If you've hit a wall in Skull and Bones, you're not alone. Many players breeze through the early story missions, only to find themselves struggling in the midgame-especially around the start of World Tier 2 (WT2). Enemies feel tougher, ship upgrades become expensive, and your progress seems to stall.

 

This guide, inspired by one of the most detailed community breakdowns, will help you get unstuck, level your ship efficiently, make more Skull and Bones Items and prepare for Season 3 and the Kraken challenges of Season 4. Whether you're a solo sailor or a fleet commander, these strategies will ensure you dominate the Indian Ocean like a true pirate king.

 

Focus on One Ship-Don't Spread Yourself Too Thin

 

One of the most common midgame mistakes is trying to upgrade multiple ships at once. In Skull and Bones, specialization is power. Concentrate on a single ship that fits your playstyle and stick with it until you've mastered it.

 

When you're starting World Tier 2, mid-sized ships offer the best balance between firepower, speed, and survivability. Here are a few strong options:

 

 Sambuk-Great for players who love fire-based builds and fast maneuvering.

 

 Brigantine-A tanky all-rounder that excels with flooding damage.

 

 Padewakang-Ideal for explosive or boarding-focused players.

 Schnauzer-Balanced stats with flexible build potential.

 

If you're not sure which ship fits your needs, open your Codex-it's your in-game encyclopedia. You can browse every ship, see where to find its blueprint, and understand its unique perk. This helps you choose the right vessel to invest in before burning through precious resources.

 

Understanding Ship Loadouts and Weapon Lanes

 

Every ship in Skull and Bones has a unique configuration of gunports (or "luken"). Understanding how they work is critical to maximizing your damage output.

 

There are two main weapon categories:

 

 Heavy Weapons (Upper Deck Only): Bombards, Torpedoes, and Full Cannons.

 

 Flexible Weapons (Upper and Lower Decks): Half Cannons and Culverins.

 

Heavy guns deal immense burst damage but have limited mounting options. Culverins and Half Cannons, on the other hand, fit nearly anywhere and allow for creative, high-volume builds.

 

For example, the Brigantine has four forward gunports and eight on the sides-perfect for a multi-angle loadout. You can check these stats directly under "Manage Ship" → "Weapons."

 

Ship Perks and Damage Synergy

 

Each ship in Skull and Bones features a unique perk that enhances specific damage types or combat mechanics. Building around that perk is essential for maximizing efficiency.

 

For instance, the Brigantine's "Megaphon" perk boosts ramming damage by 45%, increases flood damage, and grants 20% extra damage against already-flooded enemies.

 

That means you have two viable directions:

 

1.Ram Build: Focus on top speed and maneuverability to smash into targets for massive impact damage.

 

2.Flood Build (Recommended): Equip weapons that inflict Flooding and pair them with modules that enhance water-based damage.

 

To find suitable weapons, return to your Codex and filter by "Flooding" under damage types. The Carronade, for example, is an excellent flooding weapon that synergizes perfectly with the Brigantine's perk.

 

Avoid wasting resources on off-type builds-stick with what complements your ship's strengths.

 

Weapon Rarities and Why You Should Avoid Whites

 

Weapon rarity determines how many perks or modifiers can be unlocked. White-tier weapons have no perks, making them nearly useless in higher tiers.

 

At a minimum, aim for green (uncommon) or blue (rare) weapons-they're easy to farm and upgrade while still offering powerful bonuses. Purple (epic) weapons are best for endgame, but you can survive WT2 comfortably with blue gear until you find your preferred setup.

 

Upgrading and Leveling Your Ship

 

Now that your build is ready, it's time to strengthen your vessel. Every ship can be upgraded up to Level 7, but the process requires specific materials.

 

The key items are:

 

 Improved Ship Parts-Used for level upgrades.

 

 Juniper Planks & Manila Hemp Fabric-Common crafting materials.

 

 Silver and Doubloons (Pieces of Eight)-Your main upgrade currency.

 

At the Shipwright, select "Upgrade Ship." The first few upgrades will only need Improved Ship Parts, but higher levels also demand silver and rare materials.

If you're low on improved parts, don't worry-there are efficient ways to get them.How to Get Improved Ship Parts Fast

 

There are three main methods to gather Improved Ship Parts in the midgame:

 

1.Buy from William Blackwood: You can purchase up to seven pieces per week using Guild Marks.

 

2.Visit the Black Market: Both Saint-Anne and Telok Penjara vendors sell improved parts for Pieces of Eight.

 

3.Defeat Bosses and Bounties: Every major boss encounter yields Pieces of Eight and sometimes crafting materials.

 

You only need a few parts to reach the first upgrades. For example:

 

 Level 2 → Requires 2 Improved Parts

 

 Level 3 → Requires 3 Improved Parts

 

 Level 4 → Requires 4 Improved Parts + 1,000 Pieces of Eight

 

With regular farming or manufactory production, these materials accumulate quickly.

 

Efficient Piece of Eight Farming

 

By now, Pieces of Eight are the backbone of progression. You'll need tens of thousands to upgrade ships, weapons, and equipment. Fortunately, there are reliable ways to farm them:

 

 Fort Conquests (especially in the East): Each run yields up to 2,000 Pieces of Eight.

 

 Bounty Hunts and Boss Fights: High-risk missions that drop hundreds of Pieces of Eight.

 

 Manufactory Income: Passive resource generation-just ensure your production chain stays active while you explore or log off.

 

Once you gather enough Pieces of Eight, return to Blackwood or the Black Market to buy improved parts and continue leveling your ship.

 

The Final Push to Level 6

 

Your goal before fully diving into World Tier 2 should be reaching Ship Level 6. That's the sweet spot where:

 

 Your damage output catches up to WT2 enemies.

 

 You can start farming endgame materials like Masterwork Kits and Ascension Modules.

 

 You won't suffer the level penalty against higher-tier foes.

 

Level 6 upgrades may require around 10,000 Pieces of Eight, but by this point, you'll have the routes and skills to earn that in just a few sessions.

 

Masterwork Kits and Ascension Modules

 

The final upgrade tier (Level 7) requires Masterwork Kits, obtainable only in World Tier 2. These drop from major bosses, Fort defenses, and elite treasure events.

 

Similarly, Ascension Modules are needed to upgrade weapons and armor in Season 3 and beyond. You can find these in WT2 missions, fort sieges, and high-level enemy fleets.

 

Once you've secured a Masterwork Kit, immediately return to the Shipwright and enhance your Brigantine (or chosen ship) to Level 7-unlocking full WT2 performance.

 

Fort Wolfenhol-Your First WT2 Target

 

If you've just entered World Tier 2 and don't know where to start, Fort Wolfenhol is your best bet. It's a large-scale "mega fort" activity accessible via the daily logbook matchmaking feature.

 

Here's why it's ideal:

 

 You'll never play alone, as matchmaking groups you with other players.

 

 The fort drops Masterwork Kits, Ascension Modules, and Improved Parts.

 

 You can earn random weapon containers, including epic-tier gear.

 

 It also rewards Pieces of Eight, helping sustain your upgrade cycle.

 

By consistently running Fort Wolfenhol, you'll quickly stabilize your ship's power level and unlock the resources to start experimenting with new builds or larger ships like the Frigate.

 

The Path to Endgame and Season 3

 

To summarize your optimal midgame roadmap:

 

1.Finish the main story.

 

2.Pick one ship (preferably mid-sized) and master it.

 

3.Farm Improved Ship Parts via Blackwood and Black Market vendors.

 

4.Focus upgrades up to Level 6 before moving into WT2.

 

5.Farm Fort Wolfenhol and bosses for Masterwork Kits and Ascension Modules.

 

6.Upgrade weapons that match your ship's perk synergy.

 

By following these steps, you'll not only thrive in World Tier 2 but also be fully prepared for Season 3's increased difficulty and the Kraken boss fights coming in Season 4.

 

Final Thoughts

 

Progression in Skull and Bones isn't just about grinding-it's about making smart decisions with your resources and understanding your ship's identity. Don't waste time chasing every new vessel and Skull and Bones Silver; instead, build one masterpiece and let it carry you to glory.