Sea of Thieves Beginner Guide: Sailing, Voyages, Treasure & Ship Survival

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Sea of Thieves Beginner Guide: Sailing, Voyages, Treasure & Ship Survival

Sea of Thieves gives players freedom quickly, but Rare's official Pirate Academy recommends learning the basics of navigation, combat and ship repair before setting out on larger adventures.

Complete the Maiden Voyage

The Maiden Voyage introduces core pirate skills in a low-pressure environment.

Use it to learn:

• Movement.
• Navigation.
• Basic combat.
• Ship interaction.
• Repair fundamentals.

Use Safer Seas While Learning

Rare's current Pirate Academy confirms that Safer Seas allows players to learn without the constant threat of hostile player crews.

This is useful for practicing:

• Sailing.
• Voyages.
• Navigation.
• Ship repair.

Move to High Seas When Ready

High Seas introduces the full uncertainty of other crews.

Do not expect every visible ship to be friendly.

Learn the Ship Before Leaving Port

Know where to find:

• Cannons.
• Wood.
• Cannonballs.
• Food.
• The map table.
• The wheel.
• The capstan.
• Sails.

Stock Supplies

Before a long Voyage, make sure the ship has practical supplies for:

• Repairs.
• Combat.
• Healing.

Navigation

The ship's map table helps locate islands and plan a route.

Use landmarks, compass direction and the map together instead of sailing until something looks familiar.

Sails

Managing sail position and direction affects how effectively the ship moves.

A crew should coordinate sail adjustments rather than leaving every task to the helmsman.

Anchor

The anchor can stop the ship, but lowering it automatically for every arrival can make leaving slowly or responding to danger harder.

Learn to control speed with sails as well.

Voyages

Rare's Pirate Academy introduces Trading Company Voyages as an early structure for adventures.

Choose an objective, understand what the Voyage requires and then prepare the ship before departing.

Treasure

Finding treasure is only part of the job.

You still need to:

• Carry it safely.
• Protect the ship.
• Return it to the appropriate destination.

Do Not Let Treasure Distract You From the Horizon

While loading loot, keep checking for approaching ships.

Ship Damage

If the hull takes damage and water begins entering the ship, use the bucket to remove water and wood to repair damage.

Rare's Pirate Academy explicitly identifies the bucket as an essential tool for preventing a damaged ship from sinking.

Bailing Can Be Urgent

When water is rising quickly, keeping the ship afloat may be more urgent than immediately returning fire.

Repair in Priority Order

During heavy damage:

1. Keep enough water out of the ship to survive.
2. Repair dangerous hull damage.
3. Restore damaged sailing equipment as the situation allows.

Crew Roles

Roles can change constantly.

One pirate may steer while another:

• Handles sails.
• Repairs.
• Fires cannons.
• Watches for threats.

Communicate

Call out:

• Ships.
• Rocks.
• Damage.
• Boarders.
• Needed supplies.

Do Not Abandon the Ship Without a Plan

Going ashore for treasure while nobody can respond to a ship attack can cost far more than the loot you were collecting.

Beginner Sailing Routine

1. Complete the Maiden Voyage.
2. Practice in Safer Seas if needed.
3. Stock the ship.
4. Select a Voyage.
5. Plan the route.
6. Watch the horizon while sailing.
7. Protect the ship while collecting treasure.
8. Repair and regroup before continuing after a fight.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Leaving without supplies.
• Ignoring the horizon.
• Panicking when the ship takes damage.
• Letting water rise while everyone fires cannons.
• Dropping anchor for every minor maneuver.
• Leaving the ship completely unattended.

Bottom Line

Sea of Thieves becomes much easier once the ship itself is treated as the crew's most important shared responsibility. Learn navigation, keep supplies stocked, communicate and repair quickly enough that the treasure you collect actually makes it home.