Sea of Thieves, the free-roaming multiplayer pirate-em-up from legendary developer Rare, has finally launched but if you're planning to dive into its briny delights, take a moment to read our starter's guide first. It's fair to say there's no game quite like this, and a little preparation will go a long way in helping you rule the waves, rather than rotting beneath them.
1. Talk to yer crew!
Sea of Thieves is a co-operative game, so you'll need to co-operate. No, really. This isn't just about being on the same team. If you don't communicate with each other, you won't even be able to control your ship properly. Choose your roles, stick to them and let everybody know what's happening at all times. If you don't have a microphone, frankly you're going to struggle, but you can still use the game's emotes and pre-recorded phrases to make yourself heard. Just press up on the d-pad, or G on the keyboard, to call up your options.
2. Sail of the century!
Ships in Sea of Thieves handle like real galleons, not just the usual "cars but on water" approach taken by most games. That means someone will need to angle your sails to catch the wind, so always be aware of how strong the breeze is, and which direction it's blowing. Don't make the mistake of always trying to go at top speed. Using fewer sails means you're more nimble, and that can be a real lifesaver if you find yourself in battle against a larger, more powerful enemy. A good trick is to steer hard to port (left) or starboard (right), and drop the anchor. This will make you change direction quickly. Straighten the helm, pull up the anchor and you're on your way, hopefully out of trouble.
3. X marks the spot!
What sort of pirate would you be without a groaning chest full o' gold dubloons? Not a very good one. The best way to get rich in Sea of Thieves is to look out for Merchants. They can sell you a treasure map, which will send you and your crew off on an adventure. Find the treasure, then bring it back to civilisation and sell it to a Gold Hoarder. These guys can be found next to merchants, and will exchange any treasure chests you find for usable currency. You'll need to balance the risk against the reward, but making an early start on filling your coffers will give you an advantage. Just be sure not to sail beyond the edge of the world - your ship will take constant damage in this uncharted void, so be careful!
4. Sink or swim!
Pirates weren't known for their polite manners or easy-going nature, so at some point you'll end up in battle. Ship to ship combat doesn't just mean spamming the enemy with cannonballs. You need to sink them, and that means making holes that will let in water. Aim low, at the waterline. The more holes, the more your enemy's crew will have to disperse to patch them up and bail out the water, so don't keep shooting in the same spot - unless you want to stun the hapless player trying to patch your holes, of course. If the worst happens and you end up overboard, don't panic. If you get left behind, a mermaid will kindly appear and teleport you back to your ship.
5. Master your weapons!
You won't only battle at sea, of course. You'll end up fighting other players face to face, or tackle sinister skeletons in the wild. Every player starts with a default pistol and cutlass, and mastering these early makes a big difference. The pistol is accurate, fast to reload and has medium range. The cutlass allows you to strike and block, but there are a few special tricks that will put you ahead of other new players. For instance, holding the block button and jumping in a direction will perform a useful "frog leap" dodge. Hold the attack button for a few seconds to charge up a powerful lunge attack. You can combine this with blocks and leaps to gain range and maintain speed when attacking.
6. Have fun!
Sea of Thieves, ultimately, is about finding your own adventures and having a blast with your mates, so get out into the world, explore and try new things. For example, did you know that if you drink too much grog, you'll vomit? And did you know that if you vomit in a bucket you can throw it at other players? Good clean fun for all the family! The best advice is to just get out there and make a splash!