Before I begin this post is not a debate on whether a battle royale mode should or shouldn’t be added into the game is it a concept for a battle royale mode so please keep the comments to discussions about the concept and not whether it should be added.
The battle royale game mode style would be an excellent addition to SoT for those with more bloodlust or those who just really enjoy the PvP ship combat. Using the resources already in the game a simple battle royale mode could be added and will be described as a completely separate mode with no effect on the base game. Additions to the game to make the battle royale and base game improved will be mentioned at the end.
The Concept
Battle royale would work best in sea of thieves by using when your ship is sunk as the point where you lose as opposed to when your character dies as seen in other battle royale games. There could be 4 different modes: Galleon, brigantine, duo sloop, and solo sloop. As in other battle royale games, a circle will appear and those caught outside the circle will slowly die. The red sea makes perfect sense for this purpose.
The game would start all players on the ferry of the damned and eventually the doors will open randomly spawning crews around the map based on the time in which the first player of a crew exited the ferry. Leaving earlier would spawn a player and their ship closer to the middle of the map making staying within the circle easier but likely requiring a lot more early fighting for resources. Leaving later would spawn players closer to the outer edge of the map decreasing the chances of an early fight but requiring more time sailing to the circle.
After spawning, players must gather resources and loot. Loot will spawn randomly on islands and resource barrels will spawn whenever you sink another ship. Loot can be turned in at outpost like normal, however, this will leave your ship vulnerable and slow you down. Your crew is eliminated if your boat sinks. This will immediately return you and your crew to the ferry of the damned at which point you can quit.
Outside the circle will be the red sea and the circle will decrease in size. This will be shown on the ship’s map and after a set time a sound notification like the kraken's groan or something will sound, signifying the circle is going to shrink. The smaller circle that the play area is going to shrink to would also be displayed on the map. The circle will become smaller and smaller as the game progresses narrowing to a random spot on the map. At the smallest circle that epic music that plays when fighting the skeleton ship captains will play and the game continues until there is only 1 ship left afloat.
When all other ships have sunk a bunch of high level loot will float up from the center of the circle and a merchant will appear on your ship congratulating you. Then you can turn in all the loot you have to him.
Additions
Ares’ chest and Ares’s favor: a chest and ranking system similar to Athena’s chest and fortune but specifically for the battle royale mode. The chest would float up from the center of the circle after the last ship sunk.
weapons and equipment
The grappling hook: a throwable equipment that allows a player to climb the sides of cliffs or hulls
The boarding ax: deals high damage to players but is slow and easily blocked with a sword. It can remove planks over patched holes.
Throwing knife: a throwable weapon that if it misses the target will get stuck into objects and can be picked up again
Musket: an unscoped eye of reach with range in between the pistol and eye of reach. It has a bayonet mounted on the front. Holding the shoot button down enables melee mode and use of the bayonet. Pressing the aim button while in melee mode performs a stab. Holding the aim button while in melee mode performs a bayonet charge.
Pistol update: allow the pistol to be used as a club when out of ammo
Harpoon: a cannon ammunition type that deals more damage to the kraken and meg. If fired at another ship will get stuck in the ship allowing you to slow them down and pull them closer. Rope attached to harpoon can be cut to release a ship.
Grapeshot: a cannon ammunition type that fires many tiny cannon balls. Will deal damage to exposed player on the top deck, knocking them off helm and cannons, but no damage to the ship
Conclusion and TLDR
A battle royale type of game mode can be added using the already present mechanics and resources available in the game. The game mode will bring a part of the player base that want a more competitive pvp oriented playstyle a way to live out their bloodlust fantasy while still keeping to the core of the game of getting loot and treasure to become a pirate legend.
The Start: start on ferry of the damned. The longer you wait to spawn the farther from center of map your ship's starting island will be.
The Circle: outside is the red sea. It narrows randomly to a small area of the map
The Loss: Immediately when your ship is sunk all your crew dies and goes to the ferry of the damned.
The Win: Be the last ship standing. A bunch of loot floats up in the center of the circle. Merchant appears on your boat to sell loot to.
Criticisms and compliments welcome.