Sea of Thieves — patch notes and updates
Stored observation / content update:
Dated developer announcements recorded from Steam. Open the source for the complete update.
| Update | Date | Excerpt / source |
|---|---|---|
| Season 21’s Style of Thieves Theme Reveal! | 2026-10-27 | Sea of Thieves now has Outfit Saving! Yes, we are going on about it a bit, but it’s relevant in the context of this article and this contest, let us have it. Style of Thieves has always been focused on inspiring our pirates to wade through their wardrobes and consider combinations of cosmetics that they may not naturally find, were it not for us dangling a pair of gloves as the incentive to do so. But now that Outfit Saving is here, you can enjoy the contest’s established attiring fun, but also save the fits you find that you’d want to wear again in the future!Plus, you can now save your pirate’s usual getup as an outfit before starting on yo |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – 3.9.1 | 2026-10-22 | Custom SeasThe free customisation toolset introduced in Season 20 expands with new options and additions! For more info on everything else taking place this Season, head over to our dedicated Season 21 page.Legendary Location – Golden SandsCustom Seas expands its collection of Legendary Locations with the return of Golden Sands Outpost, restored to its pre-Lost Sands appearance and available as a dedicated location for custom sessions.The Devil’s Shroud surrounds the island, keeping crews focused on the action. Due to the unique nature of the location, some World Events, creatures and island-specific features will be unavailable.Crew Banners |
| Get Chills from Season 21 Community Weekend on October 23rd | 2026-10-21 | A few months on from Season 20 Community Weekend back in balmy June, it’s time to light the torches and ease open the eerily creaking floodgates for a crepuscular celebration. We’ve got Community Emissary Grade boosts and Twitch Drops, there’ll be Pop-Up Plunder (and Pop-Up Blunder) to track down, and you can get involved in Tricksters and Treaters to hit some special Community Spirit Goals too. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves…Board HoardersLet’s start with what’s different this weekend: the return of the long-absent Tricksters and Treaters Event! In its latest incarnation, this old favourite focuses on the Quest Board found at Outposts, |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: October 2026 | 2026-10-07 | The nights are drawing in and it’s been a little while since we last scanned what’s on the horizon, so it’s time for a fresh This Month in Sea of Thieves article! If you’ve already taken a glance at how long this article is, you’ll know that October’s set to be non-stop from start to finish, so let’s get right to it and uncover what you can expect to see on the seas this month.Sea of Thieves Sail Design Competition – Until Friday, October 23rdBudding shipwrights should be reaching for their pencils right about now – if they want to be in with a chance of seeing their sail design realised in-game, that is. From now until October 23rd, we’re in |
| Sea of Thieves Sail Design Competition | 2026-10-02 | Have you ever looked at your ship’s sails and thought “those would be 100% better with a reference to our crew’s inside joke about Flameheart having a puppy called Hot Dog”? Of course you have, and now’s your chance to prove it!Our first ever Sail Design Competition is your invitation to sketch and share your dream set of sheets, with the potential for them to be added to Sea of Thieves, and other pirates’ customisation chests, as part of our ninth anniversary celebrations next March.From now until October 23rd, pirates of all artistic ability are invited to use the template below (which you can download by clicking here), or whatever tools a |
| Lose Yourself in Live Events in Sea of Thieves Season 21 | 2026-09-18 | Looking for your next adventure? You won’t need to look far in Sea of Thieves Season 21! With a breathless schedule of Live Events and enhancements to Custom Seas each month, it’s a Season full of things to catch your attention and keep the boosts and rewards rolling in.In keeping with Season 20’s looser structure, Season 21 doesn’t feature distinct headline Acts and so the updates in months two and three will focus on bug fixes, additional Events and refinements to the Custom Seas experience. The Season itself launches on September 17th and brings a refreshed Season Pass and optional Season Pass: Premium Tier, as well as a bolstered range of |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – 3.9.0 | 2026-09-17 | Custom SeasThe free customisation toolset introduced in Season 20 expands with new options and additions! For more info on everything else taking place this Season, head over to our dedicated Season 21 page.Saving LayoutsCustom Seas now provides the ability for creators to save items placed in the world in the form of Layouts, allowing quicker access to custom-built experiences between sessions.Once items are placed, a Layout can be saved by selecting ‘Save Layout’ from the Game Options and then naming it or overwriting an old Layout.When starting a custom session, creators can load a Layout by using ‘Open Layout’ from the Command Menu to pla |
| From Concept to Cosmetic: Greed’s Reach Cutlass | 2026-09-09 | It’s been quite a while since we last invited you to follow along as a new cosmetic makes the leap from an idea to a fully realised in-game item. The last time we were here, we had some lantern secrets to share, following on from our prior deep dives into crow-themed cosmetics, animal companions and more.Recently, however, we completed an overhaul of Sea of Thieves’ free Seasonal Renown track – now simply known as the Season Pass – and with it, we introduced a new type of cosmetic: the Star Prize. This is the final reward for players who max out their Renown during a Season, and as a result, we wanted it to be unlike anything else in the game |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: September 2026 | 2026-09-04 | The final summer bank holiday in the UK has just passed by, which surely means that September has begun and, more importantly, you’re owed a new list of everything that’s going to be happening in the coming month. September’s schedule is loaded with Live Events and rewards to earn, so hold on tight and let’s work our way through it!Season 21 Style of Thieves – Monday, August 31st – Thursday, September 3rdWe started the month already in the midst of a competition, specifically a Seasonal staple to determine precisely which pirates are the best dressed – according to a demanding series of categories, at least. Pirates from across the waves shar |
| Season 20's Style of Thieves Theme Reveal! | 2026-08-21 | How are your Custom Seas creations going? Made any fun game modes? We’ve had a good time seeing Sea of Thieves versions of Dodgeball, admiring some Arena-inspired modes and marvelling at the cinematic masterpieces you’re producing. However, today we come offering a way to exercise that Free Camera alongside your clothing chest: a new season of #StyleOfThieves!And what an exciting season of style it is, as it’s the first contest with the colour of the Fashionista’s Finery Gloves fixed. That’s right, as part of our recently announced Creator Crew refresh, the blue tone that sometimes conjured images of soapy dishes rather than haute couture has |
| Expanding the Creator Crew for 2026 | 2026-08-21 | Update August 28th: Following the original publication of this article, we’ve heard your feedback and are making some adjustments to what was previously announced with regards to #SoTShot rewards. While we were well-intentioned in trying to keep the line between pre- and post-Custom Seas winners clear, we appreciate your concerns that reducing the criteria of #SoTShot Title rewards could negatively impact all recipients of the Titles old and new, and that we didn’t show the correct appreciation for the efforts of those who’ve reached the ten-win landmark over the last six years.We will still be using the new rewards to create a clear and pred |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – 3.8.2 | 2026-08-20 | Custom SeasBuild new game modes to challenge your friends, record unrivalled cinematics and experience the Sea of Thieves like never before! To learn more about this Season’s headline features, head over to our dedicated Season 20 page.Legendary Location – Seas of Sailor’s GravePlayers in Custom Seas sessions can now choose the Seas of Sailor’s Grave as a new Legendary Location, allowing them to create and play within the Last Ship Standing battleground.The Devil’s Shroud surrounds the map, keeping crews focused on the action. Due to the unique nature of the location, some World Events, creatures and island-specific features will be unavailab |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: August 2026 | 2026-08-06 | The sweltering heat of August has had a few days to settle in now, and even though we’re already acclimatised thanks to the last few weeks of sweltering heat, it still seems like a good time to browse the upcoming Sea of Thieves schedule and share highlights of the month ahead. Lots of Live Events on the horizon, so it’s well worth having a read of what’s coming up and planning your Voyages accordingly…Fight Nights – Every TuesdayLoad the cannons, there are battles to be had! Every Tuesday starting at 10am UTC, Fight Nights make their 24 hour-long return, promising increased Allegiance and gold for every Faction Battle you fight. All you have |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – 3.8.1 | 2026-07-23 | Custom SeasBuild new game modes to challenge your friends, record unrivalled cinematics and experience the Sea of Thieves like never before! To learn more about this Season’s headline features, head over to our dedicated Season 20 page.Emoting with Free CameraPlayers are now able to choose an emote and enter Free Camera mode, allowing them to perform the emote while accessing the full camera controls.Pirate Practice PresetA new official Preset has been added, providing players with quick access to an experience set up for swift practice runs through World Events, naval battles and more.Session Join Code ProtectionWhen entering a Join Code to |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – Hotfix 3.8.0.2 | 2026-07-09 | UpdatesChest of Fortune BalancingThe issues preventing some emergent World Events from awarding the Chest of Fortune upon completion have been addressed, and the Chest of Fortune is now being awarded where intended.When tackling any of these emergent World Events, the chances of players finding one or even multiple Chests of Fortune have now been significantly increased! Fixed IssuesGameplayThe following World Events now provide a chance of discovering a Chest of Fortune as intended: Skeleton Forts, Reaper Fortresses, the Fort of Fortune, Ashen Winds, Skeleton Fleets, Ghost Fleets, the Burning Blade and the Fort of the Damned.Crews should no |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: July 2026 | 2026-07-07 | Once July’s calendar of activities kicks off, there’s barely a day going spare that doesn’t have something to divert your attention – and maybe help you earn a few rewards along the way. So, in the interests of keeping this intro brief when we have so much to tell you about, let’s get on with it, shall we?Fight Nights – Tuesdays, from July 14thAnother favoured Event for PvP-minded crews makes a return this month, offering up increased Allegiance for every battle won – or lost – when you set out on behalf of your chosen Faction. Rather than the usual weekend-long Fight Nights sessions you’ve experienced before, things are a little different no |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – Hotfix 3.8.0.1 | 2026-06-25 | UpdatesEmergent World EventsThe Fleet of Fortune should no longer appear as one of the emergent World Events taking place on the seas during Season 20. Fixed IssuesGameplayPlayers below deck on the Sloop can no longer jump to reach through the grate and grab the cannons above.Custom SeasResource Crates spawned in Custom Seas should now contain the intended resources and no longer appear empty.When changing ship sizes during a session the ship now spawns immediately, allowing players to teleport directly to them without needing to use a mermaid.Players will no longer be left on an endless loading screen after exiting a cannon at various Legend |
| All the Customary Fun in Season 20 Community Weekend on June 26th | 2026-06-23 | So soon! The gate is still swinging on its hinges from the escape of Season 20, pirates are busy testing the waters of Custom Seas and already we’re here dangling the carrot of another Community Weekend. What can we say? It’s never too soon.Rewards and RecognitionKicking off on Friday, June 26th at 10am UTC, Season 20’s Community Weekend will once again run for the new extended duration of 72 hours, coming to a close at the same time on Monday, June 29th. The simple act of setting sail on High Seas while this Event is live, whether you have grand plans to execute or you’re just there to soak up the vibes, will earn you the latest Community We |
| Personalise Your Pirate Playground in Sea of Thieves Season 20 | 2026-06-18 | Do you want to play a game? Don’t worry, no creepy phone calls or tricycle puppets here, just the long-awaited introduction of Custom Seas – Sea of Thieves’ headline feature for Season 20, an expansive creative toolset designed to help all players build their own game modes.With the phasing out of monthly Acts, the whole Custom Seas toolset arrives when the new Season launches on June 18th, though we’ll be continuing to work on its features and functionality as we see how players respond to it. Accompanying this in Season 20 are an overhauled Season Pass offering more choice in the rewards you unlock, new Seasonal Deeds to complete, refreshed |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – 3.8.0 | 2026-06-18 | Custom SeasBuild new game modes to challenge your friends, record unrivalled cinematics and experience the Sea of Thieves like never before! To learn more about this Season’s headline features, head over to our dedicated Season 20 page.Session LobbiesWith the keys to the seas, players can now create and host a Custom Seas lobby and invite up to 24 players and six crews, with full control over ship types and expanded crew configurations.Session Owners can invite others via platform invites or a Join Code, promote Session Leaders with deeper access and launch directly onto the seas with their chosen setup.Switches and PresetsSwitches allow Sess |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: June 2026 | 2026-06-05 | Though the weather may be sweltering and the air stifling, a new month has begun and that means there’s work to be done. A This Month article to be written, more specifically. So sit down, settle in as best you can amidst the summer heat (heat not guaranteed dependent on location) and find out all about the things you can get involved in throughout June!Gold & Glory Weekend – Friday, June 5th – Monday, June 8thAs Act 3 of Season 19 races towards its end, you might also find yourself in a rush to finish raising your Seasonal Renown and unlock those final few rewards. Good news, then, that another Gold & Glory Weekend is upon us, offering up bo |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes – Hotfix 3.7.2.1 | 2026-05-29 | Last Ship StandingShrinking Battle BoundsWhile the Battle Bounds will continue to shrink at the same stages early in the battle, during the endgame the area will now remain at a larger size to provide more space for crews to battle.While most battles will end naturally in a flurry of cannon fire, prolonged battles of over an hour will now be forced to an end with the Battle Bounds shrinking to a final ‘match ending’ zone to ensure one ship can be crowned victorious.Winners’ Grace PeriodAfter besting their rivals to become the Last Ship Standing, winners are now given additional time to collect their spoils and head to the final portal. Fixed |
| Season 19's Style of Thieves Theme Reveal! | 2026-05-28 | We thought our calendar must be broken, but it turns out that it really is already time for another #StyleOfThieves contest! Where do the months go? Admittedly we did lose quite a few days to just staring out at sea waiting to see a big white shark appear on the horizon, but we’ve all had that moment at multiple times in our lives, right?Dissociations aside, what have we been doing on the seas? First there was diving to Faction Battles to see how Season 19’s many tweaks have shaken things up, then there was joining in with the first ever Bilge Rats Weekender and getting our hands on some Doubloons to start refilling the old wallet. More recen |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes - 3.7.2 | 2026-05-21 | Last Ship StandingJoin a mass battle between up to six Sloops in the strange surroundings of the Sea of the Damned! Last Ship Standing's debut appearance will be live for the duration of Season 19: Act 3.Solo and Duo Sloop BattlesSloop crews can now join in a battle to the death within the Sea of the Damned to become the Last Ship Standing! During Act 3, both duo and solo Sloops will only battle in Last Ship Standing, while Brigantines and Galleons will continue to dive into 1v1 Faction Battles.Crews ready to fight should choose their Faction at the Hourglass of Fate, unfurl the War Map and prepare to dive. Solo and duo crews are matched sepa |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: May 2026 | 2026-05-08 | Update May 12th: Following the news that Last Ship Standing will be given a little more development time to reach its full potential, Act 3 of Season 19 has been moved back by one week to launch on May 21st. The accompanying Twitch Drops and Pirate Emporium sale will also shift back by a week, now commencing on May 22nd and May 29th respectively. Please bear these changes in mind when reading the article below!Original article: The calendar helpfully informs us that May has indeed begun, so it’s time to get to work on our next This Month in Sea of Thieves article! With the enhanced Faction fighting promised in Act 3 looming on the horizon, pl |
| The Bilge Rats Weekender | 2026-04-16 | The tradition of Act 2 focusing on in-game Events continues in Season 19 with the introduction of the Bilge Rats Weekender! While this Event is active, you'll be able to complete challenges to earn fresh Doubloons, following the currency reset that has now taken place.With these new Doubloons in circulation (and the currency now primarily available during Bilge Rats Weekenders), you’ll need something to spend them on. That’s where the refreshed Black Market comes in! Between Duke and Larinna, you'll be able to get your hands on new and returning cosmetics in return for a few of those blue coins…So set out to tackle quirky Challenges, scrap ov |
| Sea of Thieves Release Notes - 3.7.1 | 2026-04-16 | Bilge Rats WeekenderUndertake special Voyages and Challenges to win Doubloons in this recurring pirate celebration! The extended debut of the Bilge Rats Weekender is live from April 16th to April 20th, 2026.The Celebrations Begin!With the Bilge Rats Weekender now active, the Outposts and Seaposts are decorated for the occasion! Larinna can be found inside the tavern and will share more details on this month’s Event, along with access to the Bilge Rats Black Market.During the Weekender, each evening at 9pm (in-game time) a select Outpost will host a rousing Bilge Rats Firework Display, with the best viewing location clearly laid out. Larinna w |
| This Month in Sea of Thieves: April 2026 | 2026-04-08 | A hectic March has come to an end, but the Sea of Thieves never rests and so neither shall we. April is set to be a slightly quieter month, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to be getting on with. From refreshed editions of the game to a brand new Live Event, let’s find out what you can expect from the next few weeks in Sea of Thieves.Commemorative Doubloon Cosmetics – until April 16thIf you’ve stopped by Larinna recently, you might have noticed that she’s got some shiny blue merchandise on offer. The Doubloon Hoarder Title, Eyepatch, Belt and Sails are currently available to purchase for pirates who want to commemorate their Doubloon- |
| Sea of Thieves Community Direct: March 2026 | 2026-03-30 | Hello, and welcome to this handy summary of March 2026’s Community Direct! The team sat down earlier this month to reflect on everything that’s happened since the last Direct, while also discussing the next few months of Sea of Thieves plans. The Direct itself is a crisp 29 minutes long, but if you’d like a shorter summary of events, then you’re in luck – this companion article has it all. Let’s get into it. Looking BackWhen reflecting on our current rhythm of release, it’s clear to us that the signals we’ve had from our players show our current model isn’t working. Delivering bitesize content via our three-Act structure has put a lot of pres |
| Join the Revelry in Season 19 Community Weekend on March 27th | 2026-03-27 | If the sound of distant – and not-so-distant – cannon fire hadn’t tipped you off, Season 19 has begun! That means a few things, including a host of improvements to Faction Battles, but most importantly of all: it’s nearly time for our next Community Weekend. It’s so very nearly time for it, in fact, that by the time you read this it may well have begun, so let’s not take up any more time with pleasantries and get straight to the details…Fire Up the FreebiesStarting with everyone’s favourite bit: free stuff! Anyone who sets sail during this Event will add the latest luxurious Community Weekend Flag to their collection, while also unlocking the |