OSRS Sailing Ship Cannon Damage Guide
© gamerblurb.com | Published on 11/26/2025 at 4:47 PM CST (USA)
Cannon damage is one of the biggest power spikes in Sailing, so knowing how max hits, accuracy, and crewmates work makes a huge difference out on the ocean.
How Cannon Damage Works
Ship cannon damage depends on three things. Cannon tier, the strength value of your cannonballs, and any active max hit boosts like perildance bitter or divine ranging. Prayers do not work in Sailing. Gear does not boost ship cannon damage. Only ranged level matters when firing the cannon yourself.
Cannon Max Hit Values
Each cannon tier has its own max hits based on the cannonball type you use. Here is the clear list pulled straight from in game values.
Bronze cannon hits up to 11 with bronze balls
Iron cannon hits up to 12 with iron balls
Steel cannon hits up to 12 with bronze balls and 15 with steel balls
Mithril cannon hits up to 12 with bronze balls, 13 with iron balls, 15 with steel balls, and 19 with mithril balls
Adamant cannon hits up to around 16 with steel balls and 24 with adamant balls
Rune cannon hits up to 14 with bronze balls, 15 with iron balls, 17 with steel balls, 20 with mithril balls, 26 with adamant balls, and 30 with rune balls
Dragon cannon hits up to 31 with rune balls and 40 with dragon balls
Perildance bitter stored in a keg gives a permanent plus 1 max hit to your cannon. Divine ranging potion gives plus 3 max hit when you fire the cannon yourself. Crewmates never get potion boosts.
Cannon Accuracy Explained
Accuracy scales off cannon tier and your ranged level. Higher tier cannons have higher accuracy ratings. Bronze is 25 accuracy. Rune is 136 accuracy. Dragon is 162 accuracy. Higher accuracy means your hits land more often against high level sea monsters.
Crewmates use their privateering level for accuracy checks. A privateering 4 crewmate has noticeably better accuracy than a privateering 3 crewmate. Crewmates do not get boosts from your ranged level.
Player Firing Versus Crewmate Firing
When you fire the cannon yourself, your ranged level is used for accuracy. You also get ranged XP for every point of damage dealt. When a crewmate fires, they use their privateering level for accuracy. You do not get ranged XP, only Sailing XP.
Crewmates at privateering 4 hit more often than privateering 3. If both your crewmates are level 4, damage output stays consistent even when you direct one cannon and they fire the other.
Cannon Positioning And Firing Rate
Cannons fire every 5 ticks. You can hit with both cannons on the same tick with a quick wiggle move that rotates the ship slightly to keep both cannons in arc. Large monsters like kraken can be hit by both cannons at once if they stand in front or behind the ship.
What Does Not Affect Cannon Damage
Prayers do nothing. Gear like crystal armor, bowfa, void, or anything else does not work on ship cannons. Avas devices do not return cannonballs. Thralls cannot be summoned on ships. Twisted bow does not help against Sailing monsters.
Final Blurb
Cannon damage comes down to tier, ball type, accuracy, and a few easy buffs. If you get the right cannon and keep your ranged level high, Sailing becomes way easier. Once you add perildance bitter and divine ranging, the sea monsters start melting fast.
FAQ
Do prayers boost cannon hits
No, prayers do not affect ship cannon damage.
Do ranged potions boost cannon max hit
Yes, divine ranging gives plus 3 max hit when you fire the cannon.
Does gear affect cannon DPS
No, gear has no effect on Sailing cannons.
Do crewmates get potion boosts
No, only the player firing the cannon gets boosts.
What boosts max hit the most
Divine ranging and perildance bitter together give plus 4 total max hit.
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