After years of anticipation, Ubisoft’s Skull and Bones finally sets sail, offering an open-world pirate RPG where the high seas are yours to conquer. Whether you’re braving the waters alone or joining forces with up to two other captains, this game throws you into a living, dangerous ocean filled with enemy ships, hidden treasures, and unpredictable challenges.
If you’re just starting out, this guide will give you the practical knowledge to Skull and Bones Items navigate exploration, combat, resource gathering, and more—so you can build your pirate legend from the ground up.
Infamy is the lifeblood of progression in Skull and Bones. Every enemy ship you sink and mission you complete boosts your Infamy, unlocking new ship blueprints, weapons, and upgrades.
When you reach Sainte-Anne, the main pirate hub, focus on completing the initial quest chain to learn the basics. Afterward, prioritize the main storyline missions from John Scurlock, and grab nearby side quests while you’re at it. Stacking objectives in the same area is the quickest way to gain Infamy efficiently.
Your map isn’t just a navigational tool—it’s your lifeline. Press M to view points of interest, landmarks, and resources, and use G to track quests so your objectives appear clearly in the world.
When crafting, use the Knowledge Panel (K) and open the Codex to track specific materials. Once you tag a material, it’s highlighted on your map, making it much easier to plan resource runs.
Sainte-Anne is safe, but your adventures will take you far beyond its waters. As you discover new Outposts, dock at them to unlock fast travel points. This saves you hours of sailing—though it costs silver to use. Decide whether the expense is worth it or if you’d rather take the scenic (and sometimes dangerous) route.
The world teems with resources—from rare plants to salvageable wrecks. To harvest them, you’ll need tools like a Pickaxe, Saw, Sickle, Crowbar, Hunting Spear, and Spyglass, all of which can be crafted at Sainte-Anne’s Carpenter.
Many gathering activities feature timing-based mini-games. Hit the green zone on the meter for bonus materials. Every extra plank or ore could make the difference between upgrading your ship or going into battle underprepared.
Inventory management matters. Your ship’s Cargo Hold is limited, so don’t head out overloaded. Store crafting materials in your Warehouse and keep only essentials—ammunition, repairs, consumables, and quest items—on board.
Also, check your Mailbox after increasing your Infamy. Ubisoft often rewards your notoriety with valuable items.
Nothing says “pirate life” like treasure maps. When you find one, track it in your journal to see a visual clue of its location. Search the area for the landmark shown, then dig when you see the glowing beacon.
Ship customization is key to survival. You can equip different weapons—Culverins, Demi-cannons, Bombards, Long Guns—and assign them to specific sides of your vessel.
Armor upgrades improve durability, while Furniture offers passive buffs. For example, a Scoping Station gives you a bonus when sniping enemies from long range—perfect for Long Gun setups.
Your hull takes damage from both enemy fire and environmental hazards like storms. Always carry Repair Kits to patch up mid-voyage.
Your ship also has stamina, which drains at full speed. Slow down or sail with the wind at your back to recover it. Cooked food, bonfires, and certain furniture can also provide stamina boosts. Sailing against the wind? Expect slower travel and plan accordingly.
Crafting a Spyglass gives you vital intel. Press R to inspect ships from a distance, revealing their type, armor, loot, and quest relevance. This lets you pick your battles wisely and avoid wasting ammo on poor rewards.
The ocean isn’t just about you versus the world—AI factions often fight each other. You can either join mid-battle to tip the scales or wait for one side to sink the other, swooping in to claim the spoils with minimal effort.
In combat, look for red glowing weak points on enemy ships. Hitting these deals massive damage. When they’re critically damaged, close in and press R to board. Successful boarding with harpoons can earn you extra loot.
Bounties offer rich rewards but are high-risk. Accept them from the Bounty Board in Sainte-Anne, but note they’re time-limited. Privateers, another dangerous threat, will attack if you linger nearby, so keep your distance until you’re ready for a fight.
If your ship sinks, you can respawn for free at your last dock or pay silver to respawn closer to where you sank. But beware: if you die again before reclaiming your cargo, it’s gone forever.
Some challenges—fort sieges, high-level bounties—are simply easier with friends. Skull and Bones supports co-op for up to three players. You can join groups via the Social Menu or use the Call Help function to skull and bones boosting for sale send out a distress beacon.
A World of Riches Awaits
The beauty of Skull and Bones lies in its unpredictable world—calm seas one moment, chaos the next. Whether you’re chasing treasure, building the perfect warship, or ambushing rival captains, every voyage has the potential to be your most memorable yet.
If you’re ready to start your pirate career, Skull and Bones is available now on the Epic Games Store. The Premium Edition includes the Ballad of Bloody Bones Collection, extra missions, a Smuggler Pass token, a digital artbook, and the game’s official soundtrack—perfect for setting the mood on your next daring adventure.