Maelstrom

About this game

Grim fantasy combined with thunderous naval combat in a vibrant, monster-saturated world! Captain an Orc, Dwarf or Human warship and sail the turbulent Abyssal Ocean with online multiplayer, in free-for-all & team based matches.

• Be ruthless! Sink other players ships, take their loot and collect their bounty!
  
• Be greedy! Maps are littered with floating treasure chests and ships loaded with gold.
  
• Be cunning! As the match progresses hungry sea monsters become more aggressive and encroach the safe waters ships can sail in. Ships sailing in 'Dead Waters' for too long end up as monster chow!
  
• Be unsinkable! At the end of a match ships can be upgraded and customized with captains, cannons, armor, mates and more!

BOMBASTIC BROADSIDES!

Cannons are the heart of combat in Maelstrom. Cannonballs are physics controlled, with a significant firing arc and hang time, meaning prediction and good aim are necessary to deal damage effectively. On the receiving end, players with good reactions and anticipation coupled with a nimble ship can dodge incoming fire.

WARSHIPS WIN WITH WITS

Enemy ships can be rammed, grappled and boarded!

Maneuver a ship through the swelling sea and prepare for ramming! The faster the ship is moving the more devastating the collision will be on impact.

Boarding locks both ships in place while crews fight it out. If one crew manages to kill all of the opposing crew, it can spell disaster & sink a ship quickly, sending it to the depths!

ARMOR, AMMO AND POSITIONAL DAMAGE

Each ship has armor on all four sides. The armor sections serve as additional defense toward damage to that side and must be destroyed before the ship's hull can be damaged. Maneuvering to keep your armor between you and your enemy is vital to staying afloat - and seeking the enemy's damaged sides will make you much more lethal in combat!
Every cannon has access to three kinds of ammunition and can swap during combat to suit the situation. Ammo is unlimited.

• Iron shot blasts chunks out of ship armor and hull.
  
• Chain shot is used to shred enemy sails and cripple a ship’s speed.
  
• Grapeshot slaughters enemy crew and makes ships easier to board.

LURKING THE DEEP

Like the ocean they reside in, sea monsters are titanic forces of nature. They stalk unwary captains and can devour a ship whole. Like this Murkwater Thrasher.






Each ship in Maelstrom is a character with a colorful history and unique weaponry as well as strengths and weaknesses such as speed, firepower, crew, and toughness. There are many unique ships available for players to unlock and explore.

ASHBORNE, HUMAN FRIGATE

Ashborne has incredibly punishing broadsides and wields spell-infused incendiary ammo, unique to her, which ignites enemy ships!

FREE-TO-PLAY DEFINITION FOR MAELSTROM:

As Free-to-Play definitions vary with games we want to define it clearly so players know what they can expect:

• All gameplay and progress can be unlocked by playing the game for free. No additional purchases are needed to enjoy the game to its fullest extent.
  
• There are no ways to purchase a competitive advantage in game.
  
• Players must play the game to progress & become more powerful. There are no ways to purchase a top tier ship with a powerful crew, it must be earned by playing the game. Players can however, accelerate progression with boosts.
  
• Gold is in-game currency and earned by playing the game.
  
• Gunpowder is premium currency & the only item sold for cash in-game. It is used to buy all of the premium items in the store such as the battle pass, cosmetics, boosters & bundles.
  
• Gunpowder can also be earned for free via the Battle Pass, completing quests & checking the store.
  
• Battle Passes unlock cosmetics, gold or gunpowder & there is a premium track that unlocks additional rewards for gunpowder.
  
• Future content will be added through seasonal Battle Passes, events or content drops.
  
• There are no loot boxes. All Items are directly purchasable in the store.
  
  
  

Latest news

• Announcements·25 Feb 2025Official

  Improvements on the Horizon!

  FORTUNE SMILES UPON YOU! A stagnant sea is a dead one. Alas, worry not, the Maelstrom waters remain ever-flowing and ripe with robust violence! The winds of change bring more than just salt-stung eyes - the team works with their every breath, and today they announce these major updates coming soon. Hot Fix Breakdown Matchmaking Improvements: We’ve optimized matchmaking to significantly reduce wait times and improve synchronization of players within the same power pool. We have fully rebuilt the source code to make matchmaking move quickly and more efficiently. Teams will now be better aligned with matching power levels for a more balanced experience. Boat Shake Fix: The boat shake issue caused by Dwarves and Orcs has been addressed. While it may still occur in rare edge cases, it will now correct itself within 1-2 seconds. UPCOMING UPDATES Serpent’s Rest (NEW Map!) What was once the lair of the Vile Serpent, a terror to all misfortunate sailors, is now nothing more than the beast’s watery tomb. The serpentine monstrosity is believed to have perished mysteriously during The Great Sundering. But the true danger lies within the heart of these putrid waters: a colossal maelstrom, a vortex of destruction. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/58aa44cbc3da3a08a8c5d6010075374743928468.png {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/8e2621dee2da59061f9ad098def0dba5fca47eb1.png The Dockyard The docks are ready! You’ll find your entire fleet on full display in all their splendor. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/13736f587fb9bfd6126b488ea5ef03729a7843b4.png {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/cdaf3765665d9edc6e469e7b59e8f771449346c6.png {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/75e9718b37da1581e39303b1a64894f2a8207031.png Note: some elements are still subject to change. From the Ashes! The Phoenix Empire rises, born anew and prepared to reduce all in their path to ash. The Phoenix Empire has new remastered boats as well as new skins coming soon! Grand Battles on the Horizon! You’ve come to wage war, and it’s war you shall wage. ...
  Read full article on Community Announcements (forthrightteam)

• Patch Notes·20 Dec 2024Official

  Tidings of Treasure and Turmoil: Winter Update!

  Gather 'round the Captain’s Table! Pull up a chair, warm your hands, and let me spin you a tale of the latest tidings from the high seas. Fortune favors you, for the holiday update has arrived! From decks dressed in festive finery to a brand-new tropical haven and some nasty goblin mischief, there’s plenty to keep even the saltiest sea dog entertained this season. As they say, the devil’s in the details—let’s dive in. The Seas Don Their Holiday Best The chill in the air is sharp, but the spirit of the season warms even the coldest waters. The seas are dressed for the occasion, with snow falling gently on the decks, twinkling lights in every corner, and cheerful snowmen keeping watch. Trees adorned with ribbons and finery dot the horizons, adding a festive sparkle to your adventures. Whether you’re plundering or celebrating, there’s no mistaking the festive magic in the air. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/9758995731adf07c0b5b0f5b7ac096b679276943.png A Paradise Beyond the Waves (NEW Map!) If the frost has you yearning for warmer shores, rejoice! The tides have unveiled a vibrant NEW tropical haven—crystal-clear waters, lush greenery, and terrain ripe for exploration and conquest. But beware, Captain, this paradise won’t be yours alone. Others will be drawn to its treasures, eager to stake their claim. The question is, will you prevail? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/bf32c9d7c2ac00f178b7c5e31b1a01ffbd94c521.png Beware the Bombers! Trouble brews on the horizon. Those goblins, cunning and relentless as ever, have unleashed a NEW menace upon the seas. Goblin Bombers—small but deadly—have joined the fray, adapting their PvE tricks for PvP battles. These explosive pests will test your tactics and shake your resolve. Watch your stern, or it might be the last thing you see. {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/9621fa9152a105308e7a1f654dc79d068b7a56a9.png Outfit Your Fleet with Festive Flair A fine ship should look the part, and this season, there’s no finer way to make your mark. Some NEW h...
  Read full article on Community Announcements (galaxiadust)

• Patch Notes·19 Dec 2024Official

  A Jolly Update Coming Tomorrow!

  There’s magic in the frosty air and secrets beneath the waves. A special winter surprise is just around the corner. Keep your course steady, for the next chapter of adventure is fast approaching ... {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/32270695/1d0e96f351167c4d69cee4e331134382814d356c.png
  Read full article on Community Announcements (galaxiadust)

• Patch Notes·6 Dec 2024Official

  Server Maintenance Alert

  Hi Stormers, The servers will need to be taken offline and will undergo an emergency fix until 2:00PM EST. We apologize for the temporary interference of gameplay, but we will see you again soon in the afternoon! Thank you, Forthright Entertainment & The Tideturners
  Read full article on Community Announcements (galaxiadust)

• Patch Notes·16 Nov 2024Official

  Hotfix - 11/15/24

  This hotfix includes the following: Brought back the counts for Bounties, Gold, and Enemies left in a match. Rearranged and resized existing UI elements. First steps on resolving bug with language options. We are aware that there is some irregularity with fonts, and that there might be some incorrect translations. With further patches this will be improved / fixed. For the time being, we wanted to make sure that languages were up ASAP again, so we ask for your continued patience on resolving this! NOTE - TRANSLATIONS ARE DONE VIA GOOGLE TRANSLATE AND WE ARE FORMALLY GETTING THEM DONE PROPERLY BUT WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY. LANGUAGES ADDED Arabic Bulgarian Chinese (Simplified) Chinese (Traditional) Czech Danish Dutch English Finnish French German Greek Hungarian Indonesian Italian Japanese Korean Norwegian Polish Portuguese Portuguese-Brazil (Brazilian Portuguese) Romanian Russian Spanish (Spain) Spanish (Latin America) Swedish Thai Turkish Ukrainian Vietnamese Next week look out for: Additional improvements to UI, including adding quests back in. Still researching: Issues with languages, regarding scale, fonts, and getting a proper professional pass on all translations. "Screen shake" bug. Thank you Stormers! Continue to leave us feedback in the comments and in the Forthright Discord server!
  Read full article on Community Announcements (galaxiadust)