You thought being a ship captain was easy? The new hit game *Dead Sails* proves otherwise. It turns out to be quite challenging when you need to balance your own survival with maintaining the ship, selling valuables, and, of course, fighting off various monsters. **Here’s how to become a pro in *Dead Sails* and reach the 100k meters finish line in no time.**
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Table of contents
Beginner’s Guide for Dead Sails Before You Set Sail How To Choose A Class What To Do In Towns Dead Sails Tips & Tricks Tips For Never Running Out Of Fuel How To Survive The Night Which Weapon To Choose Best Items To Collect
Beginner’s Guide for Dead Sails
Screenshot by The Escapist. If you’re new to Dead Sails, don’t worry. Similar to its predecessor Dead Rails, it's quite straightforward – literally. You’re the captain of a ship tasked with sailing in a straight line for 10 thousand meters between towns, ultimately aiming to reach the goal of 100k meters sailed. Keep moving, ensure you don’t run out of fuel, and stay alive. Sounds simple, right?
Before You Set Sail
The in-game lobby before starting a round can be very helpful, albeit at a price. As a new player, you begin with 15 Dabloons, the game's currency. While it's not much, you can use it to purchase various items. Boats are pricey and unnecessary for beginners. Although it might be tempting to spend on bandages and weapons, you'll find plenty of these in-game.
How To Choose A Class
Screenshot by The Escapist. We recommend spending your 15 Dabloons on a class. These are in-game perks obtained through a loot box system, where you don't know which class you'll get. Each purchase costs 3 Dabloons, and with luck, you might get a class you like on your first try. The game features great Common and Uncommon classes like Pirate and Gunslinger, but your choice depends on your playstyle. Check out our Dead Sails Class Tierlist for a detailed breakdown of every available class.
What To Do In Towns
Screenshot by The Escapist. When you start a round, you're spawned in a town where your ship is docked. These towns appear every 10 thousand meters sailed and serve as your safe spots. They offer several amenities:
Trading Hut: Sell collected items.
General Store: Choose from various items to aid your journey.
Hospital: Heal yourself.
Gun Shop: Purchase guns and ammunition.
Sheriff’s: Earn bounty money by bringing in corpses of pirates and other lootable creatures.
Since you start with a blunt weapon (e.g., pickaxe, hammer), there’s no immediate need to buy a firearm. However, purchasing coal is essential, and we recommend spending all your money on as much coal as possible. Fuel is crucial in Dead Sails, as the game ends if you can’t move your ship further.
Dead Sails Tips & Tricks
The gameplay is fairly simple, yet you'll encounter various interesting buildings and structures and face attacks from undead creatures. That’s where the dead part in Dead Sails comes into play. To master the game, here are the key tips you need to know.
Tips For Never Running Out Of Fuel
Screenshot by The Escapist. In a game titled Dead Sails, it’s only fitting that your ship runs on coal. Each chunk of coal adds 20 percent more fuel to your tank, and technically, you could finish the entire game by buying 5 coal pieces in every town. But where’s the fun in that?
You'll find various collectible items off your ship, many marked with "fuel" when you hover over them. However, these only provide a 5 percent increase in fuel, regardless of the item. For the most efficient fueling, aside from coal, use undead corpses. You need to kill everything that attacks you to survive, and since you can put their bodies in your inventory, it’s wise to use them.
How To Survive The Night
Screenshot by The Escapist. Similar to Dead Rails, Dead Sails becomes significantly harder at night. With reduced visibility, you must be extra cautious to avoid getting hurt by unwanted visitors. Remember, if you die, it’s game over.
The ideal scenario is to spend the night in town, where you're protected. Alternatively, purchase Barbed Wire from a shop beforehand. Mounting this on your ship prevents mobs from approaching. Without Barbed Wire, your best strategy is to pause your journey and attack any creature that comes near.
Which Weapon To Choose
Screenshot by The Escapist. Weapon choice is a matter of personal preference. If you prefer melee, you might stick with the starting hammer or pickaxe. As you progress, you'll face stronger enemies requiring more powerful weapons.
A shotgun is likely your best bet. Though some favor the rifle for its cheaper ammo, the shotgun’s higher damage output is invaluable, especially in unexpected combat situations. Another good early-game option is the revolver, which, despite being weaker, is a solid first firearm to master and is often found in buildings.
Best Items To Collect
Screenshot by The Escapist. Every item you collect can be sold, starting with junk that costs 3 or 5 cash per item. However, with your sack inventory limited to 10 items, it’s wise not to collect everything. Focus on these valuable items:
Moyai and Bars: Available in diamond, gold, and silver, these are top earners.
Healing Packs: Best to keep for use, though they can be sold.
Crosses: Sell for 35 cash or use against the undead.
Weapons: Use or sell as needed.
Robot Head: Found in houses and banks, sells for 45 cash.
Holy Water: Found in churches, sells for 25 cash.
Gold Llama: A rare and large collectible, sells for 150 cash, the most expensive item in-game.
You can stack as many items as you like on your boat, but remember to weld them to the surface to prevent them from falling off! Place an item and click the weld button (Z on the keyboard) to secure it.
And that’s the beginner’s guide to Dead Sails! Follow these tips and you’ll become the best captain to ever sail the seas – or, in this case, the small, canal-like river. For a gameplay boost, check out our Dead Sails codes.
