Sea of Thieves is set to add one of its most significant updates yet: solo play.
Ever since Rare’s multiplayer-focused pirate adventure game launched in 2018, the developers have faced questions about the addition of solo play. Now, it’s finally coming as part of Season 10 in December. Finally, you won’t have to worry about rival pirates stealing your hard-earned treasure!
In a post on Xbox Wire, creative director Mike Chapman explained the decision. “Just as we hope that the Skull of Siren Song will encourage competitive play, we recognize that for some players, a quieter, more independent experience can be preferable,” Chapman said.
“That’s why, in December, Season 10’s third major feature will introduce an entirely new game mode that grants players the ability to sail the Sea of Thieves alone or with a crew of friends, within their own private game session.”
Solo play comes as part of the Safer Seas feature. It’s intended to offer a “gentler” introduction to Sea of Thieves for new players, as well as a quieter map for existing players who want to play their own solo adventures.
I have about 600 hours in SOT so I can answer this.
So honestly that’s a TON of progression without risk, but it’ll be slow going. Emissaries allow you to increase your rewards for a particular faction (reapers, hoarders, merchants, order of souls) so you can’t get those bonuses.
You need to be a pirate legend to captian a ship, and you need three of the primary factions at level 50 to become a pirate legend. Literally no difference beyond achievements and cosmetics. Captaincy just let’s you “own” the ship that spawns in, and essentially designates a player as “leader” whereas in normal play its ad hoc on who does what. And a captained ship just has a name and extra cosmetics anyway.
Can’t earn rep for reapers which kinda sucks, but makes sense. It’s the pvp faction. But many players do pve reapers as well.
I’d say safer seas covers about 75%.