The vibrant world of Sea of Thieves has long enticed landlubbers to raise anchor and set sail for adventure. However, many have yet to try a life of piracy, with the threat of battle-scarred swashbucklers looming on the horizon! That’s where Safer Seas comes into play!
With Safer Seas, new swabbies can earn their sea legs at their own pace with no one around but themselves and their crew. But that doesn’t mean there still aren’t fearsome opponents and devilish hazards to contend with! They just won’t be in the form of other pirates!
What is Safer Seas?
Safer Seas allows you to play Sea of Thieves on a private server with only your crew. Unlike High Seas, where you can encounter other players, you and up to three crewmates will be the only pirates sailing the sea.
Whether you are a newcomer hoping to learn the ropes or a veteran looking to fish in peace, Safer Seas allows you to play however you like without the pressure of other crews affecting your experience.
While the world is essentially the same, with the same weapons, ships, islands, and enemies, some noteworthy differences exist.
A significant difference is you will earn less Gold and a Reputation when sailing on Safer Seas compared to the High Seas. Reducing Gold and Reputation compensates for the decreased risk you’ll encounter in Safer Seas.
Other differences include features and types of play that are only available in High Seas, such as the Athena’s Fortune and Reaper’s Bones Trading Companies. With those more PVP-focused Trading Companies only accessible in the High Seas, you will not find Chests of Legends, Chests of Fortune, or Reaper’s Chests in Safer Seas, for example.
How do you play Safer Seas?
You can play Safer Seas by choosing ‘Safer Seas’ in the Main Menu after selecting Adventure mode. After you pick Safer Seas, you can charter a ship, assemble a crew, and set sail. You are not locked into Safer Seas once you choose it. You can freely swap between Safer Seas and High Seas whenever you like.
To play High Seas, return to the Main Menu and choose ‘High Seas’ after selecting Adventure mode.
Your pirate is shared between Safer Seas and High Seas, so your progress will carry over between both experiences.
Can you play with anyone else in Safer Seas?
Depending on your chosen ship type, you can play with up to three friends on the same ship in Safer Seas. You can play with one friend on a Sloop, up to two friends on a Brigantine, and up to three friends on a Galleon.
Can you earn Gold in Safer Seas?
You can earn Gold in Safer Seas, and there is no limit to the amount you can make. However, since there is no risk of other crews stealing your Gold, your Gold earnings will be 30% of what you would make in High Seas.
Can you earn Reputation in Safer Seas?
You can earn a Reputation in Safer Seas. Similar to Gold, your Reputation earnings will be 30% of what you would make in High Seas. However, unlike Gold, there are limits to the amount you can acquire and for what Trading Companies.
First, you cannot earn any Reputation for the Athena’s Fortune or Reaper’s Bones Trading Companies in Safer Seas. That means you won’t find any Athena’s Fortune or Reaper’s Bones treasure to sell to the Mysterious Stranger and Servant of the Flame in Safer Seas. You also cannot acquire any Allegiance for the Guardians of Fortune or Servants of the Flame.
Second, Safer Seas caps the Reputation Level for Gold Hoarders, Order of Souls, Merchant Alliance, and Hunter’s Call at Reputation Level 40. Consequently, that means reaching Pirate Legend in Safer Seas is impossible.
You can play in Safer Seas regardless of your Reputation Level. However, you will only earn more Reputation Levels past 40 if you sail the High Seas.
Can you become a Pirate Legend in Safer Seas?
Since you cannot reach Reputation Level 50 in three different Trading Companies in Safer Seas, becoming a Pirate Legend in Safer Seas is impossible. But just because you can’t become a Pirate Legend in Safer Seas does not mean you can’t sail Safer Seas as a Pirate Legend. All pirates are welcome!
Can you earn Doubloons in Safer Seas?
You can earn Doubloons in Safer Seas, and there is no limit to the amount you can make. There is also no reduction in value, so you will earn 100% of what you acquire.
Can you earn Ancient Coins in Safer Seas?
You can earn Ancient Coins in Safer Seas from the Plunder Pass and Ancient Skeletons. Ancient Skeletons can appear in Safer Seas and have the same chance to appear in Safer Seas as in High Seas. Unlike Gold and Reputation, you will also earn 100% of their value.
Can you find every piece of Treasure in Safer Seas?
While you can find most of the same treasure between Safer Seas and High Seas, there are specific treasures you cannot find in Safer Seas, notably Athena’s Fortune and Reaper’s Bones treasure.
The treasures that do not appear in Safer Seas are:
- Athena’s Fortune treasure
- Skull of Destiny
- Chest of Fortune
- Reaper’s Chest
- Reaper’s Bounty
- Ritual Skull
- Generous Gift
- Humble Gift
- Rag and Bone Crate
- All Tomes
You can still find Ashen Chests and Keys as they can contain Gold Bags, Doubloon Bags, and Ashen Trinkets which are available in Safer Seas.
Can you fish in Safer Seas?
Yes, you can fish in Safer Seas. You can find every kind of fish and complete all but one Hunter’s Call Commendation in Safer Seas.
Can you do every Voyage in Safer Seas?
While most Voyages are available in Safer Seas, there are some that you can only start in High Seas. These Voyages include Athena’s Fortune, Skull Stash, and Gilded Voyages.
Can you do Tall Tales in Safer Seas?
You can do every Tall Tale in Safer Seas and use any Checkpoints you’ve unlocked.
Do World Events appear in Safer Seas?
Yes, World Events appear in Safer Seas. You can expect to encounter Skeleton Forts, Skeleton Fleets, Ghost Fleets, Ashen Lords, and Krakens. However, there are two specific World Events, the Fort of Fortune and the Fort of the Damned, that cannot appear in Safer Seas.
Is the Fort of the Damned World Event in Safer Seas?
While the Fort of the Damned is still in the Sea of Thieves, you cannot start the World Event as you can’t acquire the pink Flame of Fate or a Ritual Skull.
Does the Megalodon appear in Safer Seas?
Yes, the Megalodon can appear in Safer Seas. Its occurrence and behavior are similar to Megalodons found in High Seas. You can even find the Shrouded Ghost in Safer Seas and complete the commendation for defeating it.
Do emergent Skeleton Ships appear in Safer Seas?
While you don’t have to worry about player ships getting the jump on you, you still need to be on the watch for emergent Skeleton Ships patrolling the waters in Safer Seas.
Do Sea Forts appear in Safer Seas?
Yes, Sea Forts appear in Safer Seas.
Do Siren Treasuries appear in Safer Seas?
Yes, Siren Treasures appear in Safer Seas.
Can you represent a Trading Company as an Emissary in Safer Seas?
No, you cannot represent a Trading Company or Guild as an Emissary in Safer Seas. Since sailing as an Emissary can boost Gold and Reputation in return for greater risk, being an Emissary is not available in Safer Seas as there is zero risk.
Can you do Trade Routes and sell Commodities in Safer Seas?
Commodities are tied to the Merchant Alliance Emissary. Since you cannot represent the Merchant Alliance as an Emissary, you cannot purchase Commodities.
Can you sail a Captain Ship in Safer Seas?
You can not sail a Captain Ship in Safer Seas. You can only use Charter Ships in Safer Seas. That means that you can only earn Ship Milestones, save Ship Cosmetics, purchase Captain’s Voyages, and sell treasure to the Sovereigns on the High Seas.
Can you sail a Guild Ship in Safer Seas?
You cannot sail a Guild Ship in Safer Seas. That means you can only progress your Guild on the High Seas.
Can you bury treasure in Safer Seas?
Yes, you can bury your treasure and create Treasure Stash Maps in Safer Seas. However, you can’t post your maps to the Quest Board since no other crews can take them.
Can you earn Seasonal Renown in Safer Seas?
You can earn Seasonal Renown in Safer Seas. Unlike Gold and Reputation, your earnings will be 100% of what you would make in High Seas.
Is Gold & Glory and other Live Events in Safer Seas?
No, you can’t participate in any Live Events on Safer Seas. You’ll need to set sail on the High Seas to experience Gold and Glory, Grogmanay, and other Live Events.
Can you do Hourglass Faction Battles in Safer Seas?
No, you can’t do Hourglass Faction Battles in Safer Seas since you cannot pledge Allegiance to the Guardians of Fortune or the Servants of the Flame.
Can you visit the Faction Hideouts in Safer Seas?
You can visit the Athena’s Fortune Hideout and Reaper’s Lair in Safer Seas if you have unlocked them in High Seas.
Can you unlock Commendations in Safer Seas?
Yes, you can unlock Commendations in Safer Seas. However, there are some Commendations that you can only acquire in the High Seas as they require the presence of other crews. You can easily see which Commendations are only available in High Seas as they have a lock and ‘Only available in High Seas’ message next to them.
Below are the Commendations that are unavailable in Safer Seas:
Gold Hoarders Commendations
Regarding Gold Hoarder Commendations, most are available to work on, but all the Commendations involving Gold Hoarder Emissary are only available in High Seas.
The following Gold Hoarder Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Emissary of Gold
- Worthy Emissary of Gold
- Dedicated Emissary of Gold
- Esteemed Emissary of Gold
- Unrivalled Emissary of Gold
- Golden Tribute
- Eminent Hoarder
- Hoarder’s Garb
- Hoarder’s Livery
- Hoarders Through and Through
Order of Souls Commendations
As for Order of Souls Commendations, most are available to unlock, but all the Commendations involving Order of Souls Emissary, the Fort of Fortune, and being in an Alliance are only available in High Seas.
The following Order of Souls Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Emissary of Souls
- Worthy Emissary of Souls
- Dedicated Emissary of Souls
- Esteemed Emissary of Souls
- Unrivalled Emissary of Souls
- Gathering Secrets
- Honoured Mystic
- Order’s Garb
- Order’s Livery
- Order Through and Through
- Scourge of Brutal Bastions
- United Against the Damned
- United Against the Flame
Merchant Alliance Commendations
You can unlock a majority of the Merchant Alliance Commendations, but all the Commendations involving Merchant Alliance Emissary, Commodities, and being in an Alliance are only available in High Seas.
The following Merchant Alliance Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Emissary of Merchants
- Worthy Emissary of Merchants
- Dedicated Emissary of Merchants
- Esteemed Emissary of Merchants
- Unrivalled Emissary of Merchants
- Precious Commodities
- Prestigious Merchant
- Merchant’s Garb
- Merchant’s Livery
- Merchants Through and Through
- Haggler of Surplus Stock
- Profiteer of Sought Stock
- Taker of Stolen Stock
- Master of Shifted Stock
Hunter's Call Commendations
You can complete every Hunter’s Call Commendation in Safer Seas except the “Captain of The Killer Whale” Commendation for purchasing all parts of The Killer Whale Ship.
Athena's Fortune Commendations
The only Athena’s Fortune Commendation you can complete in Safer Seas is the “Legendary Hunter of the Shrouded Ghost” Commendation for defeating The Shrouded Ghost as a Pirate Legend.
Reaper's Bones Commendations
Every Reaper’s Bones Commendation is unavailable in Safer Seas.
Guardians of Fortune and Servants of the Flame Commendations
Every Commendation for each Faction is unavailable in Safer Seas except the Commendations for taking part in the Blessing of Athena’s Fortune ceremony and taking part in the Ritual of the Flame.
Skeleton Thrones Commendations
The Skeleton Throne Commendations that require you to find and sit in a Skeleton Throne with another crew are not available in Safer Seas.
Gunpowder Skeletons Commendations
The only Gunpowder Skeletons Commendations you can’t complete in Safer Seas involve the presence of another crew.
The following Gunpowder Skeletons Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Gunpowder Plot
- Legendary Gunpowder Plot
Cursed Sails Commendations
The only Cursed Sails Commendation you can’t complete in Safer Seas is “United Scourge of Skeleton Ships” for defeating 25 Skeleton Ships while in an Alliance.
The Cursed Crews Commendations
There are a lot of The Cursed Crew Commendations you can complete in Safer Seas, but there are also many that you can’t that involve other crews.
The following The Cursed Crews Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- The Curse Of The Afflicted Helm
- The Curse Of The Enslaving Chain
- The Curse Of The Treacherous Bounty
- The Curse Of The Siren’s Gale
- The Curse Of The Thieves Burden
- The Curse Of The Pacifists Demise
- Cursed Voyager
- Legendary Cursed Voyager
- The Cursed Crews
Forsaken Shores Commendations
The only Forsaken Shores Commendation you cannot unlock in Safer Seas is “Fleet Cargo Runner.”
Festival of the Damned Commendations
You can complete most of the Festival of the Damned Commendations excluding the ones involving the pink Flame of Fate and Alliances.
The following Festival of the Damned Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- The Flame of Embattled Souls
- Alliance of the Damned
- The Festival Party Boat
Mercenary Voyages Commendations
The only Mercenary Voyages Commendations you can complete in Safer Seas is the “Sketchy Stranger” Commendation for finding all of the sketches made by Stitcher Jim’s beloved.
Fort of the Damned Commendations
You cannot complete any of the Fort of the Damned Commendations in Safer Seas.
Legends of the Sea Commendations
You can complete every Legends of the Sea Commendation in Safer Seas except “The Legend of Glitterbeard.”
Ashen Treasures Commendations
While you can complete all the Ashen Treasures Commendations related to Ashen Lords, you cannot complete any of the Commendations related to stealing items or the Tomes.
The following Ashen Treasures Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Tome Raider
- Key of Thieves
- All Tome Commendations
Crews of Rage Commendations
You can complete most of the Crews of Rage Commendations in Safer Seas but there are some you cannot that include stolen Chests and the presence of another crew.
The following Crews of Rage Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Fortress Inferno
- Raging Fortress Inferno
- Hot Goods
- Blazing Hot Goods
- Raging Hot Goods
Buried Treasures Commendations
You can complete many Buried Treasures Commendations in Safer Seas but there are dozens you cannot that include donating maps to the Quest Board, interacting with another crew’s ship, and burying Athena’s Fortune treasures.
The following Buried Treasures Commendations are unavailable in Safer Seas:
- Master Cartographer
- Benevolent Benefactor
- Stolen Secrets
- Burying the Past
- Nothing To See Here
- Hider of Legendary Secrets
- Skies of Friendship
- Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
- Warning Shot
- Legend of Buried Treasures
Sea Forts Commendations
You can unlock every Commendation for Sea Forts in Safer Seas.
Chests of Fortune Commendations
You cannot complete any of the Chests of Fortune Commendations in Safer Seas.
Guilds of Gold Commendations
You cannot complete any of the Guilds of Gold Commendations in Safer Seas.
The Skull of Siren Song Commendations
You cannot complete any of the Skull of Siren Song Commendations in Safer Seas.
Can you unlock Achievements in Safer Seas?
Yes, you can unlock Achievements in Safer Seas. However, there are some Achievements that you can only acquire in the High Seas as they require the presence of other crews and features not available in Safer Seas such as Emissaries, the Sovereigns, Tomes, and the Chest of Fortune.
