Can you play Sea of Thieves solo?

Can you play Sea of Thieves solo? If you're up for the pirate's life but worry that you can't assemble a crew of scurvy dogs to go sailing with, then you might understandably be worried that a game sold on its multiplayer co-op potential might not be for you. It's a fair question, and one we'll cover below, but to cover the basics straight away: yes, you can play Sea of Thieves solo. You'll just be playing it a bit differently to all those in crews...

If you do want to play it alone, you'll need some help dealing with all the consequences of that - namely that you need to be more sly, quick and cautious than a large party of four players in a giant Brigantine ship will ever have to be. Still, it doesn't mean that you can't survive and thrive - and we've got some tips below on how you can do just that.

Tip 1: Learn how to sail straight

When you choose a solo journey you’ll be given pretty much the same ship as the two player option, the Sloop. You’ll have to manage the sail length, angle, anchor and navigation all by yourself. It’s not actually that hard as long as you keep track of everything. 

First of all, this particular, gold trimmed handle is your best friend when sailing alone. It’ll appear in the middle when you’ve turned as far as you can go left or right, or have the wheel dead centre. That last option’s the one to look out for - as it centres it’ll vibrate as an extra warning, and the ship will stay its course, giving you time to leave it alone and do other things. 

Tip 2: Stop steering to check the map and sails, but be quick

With no crew you’ll have to do everything, making navigation a bit of a juggle - you don’t want to miss where you’re going because you’re not looking at the map, but you also don’t want to hit where you’re going because you are looking at the map. Using the gold handle trick you can guarantee you’re going in a straight line and, as long as nothing’s in front of you, you can take a look at the map to check your course, tend to the sales or just enjoy the view.

Tip 3: Don’t be afraid to take it slow

Whenever you get within throwing distance of an island, roll the sale up at least half way. The shore will always come up faster than you expect and the last thing you want to do is bust the hell out of your ship because you’re trying to steer, drop anchor and fiddle with the sails all at once as it does. Drop your speed and take it slow.

Tip 4: Check everything, twice!

 Just pulling into an island and thought you heard a slight bump on the hull? Check it. Thought you heard a skeleton creak? Check it. You’re the only pair of eyes you have, so use them. The last thing you want to do is come back to find your ship flooded because that bump was a hole. Equally, getting attacked as your first warning of any undead being about is not ideal. 

Tip 5: Always keep food and planks on you

You’re on your own remember, so there’s no backup or help. Any and all repairs and battles are all down to you. So keep some bananas in your inventory for healing, and planks for quick repairs. If you get caught on the hop without anything you need you’re just doubling your efforts with all the panicking and running about.

Tip 6: In combat, stay agile

Skeletons are faster than you think and often attack in threes. While in a group you can stay alive through the power of teamwork, here you just have to stay moving.  Back-pedalling might not seem like the actions of a brave pirate but those piles of angry bones can surround you and trip away your health very quickly. 

Tip 7: Don’t worry about falling overboard

On rough seas, when the ship’s throwing you about and you’re trying to manage navigation, sails and repairs, it’s easy to accidentally fall overboard. Fortunately, just as in when playing with others, there’s a handy merman about to help you. Just look out for the blue smoke from his flare and swim towards him. You’ll be back on deck in no time.

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