Charting Your Course: Choosing the Best Ship in Sea of Thieves

Ahoy, mateys! The Sea of Thieves is a vast and perilous playground, and your ship is your home, your weapon, and your lifeline. But with three distinct vessels to choose from, the question remains: what is the best ship to buy in Sea of Thieves? The short answer? It depends entirely on your playstyle, crew size, and preferred activities. There is no single “best” ship. Each offers its unique advantages and disadvantages. Let’s dive deep into the briny depths of ship selection to help you make the right choice.

Understanding the Ship Options

Sea of Thieves offers three purchasable ship types: the Sloop, Brigantine, and Galleon. Each differs significantly in size, speed, maneuverability, firepower, and crew requirements. Understanding these differences is crucial before committing your hard-earned gold.

The Sloop: Agile Solo Specialist or Deadly Duo

The Sloop is the smallest and most maneuverable ship in the game. It’s designed for one or two pirates. Its compact size allows it to navigate tight spaces and turn quickly, making it ideal for solo players or duos who prioritize agility and speed.

• Pros:

  • High maneuverability: Turns on a dime, making it difficult to hit in close-quarters combat.
  • Upwind advantage: Sails faster than the Brigantine and Galleon when sailing directly into the wind.
  • Small profile: Harder to spot on the horizon.
  • Cost-effective: The cheapest ship to purchase and maintain.

• Cons:

  • Limited firepower: Only two cannons per side.
  • Small crew capacity: Not suitable for larger groups.
  • Vulnerable to boarding: Easier for enemies to board due to its small size.
  • Slow sailing with the wind.

Ideal For: Solo players, duos, players who prioritize maneuverability and stealth, those on a budget, or those who enjoy a challenge.

The Brigantine: The Versatile Middle Ground

The Brigantine is a mid-sized vessel designed for a crew of three. It strikes a balance between speed, firepower, and maneuverability, making it a versatile choice for various activities.

• Pros:

  • Good speed: Faster than the Galleon against the wind and faster than the Sloop with the wind.
  • Decent firepower: Four cannons per side.
  • Versatile: Suitable for both PvE and PvP.
  • Ideal crew size: Three offers a good balance of workload and combat effectiveness.

• Cons:

  • Not the best at anything: Doesn’t excel in any single area compared to the Sloop or Galleon.
  • Can feel slow when understaffed: Requires all three crew members to be effective.
  • More expensive to purchase and maintain than the Sloop.

Ideal For: Crews of three, players who want a balance of speed, firepower, and maneuverability, or those who enjoy both PvE and PvP.

The Galleon: The Heavy Hitter for a Fearsome Foursome

The Galleon is the largest and most powerful ship in Sea of Thieves, designed for a crew of four. It boasts the most firepower and storage capacity, making it ideal for tackling challenging voyages and engaging in large-scale PvP battles.

• Pros:

  • Maximum firepower: Five cannons per side.
  • Large crew capacity: Four allows for specialized roles (helmsman, cannons, repairs, boarding).
  • High storage capacity: Can carry more loot and supplies.
  • Formidable presence: Intimidating to other players.

• Cons:

  • Poor maneuverability: Slowest turning radius.
  • Slow upwind: Vulnerable to Sloops and Brigantines in upwind chases.
  • High crew dependency: Requires all four crew members to be effective.
  • The most expensive to purchase and maintain.
  • Easily spotted from afar.

Ideal For: Crews of four, players who prioritize firepower and storage, those who enjoy large-scale PvP battles, or those who tackle challenging voyages.

Factors to Consider Before Buying

Before you drop your hard-earned gold, consider these crucial factors:

• Crew Size: This is the most important factor. Choose a ship that aligns with your typical crew size. A solo player on a Galleon is a sitting duck, while a four-person crew crammed onto a Sloop will be severely limited.
• Playstyle: Do you prefer PvE (player versus environment), PvP (player versus player), or a mix of both? Sloops are excellent for stealth and hit-and-run tactics in PvP. Brigantines are versatile for both. Galleons excel in direct combat and challenging voyages.
• Gold Availability: Ships are a significant investment. Consider the initial purchase price and the ongoing maintenance costs.
• Voyage Preference: Certain voyages are easier to complete on specific ship types. For example, merchant voyages that require transporting large quantities of goods are best suited for the Galleon due to its higher storage capacity.
• Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best ship is the one you enjoy sailing the most. Experiment with different ship types to find the one that suits your personal preferences.

Aesthetic Considerations: Decking Out Your Dream Ship

While performance is paramount, don’t underestimate the importance of aesthetics. One of the best things to spend gold on in Sea of Thieves is a ship set or set of sails. Your ship is a reflection of your pirate persona, and customizing it with unique cosmetic items can enhance your experience and intimidate your rivals. Consider purchasing ship sets from the Shipwright Shop to give your vessel a distinctive look. The ship is often the first thing other players see, making it worthwhile to invest in a set that players love.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is buying your own ship in Sea of Thieves worth it?

Absolutely! While you can sail on rented ships, owning your own ship grants a gold bonus, making every voyage more profitable. Although rented ships come fully upgraded, the long-term financial benefits of ownership far outweigh the initial cost. You will earn more gold with a owned ship than with a rented ship.

2. Why do some players say the Sloop is better than the Brigantine?

The Sloop’s primary advantage is its superior maneuverability and ability to sail directly into the wind. This allows it to escape from larger ships in certain situations and engage in hit-and-run tactics. However, in a straight fight, a competent Brigantine crew will likely outgun and outmaneuver a Sloop.

3. Can a Sloop realistically beat a Galleon?

Yes, but it requires skill, strategy, and favorable wind conditions. A Sloop can use its maneuverability to exploit the Galleon’s weaknesses, land critical hits, and avoid being boarded. Explosive barrels can also be a game-changer.

4. Should I buy a Sloop or Galleon as a beginner?

If you’re playing solo, the Sloop is the clear choice. It’s easier to manage and more forgiving for new players. If you have a full crew of four, the Galleon can be effective, but it also requires more coordination and communication.

5. How many cannons does each ship type have?

• Sloop: 2 cannons per side (4 total)
• Brigantine: 4 cannons per side (8 total)
• Galleon: 5 cannons per side (10 total)

6. Is the Brigantine faster than the Sloop?

Yes and no. The Brigantine is faster than the Sloop with the wind at its back. However, the Sloop is faster than the Brigantine when sailing directly into the wind.

7. What happens if my ship sinks in Sea of Thieves?

Don’t panic! Your ship will respawn at a nearby outpost, fully repaired. You won’t lose your ship permanently, but you will lose any loot that was on board.

8. What should I name my ship?

The choice is yours! Consider something that reflects your pirate persona or your ship’s design. Some classy boat names include “Carpe Diem,” “Beauty,” or “Siren.”

9. What should I buy first in Sea of Thieves?

Prioritize purchases that will increase your gold earning potential. This includes voyages from Trading Companies, bait crates, and merchant commodities.

10. What’s the most profitable thing to do in Sea of Thieves?

Lost Shipment Voyages representing the Merchant Alliance are a great way to make money fast.

11. Can you solo sail a Brigantine effectively?

It’s possible, but challenging. The Brigantine is designed for three players, so solo sailing requires managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

12. What are the strengths and weaknesses when facing a Kraken encounter?

All ships can be vulnerable to the Kraken, but each has strengths and weaknesses. Sloops are agile but have low firepower. Brigantines are balanced. Galleons have firepower but are slow to maneuver.

13. What advantages does a bigger ship have over a smaller ship?

Bigger ships such as a Brigantine and Galleon, have advantages in number of cannons, crew capacity, storage capacity, and overall HP of the ship.

14. How do I learn the strategies of the game?

The Games Learning Society, at GamesLearningSociety.org, focuses on research and innovative practices in game-based learning. Consider joining the forums and community to learn valuable strategies of the game.

15. Can you have more than 2 people on a sloop?

Technically, the Sloop is designed for a maximum crew of two. However, nothing prevents additional players from joining your crew as “hitchhikers,” though this is generally not recommended as it can hinder your ship’s performance and create an uneven playing field.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best ship in Sea of Thieves is a personal decision based on your individual needs and preferences. Consider your crew size, playstyle, and budget, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different ship types until you find the one that feels right. No matter which ship you choose, remember that teamwork, communication, and a healthy dose of pirate spirit are the keys to success on the Sea of Thieves! Now, hoist the sails and set sail for adventure!