Welcome to Sea of Thieves, pirate! If you’re new to the seas, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know: sailing, combat, progression, gold making, and surviving other players. Keep this guide handy—you’ll learn faster than you think.🌊🏴‍☠️

Sloop

• Best for solo or duo
  
• Easiest to handle
  
• Great maneuverability Recommended for beginners.

Brigantine

• 2–3 players
  
• Fastest ship
  
• Harder for beginners Great if you're with friends.

Galleon

• 3–4 players
  
• Strongest and tankiest
  
• Slow and requires coordination
  
• Start with a Sloop until you’re

Raising & Lowering

• Sails Lower sails = more speed
  
• Raise sails = slow down
  
• Partial sails = better control in tight areas

Sail Angle

• Set sails to catch the wind (look at the wind lines). More wind = more speed.

Steering

• Use the compass to stay on course
  
• The wheel has a “click” in the center—memorize the neutral position

Weapons

• You can carry two weapons.
  
• Best beginner combo:
  
• Cutlass + Blunderbuss (close-range dominance) or Cutlass + Pistol (balanced)

Swordplay

• Hold to block
  
• Dodge jumps are key
  
• You can lunge attack by holding before releasing

Gunplay

• Always reload after fights
  
• Jump-shotting helps avoid enemy fire
  
• High ground is an advantage

Ship Combat Basics

• Aim for lower deck to cause flooding
  
• Chainshots disable masts
  
• Firebombs add chaos
  
• Don't tunnel vision — repair often

Gold Hoarders

• Dig up chests
  
• Simple and great for learning the game

Order of Souls

• Defeat skeleton captains
  
• Good for combat practice

Merchant Alliance

• More time-based and technical
  
• Not recommended for absolute beginners

World Events

• Skull Clouds, Flameheart, Forts
  
• High risk, high reward
  
• Great money with a crew

• Always keep supplies stocked. Grab everything from barrels before you sail.
  
• Don’t sail in straight lines when being chased—zig-zag to dodge cannon shots.
  
• Never carry treasure on deck; store it below deck or in the Captain’s Cabin.
  
• Use your spyglass often—spotting ships early = survival.
  
• White flag = peace (but be cautious, pirates lie).
  
• Don’t trust anyone. This is Sea of Thieves, not Sea of Friends.

Learn:

• How to dock and park your ship
  
• How to board enemy ships
  
• How to repair and bucket water quickly
  
• How to climb masts and scout

Unlock:

• A few captaincy milestones
  
• Basic cosmetic sets you enjoy
  
• More emissary ranks for better gold

• You can hide treasure on islands when being chased.
  
• Storms break your compass and cause leaks on the lower deck.
  
• Skeleton ships will flee if heavily damaged.
  
• Megalodon and Kraken attacks are random but drop good loot.
  
• Rowboats are perfect for stealth looting.

• Keep wood planks on your quickwheel.
  
• Bucket water before repairing if the hole is underwater.
  
• Don’t overcommit to cannons.
  
• If boarded → focus on killing, not steering.
  
• If your mast falls → repair mast first, sails next.

Sea of Thieves is a game where you lose a lot while learning. Every pirate has sunk dozens of times before becoming decent. Stay calm, keep practicing, and enjoy the chaos.
If you take the time to learn the fundamentals, you’ll become a captain feared across the seas.🏴‍☠️