Table of Contents
Sea of Thieves in March 2018 to mixed reception, but since then Rare has been updating the game consistently. Transforming it from an okay title to what might be the best pirate game out there. With an incredibly addictive gameplay loop and unique player freedom that lets you create your own stories as well as giving you more structured quests to follow if you like that more. In this article I’m going to give you some pointers to walk you through the essential systems, strategies, and survival tips to get you confidently sailing in no time.
If you want to skip some of the game’s grind or get some of the best cosmetics, you should consider a Sea of Thieves boost to create an experience that feels made specifically for you!
Choosing your ship
When launching a session, you’ll choose between three ship types:
- Sloop (1 to 2 players): Small, fast, and maneuverable. Great for solo players or duos. Easier to repair and sail alone.
- Brigantine (2 to 3 players): Medium speed and firepower. Balanced for small crews who want more firepower.
- Galleon (3 to 4 players): The tank of the seas. Strong, but harder to maneuver and repair. Ideal for full crews with coordination.
If you’re playing solo or with one friend, always go with the sloop. Brigantines are ideal for PvP. Galleons can be fun, but are hard to manage without a full, well-coordinated crew.
Trading companies
Your main way to earn gold and reputation is by completing voyages for Trading Companies. Here’s a quick breakdown of the core ones:
- Gold Hoarders: Bury and sell treasure chests. Follow maps or riddles to find loot.
- Order of Souls: Fight skeleton captains and return their skulls. Combat-heavy.
- Merchant Alliance: Deliver crates, animals, or goods on tight schedules.
- Reaper’s Bones: Sell any loot. This one is PvP-focused. You’re always visible on the map when flying their flag.
- Athena’s Fortune: Endgame content for Pirate Legends. Offers special voyages and cosmetics.
As a new player, start with Gold Hoarders or Order of Souls for simpler and more forgiving objectives. Merchant Alliance requires more planning and time-sensitive deliveries.
Voyages and emissaries
You can purchase voyages from any Trading Company at outposts. Place one on your ship’s voyage table, vote to begin, and follow your quest.
To earn more rewards and reputation, raise an emissary flag for your chosen company at the outpost. This increases your payout the more you deliver, however this comes with risk. Reapers love hunting emissaries!
As a beginner, it’s smart to:
- Raise an emissary only when you’re ready to turn in loot soon.
- Stick with basic voyages until you’re more confident.
- Never fly a Reaper’s flag unless you’re seeking PvP (and chaos).
Basic sailing and ship management
Sailing is the core of Sea of Thieves. Here’s what each crew member typically handles:
- Helm (Steering): Watch ahead for rocks, islands, and ships.
- Sails: Control height and direction for speed. Adjust with wind to go faster.
- Anchor: Drop to stop immediately. Use sparingly to avoid getting caught.
- Repair: Use wooden planks to patch holes and a bucket to bail water.
- Cannons: Load cannonballs, aim, and fire. Chainshots disable sails, and blunderbombs knock enemies off ships.
Even solo players must juggle everything. Practice adjusting sails and steering to maximize speed. Wind direction matters a lot!
Combat basics
You’ll encounter two main types of enemies:
PvE
- Skeleton ships: AI ships that spawn randomly. Can be deadly, especially in packs.
- Megalodons & Krakens: Massive sea monsters. Run or fight depending on your supplies.
- Skeleton forts & captains: Land-based fights, rewarding but dangerous.
PvP
Other crews can attack at any time. There are no safe zones. Here are some tips for dealing with them:
- Keep moving. Don’t stay anchored on islands for long.
- Store loot below deck. Don’t flaunt it.
- Watch the horizon. Learn to spot sails far away.
- Run when necessary. You can’t make gold if you’re not alive!
World events & high-risk loot
Large clouds in the sky mark world events:
- Skeleton Fort (Skull Cloud): Lots of treasure, tough skeleton waves.
- Flameheart (Talking Skull Cloud): Ghost fleet battles.
- Ashen Winds (Red Tornado): Powerful boss with rare loot.
- Fort of the Damned: Requires setup, but has the best loot. High PvP hotspot.
These events draw other crews, so always be on high alert. For high-risk events, bring a crew and stock up on supplies.
Loot types and selling
Not all loot is equal. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Chests & Trinkets: Sell to Gold Hoarders.
- Skulls: Sell to Order of Souls.
- Crates, Silks, Spices: Merchant Alliance.
- Reaper Loot: Sell to Reaper’s Hideout for high rewards.
You’ll find loot randomly in the world too either from shipwrecks, messages in bottles, or floating barrels.
You don’t gain anything from hoarding a lot of loot. The more loot you carry, the bigger target you become.
Outposts and safe turn-Ins
There are multiple Outposts on the map. These are locations to sell your loot. However, they aren’t PvP-free zones.
When you’re ready to sell:
- Pick an outpost close to your position.
- Scan the area for anchored ships.
- Offload quickly, speed is safety!
You can also use seaposts (small shops) to sell certain fish and commodities.
Cosmetics and Progression
Sea of Thieves is a game where everything is cosmetic. From your ship, clothing, weapons, and equipment. While there is gear, everyone has the same tools and weapons, and they all have the same stats. There’s an equal playing field, and the only thing giving you an advantage is your own skill.
Gold buys:
- New outfits, weapons, and emotes.
- Fancy ship skins and sails.
- Pet monkeys, parrots, dogs, and more.
Leveling up trading companies unlocks even more cosmetics and titles.
The Pirate Emporium (premium store) sells items for Ancient Coins, which can be bought or earned by killing rare Ancient Skeletons.
Social aspect of the game
The game is best with friends. However, even when playing solo, you’ll meet other players. Not all pirates shoot on sight. You can form alliances by proposing a flag on your ship’s crow’s nest. Speak with proximity chat or emotes to show you’re friendly, and even use in-game instruments and food to lighten the mood.
Still, always stay cautious. Some players fake friendliness to betray you later.
Some miscellaneous tips
- Stock up on supplies before leaving outposts (fruit, wood, cannonballs).
- Use the map table to mark islands and track events.
- Practice cannon aim on stationary targets before PvP.
- Keep a bucket and wood on your quick access wheel for emergencies.
- Never carry loot you can’t afford to lose. Turn in often.
Sea of Thieves rewards exploration, experimentation, and boldness. You’ll sink. You’ll lose loot. But every mistake is a lesson.
Final Thoughts
Sea of Thieves can seem like a lot to take in at once. The game is very open, and the onboarding is quick and doesn’t explain some aspects of the game, letting the player find out some of the game mechanics by themselves instead. However, once you understand what you’re doing you’re left with one of the best online experiences that there is. So hoist the anchor, adjust your sails, and set course for adventure. There’s gold to find and legends to forge!