes:
- Firepower: Heroes with high attack and special abilities (Ophelia, Griffin, Luna)
- Support: Healing and buff heroes (Cordelia, Cursed Ed for debuffs)
- Defense: Heroes with high HP and shielding abilities
Tips
- Check your heroes' close combat skills: Not all heroes have dedicated CC skills. Read ability descriptions carefully before deploying a hero for boarding encounters.
- Prioritize Speed in close combat: A hero that acts first can apply crowd control and dominate the fight. Luna and Eileen raise their own speed through passive abilities.
- Use Cursed Ed even without the captain slot: He does not need to be the ship's lead captain to activate his CC debuff — placing him anywhere in the crew is sufficient.
- Combine damage types: The game features 5 different damage types. Combining multiple types within your close combat roster maximizes effectiveness against varied opponents.
- Avoid boarding by fleeing: In auto naval combat, you can escape a boarding attempt by moving out of the enemy's range. If your close combat team is weaker, use this tactic proactively.
- Save Rage Points for critical moments: Do not immediately activate Rage Skills — wait for the right moment when multiple enemies are vulnerable.
- Prioritize rank upgrades for key CC heroes: Higher-ranked heroes unlock new passive abilities that often include specific close combat bonuses, making upgrades especially worthwhile for your boarding specialists.
Sources
- AllClash – Best Hero Tier List in Sea of Conquest (retrieved: 2026-03-06)
- Level Winner – Sea of Conquest Beginner's Guide (retrieved: 2026-03-06)
- AppGamer – Heroes Guide (retrieved: 2026-03-06)
- BlueStacks – Ship and Hero Formations Guide (retrieved: 2026-03-06)
PvP {{tag>pvp}}
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