Sea of Thieves is the definitive pirate sandbox where every ship on the horizon is crewed by real players who might trade, ally, or attack on sight. The sailing model is the best in gaming — managing sails, anchor, wheel, and cannons as a coordinated crew creates moments of genuine teamwork unmatched by other multiplayer games. The game has transformed since its sparse 2018 launch into a content-rich experience with 11 Tall Tales (story campaigns), Trading Companies with unique voyage types, world events, Pirate Legend endgame, and seasonal content. The 2024 PS5 launch brought crossplay, doubling the active playerbase.
Sea of Thieves features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Build |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Isles | All levels (starting region) | Balanced loot, moderate threats, good learning environment | Cannoneer |
| 2 | The Wilds | Intermediate | Fort of the Damned, atmospheric exploration, Reaper's Hideout (sell stolen loot) | Cannoneer |
| 3 | Shores of Plenty | Beginner-friendly | Easy navigation, multiple outposts, clear visibility for threat detection | Helmsman |
| 4 | Devil's Roar | Advanced | 2x gold/reputation multiplier, Ashen loot (higher value), volcanic challenges | Helmsman |
| 5 | Sea of the Damned | Tall Tale progression | Tall Tale completion, unique cosmetics, narrative content, Pirate Lord encounters | Helmsman |
Ancient Isles — Starting Area
The central region with moderate difficulty and diverse island types. Good for learning the game with a mix of easy and moderate threats. Ancient Isles islands are visually distinct with tribal ruins and underground caves. Plunder Outpost and Ancient Spire Outpost serve as selling locations.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All levels (starting region) |
| Key Rewards | Balanced loot, moderate threats, good learning environment |
| Recommended Build | Cannoneer |
| Key Equipment | Blunderbuss |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of sailing — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first equipment upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to The Wilds.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
The Wilds — Early Game
A darker, more dangerous region with fog, rain, and aggressive skeleton spawns. The Wilds have the best atmosphere and the most dangerous island layouts. Fort of the Damned (highest-reward fort event) spawns here.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Intermediate |
| Key Rewards | Fort of the Damned, atmospheric exploration, Reaper's Hideout (sell stolen loot) |
| Recommended Build | Cannoneer |
| Key Equipment | Blunderbuss |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering treasure hunting — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Blunderbuss if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Shores of Plenty.
Shores of Plenty — Mid Game
The brightest, most colorful region with clear waters and easy navigation. Best for new players learning sailing and treasure hunting. The islands are smaller and easier to navigate. Multiple outposts provide convenient selling locations.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly |
| Key Rewards | Easy navigation, multiple outposts, clear visibility for threat detection |
| Recommended Build | Helmsman |
| Key Equipment | Blunderbuss |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Cutlass becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master ship combat for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Devil's Roar — Late Game
A volcanic region where islands periodically erupt, dealing damage and launching rocks. Geysers stun players. Devil's Roar voyages reward double gold and reputation due to the hazardous environment. Experienced crews farm the Roar for fastest reputation grinding.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Advanced |
| Key Rewards | 2x gold/reputation multiplier, Ashen loot (higher value), volcanic challenges |
| Recommended Build | Helmsman |
| Key Equipment | Cutlass |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Cutlass should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- reputation grinding mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Sea of the Damned.
Sea of the Damned — Endgame
A supernatural region accessed through Tall Tales (story campaigns) or specific portals. Contains ghost ships, supernatural enemies, and unique narrative content. The Ferry of the Damned (respawn location) exists here, and certain Tall Tales have dramatic sequences in this realm.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Tall Tale progression |
| Key Rewards | Tall Tale completion, unique cosmetics, narrative content, Pirate Lord encounters |
| Recommended Build | Helmsman |
| Key Equipment | Cutlass |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with Navigator for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Ancient Isles → The Wilds → Shores of Plenty → Devil's Roar → Sea of the Damned. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your equipment — Some areas favor different equipment types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Sea of Thieves Guides
- Sea of Thieves Sea of Thieves Overview
- Sea of Thieves Best Builds
- Sea of Thieves Tier List
- Sea of Thieves Walkthrough
- Sea of Thieves Beginner's Guide
- Sea of Thieves Tips & Tricks
- Sea of Thieves Weapons Guide
- Sea of Thieves Combat Guide
- Sea of Thieves Boss Guide
- Sea of Thieves Crafting Guide
- Sea of Thieves Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Sea of Thieves, check out these related guides:
- Red Dead Redemption 2 Maps & Locations — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dredge Maps & Locations — adventure game with similar mechanics
- Dave the Diver Maps & Locations — adventure game with similar mechanics
