World of Sea Battle is fun and deep but also harsh: one mistake can cost hours of progress. This guide helps you avoid the most painful early traps and gives a reproducible path to steady progression: pick the right server, learn safe ports to start, get early income, and understand combat and boarding basics. Treat this like a “survive and thrive” checklist.
1) Pick the correct server
One server = one character. There’s no transfer, so your choice is permanent.
Check server region before you start. If you’re NA, play NA. If EU — play EU. Don’t let an auto-placement ruin your progress.
If you already started on the “wrong” server, accept that it’s a fresh start or stop — this game doesn’t migrate characters.
2) Ports and ship tiers
Ports have tiers and allowed ship builds. Tiers run 7 (worst) up to 1 (best) — but ports list which ship tiers they can construct.
If a port lists “Tier V, VI, VII” that means it builds those (higher-numbered tiers are lower in capability). Example ports that build high-tier starter ships include Brandport, Freedom Bay, Freebooter Bay, Santa Maria, St. John, Gray Island, Fiji (Fiji is late-game/avoidable early).
Rule of thumb: find a starter port that lets you build the ships you want; avoid high-traffic money hubs until you can handle the fees and player attention.
3) Starter ports
If the server is populated by veterans, they will grind the wealthiest ports early. For new players, use ports that are less exploitable:
Brandport (starter)
Freedom Bay
Freebooter Bay
Santa Maria
St. John
These keep your entry fees lower and reduce early griefing.
4) How to make money early (three reliable ways)
Missions — the most consistent early income. There are peaceful, combat, and trade-route missions. Trade-route missions pay well but are riskier.
Manual trade — time-consuming but safe profitable if you find good buy/sell routes.
Combat (kill ships) — lucrative if you win consistently, but early losses are common. Don’t risk ships you can’t afford to lose.
Practical approach: focus missions → supplement with safe trade → only PvP once you can afford repairs.
5) Cannons and ammunition
Basic cannonball types and recommended uses:
Regular Heavy Cannonball — default staple for non-armored ships or general ship damage. Reliable all-around.
Burning Ball — applies damage over time (fire). Good against unarmored targets and port structures.
Chain & Balls — slows ships by hitting sails; useful for chasing or preventing escape (must hit sails). Less effective if opponents pull sails.
Birdshot — anti-crew shot for close range; use immediately before boarding to reduce crew numbers.
Flaming Kegs (Depth-charge style) — deploy off the stern; useful for harassing pursuers and area denial.
Tactic coined in guide: “Burn and Bullet” — burn to half HP, then use birdshot to reduce crew and prepare for boarding.
6) The Shallows vs The Deep
Deep waters can prevent returns to starter ports. If you go to remote rich ports (e.g., Fiji), you may not be able to return easily with your slow/large ship.
Always keep one small, fast ship in reserve so you can fetch lost resources from remote ports and avoid paying huge port fees.
If you get stranded or lose a big ship, it’s a long grind to recover; don’t overextend early.
7) Boarding basics
Boarding is fiddly but consistent when done right:
Pick a small target in low-player areas early on.
Burn them down to roughly half HP using burning cannonballs.
Close in and use birdshot at close range to lower their crew.
Use chain shots to slow or immobilize their ship so you can approach.
When alongside, spam SPACE to trigger the boarding prompt (swords icon) — the game auto-resolves combat in ~5 seconds; the ship with more crew usually wins.
If successful, you can loot, take crew hostage, or capture the ship. Bring captured ships back to a port to repair immediately.
While commanding captured NPC ships, hold Z and select “Follow Me” so they sail with you. Note: you cannot use ships in your own inventory to make a fleet — captive ships and allies are the options.
8) Boarding troubleshooting
You boarded but lost: likely didn’t reduce crew enough or the other ship’s crew was higher. Use birdshot more.
You couldn’t board: you didn’t get close enough, or the prompt was missed. Keep eyes on the UI and hold space when close.
You kept getting sunk during boarding attempts: pick smaller targets and practice “burn and bullet” first.
9) Ship upgrades
Prioritize upgrades that immediately improve survivability and utility:
Early insurance kit (priority list):
Crow’s Nest — extended vision to see NPS and enemy fleets.
Large Cellars — prevents food spoilage and increases resource capacity. Big difference for trading.
Copper Plating — early armor to survive fights.
Extra Sails — mobility and escape potential.
Slot 6 (Captain XP unlock) — anything that helps vision or detection is great.
Important note: upgrades are most valuable at grade 2 or higher. Grade 1 improvements may not give enough benefit to justify the cost.
World of Sea Battle rewards patience and planning. Don’t try to be a hero your first day — focus on small wins: a reliable income stream, a captured escort ship, and sensible upgrades. The game is punishing, but with a safe port, a small fleet, and a predictable routine, you’ll grow quickly and avoid the worst of the early-grief traps.