Skeletons & Their Variants

Learn about the different types of Skeletons in Sea of Thieves, including their strengths, weaknesses, and how to defeat them. Your guide to the undead!

Hey there, pirate! So you've been sailing the Sea of Thieves and bumping into a few bony fellas, huh? Let's break down these Skeletons and their many forms. They're the most common enemies you'll face, and while they might look a bit fragile, some can pack a serious punch. ### Background These aren't just any old bones; they're the reanimated remains of cursed pirate crews. They haunt the islands, not too happy about being disturbed. You'll find regular Skeletons are the most common, but there's a whole hierarchy. Some Skeletons will form crews, distinguished by colored headbands and eyepatches. They answer to a Skeleton Captain. These captains are a bit tougher, holding onto their memories and rank. Defeating them often means getting their coveted skull, which is great for your loot! If you're tackling Tall Tales or Skeleton Forts, you might run into Skeleton Captains serving a Skeleton Lord. These Lords are the real deal – they can talk, remember things, and have some serious power. They're a significant threat, and some can even curse you with the same bad luck they carry. And then there's Captain Flameheart. This guy's got a fearsome reputation, commanding armadas and legions of followers. His most devoted are the Ashen Lords, who carry a piece of his fiery fury. ### Mechanics Here's what you need to know when you're facing them: * Skeletons usually spawn in groups of up to 5. Don't worry, they can't swim, so they won't follow you into deep water. * They can come armed with a Cutlass, Flintlock, Blunderbuss, or even Gunpowder Barrels. Some on Skeleton Ships might even have an Eye of Reach. * If you're near a Large Island or an active Skeleton Fort, watch out! Any land Cannons will likely be manned by Skeletons. * Most Skeletons (except Gunpowder Skeletons) will try to heal with a Banana if you hit them. They might also run away or stay in the fight. * They're not exactly friendly with other cursed beings; Skeletons will fight Ocean Crawlers and Phantoms. * Gunpowder Skeletons are a special case. If you defeat them without them exploding their Gunpowder Barrel, or if you hit them with a Cursed Cannonball, they'll drop the barrel. You can even snag it from their hands with a Harpoon! Before the 2.0.9 update, if you took their barrel, they'd just stand there uselessly. Now, they just die. * Be careful! Skeletons can accidentally damage each other with firearms if they're close enough or in each other's line of sight, but they won't turn on each other. * When you're on a Bounty Quest and looking for a specific Skeleton, remember they can sometimes be found on Skeleton Ships.