Empire: Total War - Game Mechanics - Naval Battles - Crossing the T - game guide, walkthrough, secrets, game tips & strategies

Crossing the T – sail near enemy bow or stern and launch volley at the enemy.

The so-called Crossing the T is one of the best maneuvers that can be performed in the game. Look at the picture above. As you can see, you must turn your side of the ship to the bow or to the stern of the hostile battleship. In this situation, two vessels seen from a bird's eye will form a letter "T" in which your ship serves as a line on the top.

Why it is good to use this maneuver? Both the bow and the stern are unsecured - the number of cannons in these areas are very low. When you use Crossing the T your enemy is unable to answer with fire for a short period of time.

Do not use side volleys when doing Crossing the T – you will avoid losing missiles. It is better to order a simple attack which can result in better accuracy and increased firepower.