Solo Woes

I get it. I used to feel the same, as I only used to play solo because the few friends I have that play aren’t online very often, but after a while I got used to it, and now when I play solo I don’t get taken down very often. You’ll learn to read your surroundings and keep out of danger.

I will also say though, that I also don’t like to play with random people, but a few times I have encountered other crews with some cool people and we sailed together (typically during weekly events or content update campaigns) that I made friends with, so now when I’m about to play, there is a greater chance that I might have a friend online to play with. The sloop is still my favorite ship in the game, and me and one friend on a sloop is the most fun for me.

There definitely isn’t going to be a pvp free game mode added to the game, so you just have to adapt to that environment, and once you do, it’s totally worth it

It is much easier if you can get on a large crew however I know some pirates like to have a little quieter session so they can have a fun time with no social pressure from larger crews. I think like @Admiral-RRRSole suggested, try to utilise a larger crew one or two times to find someone you are comfortable playing with, then invite them to join you on a sloop as a regular crew mate. The other thing I would suggest would be to utilise the alliance system, put up your join alliance flag so that any ships passing by, that have an offer flag up, can add you to their alliance. Extra rep and safety in numbers.

@JHarper34 That sounds like a bit of really bad luck. I think most of us have had similar experiences at one time or another. Things do get better. I promise. This is a game of highs and lows. The lows can be incredibly frustrating. But as you become more experienced, you'll find the lows become less frequent. Then gradually you'll start winning every so often. Then you find the highs make the lows almost tolerable. Losing a couple hours worth of work is never fun, but as your skills improve you'll learn to lessen the impact.

Some random ideas: Sell whatever loot you're carrying anytime you happen to be near an unoccupied outpost. Always keep your eyes on the horizon and keep other ships at a safe distance. If you're near other vessels, watch and listen for possible boarders. Don't let them get close. Use your blunderbuss to kill anybody coming up your ladders. Watch the water for mermaids, especially near outposts. Try to operate in regions where there are no other ships prowling about. Hide your vessel behind big islands while working on voyages and always be ready to bug out. If you're chased by a galleon, head directly into the wind. Use rocks, islands and shallow waters to your advantage.

Those are just a handful of ideas. I haven't read the whole thread, but I'm sure others have or will offer a great deal of helpful advice. Playing solo is "hard mode" but it's also very rewarding. Don't give up. Like I said, the highs in this game are totally worth the lows. Hang in there. :)

There is little to add after everyone else's advice, but as someone who also played Elite for relaxed element I want to encourage you to not give up on playing Sea of Thieves.

I, too, have been frustrated from running a voyage from start to finish only to have a ship come upon me to sink and steal at the last moment. I am a pretty non-aggressive player, so this just feels like falling prey to a bunch of jerks, but having played for 2 months now, I understand how to avoid these attacks AND why people carry them out.

In Elite, other players are fewer and farther between, rarely committing to acts of aggression against other players due to the lack of reason to do so. The high ship insurance and the systems in play do not promote normal players interacting on this level. They few that do are usually trying to be an intentional pain in the neck.

In Sea of Thieves, everyone is a pirate! Even you and I in our less aggressive natures have pledged our time under the banner of the scalawag! That does not mean we have to be the most feared captains on the sea, but it does mean we have to come to terms with what we signed up for.

Yesterday, I was sailing with some friends on a galleon and they wanted to attack a sloop. I was against it, but in true pirate fashion I let the majority rule. As a solo player who hates when I experience this, I did not participate, but they had their moment. To make a long story short, they enjoyed it momentarily but regretted it later.

I want to encourage you to not let a loss like this keep you from discovering the fun this game has to offer. Every post before mine has some great suggestions on things to try and to keep in mind. Never trust any pirate, not fully, be it someone claiming to be "friendly" or in your own alliance. Keep a healthy amount of cautious apprehension towards everyone you meet. Hit empty outposts often and always take your most valuable item in first OR hide it if you feel suspicious. Gold takes time to acquire, but after a while you will see that it is easily won and lost.

This is nothing like Elite in interactions, but can give that same sense of wonder and discovery. Give it another go. Hey, if you ever need another slooper to give you a bit of an apprenticeship, add me! These seas are worth sailing!

We have all been there man! I’ve had probably 3-5k at some points where I got attacked by a massive crew. When playing alone you’ll eventually learn the red flags, and ability to hide, or manouver.

1. scout out an area to make sure it’s safe before going.
2. Dock in a hidden place, turn off light and raise sails to stop ships from noticing.
   3)every once in a while check the horizons to see if anything is incoming.
3. gun powder barrels are your best friend. Have a stock pile in your ships crows nest, and if you have to run, and they get close behind you, let one loose right in their path.

I’ll be honest with you, I have been frustrated when it happened to me, but I have also done it to others. Piracy is piracy. My favorite part of the game is ship to ship conflict. You’ll start to love it too!