What is the difference between Attack and Damage Bonus?

Attack is the ship's base stat that hero skills multiply. Damage Bonus is a separate final multiplier applied per damage type. They multiply against each other.

Which should I raise?

Whichever is proportionally lower. Marginal value always sits with the weaker multiplier.

Where does Attack come from?

Ship level, cannons, artillery ammo and star observation, multiplied by the Captain's Quarters sailor bonus, Might (+0.2% per point), correct hero placement (+20%) and attack-percentage gear.

Where does Damage Bonus come from?

Mainly trinkets and yellow gems, plus some hero skills. Ship parts give Attack instead.

Does hero placement really matter?

Yes — matching a hero to a ship of their damage type grants a +20% attribute bonus. It is the cheapest upgrade in the game.

Why does my gem seem to do nothing?

Damage Bonus is per damage type. A gem boosting a type your ship does not deal contributes zero.

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Sea of Conquest Attack vs Damage Bonus: Which to Raise

Verified 18 August 2026

Published: 18 August 20265 min read