Have you ever thought, “How can I win more sea battles in Sea of Thieves?” If yes, you’re already on the right path. Naval fights in this game are more than just firing cannons. They need planning, smart teamwork, and calm decisions. 

Whether you’re sailing alone or with a full crew, there are real ways to stay in control and win most sea fights. Let’s look at how you can improve your PvP fights and rule the ocean with confidence.

Build a Strong Base Before Fighting

Before you aim your first cannonball, make sure your crew and ship are prepared. A strong base means you’re not just depending on luck. It means you’ve already planned, and that’s a big win in itself.

Start by filling your barrels. Carry plenty of wood planks, cannonballs, food, and special ammo like firebombs and chain shots. If your ship is fully stocked, you won’t need to run or hide when things get heated. 

It’s also helpful to check your crew roles before you start moving. Everyone should know their job, who’s steering, who’s on the cannons, and who’s repairing or watching ladders.

Pick the Right Ship Type

There are three ship types in Sea of Thieves:

• Sloop: Small and fast. Good for solo or two players. Easier to control and great for smart hit-and-run battles.

• Brigantine: Medium speed and power. Best for three players. It balances speed and firepower well.

• Galleon: Big and strong. Best for four players. Powerful in battle but needs strong teamwork to use properly.

Your choice depends on how many people are with you and how you like to play. All ships can win fights if used right.

Understand the Flow of Naval Combat

Naval combat is not always about charging in. It’s also about thinking ahead and staying calm under pressure. A big part of PvP success comes from timing and smart choices during the fight.

After spotting an enemy ship, take your time. Are they anchored? Are they chasing someone else? These small details help you decide when to attack or prepare for a smart approach.

Watch the Wind and Plan Your Route

Wind can change the whole pace of a fight. If you have the wind behind you, your ship moves faster. That’s good for chasing or escaping. If you’re upwind and want to catch someone, you’ll need to angle your sails smartly and possibly use anchor turns to change direction quickly.

Use islands, rocks, fog, or shipwrecks to your advantage. You can hide behind these places to plan surprise attacks or break the line of sight.

Fighting near sea forts or outposts isn’t always helpful since those locations often see a lot of traffic. You’re better off moving into open waters where you can control the space and avoid extra ships.

Cannon Aim and Ship Control

Being good with cannons is one of the fastest ways to improve your sea fights. Even with a smaller crew, strong aim can turn things around.

Start by aiming at the lower side of the enemy ship. If water starts filling their hull, they’ll be forced to fix it, giving you more time to fire again or plan a boarding. A steady stream of lower-deck hits is very powerful.

Use Special Ammo at the Right Time

Don’t only rely on regular cannonballs. Try these other types:

• Chainshots: Perfect for breaking masts. A ship without sails can’t escape.

• Firebombs: Create panic and force enemies to stop fighting and start fixing.

• Blunderbombs: Knock enemies off ladders or cannons. Good for stopping borders.

• Cursed Cannonballs (when available): Slow down or confuse enemy actions, depending on the type.

Control your angle. Don’t stay in the same position too long. Move the ship a bit so you stay out of their best firing range. Angling your ship while firing also makes you harder to hit.

Don’t Forget to Repair and Bail Water

During the fight, one crew member should be on water duty. As soon as the ship starts leaking, get to the bottom deck and start fixing. Use wooden planks to patch holes. Scoop and throw water out quickly.

Fix the lower holes first. Water fills the bottom faster and sinks the ship sooner. If all lower holes are patched, go up and fix the upper ones next.

Also, make sure to eat food when hurt. Bananas work, but try carrying better fruit like mangoes or pineapples when you can. Keep eating during the fight to stay alive. Healing at the right time saves your life.

Learn to Board the Enemy Ship

Boarding is one of the strongest moves in naval combat. If one of your crew can sneak onto the enemy ship, it changes everything. Dropping their anchor, stealing supplies, or even just causing confusion can turn a hard battle into a sure win.

How to Board Without Being Noticed

Here are some smart ways to get on their ship:

• Use a cannon to launch yourself across the water.

• Swim from behind when they’re not looking.

• Jump off your ship early and float near theirs.

Once on board, don’t panic. Drop their anchor first. After that, you can remove a player or block them from using their cannons. Even if they get rid of you fast, you’ve bought your crew enough time to land more cannon shots.

Stay Connected with Your Crew

Talking clearly with your crew is one of the best things you can do. Let them know what’s happening. Use short phrases like:

• “I’m boarding now.”

• “We’re low on wood.”

• “They’re turning left.”

• “One’s climbing ladder”

Fast and simple talk helps everyone move better. Even if you're losing the upper hand, calm talking helps keep the team focused.

Pay Attention and Adjust

If things don’t go as planned, don’t worry. Adjust quickly. Maybe change the direction of attack, circle the enemy ship, or plan a board. Flexibility during fights helps you avoid trouble and keep control.

Practice Helps More Than Anything

Winning sea fights gets easier with time. Every fight teaches something – how people react, where they shoot, what they do when boarded. You’ll slowly learn these things by paying attention.

Keep practicing cannon shots, boarding moves, and even your escape routes. Over time, these things feel normal. You’ll start making faster, better decisions without even thinking much.

Learn From Close Fights

Even if you don’t get a full win, close fights are useful. Did your ship sink because no one was patching holes? Maybe you can assign someone to fix only. Did you miss too many cannon shots? Try shooting barrels for aim practice.

Every time you sail, you’re getting better. Just keep playing, try new moves, and talk with your crew.

Extra Awareness Can Be a Game Tilt

While teamwork and practice go a long way, some players rely on third-party tools to maintain awareness at sea. You can gain naval superiority in Sea of Thieves with undetectable ESP hacks that offer vision beyond normal view, letting players track ship movements or locate hidden threats. While not required to win, such tools are used by some to stay fully alert across all directions.

To Sum Up

Sea of Thieves naval battles are full of action, fun, and smart choices. You don’t need tricks or hacks to be strong. Just good teamwork, smart planning, and steady moves. Prepare your ship well, stay calm in fights, and talk clearly with your crew. Use your cannons smartly, board when it makes sense, and adjust your style depending on what’s happening.

With these steps, you’ll find yourself winning more battles and enjoying the game even more. And the best part? Every time you play, you grow stronger without even noticing. So next time you spot another ship, stay cool and take the shot – your team is ready to rule the seas.