Sea of Thieves

Differences Between High Seas and Safer Seas

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Sea of Thieves - Differences Between High Seas and Safer Seas

High Seas lets you play Sea of Thieves with other players while Safer Seas lets you play with a Closed Crew in a private server. Read on to see all the differences between High Seas and Safer Seas, how to switch between High Seas and Safer Seas, and which one to choose between the two.

Safer Seas Game Mode Explained

Safer Seas Lets You Play Without Other Players

Sea of Thieves - Safer Seas Lets You Play Without Other Players

Safer Seas is a private game session where you can play solo or co-op with up to three friends. There are no other pirates that you can encounter and Closed Crew is only available in this game mode.

You can play the story and all Tall Tales in the game, though there are some game modes that are not available in Safer Seas.

Progression is Slower

Safer Seas only offers the PvE aspect of the game along with reduced rate of earning Gold and Reputation. PvP is also unavailable which locks you out of the certain gameplay features.

Allows You to Play the Game Without Xbox Live or PS Plus

Playing on Safer Seas lets you play the game without an Xbox Live or PlayStation Plus subscription. However, doing so only lets you play the game solo and an internet connection is still required for the game to track your pirate's stats and resources.

Earn Less Gold and Reputation in Safer Seas

Playing in Safer Seas reduces the Gold and Reputation that you earn by 70%. This is to balance the decreased risk of encountering aggressive players that you would usually find when playing in High Seas as you will only encounter PvE enemies in Safer Seas.

High Seas Game Mode Explained

High Seas Offers the Original Multiplayer Experience

High Seas offers the original multiplayer experience that Sea of Thieves launched with. You can encounter other players and crews on the same server and access both the PvE and PVP aspects of the game.

Endgame Content is Locked Behind High Seas

Sea of Thieves - Endgame Content is Locked Behind High Seas

There are certain gameplay features that are locked behind High Seas. If you wish to play through the endgame content, you will need to switch to High Seas when starting a new game session.

Maximum Number of 16 Players Per Server

There is a maximum number of 16 players and 5 ships per server. This means that while PvP is dangerous, the chances of you running into enemy ships constantly is slim. However, if you find yourself constantly matched against and hounded by better PvP players, the option to switch servers (via Scuttle Ship) is available.

All High Seas and Safer Seas Differences

Summary of Game Mode Differences

The table below shows the gameplay feature differences between High Seas and Safer Seas.

Gameplay Feature High Seas Safer Seas
Same Player Character
Open Crew
Price of Items Same price for both High Seas and Safer Seas.
Gold Earned Earn at 100% Gold earned is reduced to 70%
Reputation Earned Earn at 100% Reputation earned is reduced to 70%
Athena's Fortune Reputation
Reaper's Fortune Reputation
Servants of the Flame Allegiance
Guardians of Fortune Allegiance
Gold Hoarders, Merchant Alliance, Hunter's Call, and Order of Souls Level Cap Capped at Level 40
Letters of Recommendation
Dubloons Earned Earn at 100% but there are only a few ways to earn them in Safer Seas.
Ancient Coins Earned Earn at 100%
Seasonal Renown Earn at 100% but some trials are not available in Safer Seas
Live Events
Lazybeard
Cosmetic Shops, Outpost Shops, Guardians of Fortune, Servants of the Flame Shops
Gold Hoarders, Order of Souls, Merchant Alliance, Hunter's Call Company Shops Cannot purchase Emissary Flags, Promotions, and Company Items after reaching Reputation Level 40.
Athena's Fortune & Reaper's Bones Company Shops
Pirate Legend
Treasures Certain treasures are not available
Buried Treasure and Maps You can bury treasure and create maps but you cannot post maps on the Quest Board.
Voyages Certain voyages are not available.
Tall Tales
Hourglass Faction Battles
Faction Hideouts Available if unlocked on High Seas
Emissary Play
Captained Ships
Milestones, Cosmetics, Captain's Voyages and exchanging treasures are unavailable
Guild Ships
World Events Certain World Events are unavailable
Ancient Skeletons
Megalodon
Kraken
Skeleton Ships
Skeleton Forts
Ghost Ships
Ashen Lords
Sunken Kingdom Treasuries and Shrines
Fort of Fortune
Reaper's Chests and Reaper's Bounties
Chest of Fortune
Commendations Certain commendations are unavailable
Achievements Certain achievements are unavailable

How to Change Between High Seas and Safer Seas

Choose the Game Mode in the Main Menu

Sea of Thieves - Choose the Game Mode in the Main Menu

You can choose between High Seas and Safer Seas when selecting Adventure Mode in the main menu. Your pirate player character is shared between the two modes, allowing your progress to carry over.

Note that you cannot swap between High Seas and Safer Seas while in the game. You will have to start a new session to do so.

Sea of Thieves Related Guides

Sea of Thieves - Tips and Tricks Partial

Beginner's Guide to Sea of Thieves

All Tips and Tricks Guides

Getting Started in Sea of Thieves
High Seas vs. Safer Seas Best Keybinds & Settings
How to Sail Your Ship and All Ship Types How to Return to Your Ship
How to Repair Your Ship How to Get Quests
How to Unlock Tall Tales How to Create and Customize Character
How to Join a Random Crew How to Save Your Game
General Tips and Tricks
How to Sword Lunge How to Become a Pirate Legend
Best Ways to Farm Gold How to Buy a Ship
How to Get Ashen Keys How to Get Ashen Chests
How to Raise Trading Company Reputation How to Catch Fish
How to Use Instruments and Play Shanties How to Get Ancient Coins
Can You Play in 3rd Person? How to Get the Dark Warsmith Set
Season 12 Content
Horn of Fair Winds Bone Caller
Double Barrel Pistol Throwing Knife
Multiplayer Guides
How to Join a Party and Invite Friends How to Enable and Use Voice Chat
How to Kick Players and Use the Brig How to Start a Player Alliance

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