Sea of Thieves is a multiplayer game dedicated to pirates and has captivated many adventure enthusiasts. However, the project has already turned three years old, and the number of players has started to decline. Everything changed with the massive Pirate Legend expansion, which introduced the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow into the game.

This brought back old gamers to Sea of Thieves and caught the attention of newcomers who were interested in the project precisely because of the appearance of the renowned character. Specifically for them, here's a guide that includes all the essential tips to quickly adapt to the game and become one of the most formidable pirates.

Supplies Are Everything

At the beginning of the game, the character receives weapons, a shovel, a bucket, and several other necessary items. They also receive bullets, cannonballs, planks, and provisions. However, not everyone knows what to do once the inventory runs out.

Therefore, it is crucial to pay close attention to searching for essential items. You can start with your own ship. In the hold and barrels, you can find ammunition, planks, and food. The ship has everything necessary for a normal life, but it's also worth exploring all the barrels and chests on land. Here, too, you can find many interesting things that will help in your future endeavors.

Don't Decline Any Quests

In Sea of Thieves, players embark on "Voyages." These are various missions that require sailing through virtual seas. You can obtain quests from different factions. There are three factions in the game, and each sends the player on special journeys.

For example, the Gold Hoarders provide the character with treasure maps that lead to valuable loot. The Merchant Alliance offers opportunities to test your trading skills. The Order of Souls is known for its cruelty and will require you to defeat captains of other ships. To prove a successful voyage, you will need to bring the skulls of the defeated enemies. In any case, Sea of Thieves keeps the player engaged with numerous exciting quests.

It's a Shame There's No Pedometer

If a player sets out to search for treasure on an island, they will have to count their steps to accurately find the digging spot. Unfortunately, pedometers did not exist in the age of pirates, making it quite challenging to count steps. However, there is one clever trick that can help beginner players.

To do this, stand at the starting point from where you want to count steps and take out your compass. Then hold down RT (zoom) and start moving. In this mode, the controller will vibrate with each step. Therefore, counting the desired number of steps will be effortless.

One Is Not a Warrior in the Field

It's essential to remember that Sea of Thieves is primarily a multiplayer game designed for cooperative gameplay with several players. So, don't expect to be able to do everything by yourself. This also applies to ship handling. You will need to call at least two more people for assistance. After all, it is impossible to quickly lower the sails and adjust their angle alone, not to mention raising the anchor and steering the ship.

Due to the complex ship management in Sea of Thieves, you will need to assemble a crew. It should consist of at least three people: a helmsman, a navigator, and a deckhand. Of course, you can try to do everything yourself, but the game will quickly become tedious.

Captain, Rocks on the Starboard Side

The ability to handle the ship skillfully is one of the most critical aspects of progression. Without it, you won't be able to navigate through reefs and rocks or dodge obstacles. You need to know how to evade obstacles in a timely manner. If you fail to do so, your ship will sustain severe damage, and you will have to spend time searching for planks and repairing the ship. To make a sharp turn and avoid a collision, you need to fix the helm in a certain position and immediately drop the anchor. In this case, the ship will start spinning in place, allowing you to evade the impact. By the way, this maneuver is excellent for naval battles. A sudden turn will confuse your opponent and lead to their defeat.

You Can't Go Anywhere Without a Bucket

Many beginners may mistakenly consider the bucket the most useless item. However, this is far from the truth. This item is one of the most important, and you will soon realize it. The bucket becomes an invaluable helper during maritime journeys. With its help, you can bail water out of the hold if you collide with rocks or if the hull is damaged by enemy fire. 

In such cases, you will first need to perform repairs and patch up the breach with planks before using the bucket to remove all the water from the hold. If you ignore this aspect, your entire crew, along with the ship, will quickly sink to the bottom, becoming fish food.

Boundaries Exist for a Reason

Although Sea of Thieves has a vast map with numerous islands, there are places you shouldn't venture into. As soon as the ship crosses the sea boundary, it will immediately start taking catastrophic damage. You can recognize the beginning of the "shroud" by the rapidly reddening sea. Therefore, there's no need to argue with your crew members that the earth is round and can be sailed beyond the boundary. Your ship will quickly find itself in such a condition that it will sink along with all the acquired belongings. So, as soon as the sky turns red, you should turn back without hesitation.

Sober Pirate - Trouble in the Family

Players must remember that they are embodying the role of a real pirate. And what kind of pirate is without a bottle of rum? In Sea of Thieves, it is possible and necessary to regularly get drunk to the point of losing consciousness. Although the character is hardly stable on water, they gain additional abilities. For example, they can take a bucket and empty the contents of their stomach into it. All of this can be thrown at an enemy, who will be simply shocked by the unpleasant encounter. The life of a pirate, in general, is not known for its beauty.

An Experienced Gunner Is Needed in the Crew

The main problem in Sea of Thieves lies in its complex gameplay mechanics. This especially applies to shooting cannons, which not every experienced player can handle. Of course, the game aims for maximum realism, but the absence of a targeting reticle does not make things easier. As a result, you will need to practice a lot to understand at what angle to position the cannon for a successful shot.

Here's a tip for aiming correctly: aim slightly below the waterline. This will allow you to penetrate the hull and give your opponent a heap of trouble. After all, the hold will fill with water, and they will have to divert their attention from the battle to prevent sinking. Meanwhile, you can deal the finishing blow to the enemy ship. Furthermore, it's always best to aim for the hull. This way, victory can be achieved much faster.

No Need to Constantly Run to the Map

A significant annoyance for many players is the fact that when you receive a quest, a marker appears on the map. You can't take the map with you, and it's not visible at the helm. Therefore, players have to constantly interrupt their sailing, leave the wheel, and run to the hold to verify the correct course before returning to the helm. However, there is a clever trick that can help you avoid this senseless running around.

When sailing on a sloop, the map is located on the balcony behind the ship. Although it may not be visible in all its details, you can see the marker on it and easily understand where to sail. On a galleon, you can see the map through a hatch in the floor.

Constantly Keep an Eye on the Water

Sometimes, during your journey, your ship may abruptly come to a halt. This doesn't bode well because it means the ship has been caught by the Kraken. This healthy monster swiftly destroys the entire crew with its tentacles. To avoid this, you always need to be prepared for battle. To do so, pay attention to the color of the water. As soon as it starts turning black, immediately load all the cannons. Of course, the battle will be very challenging, but there's no other way to stay alive. So, you'll have to give it your best shot.

Signs Are Everywhere

In the game, you need to look not only at the water but also at the sky. Fortunately, the latter doesn't herald anything bad. On the contrary, you will have to fight, but in return, there will be a generous bounty. So, as soon as you see clouds resembling skulls or ships, immediately turn in that direction. On land, you will have to attack animated skeleton forts, and at sea, you will battle ghost ships. Either way, a worthy reward is guaranteed after the victory. To increase your chances of success, it is recommended to form a team with several ships. Of course, you'll have to share the spoils, but obtaining them will be much easier.

The Loot Must Be Stored at an Outpost

In Sea of Thieves, a quest is completed as soon as you find the treasure or obtain a pirate skull. Afterward, many players believe they can leave and continue the game later. However, it's not that simple. If you fail to deliver the reward to a faction outpost, you won't receive the reward.

If you rush and exit the game, upon your return to the ship, there will be no chest or skull. Therefore, you should always deliver them to an outpost first before leaving the game.

What Are Those Glints in the Distance?

Although it's better to fight for treasures as a team, most of the time you will have to fight against other players. It's easy to tell. Pirates don't care who is on the ship; what matters is what they have in their holds. However, it's quite simple to figure out if someone intends to attack you. If you see any glints on an approaching ship, it means they are observing your vessel through a spyglass and deciding whether to attack. It could also be a reflection from a sniper rifle. In any case, you should leave the deck and prepare for battle.

It's Better to Work as a Team

In Sea of Thieves, players can join one of three alliances and embark on a journey that benefits their faction members. The thing is, if your ship sails under a specific flag, your allies receive a decent bonus to their loot. This encourages teamwork instead of fighting against each other.

However, it's important to remember that we're dealing with pirates here. You need to be prepared for any treachery and deception. Many players may only offer help, but as soon as you approach, they'll open fire from all their cannons. So, you always need to be on your guard.

The Sky Isn't Just Filled with Clouds

In Sea of Thieves, there's a trick that allows you to become richer. You often need to look up at the sky. If you spot seagulls circling above a certain area, chances are a ship has sunk nearby. You can investigate the sunken ship and gather a good haul. So, remember this: if you see seagulls, sail in that direction.

This guide will help newcomers and those who haven't played Sea of Thieves in a while. With these tips, you'll become an experienced pirate and show others that it's better not to mess with you.