No shot or powder issue

[moody]

Well this one seems a little strange. But when I had no shot or powder on board, I kept getting told about it via the 'toast' pop-ups. So I bought just one unit of shot.
Entered combat with a Buccaneer (not my intention). Couldn't get away so decided to board them. Mid way through the engagement I decided to take the risk of firing a
broadside. From then on, I was repeatedly reminded while Duelling that I had no shot! Not too sure if this was just a one off or if this is intentional.

[Cory Trese]

The game is trying to be helpful by telling you about your ammo situation.

Sounds like I went too far and it's not helpful, but annoying.

Any ideas on how we could show the player they're out of powder without being obnoxious?

[moody]

OK. I'm thinking (or not given the tropical temperatures of the UK atm!) That maybe some form of confirmation from the player to acknowledge the fact that they have no shot.
Possibly one per battle. So once the player dismisses the hint, it will not return until your next engagement. This will probably not make any sense come the morning and so I'll have
to revisit.

Either that or possibly not have the reminder whilst duelling as you have no shot nor would you want to fire a broadside will you and your men are on the other ship.

[Cyrus]

I'd say there are a few useful moments for the warning:
- at the encounter screen where you choose to fight or avoid, so you can decide to avoid/flee.
- in combat when the last shot is used up. You'd already notice this when the various shooting options disappear, so this one's not essential.
- on the world map after combat, since that is the only time you might have run out *and* are in a position to look for a port.
- every once in a while when entering a port or trade hall, since that's the perfect time to do something about it.

[Cory Trese]

Well put.

[moody]

Thank you Cyrus for putting into words what I could not.

[athios]

I like Cyrus' suggestions, with one amendment. For the first case, I suggest having the reminder come in at turn 1. Reasoning behind this is that people playing as merchants might carry no S&P. They wouldn't want a reminder with every encounter, haha...

Not sure if it's possible, but could you change the toast reminder to one of those button dialog boxes? (like the ones you get during a crash: Force Close / Report) That way it's impossible for the player to miss the reminder, but it doesn't persist.