Skull and Bones has been out long enough for players to start experimenting with different ship setups, weapons Skull and Bones Items, and farming strategies—and it's clear that the right build can completely change your experience on the high seas. While the game doesn't necessarily have a "one best build," there are setups that shine for specific situations, from farming forts to taking on events like the Weeping Mother.
In this article, I'll break down four powerful builds currently being used in-game, explain the reasoning behind their weapon and armor loadouts, and touch on the best farming strategies for gathering Smuggler Points (SP), guild points, and upgrade materials. Whether you favor fire-based elemental destruction, flooding torpedoes, or pure electric DPS, there's a build here to inspire your next adventure.
The Frigate Coven Build-Elemental Fire and Storm Damage
The Frigate is one of the most versatile ships in Skull and Bones, and it's a favorite for players looking for a mix of survivability and raw damage output. The Coven build emphasizes elemental effects, specifically fire and electricity, to create devastating burning chains that spread across fleets.
Weapons Setup
Bow & Broadsides: Fire Co cannons with incendiary, amplified burning, and Second Storm (electric) perks.
Rear Weapon: Urban's Great Gun, fully ascended, with burn and lethal perks.
Auxiliary Slot: Roaring Meg for forts, or Spirit Collar Buoy for events like the Weeping Mother.
The combination of incendiary and Second Storm turns each volley into a status-effect powerhouse. Fire burns through hulls, while the added electrical charges amplify the damage and create overlapping debuffs.
Armor Choice
Ouroboros Armor, providing strong resistance against severe damage. This reduces downtime by keeping you in the fight longer without needing constant repairs.
Furniture Setup Highlights
Fire Barrels & Devil's Concoction: Boost burning effects and extend their range.
Ramrod Workshop: Reduces reload time and increases broadside damage.
Trunion Furnace: Spreads fire effects to nearby ships within 100 meters.
Gunpowder Bench & Sticky Fuel Station: Amplify damage and extend burn durations.
This effectively turns the Frigate into a giant Sandbuck with extra health, spreading fire across multiple enemies while maintaining heavy DPS. For Tier 1 and Tier 2 content, it's a versatile option that adapts to both fleet fights and fort farming.
The Frigate Torpedo Build-Flooding and Sails Control
If fire isn't your style, the Frigate also supports a torpedo-focused build that punishes enemies with rupturing sails and devastating flooding effects.
Weapons Setup
Bow: Thunder Dragon Cannon with firepower, tearing, and siege perks (great against towers).
Broadsides: Rama's Legacy with cataclysmic flooding and arming perks.
Rear: Another Rama's Legacy, tuned for rupturing and flooding.
Auxiliary Slot: Roaring Meg, or Spirit Collar for special event enemies.
This build excels when you combine torn sails and flooding—once an enemy's sails are shredded, flooding perks and furniture synergies stack damage quickly. Even large ships can crumble under a few well-timed volleys.
Armor Choice
Again, Ouroboros Armor is the go-to for sustained fights in Tier
Furniture Setup Highlights
Tuning Station & Hubok Tuning Rack: Enhance torpedo damage.
Ramrod Workshop: Buffs broadside output.
Lrange Barrel: Boosts the charge rate and duration of torn sails.
Secret Cache (optional): Adds acceleration and maneuverability.
The downside? Torpedoes can be tricky in crowded fights, where teammates or enemies block firing lanes. But in duels, fort sieges, or open-water engagements, the burst damage is unmatched.
The Schooner Reaper Build-Electric Damage and Fort Slayer
For players who prefer medium ships, the Schooner Reaper build is a hidden gem. It's one of the most consistent setups for both fleet fights and fort destruction, capable of soloing major encounters like Woven Hall.
Weapons Setup
Bow: Divine Thunder (long gun) with firepower and double amplified electric perks.
Broadsides & Rear: Bombard V cannons with shock, explosive, and siege perks.
Auxiliary Slot: Roaring Meg, or Spirit Collar for event enemies.
The electric focus ensures consistent DPS, while the siege perks give it incredible fort-clearing potential. In testing, this build can deal over 430,000 damage to weak points on fort structures, making it one of the best farming ships in the game.
Armor Choice
Ouroboros Armor, though Buccaneer's Oath can be swapped in for more aggressive play.Furniture Setup Highlights
Charge Stores & Breach Lock Furnace: Speed up ablaze and shell shock effects.
Worm's Breath Churner: Reduces enemy reloads and boosts explosive damage.
Veratiles & Bombard Works: Amplify structure and bombard damage.
Ammo Priming Bench: Increases damage to structures by 20%.
If you're farming forts like Woven Hall or Grand Fort, this is one of the most efficient builds available. It's also a reliable choice for PvE fleet farming thanks to its AoE shock spread and explosive perks.
The Sandbuck Fire & Crew Attack Build-Aggressive Fleet Hunter
Last but not least, we have the Sandbuck, designed for aggressive fleet combat with a mix of firepower, crew attack sustain, and minefield control.
Weapons Setup
Bow & Broadsides: Thunder Dragon Cannons with incendiary, siege, and amplified electric perks.
Rear: Ash Breaker with firepower and amplified burning.
Auxiliary Slot: Infernal Moss mine launcher, capable of devastating Tier 2 ships.
This build shines in fleet battles, where mines, electric damage, and crew attacks keep enemies overwhelmed. The Infernal Moss buoy in particular can shred multiple enemies at once, creating chaos in crowded engagements.
Armor Choice
Buccaneer's Oath Armor, prioritizing high damage output over pure survivability.
Furniture Setup Highlights
Spike Warhorn & Scrapper Station: Enhance crew attacks and restore health.
Ramrod Workshop: Buffs reloads and broadside DPS.
Copper Fastening Session: Increases electric weapon damage.
Charge Stores & Strange Elixir: Enhance storm strikes and crew range.
This is a "high-risk, high-reward" build that thrives in Tier 2 fleet farming, especially when backed by allies. The ability to sustain through crew attacks means fewer repair kits wasted, making it great for extended farming runs.
Farming Strategies: Smuggler Points and Materials
Even the best builds won't matter without the resources to upgrade and ascend them. One of the most common questions players ask is: what's the best way to farm Smuggler Points and upgrade mats?
The answer: Mega Forts, especially Woven Hall.
Running Woven Hall repeatedly gives:
Smuggler Points (SP)
Mega Fort Cache Boxes
Ascension Modules
Masterwork Kits
Pieces of Eight
Deep Iron and other essential materials
Each clear nets around 150 SP plus 300 guild points, making it one of the most efficient "one-stop shops" for progression. While it can feel repetitive, pairing Woven Hall with other Mega Forts like Grand Fort and Houston keeps farming fresh while ensuring a steady supply of top-tier materials.
For players who dislike grinding 24/7, even a few hours each weekend can be enough to steadily progress. Helm building also helps reduce the grind by automating material production over time.
Final Thoughts
What's clear from experimenting with builds in Skull and Bones is that there isn't a single "best setup." Success depends heavily on matching your weapons with the right furniture and adjusting based on the event, fleet, or fort you're tackling.
Prefer consistent status damage? Go with the Frigate Coven fire/electric build.
Want to disable sails and sink ships quickly? The torpedo flooding build is for you.
Farming forts? The Schooner Reaper is unmatched for raw structure DPS.
Love chaotic fleet fights? The Sandbuck fire/crew hybrid keeps the seas ablaze.
No matter your style Skull and bones items for sale cheap, the grind is worth it. Between farming Mega Forts, upgrading your armor, and experimenting with new elemental weapons like poison, Skull and Bones continues to evolve. If you commit to refining your builds and farming smart, you'll dominate the seas in no time.