Highlights

  • Play the tutorial: Learning the basics will help in the long run. Don't skip out on important info.
  • Start in PvE: Easing into the game with a more relaxed style can help players adjust.
  • Team up: Ship life is easier with friends. Manage tasks better and have more fun together.

April 30th will mark the long-awaited arrival of Sea of Thieves to PlayStation consoles. The online multiplayer, pirate-themed sandbox will finally be open to a broad new player base, so gamers should get ready to raise the sails, man the cannons, and guard the treasure at all costs.

5:12
Related
Best Online Co-Op Games On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium (June 2024)

Looking for an online co-op game to play with a few friends? Then these are the best games on PS Plus.

The Seven Seas have seen a long list of updates and additions since the initial launch of Sea of Thieves in 2018, and though it's tempting to jump in and get straight to looting, there are some things worth knowing before throwing on an eye patch and peg leg and setting off on an adventure. After all, life at sea can be ruthless, and becoming a pirate legend is no easy task.

10 Play The Tutorial

Taking The Time To Learn The Basics Goes A Long Way

 game mode selection

When loading up a multiplayer title for the first time, it is always difficult to resist jumping straight in with friends. Though playing with friends is a great way to learn, gamers shouldn't be afraid of jumping into the tutorial first. It's fairly short but still provides a decent layer of basic information that will go a long way in the opening hours.

It's far from a complete how-to and doesn't explain a lot of the nitty-gritty of the game's mechanics or quests, but no pirate wants to sail with a shipmate who doesn't know how to fix a leak or load the cannons.

9 Play Safer Seas

PvP Is A Tough Training Ground, So Try Starting Out In PvE

galleon battle

Sea of Thieves was, without a doubt, designed to be played on PvP servers. After all, what is a pirate's life without competition? However, after years of players requesting a PvE-only mode, it's finally been added. It's lacking a handful of features that are present in PvP, but it is still full of quests, combat, and exploration.

The more relaxed style is a great way to become accustomed to the ropes, learn the ins and outs of the ships, and gather a little loot as well. It's also a great option for players who are just looking to loot the seven seas in peace or play through some of the themed story missions.

8 Bring Some Friends

The Various Aspects Of Ship Life Are Much Easier To Manage With A Couple Of Extra Hands

entire 4 pirate crew

Playing Sea of Thieves solo is an option, but a pirate's life is much more enjoyable with a buddy or three. In their adventures, players will have to manage various aspects of manning a ship, such as navigating, adjusting the sails, plugging leaks, and manning the cannons, all of which occasionally require attention at the same time.

Related
Sea Of Thieves: Best NPCs, Ranked

The NPCs in Sea of Thieves have a huge impact on the story and adventure, and these are some of the best that players will meet along the way

Having friends alongside goes a long way, especially in the heat of battle, so players should find a group willing to help. Besides, lugging all those treasure chests alone can get fairly repetitive.

7 Don't Ignore Quests

They Are The Key To Learning The Game And Unlocking Loot

skeleton army

It's easy to jump into this sandbox and set off into the unknown without any real objective, but actually completing the quests will help players become better pirates and unlock a host of customization options along the way. Quests come in many forms and fashions in Sea of Thieves, from the traditional treasure hunt to the epic Tall Tales storylines, and they provide a good sense of purpose.

Because of their open-ended style, accepting a quest doesn't mean that players will be narrowed down to a singular focus. Plenty of distractions will impact voyages, from enemy ships looking for a fight to a mysterious island fortress.

6 Hard Earned Treasure Will Be Lost

Losing Everything Is Part Of The Game, So Don't Be Dissuaded When It Happens

 kraken arm

There will be, without a doubt, great losses while playing Sea of Thieves. Whether playing in PvP or PvE, there are always going to be challenges that threaten to sink player ships, causing whatever loot on board to be lost, but that's the nature of the game.

When this happens, the best thing to do is accept the loss, regroup, and set off once again. Thankfully, there are always opportunities to fill the bowels of ships with treasure, so recouping isn't as hard as it may seem.

5 Bigger Ships Mean More Work

Choose A Ship Based On The Size Of The Crew

behind wheel of galleon

There is no doubt that the massive arsenal of the Galleon is appealing, but sailing one with an undersized crew will cause much more harm than good.

For solos or duos, the Sloop provides excellent maneuverability, and though it boasts a much smaller set of armaments, it can pack a massive punch in the right hands. For ambitious groups of two or any group of three, the Brigantine provides a nice middle ground with a little more firepower than the Sloop and a little more maneuverability than the Galleon. Groups of four have no choice but to jump into the massive Galleon but will find themselves behind the masts of a force to be reckoned with.

4 Watch The Surroundings

Knowing What's Nearby In The Water Is The Key To Survival

fight with megaladon

Danger lurks behind every wave in Sea of Thieves, and catching it from a distance can play a pivotal role in a crew's outcome. Whether it's a rival ship full of other players or the fins of a Megaladon, it's important to keep an eye out for what might be around.

Related
Sea Of Thieves: Best Fishing Spots

Fishing is just one fun and exciting activity that players can do in Sea of Thieves, but it can be hard to figure out the best spots

And on that same note, players should be wary of who might be watching them, too. Keeping lanterns off at night will make ships less noticeable, and flying the appropriate flags may be the difference between a fight and a friendly interaction.

3 More Loot Means Greater Losses

Learn To Weigh Risk Versus Reward

two players under the deck

With what feels like an endless supply of loot at players' fingertips, the world of Sea of Thieves constantly offers more opportunities for players to increase the amount of treasure they have on board. However, it's important to keep in mind that all that loot can be lost at a moment's notice. Weighing when to return to an outpost to offload a haul versus when to keep plundering will be an important, ever-present decision.

A lot of factors will constantly find their way into the mix, such as the distance to the nearest outpost if any enemy ships can be seen on the horizon and how tempting additional nearby opportunities are. Players should try to find the right balance between cutting their losses and improving their reward.

2 Keep Anchors Up

Simple Tips Can Be Lifesavers

 storm in distance

As Sea of Thieves is over five years old, a long list of tips and tricks has accumulated that can make a pirate's life easier. Players shouldn't be afraid to scour the internet in search of some of the more simple hacks to success in Sea of Thieves. These range from lifesaving tips like keeping the anchor raised in case a hasty escape is necessary, to simple advice like knowing where the central point of the steering wheel is to help maintain a straight course.

There are a lot of details to learn and strategies to exploit, so gamers should take advantage of the knowledge gathered from the longstanding, dedicated community.

1 Keep An Eye Out For Updates

The Developers Continuously Add New Features And Content

sitting and waiting up high

Once players feel like they've had their fill of being a pirate for the time being, they should keep an eye out for any new updates coming down the pipe. In addition to the long list of cosmetics, Sea of Thieves has seen multiple large updates that brought a slew of free content.

7:04
Related
Best Open-World Games On PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium (June 2024)

Sony's PlayStation Plus Extra & Premium tiers have plenty of great open-world PS5, PS4, and PS3 games. Here are the best sandbox titles.

These can range from relatively minor additions to entirely new, themed questlines like those currently featuring Pirates of the Caribbean and The Legend of Monkey Island. These provide great reasons to jump back behind the wheel of a ship with a crew of friends for more sailing adventures.

sea of thieves box art
Sea of Thieves

Released
March 20, 2018
Developer(s)
Rare
Genre(s)
Adventure