New players are not welcome?

  • Old Scratch3264
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    I had just sailed to my first island doing a gold hoarders (if that's their name) quest and while I was looking at the map to see which direction i need to go to drop of the chest I heard some guy saying it was initiation time and started attacking me. I had been playing for about 30 minutes or however long the tutorial lasts plus getting to this island. I couldn't even finish the. first. quest. in. the. game. I was checking it out to bring some friends on but if they won't even be able to finish ONE thing before being destroyed, I think we will pass.

    I understand getting thrown to the wolves after you have some time to gather a few things, or, you know, finish the first quest. Now I understand why people say to avoid this game.

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  • RuveLife
    Seafarer
    Insider

    Hey there, @old-scratch3264

    I'm really sorry to hear you've had such an experience.
    Me personally tend to leave complete new players alone or even help them on their way (as long as they don't attack me). But there's a good amount of people who just like to pick on the weak ones, maybe they couldn't win a battle before and they see this as the perfect opportunity to make them feel better...

    But it is a bit of an ongoing theme in this game, anything goes tbh...
    I hope you and your friends give it another go, learning along the way. I promise you, you'll have some great times with great people on the seas, not everyone is bad ;-).
    Maybe in a year or so, you and your friends come across a new player doing his first quest, then you can help him out, show him the ropes, maybe make some new friends along the way.

    Grts, Ruve

  • WolfManbush
    Champion

    Just remember how it feels.

    You can't control what others do but you can control what you do. Take out new crews only as long as it fits your needs then move up and take out stiffer competition because they will offer more of what you need.

    There shouldn't be any rules around pirating but that doesn't mean people can't lead by example and show mercy when they have little to offer. So if you keep playing and get better just remember how it feels.

    some guy saying it was initiation time

    You don't wanna end up like Captain Cringey

  • Vaca Hombre
    Champion
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @old-scratch3264

    Welcome!

    You're probably going to get a lot of replies that boil down to little more than "deal with it", so let me jump in first and try and be helpful.

    New players are always welcome. But indeed, some sessions aren't going to seem that way. With the session based gameplay and low server population, your experiences are going to vary wildly. Sometimes you'll sail for over an hour without seeing a soul, and sometimes it'll seem like you're surrounded by ships out for your blood.

    It can be a tough thing to acclimate yourself to. Here are a few of my go-to tips that hopefully help you out.

    **It's Okay to Die. **
    --‐------------------------
    Video games have taught us that dying is losing. You died means you failed. Sea of Thieves isn't quite the same. Yes, dying means you may lose your loot and robs you of some time. But that's about it. Dying carries no inherent penalty. You won't lose experience, ranking, or cashed in treasure. Dying is a minor inconvenience in SoT, so don't let it get to you.

    **Finishing Voyages Isn't Necessary. **

    In Sea of Thieves, you only get gold from the treasure you turn in. While finishing Voyages can net you good treasure, there is no bonus for completing the entire thing. If someone is hindering your progress, it may be more profitable to cancel the Voyage, go to the other side of the map (or another server entirely), and get a new one. Don't get hung up on completing Voyages.

    **It Will Get Better. **

    I'm sure right now it may seem insurmountable. How in the world are you supposed to read maps, solve riddles, and fight skellies all while keeping an eye out for hostile pirates? But it will get better. As I said above, some play sessions will be relatively peaceful and as you learn the ropes and get familiar with the islands and mechanics, things will get much smoother.

    **PvP Isn't Personal. **

    Many PvPers like to raz you a bit when they attack, but 99% of them don't intend to be mean about it. Sea of Thieves is a PvPvE game, and as such, these two playstyles are being thrown together more here than in other games. "Trash Talk" (a term I don't really like) is nothing more than good natured ribbing to most PvP veterans, so they don't think anything about giving you the business both verbally and physically. Just try to keep in mind that the majority of them aren't trying to be mean. Just ignore it and remember the above point; It's Okay to Die.

    These are just a few tips. I'm sure others can give you more. All you can do is plug away at it and see if the game is for you. And if not, there's no shame in that. I tried to get into the Borderlands franchise three times and bounced off hard everytime.

  • shifty189
    Marauder

    Another good tip for beginners is to find someone to play with. While I think playing solo is the best way to get better, play as a member of a crew makes a great many things easier. And for the very very first few times playing I think you should have at least one other person in your crew

  • The Staples 89
    Captain
    Insider

    Dont be discouraged, this game isnt a lose all when you sink or die type of game. You got unlucky wich i feel for ya. But pvp is part of the game so always keep an eye on the horrizon. Another thing to remeber is not all boats sailing twards you wants pvp, some are freindly. Just have another go and keep am eye out, if you see a boat keep an eye on them amd what they are doing (same for you map cause some ships flying reaper flags or emesaries can be seen on the map) if you want to run, face your sail dead forward and sail into the wind (sounds dumb but if your on a sloop you can out run anyone) but if you want to fight then have a go and just remeber death and or sinking is ok, you can always get loot again. And another tip is sell your stuff often so if you do sink its no loss. And like said before find some freinds to play with (waaaay better chance to defend plus freinds is what makes the game fun) plus if you want to pvp thats good practice and i recondmend if you can go into the fight with no loot so incase you do sink you wont lose anything.

  • ClownPoison
    Marauder

    @old-scratch3264 it will happen and keep happening , but it will be less often as you become more skilled and more aware of the world and other players, and you will begin to develop tactics to cope.
    I mostly solo sloop and Im not great at PVP , but I have got a lot better at cannons (by practising) and am getting better at sneaky thinking and strats. You need to be inventive.
    For example I saw a Reaper Brig coming for me , I moved all my loot into the rowboat sent my ship onward and rowed away with the loot. I could see them chase my sloop and I scuttled the sloop and sold the loot.
    When you sink always think what could you have done differently. Another time I was chased for 45 minutes before being sunk, I had tried alsorts to shake them but it didnt work. But afterward I realised I had sailed past loads of outposts during the chase and could have been jumping off and selling loot...next time I will do so.

    You get a new boat when you sink so no probs.

    Lastly it is the time /work wasted , to get loot, that stings the most so if you don't actually enjoy the journey, the sailing the voyages then probably dont play the game

  • BloodyBil
    Legend
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264 said in New players are not welcome?:

    I had just sailed to my first island doing a gold hoarders (if that's their name) quest and while I was looking at the map to see which direction i need to go to drop of the chest I heard some guy saying it was initiation time and started attacking me. I had been playing for about 30 minutes or however long the tutorial lasts plus getting to this island. I couldn't even finish the. first. quest. in. the. game. I was checking it out to bring some friends on but if they won't even be able to finish ONE thing before being destroyed, I think we will pass.

    I understand getting thrown to the wolves after you have some time to gather a few things, or, you know, finish the first quest. Now I understand why people say to avoid this game.

    A 4 years old founder new player? That's rarer than the shrouded ghost hehehe.
    Great tips all around, it's never too late to pick new tricks and strategies to make your voyages easier, especially finding like-minded players to show you the ropes.

  • Old Scratch3264
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    Having read the feedback here I think I will give it another go, I wasn't aware you were "supposed to die". Having done some digging I now understand better what the game is about. Thank you all for the suggestions.

    As for being a founder I played way back before the game came out and everyone just played together, I'm not sure if I was ever involved in any PVP. The game was comparatively bare-bones back then and moved on due to lack of content.

  • Old Scratch3264
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    Well I gave it a go again, I was running with some treasure and a guy caught me and killed me. It was an exciting chase. But then he was killing me when I respawned. I see that the game could be fun, but the trolling has killed any interest I might have been building. Why would they make it so you could get spawn killed?.

    Anyway maybe the game just isn't for me, I hate when people just want to ruin someone else's game time like that. And every experience I have had with this game so far has been just that. Maybe I'll check back again if something is done to curb all the trolling.

    Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to this thread!

  • WolfManbush
    Champion

    @old-scratch3264

    Well I gave it a go again, I was running with some treasure and a guy caught me and killed me. It was an exciting chase. But then he was killing me when I respawned. I see that the game could be fun, but the trolling has killed any interest I might have been building. Why would they make it so you could get spawn killed?.
    Anyway maybe the game just isn't for me, I hate when people just want to ruin someone else's game time like that. And every experience I have had with this game so far has been just that. Maybe I'll check back again if something is done to curb all the trolling.
    Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to this thread!

    What's the difference between getting sunk and killed over and over which is your choice to participate in?

    Rare doesn't enable spawn camping, you do by going through that door over and over

    Would you be here having an issue if you had won the fights you got in? Why is it Rare's problem that people don't like to lose?

    If you enjoy the game outside of losing why not put in the effort to gain and earn the skills and knowledge about the environment so that you lose less?

  • ClosingHare208
    Marauder
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264 said in New players are not welcome?:

    I had just sailed to my first island doing a gold hoarders (if that's their name) quest and while I was looking at the map to see which direction i need to go to drop of the chest I heard some guy saying it was initiation time and started attacking me. I had been playing for about 30 minutes or however long the tutorial lasts plus getting to this island. I couldn't even finish the. first. quest. in. the. game. I was checking it out to bring some friends on but if they won't even be able to finish ONE thing before being destroyed, I think we will pass.

    I understand getting thrown to the wolves after you have some time to gather a few things, or, you know, finish the first quest. Now I understand why people say to avoid this game.

    it's a hard learning curve look out for ships rule number one don't all ways trust other crews and NEVER EVER DROP ANCHOR OR FACE AN ISLAND!

  • Vaca Hombre
    Champion
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @old-scratch3264

    Shoot, I forgot that rule.

    The Scuttle Button is Your Best Friend.

    If someone kills me onboard my ship, I don't even bother respawning. Scuttle, respawn elsewhere, and move on. People usually spawn camp to try and make sure you sink. Scuttling gets you out of the situation and keeps you from respawning too far away from where you were.

  • Twisted5512
    Seafarer

    I am a new player. Started in the last sale and have around 43h in game now all solo as my friends are waiting on another sale to join.

    I have only had three boats actively attack me in that time. I am on the US East coast.

    The first I was fighting a Skeleton Ship and they opened fire and I ended up sinking them.

    Second I was selling my last bit of loot before logging and I saw a boat coming and sold it all in time. I crashed the boat on the ramp when going there. They sunk my boat after a little fight but it was just for fun as I had nothing to lose.

    Third I was spawn camped by three players and had no loot. Did not bother me I just scuttled after a few times of trying to fight.

    A few tips I learned from the forum players and research.

    Always look around, you can see Ships easily. Keep vigilant and if on and island always sporadically check your surroundings and ship. Never let your guard down.

    When sailing turn off your lanterns. While you can still be seen easily if someone is actively looking you are not a bright light beacon. I also don't know if this may deter some players as they may think you are not new. Just a theory of course.

    If you see a ship coming load the cannons. Be prepared. Put cannons, bombs, planks and food into your inventory. Learn to use the shortcut keys as switching is a lot faster.

    Don't hoard treasure. If doing quests drop off loot when passing anywhere on the way to the next island.

    If you find yourself being spawn camped scuttle. You will respawn somewhere else and you can even change servers if you wish instead.

    I practice alot on Skeleton Ships for cannon ball aim and can easily take down a sloop or galleon one now. First time I was sunk in 30s. Its all about practice in this game.

    I may have just been lucky but I also don't mind if I lose anything. Any battle will help you learn how better to protect yourself against others.

    Take time to enjoy the fun within the journey and not just the end result of handing in loot.

  • OtherFanboy
    Legend
    Insider
    Founder

    Yea you’ll run into player who would rather just go around sinking players weather they have loot or not at other times it could be a crew looking to steal loot some crews want to be left alone to do there own thing but it is the Sea Of THIEVES so you always have to be on the look out it sucks that it so hard to jump in this game when you new and you no idea what to expect but don’t give up so easy if you find yourself on an aggressive server switch start a new ship an hope for a calmer one and always remember just cuz a crew has loot on their ship doesn’t make the loot theirs it’s up for grabs till it’s turned in

  • Chronodusk
    Commander
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264

    Sorry I realize you're unhappy but "initiation time" made me laugh lol.

    Give it another try. You got sunk, but you've learned and are better for it. Since this game is mainly catered to a team play experience, solo play is going to be a lot harder. You've got to manage it all yourself and you'll need to be very hyper aware since you're fending for yourself. For that reason, I'd never recommend new players to start out solo.

    When you're solo, you learn to do little precautionary things, for example, you see a ship or two on the western horizon, maybe dock your ship on the East side of the island. If it's a larger island the ships in the western direction might not spot your ship with it being obscured by the island.

    Solo play is mostly about being hyper aware while doing as much as you can to make larger crews as unaware of you as you possibly can.

  • Menphuess
    Legend
    Insider
    Founder

    Hello new pirate,

    First off I would like to say welcome to yourself.

    The game does have a learning curve to understand mechanics etc. I would strongly suggest doing the training (maiden voyage) a few times to understand the basics etc. You can repeat it so no harm.

    A large majority of the game will avoid you and circle around while they are doing their own thing but ultimately keeping distance.

    There are the section which only want and do PvP. Nothing else which is fine because the game has this. You can avoid and run away but obviously it’s frustrating and ruining your fun etc we understand.

    Just say you are new and most of the time people will understand provided you do not get on the boat. Just shoot close and say friendly and new and stay off the boat, normally best approach.

    If you play PC, you can press T type a message and then left click the mouse so it removes the chat box but still keeping it there then when close press T and it will bring it back up to press enter quickly. It’s a good way to pretype something ahead.

    There are millions pushing for PvE only so hold tight and wait for information as it’s being looking into as it’s a requested feature every single day…. Not joking. A new post crops up a lot.

    Take care on the seas and happy sailing. If you see my name around, I am friendly so drop a hello :)

  • Old Scratch3264
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    @wolfmanbush So if I die I am supposed to log off and hope the other guy gets bored before I attempt to start playing again? That isn't fun to me. I would rather play the game than wait someone out.

  • WolfManbush
    Champion

    @old-scratch3264

    @wolfmanbush So if I die I am supposed to log off and hope the other guy gets bored before I attempt to start playing again? That isn't fun to me. I would rather play the game than wait someone out.

    Only takes a couple minutes to be back to sailing on a new server and only takes about 20 minutes after that to have a boat full of loot

    You're free to stay or go but if you're not willing to put in some effort I'm not sure how you'll find much fun in anything long term

  • Lethality1
    Vanguard
    Insider
    Founder

    @old-scratch3264

    Yep it's a true shame. Used to love this game, but, and it should be much much more popular than it is.

    But they haven't done anything to help solve the problem of other people wasting your time.

    It's one thing to fight and die - that's fine. But to also waste the previous 3 hours of playtime, is inexcusably bad design.

    Most people have left the game.

  • Lethality1
    Vanguard
    Insider
    Founder

    @wolfmanbush said in New players are not welcome?:

    @old-scratch3264

    Well I gave it a go again, I was running with some treasure and a guy caught me and killed me. It was an exciting chase. But then he was killing me when I respawned. I see that the game could be fun, but the trolling has killed any interest I might have been building. Why would they make it so you could get spawn killed?.
    Anyway maybe the game just isn't for me, I hate when people just want to ruin someone else's game time like that. And every experience I have had with this game so far has been just that. Maybe I'll check back again if something is done to curb all the trolling.
    Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to this thread!

    What's the difference between getting sunk and killed over and over which is your choice to participate in?

    Rare doesn't enable spawn camping, you do by going through that door over and over

    Would you be here having an issue if you had won the fights you got in? Why is it Rare's problem that people don't like to lose?

    If you enjoy the game outside of losing why not put in the effort to gain and earn the skills and knowledge about the environment so that you lose less?

    That's called poor game design.

    You see it right here, chasing people away.

    What you don't see, and should be concerned over, are all of the players who you DON'T see and just leave the game instead of giving constructive feedback.

  • WolfManbush
    Champion

    @lethality1 said in New players are not welcome?:

    @wolfmanbush said in New players are not welcome?:

    @old-scratch3264

    Well I gave it a go again, I was running with some treasure and a guy caught me and killed me. It was an exciting chase. But then he was killing me when I respawned. I see that the game could be fun, but the trolling has killed any interest I might have been building. Why would they make it so you could get spawn killed?.
    Anyway maybe the game just isn't for me, I hate when people just want to ruin someone else's game time like that. And every experience I have had with this game so far has been just that. Maybe I'll check back again if something is done to curb all the trolling.
    Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to this thread!

    What's the difference between getting sunk and killed over and over which is your choice to participate in?

    Rare doesn't enable spawn camping, you do by going through that door over and over

    Would you be here having an issue if you had won the fights you got in? Why is it Rare's problem that people don't like to lose?

    If you enjoy the game outside of losing why not put in the effort to gain and earn the skills and knowledge about the environment so that you lose less?

    That's called poor game design.

    You see it right here, chasing people away.

    What you don't see, and should be concerned over, are all of the players who you DON'T see and just leave the game instead of giving constructive feedback.

    It's not poor game design just because some people refuse to dust themselves off and improve so that they can thrive

  • ThaGoochiestMan
    Master
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264 World of Warships is pretty fun if it's just Naval Combat you were interested in

  • Old Scratch3264
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    @wolfmanbush I'm willing to put in the effort but I wasn't aware of the scuttle option until I opened this post today. Had I known that I would have done so and been on my way. The game doesn't do a very good job of telling you about that option.

  • WolfManbush
    Champion

    @old-scratch3264 said in New players are not welcome?:

    @wolfmanbush I'm willing to put in the effort but I wasn't aware of the scuttle option until I opened this post today. Had I known that I would have done so and been on my way. The game doesn't do a very good job of telling you about that option.

    For someone in your shoes I'd recommend selling every 15 minutes in general and after every major loot grab

    then I would keep all of my supplies in the ship barrels and I wouldn't keep any storage crates on the ship. I'd keep all the special cannon balls in my pocket.

    Once they board you and it's clear you're out skilled and out gunned scuttle immediately. It'll sink your supplies before they get them all. You'll already have the special balls on you and they won't have a storage crate around to use to steal your supplies as they camp you.

    Minimize your losses and you can handle the loss easier.

    Then just leave the server. No point staying on a server with established hostilities as a non hostile pirate. Find a new one and see how that one goes.

    If you're solo and not into pvp I wouldn't spend time collecting hundreds of supplies like people often do. Take what you need and use the extra time to bring in and sell loot. No point having massive supplies of you're gonna have a high chance of sinking eventually by yourself. Grab supplies as you run around but I wouldn't spend a lot of time on it.

    I still to this day rarely gather a lot of supplies and I get in a lot of fights. I don't wanna waste my time gathering and I don't want fights that drag on. It's more efficient to save the time to constantly keep loot coming in and selling and taking the occasional sink than it is to act like I'm playing the oregon trail and I need enough supplies for a couple of winters

  • Daquan SOT
    Ship Mate
    Insider

    First thing is this game is not for everyone, this game can be pretty grindy and it seems to be that you will lose your loot a lot at first, and i'm sorry you had a bad first experience. But you have to understand that this game you will lose a lot and win a lot, probably why we see people run so much but this game isn't hard to learn and just watch a few yt vids if your confused, soon enough you will be the one stealing the loot.

    Have fun sailing and give it another try I'm sure you will like this game!

  • Daquan SOT
    Ship Mate
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264 it literally says it in the ferry of the damned... I call this BS and the little icon is right there when you stand at the door.

  • Vaca Hombre
    Champion
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @yaboiskinypickl said in New players are not welcome?:

    @old-scratch3264 it literally says it in the ferry of the damned... I call this BS and the little icon is right there when you stand at the door.

    Nah dude, that kinda stuff can be easily missed. I've done similar things before. New to the game, heat of the moment after dying... it's perfectly believable that he might've missed it.

  • Old Scratch3264
    Marauder
    Insider
    Founder

    @yaboiskinypickl You can call B.S. all you want. I have never seen an icon as I ran through that door.

  • Vaca Hombre
    Champion
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @old-scratch3264

    It's to the right of the door. You'll get a button prompt to read it. It's not surprising you missed it, so don't sweat it.

  • Daquan SOT
    Ship Mate
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264 it clearly states "F to interact" or whatever on the right side of the doorway, its a little note saying tired of dying? why dont u scuttle? its one of the first things i read in this game.

  • Daquan SOT
    Ship Mate
    Insider

    it is kinda surprising since its RIGHT there and i see it whenever i walk through that door.

  • Vaca Hombre
    Champion
    Boatswain
    Founder

    @yaboiskinypickl

    But you see it every time because you know it's there. I notice it too, but that's because I know it's there. (Also because I tend to chill out on the Ferry for up to half an hour every now and then)

    I can't tell you the number of times I've watched one of my brothers play through a section of a game I already went through and they'd be completely lost. Meanwhile, I'm watching them walk by the glowing keycard, complete with pick up prompt, like five times before they noticed it.

    We all get blinders on from time to time.

  • ThaGoochiestMan
    Master
    Insider

    @old-scratch3264 said in New players are not welcome?:

    @wolfmanbush I'm willing to put in the effort but I wasn't aware of the scuttle option until I opened this post today. Had I known that I would have done so and been on my way. The game doesn't do a very good job of telling you about that option.

    As I've said to some of my friends before: the Maiden Voyage should end with players having to scuttle their ship as soon as getting to the Sea of Thieves.

    That way everyone would know how to scuttle, and it'd be a fitting and humorous tribute to, what I've been told is, one of the most important aspects of this game.

  • Crude JC Gamer
    Commander
    Insider
    Founder

    It's a bad time being a new player. What with the reaper events and such being up. Easy flag grabs. Not saying you had one..just in general

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