¶ Getting Started with Pirates of the Burning Sea
¶ First things first
Buy a subscription (Optional)
A subscription is required to play on the Legacy server (v2.10 from 2012) but optional for the Antigua and Roberts Free to play servers. A subscription grants benefits on ALL servers. A Subscription is currently $3 (USD) for 30 days access, but discounts are available for longer subscription purchases here.When buying a subscription it does not matter which server you select in store. For everything else it is very important to select the correct server.
¶ Choosing a Server
Once you have started the game, you will see the Server Select Screen. This screen allows you to Subscribe, see the Port Battle Times, and see any other important annoucements. That said, you will mainly use this screen to select which server you want to play on.
There are several different servers you can select. Depending on the game version you have selected:
Antigua
Antigua is where most North American players are found, as the port battle window is centered around the evening hours. You will also find players from other continents here.Roberts
Roberts is mainly populated by European players and North America players who want to play during the daytime. The port battle window is centered around Europe.Legacy
Legacy launched in december 2022. Legacy requires a subscription providing access to the Legacy Servers and account benefits (the benefits apply to all servers on both game versions).Legacy is an old build requested by the part of the community not liking the changes made to the game, mainly in the 2.14.x - 2.15.x era.^
You can choose to play on either server, but remember: PotBS is an international game, with a lot of players from different countries around the world playing across all of its servers.
All servers had the new Port Battle Scheduler applied in 2023.
All servers are geographically located in the same location, so ping is the same for all servers.
¶ Choosing a Nation
Players may choose from the four nations:
Spain, Pirate, France or Britain
Players may create characters for all nations on both servers. Currently, the amount of characters you may have per nation varies depending on your account type.Note: subsequently changing your active nation will not change / move your character / Captain to that nation. you need to level up Captains in each nation
¶ Spain
Spain is an old empire with a glorious past. Her ships have been in these waters for more than two centuries, and the islands and coastlines of the Caribbean are littered with evidence of her presence.
As a citizen of Spain, your adventures will be filled with mystery, legends, battle and romance. From the fortified capital of San Juan to the pagan temples of the inland jungles, you will discover the secrets of the New World from before it was the New World, when strange gods and stranger men ruled the lands and honor was bought with blood and magic. Rediscover the glory of the past as you chart your nation's future!
¶ Pirate
Sail free and live large! Be your own master with neither king nor crown to order you to and fro. Take what you want, do as you please, and sail the Burning Sea. Whether you be a merciless scourge or an honorable rogue, the life of the pirate is one of risk, romance and adventure.
As a Pirate you sack ports, raid ships, search for treasure, share your spoils and rum in your capital of Tortuga and learn all the mysteries that most dare not know. Hoist the black flag and set sail to find your own destiny! Yarrrrrrrrrrrr!
¶ France
A cobra's smile hides the fiercest fangs and its wit is laced with venom. France is just as quick to strike and just as deadly to its enemies, the arrogant and the corrupt alike. The nation burns with a desire for conquest and has the proud will to see it through. France also knows this: What it cannot take by main force it can capture with cunning.
As a citizen of France, your adventures will be filled with espionage, diplomacy, intrigue and battle. From the wealthy trade markets of Martinique to the back alleys of New Orleans to your capital of Pointe-a-Pitre , you will use Frances economic dominance as a hammer on her foes and pursue her agendas through clandestine operations. A well-placed shot can dis-mast a warship and either can change the world. Secret societies writhe and multiply, hatching plots within plots and bringing vast forces into alignment. France is changing, and the world will surely change with it!
¶ Britain
Be bloody, bold and resolute! The world is trembling at the dawn of a new empire and Britain's flag seems destined to fly over all the world. Though a latecomer to the Caribbean, Britain's navy is all but supreme and her appetite for primacy knows no bounds.
As a citizen of Britain, your adventures will be filled with battle, conquest, bravery, and ambition. From the teeming plantations of Antigua to the admiral's clubs in the capital Port Royal in Jamaica, you will rise through the ranks and drive the empire toward dominance economically, militarily and politically. Her destiny lies at the helm of a ship, and from there you will put the sword to her enemies and accrue the glory that is your due. The other nations, not so blessed as yours, will ever be the playthings of tyrants. But Britain will flourish great and free, and be the dread and envy of them all!
¶ Choosing a Gender
As far as the gameplay is concerned, the gender of your character will not affect much. Whether players will prefer a male or a female character will be based mainly on roleplaying and what clothing they want their character to wear.
The same missions are available to both genders, and neither gender has an advantage in PvP.
¶ Choosing a Career
Once you have chosen a Nation and a Gender, you should choose your career. Here are some brief descriptions of each career.
Freetrader — you are a Freetrader, an independent merchant adventurer tied to no company or government. You are an explorer, a daredevil, a fast talker and a cunning opponent. You are the fuel that jump-starts the engine of a thriving New World economy. Others inherit fortunes, yours will be forged in the crucible of the Burning Sea.
Naval Officer — you are a Naval Officer, a captain by courtesy, master and commander of a raw crew aboard an under-gunned vessel. Your orders are sealed, the guns are run out, and the slow match is lit. Set sail on the tide, strike fear into the hearts of your nation's wicked enemies, and defend your way of life.
Privateer — you are a Privateer, charged by letter of Marque with hunting down and destroying the enemies of the crown wherever you may find them. Though your foes call you "thief" and "pirate" to your nation you are a bold hero and the epitome of bravery.
Note: the Cutthroat and Bucaneer careers are available only to Pirates
Cutthroat — you are a Cutthroat. You live a life of freedom in the first true democracy the world has seen in millennia, sailing where you wish, taking what you want, and devil take the hindmost. Your articles are your creed; your cutlass and pistol your most trusted friends. You may lead a short life, but it will be a happy one.
Buccaneer — you are a Buccaneer, a pirate adventurer who roams the seas in search of profit, plunder, and a lucrative retirement. All you need is a fast ship, a good crew, and your wits, and the Caribbean will be your. The challenging Buccaneer career is recommended for experienced players.
¶ Customizing your Name and Apperance
Now that you have picked a Server, a Nation and a career you can customize your character's apperance and name.
¶ Appearance
You may select from a variety of Avatar customisation choices, and can change them later at any time.
First, select the aspect (e.g., Hat, Hair, Face, Boots, Pants).
Once you have selected the aspect, you may customize various options (e.g., the color, the type of item, the design).
Otherwise, you may keep your current appearence, or click Random Appearance.You can also get more clothing items in Treasure Aisle, by completing certain missions or increasing your reputation in some factions.
¶ Naming
You may pick any name that fulfills the following requirements:
- Has at least two letters in the first and last name respectively.
- Doesn't use symbols (e.g., !, #, @, $).
- Fits with the in-game rules.
Note: as a suggestion, many players choose names that are appropriate to the age-of-sail or named after famous people from that time period.
You may also click Random Name for some naming suggestions.
That's it. Click Play to begin playing!
