Home News Dead Sails: A Beginner's Guide

Dead Sails: A Beginner's Guide

Author : Joseph Update : May 04,2025

Think being a ship captain is a breeze? Think again! The thrilling new game *Dead Sails* challenges you to juggle survival, ship maintenance, selling valuables, and battling monsters. Ready to become a pro and reach that 100k meters finish line? Here’s your comprehensive guide to mastering *Dead Sails*.

Beginner’s Guide for Dead Sails

dead-sails-beginners-guide-boat-day Screenshot by The Escapist.

If you're new to Dead Sails, fear not! This game, much like its predecessor Dead Rails, is straightforward. Your mission? Captain a ship that sails a straight 10,000 meters between towns, with the ultimate goal of reaching 100k meters. Sounds simple, but remember: keep moving, don’t run out of fuel, and don’t die.

Before You Set Sail

The in-game lobby is your starting point, but it comes with a cost. As a new player, you'll begin with 15 Dabloons, the game's currency. While boats are tempting, they're pricey and unnecessary for beginners. Instead of splurging on bandages or weapons, focus on finding them in-game—they’re plentiful.

How To Choose A Class

dead-sails-beginners-guide-class Screenshot by The Escapist.

Spend your 15 Dabloons on a class. These perks are purchased like loot boxes, costing 3 Dabloons each, and you might get a class you enjoy on the first try. Dead Sails offers Common and Uncommon classes like Pirate and Gunslinger. Your choice depends on your play style, so check out our Dead Sails Class Tierlist for a detailed breakdown.

What To Do In Towns

dead-sails-beginners-guide-town-day Screenshot by The Escapist.

Starting a round, you'll find yourself in a town where your ship is docked. These towns, appearing every 10,000 meters, are your safe havens. Here’s what you can do:

Trading Hut: Sell collected items.
General Store: Buy items for your journey.
Hospital: Heal up.
Gun Shop: Purchase guns and ammo.
Sheriff’s Office: Earn bounty money from pirate and creature corpses.

Starting with a blunt weapon like a pickaxe or hammer, you don't need a firearm immediately. Instead, prioritize buying coal—spend all your money on it. Fuel is crucial, and running out means game over.

Dead Sails Tips & Tricks

The gameplay might seem simple, but you'll encounter various buildings and structures, plus undead creatures. Here are essential tips to master Dead Sails.

Tips For Never Running Out Of Fuel

dead-sails-beginners-guide-zombie-fuel Screenshot by The Escapist.

Coal is your ship's lifeblood, adding 20% more fuel per piece. You could theoretically finish the game by buying 5 coal pieces in each town, but where's the fun in that? Collect items marked as "fuel" for a 5% boost, and don’t forget to use undead corpses. Kill them, store their bodies, and use them for fuel.

How To Survive The Night

dead-sails-beginners-guide-wire Screenshot by The Escapist.

Nighttime in Dead Sails is tougher, with lower visibility. Ideally, spend the night in town for safety. If you can’t, buy Barbed Wire to mount on your ship and keep mobs at bay. Without it, pause your journey and attack any approaching creatures.

Which Weapon To Choose

dead-sails-beginners-guide-shotgun Screenshot by The Escapist.

Weapon choice is personal. If you prefer melee, stick with your starting hammer or pickaxe. As you progress, stronger enemies require stronger weapons. A shotgun is ideal for its high damage, perfect for unexpected combat. Early on, a revolver is a good choice to familiarize yourself with firearms, often found in buildings.

Best Items To Collect

dead-sails-beginners-guide-water Screenshot by The Escapist.

Every item can be sold, but with a limited 10-item inventory, choose wisely:

Moyai and Bars: Valuable in diamond, gold, and silver, these are great for earning money.
Healing Packs: Keep these for emergencies rather than selling.
Crosses: Sell for 35 cash or use against the undead.
Weapons: Use or sell as needed.
Robot Head: Found in houses and banks, sells for 45 cash.
Holy Water: Found in churches, sells for 25 cash.
Gold Llama: Rare and expensive, sells for 150 cash.

Remember, you can stack items on your boat, but they'll fall off if not welded. Place an item and press the weld button (Z on the keyboard) to secure it.

And that’s your beginner’s guide to Dead Sails! Follow these tips, and you’ll soon be the best captain to ever sail these waters. For an extra edge, check out our Dead Sails codes.