New players hitting the store page during a sale run into the same question every time: standard, or one of the more expensive editions? The community answer is remarkably consistent, and it's the right one.
Buy the standard edition.
Why the base game is the complete game
Sea of Thieves has been updated continuously since its 2018 launch, and that content has overwhelmingly gone to all players rather than behind paid tiers. The core loop — sailing, crewing, voyages, PvP encounters, the world events — is entirely present in the standard edition.
What the more expensive editions add is cosmetic: ship liveries, character outfits, pets, emotes, and in-game currency for the cosmetic store. None of it affects sailing, combat, loot or progression. There is no meaningful gameplay behind an edition wall.
| Edition | Adds | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | The complete game and all live content | Yes — this is the one to buy |
| Deluxe / upgraded tiers | Cosmetic bundles, pets, emotes, in-game currency | Only if you specifically want those cosmetics |
| Currency packs | Store currency for cosmetics | Buy later if you decide you want something specific |
| Season pass tiers | Accelerated cosmetic progression | Cosmetic progression is earnable through play |
The one thing that isn't optional
An online subscription, on console. Sea of Thieves is an always-online multiplayer game and console platforms require their paid online tier. Factor that into the total cost if you don't already have it — for a new console player, it can exceed the sale price of the game itself.
On PC there's no equivalent requirement. The game has also appeared on subscription services at various points, which is worth checking before buying outright.
Get sailing
Standard edition is the buy. If you want cosmetics later, the store is there — and you'll know what you actually want by then.
What actually determines whether you'll enjoy it
Not the edition. Two things:
Do you have people to play with? Sea of Thieves is dramatically better crewed. Solo sloop play is viable and has its own tense appeal, but the game's best moments — coordinating a ship under fire, a boarding action, a chaotic recovery from disaster — need a crew. If you're buying to play alone permanently, adjust expectations accordingly.
Are you comfortable with open PvP? The shared world means other real crews can and will attack you, and you can lose a session's loot in the final minutes before turning it in. Some players find that thrilling and some find it infuriating. There are less PvP-exposed modes, but the flagship experience is the open world, and you should know which camp you're in.
Buying for a group
If you're buying so a group of friends can crew together, buy standard editions for everyone rather than one expensive edition for one person. Cosmetics don't help the crew; a full crew does. Four standard copies is a materially better outcome than two deluxe ones.
Time to first fun
Faster than most live-service games. There's no lengthy progression gate before you're doing the interesting things — you can be sailing and taking on voyages within minutes. Progression unlocks cosmetics and reputation rather than capability, which means a new player and a veteran are on close to equal footing in a fight. That's unusual and it's one of the game's better design decisions.
What holds up
- The standard edition is the complete game; all major content is free
- Progression is cosmetic, so new players aren't outgunned by veterans
- Very short time to first meaningful play
- Years of continuous free content updates since launch
What doesn't
- Console play requires a paid online subscription on top of the game
- Substantially better with a crew than solo
- Open PvP means losing a session's loot to other players is normal
- Higher editions add nothing functional — pure cosmetics
The verdict
BUY the standard edition. Every meaningful piece of content is in it, the upgrades are purely cosmetic, and you can buy specific cosmetics later once you know what you actually want. If it's on sale, that's simply a better time to buy the same thing.
Two caveats before you commit: budget for the console online subscription if you don't have it, and be honest about whether you'll have a crew. This game is transformed by having three friends aboard.