Dead Sails: A Beginner's Guide

You thought being a ship captain was easy? The new hit game *Dead Sails* proves otherwise. Navigating the treacherous waters while balancing your survival, maintaining your ship, selling valuables, and fending off monsters is no small feat. **Here's how to become a pro in *Dead Sails* and reach the 100k meters finish line in no time.**

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Table of contents

Beginner’s Guide for Dead Sails Before You Set Sail How To Choose A Class What To Do In Towns Dead Sails Tips & Tricks Tips For Never Running Out Of Fuel How To Survive The Night Which Weapon To Choose Best Items To Collect

Beginner’s Guide for Dead Sails

Screenshot by The Escapist. If you're new to Dead Sails, don't worry. The game, akin to its predecessor Dead Rails, is straightforward—you're the captain of a ship tasked with sailing a straight line for 10 thousand meters between towns, aiming to reach the ultimate goal of 100k meters sailed. The key is to keep moving, maintain your fuel, and stay alive. Simple, right?

Before You Set Sail

The in-game lobby before you embark on your journey can be incredibly useful, albeit at a cost. As a new player, you start with 15 Dabloons, the game's currency. While this isn't a lot, it's enough to purchase various items. Boats are expensive and unnecessary for beginners. Although it's tempting to spend on bandages and weapons, you'll find plenty of these during your journey.

How To Choose A Class

Screenshot by The Escapist. We recommend using your 15 Dabloons to buy a class. These are in-game perks obtained through a loot box system, where each purchase costs 3 Dabloons, and you might get a class you enjoy on your first attempt. Dead Sails offers Common and Uncommon classes like Pirate and Gunslinger, but your choice should align with your playstyle. For a detailed breakdown, check out our Dead Sails Class Tierlist.

What To Do In Towns

Screenshot by The Escapist. Upon starting a round, you'll spawn in a town where your ship is docked. These towns appear every 10 thousand meters sailed and serve as your safe havens, offering various amenities:

• Trading Hut: Sell collected items.
• General Store: Purchase items to aid your journey.
• Hospital: Heal yourself.
• Gun Shop: Buy guns and ammunition.
• Sheriff’s: Collect bounty money from pirate and creature corpses.

Since you start with a blunt weapon like a pickaxe or hammer, there's no immediate need for a firearm. However, purchasing coal is essential—spend all your money on as much coal as possible. Fuel is crucial in Dead Sails, as the game ends if you can't move your ship.

Dead Sails Tips & Tricks

The gameplay is relatively simple, yet you'll encounter various buildings and structures and face attacks from undead creatures. Mastering Dead Sails involves understanding a few key strategies.

Tips For Never Running Out Of Fuel

Screenshot by The Escapist. In Dead Sails, your ship runs on coal. Each chunk of coal boosts your fuel by 20 percent, and theoretically, you could complete the game by buying 5 coal pieces in every town. But where's the challenge in that?

You'll find collectible items with a fuel marker that increase your fuel by 5 percent. However, the most efficient way to fuel up (besides coal) is by using corpses of the undead. You must kill attackers to survive, and their bodies can be added to your inventory for fuel.

How To Survive The Night

Screenshot by The Escapist. Like Dead Rails, Dead Sails becomes much harder at night. With reduced visibility, you need to be vigilant to avoid harm. Remember, dying means game over.

The best scenario is to spend the night in town where you're safe. Alternatively, purchase Barbed Wire from a shop beforehand. Mounting this on your ship deters mobs from approaching. If you lack Barbed Wire, pause your journey and attack any creature that comes close.

Which Weapon To Choose

Screenshot by The Escapist. Weapon choice depends on your preference. If you favor melee, the starting hammer or pickaxe might suffice. However, as you progress, you'll face stronger enemies requiring more powerful weapons.

A shotgun is likely your best bet due to its higher damage output, ideal for unexpected encounters. An early-game alternative is the revolver, which, while weaker, is a good introduction to firearms and commonly found in buildings.

Best Items To Collect

Screenshot by The Escapist. You can sell everything you collect, starting with junk worth 3 or 5 cash per item. However, with a limited inventory of 10 items, you must prioritize. Here are key items to focus on:

• Moyai and Bars: Available in diamond, gold, and silver, these are top earners.
• Healing Packs: Keep these for emergencies, though they can be sold.
• Crosses: Sell for 35 cash or use against the undead.
• Weapons: Use or sell based on your needs.
• Robot Head: Found in houses and banks, sells for 45 cash.
• Holy Water: Located in churches, sells for 25 cash.
• Gold Llama: A rare, valuable item selling for 150 cash.

You can stack unlimited items on your boat, but remember to weld them in place to prevent them from falling off. Place an item and press the weld button (Z on the keyboard) to secure it.

And that's the beginner's guide to Dead Sails! Follow these tips and you'll soon become the best captain to ever navigate these waters—or, more accurately, the narrow canal-like river. For an extra edge, check out our Dead Sails codes.