The invention credited with changing naval warfare during the Age of Sail is the gunship, particularly the development of larger ships armed with cannons. This advancement transformed naval battles from primarily hand-to-hand combat involving boarding actions to long-range artillery exchanges. The introduction of heavily armed vessels allowed for greater power projection and strategic naval blockades. The most significant gunship of this era was the ship-of-the-line, which could carry dozens of cannons, creating a formidable presence on the seas. The impact of these developments marked a shift in naval tactics and the significance of sea power in warfare.