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All Skull and Bones ship blueprints and best ships

Here is every Skull and Bones ship so you know what vessel is best for your nefarious pirating activies when the launch day finally arrives.

Skull and bones ship types
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Skull and Bones 

What are the best Skull and Bones ships? Ubisoft’s Sea of Thieves-esque pirate game arrives on our shores very soon, and we’re starting to get an idea of everything we can expect – from pirate customization, to ship combat, and even its survival game aspects. Here is all the information you need on every Skull and Bones ship we’ve seen so far.

There are, in theory, four types of ships that will be available to you on the Skull and Bones release date, although one of those is your starter ship which, as you’ll see, has few benefits. There will also be a Large class of ships, but we haven’t had the chance to sail those yet. Each ship has its advantages and disadvantages, each suited to a particular job in the pirate game. Here’s what we know so far about Skull and Bones ship types.

A close up of the stern of a Skull and Bones ship.

Skull and Bones ships

The main thing to know about ship types in Skull and Bones is that all ships (excluding the Dhow) have some capacity for battle, navigation, and storage. Their size will limit their capacity to do certain things; a small ship will have less room for cargo than a medium, but those smaller ships may be able to move more quickly on the seas, making them more suited for quick skirmishes.

As you increase your Skull and Bones infamy and level up, you’ll be able to captain larger and more competent ships – but there may always still be a reason to hop back into that starter Dhow. Here is every ship blueprint in Skull and Bones.

Skull and Bones ships: a small ship sails into the sunset.

Dhow

Unlocked at infamy: Outcast

When you first start the game, having washed up in Sainte-Anne after a shipwreck, you receive a Dhow – a small, flimsy starter ship. It won’t be up to much, but it’s exactly what you need to get yourself up and running again. Use it to hunt wildlife and gather the necessary resources to build bigger and better ships. Even once you’ve added to your fleet, the Dhow is still required for Skull and Bones contracts like Thrill of the Hunt.

Perk

  • Hunter: Preserves wildlife materials from hunting.

Bedar – the Rammer

Unlocked at infamy: Scoundrel

The Bedar is one of the first ships you’ll be able to craft; it isn’t spectacular in terms of firepower, but because of the Lancer perk, you might be able to take your opponents by surprise. Utilize the enhanced ramming damage, and flood your enemy’s ships.

Perk

  • Lancer: Increases damage from ramming by 25%. Reduces slowing effect of torn sails by 50%. Applies flooded effect to an enemy ship upon ramming.

Skull and Bones ships: a small ship with bright red sails.

Hulk – the Defender

Unlocked at infamy: Rover

Skull and Bones’ version of a tank, the Hulk is small, sure, but can take more damage than any of the other ships its size. While not quite as maneuverable as the rest of the small class, any fire you come under can be brushed off as a mild annoyance, just don’t expect to outrun your opponents any time soon.

Perk

  • Ironclad: Reduces Brace Strength depletion by 20% when hit. Increases Brace Strength by 250% and Brace Strength Recovery by 20%.

Cutter – Sentinel

Unlocked at infamy: Rover

As a support ship, the Cutter can aid allies and turn the tides of a close battle in your favor. It can repair damage on nearby ally ships but is dangerously lacking in its defenses and firepower, so don’t get caught alone.

Perk

  • Unburden: Restores severe damage by 1% and hull health by 0.5% per second. Restores hull health of all friendly ships in a 100m radius by 1% per second. Restores 60% more hull health on a friendly ship while using a repair weapon.

The deck of a Skull and Bones ship, as the crew work.

Barge – Firebrand

Unlocked at infamy: Buccaneer

A small ship that specializes in applying and spreading fire to your enemies’ ships. The Barge has the joint-most gunports of any small ship and can deal immense fire damage in fights due to the Wildfire perk.

Perk

  • Wildfire: Applying the ablaze effect to a ship will apply the same effect to all enemies in a radius of 125m. Increase weapon damage by 10%. Burning damage increases ablaze charge speed by 50%.

Sloop – Blaster

Unlocked at infamy: Buccaneer

The Sloop has a surprising amount of firepower for a small ship, and due to the Outburst perk, is more than capable of taking on multiple assailants at once. It is nimble, and with the Sloop’s smaller profile, can prove to be difficult to hit in a heated engagement.

Perk

  • Outburst: Explosive hits have a 50% chance of triggering an explosion, which deals 1500 damage within a black radius of 150m. Increases damage to structures by 20%. Increases explosive damage by 15%.

Skull and Bones ships: a medium ship with white sails and a full crew.

Padewakang – Bombardier

Unlocked at infamy: Brigand

The Padewakang will likely be one of the first medium ships you get your hands on. The in-game description says that this ship, if properly equipped, excels at taking on multiple enemies at once. With the Detonate perk, you’ll be able to trigger explosions on enemy ships, damaging any nearby foes in the process.

Perk

  • Detonate: Explosive hits have a 70% chance (increases to 100% if the ship is already ablaze) of triggering an explosion, which deals damage within a 125m radius.

Snow – Vanguard

Unlocked at infamy: Corsair

The Snow class of ship skews defensive, but this medium ship can still deal damage if the occasion demands it. The Snow, has a fairly large cargo capacity and good defensive capabilities, making it perfect for transporting your ill-gotten goods.

Perk

  • Tenacity: Recovers Brace Strength by 4% per second while bracing. Increases Brace Strength by 50% and Brace Strength Recovery by 150%.

Brigantine – Hullbreaker

Unlocked at infamy: Cutthroat

The Bigantine is an excellent hit-and-run ship – literally. With an excellent top speed, and increased damage from ramming, utilize this medium ship as a skirmisher; hit your opponents hard and fast, and get out of danger.

Perk

  • Bullhorn: Increases damage from ramming by 45%. Reduces the duration of torn sails effect by 80%. Applies flooded to an enemy ship upon ramming.

Sambuk – Pyromaniac

Unlocked at infamy: Cutthroat

Much like the Barge, the Sambuk specializes in causing and spreading the burning effect to your enemies. Deal huge damage when you set an enemy ship ablaze, with the effect spreading to nearby enemies should they be close enough.

Perk

  • Scorched: Deals 5,000 burning damage when you apply the ablaze effect to an enemy ship. Ablaze will be applied to enemies in a radius of 150 meters. Increases damage to ships that are ablaze by 30%.

That’s all there is to know about the ship types in Skull and Bones, you’ll have plenty of choices when it comes to filling out your fleet in the co-op game. In the meantime, now you know about the different types of ships, familiarize yourself with the Skull and Bones ship loadout options with which you’ll be kitting them out.

When he's not writing guides at PCGamesN, PK is usually found waiting for the respawn timer in League of Legends, hanging around a tavern in Baldur's Gate 3, or fighting his way through the Settled Systems in Starfield. PK's extensive knowledge of video games is matched only by his extensive wardrobe of flannel shirts, which he has been curating since he was born, proving he was always meant to be a games journalist. He watches an episode of Star Trek every night before bed, and he loves toast, even though it makes him feel a bit sick. Buttery goodness exacts a heavy toll, one that he's willing to pay.