What's the most effective non-stealth hand-to-hand combat strategy for a fort captain?

Question

In AC3, I have a little trouble beating the captain of the fort in close range non-stealth combat, who is usually able to counter a counter with a damaging punch to the face. This means that I can either take the hit or counter it and take a smaller hit (or maybe dodge, haven't tried that yet).

I think a kick works somewhat, but if I remember correctly the captain usually counters a killing blow from the knife or the tomahawk (haven't tried sword yet).

This has forced me to use stealth strategies to take out the captain. Which is annoying because sometimes I try to take the whole fort on at once Commando-style and the captain spoils the fun.

What is the best combo for fighting the fort captain in open combat?

What is the best melee weapon class (short blade, axe, sword, musket, etc) for honorable combat with the captain?

Answer 1

Fort captains aren't all that special. They're just another archetype in the game's different enemies.

It's not a new one either, they are all* the Jager archetype and are vulnerable to disarms. But you cannot initiate the attack, they must attack you and you must do a counter disarm.

You can disarm them by pressing Off Hand -> Foot as they attack you (have the red triangle over them). That's B -> A on an Xbox 360 Controller, Circle -> X on a PS3 Controller or E -> SPACE on the PC keyboard. Once disarmed, you should have no trouble finishing them off.

There is also a challenge to disarm 10 Jagers and kill them with their own weapon.

_{^{*They are all the same archetype as far as I can tell.}}

Answer 2

I've had no issues as such with fighting the fort captain, as even I go fighting with all guns blazing. I use the disarm maneuver and then beat the hell out of the captain. Even the Counter + Gun move works well.