With the Armada Update on the horizon (effectively some # of registered Captained Ships per Armada headed by your SoTiest friend), I would like to offer ideas for further expansion. I have no doubt that players aligning with their friends and pledging themselves to an Armada will drive engagement with the game in the same way the hugely anticipated Captaincy Update did. The question remains, what will be the new associated reward? More trinkets, clothing, weapons? But wait, look at what's happening right now in June 2023, less than 1 year out. There's not been enough interest in working towards trinkets so Pirate Milestones are being nerfed. How do we avoid Armadas becoming another Emissary ledger/Milestone counter that just unlocks more trinkets?
You do it by evolving the game and giving into a concept Sea of Thieves has never had... progression. Sure you may progress a session by stocking your ship with supplies to be better suited for battle. And of course players can always acquire new styles for cosmetic progression, but as it stands right now, players lack the ability to truly upgrade anything: not their guns, not the ship, not the cannons, nothing. And this level playing field is quintessential to the game! It is sacred and cannot be touched. So where in the game is there actually room for progressing in a non-cosmetic way?
You could have an Island port for your Armada
As your Armada earns gold and reputation, you may upgrade the island. Modeled after a typical outpost, Armada Strongholds could feature a main tavern full of treasures from past events and idols of whichever trading companies are most desired. Further upgrades could include cannons and grassy berms. Why? Because you can vote to defend your stronghold from invaders!
This wouldn't require any base building UI as the Armada strongholds could simply assume the next level layout upon an upgrade (the only savable layout changes would be the placed trinkets/idols). The Quest board is upgraded to show Armada Stronghold Bounties currently available, and the queueing system from Hourglass can be used to matchmake. You can visit and leave your Stronghold via a vote on the Captains table and sailing through any of the 7 portal arches on the map. Combat looks similar to a Veil of the Ancients mission where the attacking ship shoots cannons at a main fortress to break it down while defending pirates try to re-plank damages with wood or use an island cannon if they have upgraded their stronghold (island cannons will be different from ship cannons in that they can be downed and will need a plank to be repaired). Attackers have 15 minutes to destroy the stronghold barricades, win the ensuing TDM on the beach, grab the Armada's flag and return it to their Captains table. Failure to do so means the defenders earn reputation for their Armada in the value of their 'Keep.' However, if the attackers are successful, they earn the gold that was kept in the Armada's Keep. This Gold amount will be listed on the original Bounty chosen from the Quest board to help players decide if/whom to invade. Armada's will want to increase the gold in their Keep because defending a larger Keep earns more reputation for the Armada, which in turn can upgrade the Stronghold over time. A large safe at the Sovereign tent can be added where Players hand over loot to their Armada's Keep rather than selling it for gold. I guarantee teams of players would put in the effort and time to see progress on their Stronghold.
tl;dr sea of thieves boom beach capture the flag
