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SoT Shark
Image via Rare/Xbox Games Studios

Top 10 Best Sea of Thieves Tips for Beginners

We've got new players covered when it comes to their Sea of Thieves adventure.

Sea of Thieves has seen quite a few changes since its release back in 2018 but there are some core mechanics that have stayed the same. There are some things that new players are going to want to be aware of in order to really have the chance to enjoy what the game has to offer. We’ve got you covered if you’re a new player or someone who may have just forgotten how to do some things in the game. Have no fear, our list of 10 best Sea of Thieves tips for beginners is here!

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Top 10 Best Sea of Thieves Tips for Beginners

SoT Pirate Legends
Image via Rare/Xbox Game Studios

Take Your Time

The best thing you can do when it comes to getting used to how Sea of Thieves works is to take your time. It’s extremely easy to try and go on raids or do quests but can be a bit too much when you haven’t become familiar with the game’s core mechanics. This game has some unique controls so it’s going to take time to remember where everything is. Just enjoy your first few excursions out on the seas and don’t overwhelm yourself.

Play With Friends

Something that has helped me when I take breaks from Sea of Thieves and forget a mechanic, is to play with friends. Chances are, everyone knows someone who’s at least a little familiar with SoT and can help remind you of what you need to do. Playing with friends is especially important when it comes to completing quests, missions, or simply sailing your ship. Even a simple sloop advises the help of another player. Having a crew of dependable friends is crucial for a new player.

Become Familiar With Sailing

Something that should be one of the very first things you learn when playing SoT is how to sail. Sailing is the most important feature in the game and can make or break the fun factor for you and your crew. And while you may be a captain that’s just steering the ship most of the time, you’re going to want to learn how to adjust sails and anchoring techniques as well so that you’re well versed in all sailing aspects if a situation arises.

Player Combat

Don’t be afraid to embrace a battle with another player. Whether by sword or canon, combat is an important aspect of what makes SoT such a fun experience. Though there are definitely times when outrunning an enemy ship is better than fighting it, like when you have a lot of treasure chests to turn in. Aside from times like that, just go all-in on the pirate battles.

Take Part In Role-Playing

On the flipside of fighting your enemies, sometimes it’s a good idea to befriend random players as a lot of them want to engage in piratey role-play. This title is a pirate simulator of sorts so embrace the idea and create your own swashbuckling persona.

Explore

Once you find your bearings, explore the various islands across the map. There is plenty of adventure to be had and treasures to be found throughout. Nothing beats being a pirate like taking in the world around you and exploiting the riches that lay within. There are tons of details and Easter Eggs hiding out there too.

Earn Money

Completing contracts in Sea of Thieves is your best way to earn money when you’re starting out. These can be picked up by merchants. There are additional ways to earn coins such as through bounties and quests as well. Some of these have various difficulties to them but aren’t impossible as long as you have a good crew.

Customize

There are a ton of great customization options to purchase or even earn just by completing challenges in-game. Customizing your pirate and ship are two really fun ways to set yourself apart from the other Bilge Rats across the seas. Become the real pirate you.

Don’t Be Afraid To Raid

Going on raids is the most lucrative of things to do in SoT. They offer great rewards but just as much risk to go along with them. These are definitely something to do with a good crew as they will really test you in combat. These can be viewed across the world via an ominous-shaped cloud they make in the sky over the islands hosting them.

Play A Pirate’s Life

Though only fans of the Pirates of the Caribbean films or Disney rides are going to truly appreciate this tip, it’s worth mentioning for even those unfamiliar. A Pirate’s Life is a free narrative expansion that brings the PotC films and rides to life within SoT. It’s probably one of the best game expansions I’ve ever seen and is an incredibly enjoyable narrative experience.

That’s our top 10 best Sea of Thieves tips for beginners. Hopefully, this helped clear some things up for you and prepared you for the journey ahead. Enjoying the game and taking your time are going to make the experience all the better.

Related: How to Change Your Lantern Color in Sea of Thieves

Author
Image of Nathaniel Litt
Nathaniel Litt
Hi! I'm Nathaniel; Star Wars nerd, musician, and active daydreamer. When it comes to gaming, I'll try anything at least once. My mains though are FPS, Action-Adventure, and Puzzle-Platformers.