Skip the rookie mistakes and reach your first real warship faster with this new-captain starter plan.
- Enter a Friend ID during account creation to claim the referral bonus (3 days of Captain's Seal for +40% XP/Gold and 3 extra ship slots) - it's the only time you can input it.
- Pick the Combat branch: it's the balanced sweet spot of speed and firepower and the branch most recommended for beginners.
- Unlock Fast Travel and Escort skills immediately to cut down painful sailing time and protect your cargo.
- Follow the consensus combat path Pickle to Horizont, then SKIP La Salamandre and rush Blackwind (~level 12) where the game opens up.
- Claim Iron and Wood mines early - they are the backbone of almost every early-game craft.
- Build ships at a port controlled by the matching faction flag for a 25% resource discount.
- Join a guild on day one for protection, shared knowledge and access to port warfare.
- Expect an aggressive in-game shop; you can progress free-to-play, so pace your grind and don't panic-buy.