10 Things I Wish I knew Before Playing Skull and Bones

I’ve been sailing the seas of Skull and Bones for around thirty hours now, though I could have likely achieved the same progress in twenty had I been more strategic. While Skull and Bones isn’t exceptionally challenging, it does demand a significant time investment, and the grind can be taxing, particularly for players looking to advance rapidly. While I’m currently working on a review, Tyler shared some insights based on his experience during the open beta last week.

While I can’t make the grind any less demanding, these pointers may help you navigate some early-game challenges and clarify certain vague aspects that led me astray. No spoilers, just a few rusty nails.

1. Loot indiscriminately: Skull and Bones can be grind-heavy, and all the loot you encounter will likely be needed at some point. Remember to consider the value of collecting seemingly mundane items like rusty nails and loading up on everything, especially metal salvage.
2. Always move cargo to your warehouse: Utilize your warehouse to store crafting materials and commodities whenever you dock. This prevents overburdening your cargo and ensures a smoother recovery if your ship is sunk, as most onboard cargo drops at the location of your death.
3. Always be docking: Dock at outposts, even without immediate tasks. This creates a new fast travel option, provides an opportunity to transfer items to your warehouse, and allows for a complete boat repair if needed.
4. Buy all the blueprints you can in the early game: Skull and Bones features a crafting system, and buying blueprints when available saves time on later resource-gathering trips.
5. Be indiscriminately violent: The game’s reputation system resembles GTA’s wanted levels. Aggressively engaging with enemy ships can be profitable, and once the aggro subsides, everyone acts as if nothing happened.
6. Keep hydrated and nourished: Pirates need water and food too. Replenish water at outposts, as sailing while consuming water increases speed. Eating food imparts various buffs, including increased boat stamina.
7. Stick together in co-op: In cooperative play, enemies are more potent. Joining a group is worthwhile if you plan to stick with the other members, as lone sailors may find the difficulty level too high.
8. Your spyglass is really useful: Regularly use your spyglass to get a closer look at other ships, settlements, and islands. It allows you to mark enemies, see their cargo, and assess their armor.
9. Roam relevant supply routes for the materials you need: When at the Blacksmith, track a blueprint’s material requirements to have them marked on your map. This makes it easier to source suitable materials along relevant supply routes.
10. Understand progression: Infamy is your overall pirate ranking and doesn’t make you more powerful. It determines the gear blueprints and contracts you can access. It’s Skull and Bones’ way of gating content for later in the game and doesn’t affect your current ship.