To use swivel guns in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, hold R1 on PS5, RB on Xbox or Left Shift on PC during a naval fight to bring up the swivel reticle, then move it onto a glowing red weak point on an enemy ship, fort or floating barrel. Swivels do their real damage only against those red points, so the job is to open weak points with your other weapons first and then pick them off.
Veterans of the 2013 game often get stuck here, because guides describe a change in how swivels aim. Below we cover the controls, how weak points work, the aiming change, swivels before boarding, and upgrades.
Swivel Gun Controls on PS5, Xbox and PC
The launch control lists agree on the default binding, and players point out that the ship weapon panel in the lower left of the screen shows the button for each weapon.
- PS5: hold R1.
- Xbox Series X|S: hold RB.
- PC: hold Left Shift.
How the shot itself goes off is where reports differ. Some players on the game’s Steam forum say holding the button and sliding the reticle over a red point fires automatically. Others describe holding the swivel button and then pulling the fire trigger (R2, RT or left click). If the reticle is on target and nothing happens, pull the trigger while you keep holding. If it still does nothing, check the ship section of the controls page in Settings: one player found the swivel had been set to a toggle there.
How Weak Points Work
Weak points are glowing red markers that appear on enemy hulls. Guides describe the loop the same way: damage a ship with your cannons or a ram until weak points appear, then hit them with the swivel for a burst of extra damage.
- More weak points on the way. Ubisoft’s launch notes say the remake’s new 8-pounder cannons “open up more weakpoints in enemy ship hulls,” which means more targets for your swivels.
- Forts have them too. Guides for fort captures recommend switching to swivels to pick off a fort’s structural weak spots instead of firing blindly at the walls.
- Floating barrels count. Players on the Steam forum confirm the red markers on explosive barrels in the water are swivel targets as well. Shooting them as an enemy passes turns a barrel into free damage.
- Armor blocks them. A legendary ship guide notes that the armored La Dama Negra’s side plating prevents swivel critical hits, so aim for its bow and stern instead.
Players also note that the helm swivel only works during the naval fight itself: once an enemy is disabled and ready to board, it no longer targets that ship.
Manual Aiming and What Changed
Guides describe the remake’s swivels as manually aimed, closer to the system Assassin’s Creed Rogue used than to the more automatic targeting players remember from 2013, and one launch guide lists manual aiming as an unlock tied to the Sequence 3 mission This Tyro Captain. Players who remember the original do not all agree on how much changed, but the practical fix is the same: hold the button, drag the reticle onto each red point in turn, and fire.
Players also disagree about the fully upgraded swivels. One says the top tier fires at every weak point in quick succession while you hold the inputs, another says each weak point still needs its own shot. Until Ubisoft documents it, plan on aiming each one yourself.
Swivels Before Boarding
Swivels have a second job. Guides and players describe Edward manning a swivel gun on the Jackdaw’s deck as you pull alongside a disabled ship to board it, firing at the enemy crew. Each shot can knock out several sailors, which lowers their morale before your boarding party crosses. Ubisoft’s naval deep dive explains that breaking morale, by fighting the crew or cutting down the flags, is what makes a ship surrender.
This deck swivel has only a handful of shots (players report about five), so aim at clusters rather than lone sailors. Once the crew surrenders, you can choose Repair, as our guide to repairing the Jackdaw explains.
How to Upgrade the Swivel Guns
Swivel upgrades are bought at any Harbourmaster, and guides describe each tier as a damage boost. Two things gate the final tier:
- The Swivel Guns Ultimate Plan. Collectible guides place it in an underwater chest in the Devil’s Eye Caverns shipwreck. Underwater shipwrecks open up once the story introduces diving, which guides tie to Sequence 6.
- An upgraded Harbourmaster building at Great Inagua. Ubisoft says its three levels each increase “the number and tier of upgrades you can purchase for the Jackdaw.”
Swivels pair well with the unaimed close-range broadside. Our heavy shot guide covers that volley, and heavy damage up close is a quick way to open weak points in the first place. For scouting targets before you engage, see our guide to Eagle Vision and the spyglass, and for more of the series, our Assassin’s Creed Shadows guides hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why won’t my swivel guns fire? Usually there is no weak point under the reticle. Damage the target first until red markers appear, then hold R1, RB or Left Shift and put the reticle on one. If it still will not fire, pull the fire trigger while holding, and check whether the swivel is set to a toggle in Settings.
Can swivel guns hit forts? Yes. Forts show red weak points too, and fort guides recommend shooting those with swivels rather than firing blindly at the walls.
Can you shoot barrels with swivel guns? Yes. Explosive barrels floating in the water carry red markers, and swivels detonate them. It is a handy way to damage a ship sailing past one.
Do swivel guns aim automatically in Black Flag Resynced? Guides say not in the way they did in 2013. They describe manual aiming, and players still disagree on whether the top upgrade tier automates any of it.
Where is the Swivel Guns Ultimate Plan? Collectible guides place it in an underwater chest in the Devil’s Eye Caverns shipwreck, reachable once diving unlocks in the story.