Ahoy, pirates! I’ve been sailing the Sea of Thieves for a good while now, and while this game’s community is one of the most vibrant out there, I’ve noticed a growing issue that’s been souring the seas for some: the toxicity™ from certain PvE-focused players. Now, before anyone grabs their pitchforks, let me be clear—I’m not saying all PvE players are toxic™, nor am I picking a fight in the PvE vs. PvP debate. This is about specific behaviors that hurt the community, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on how we can address this.


Sea of Thieves is a shared-world sandbox where PvE and PvP coexist. You can be hunting for treasure, fishing, or tackling world events, but the ever-present threat of other players is what makes the game dynamic. However, some PvE players seem to take it personally when their session is interrupted by PvP encounters, and this can lead to toxic™ behavior that goes beyond the game’s pirate spirit. Here are a few examples I’ve seen:

1. Verbal Abuse in Chat: I’ve encountered PvE players who, after losing a fight or having their loot stolen, unleash a torrent of insults in voice or text chat. From name-calling to wishing harm on others, it’s not just “pirate banter”—it’s personal and nasty. Last week, my crew sank a sloop doing a Tall Tale, and the player called us “griefers” and worse, despite us only taking a single chest they had on board.
   
   
2. Accusing Others of ‘Ruining the Game’: Some PvE players act as if PvP is an unintended flaw rather than a core mechanic. They’ll spam global chat or forums claiming that anyone engaging in PvP is “toxic™” or “playing wrong.” This dismisses the fact that Sea of Thieves is designed to balance both playstyles. I’ve seen posts demanding Rare remove PvP entirely, which ignores the game’s core identity.
   
   
3. Exploiting Mechanics to Avoid Consequences: Certain PvE players use tactics like scuttling their ship repeatedly to avoid losing loot or logging off to despawn their ship, then take to forums or Discord to complain about “sweaty tryhards.” This undermines the game’s risk-reward system and fuels a cycle of resentment when they could just use strategies like checking the horizon or running to an outpost.
   
   
4. Gatekeeping Content: I’ve seen PvE players lash out at others for joining world events like Forts or Ashen Lords, accusing them of “stealing” their loot. The entitlement here forgets that these events are public and designed to attract multiple crews, encouraging competition. One time, my crew approached a Fleet event, and the other crew sent us hate messages for “interfering” when we were just playing the game as intended.

This toxicity™ creates a divide between PvE and PvP players, when the beauty of Sea of Thieves is that both playstyles feed into each other. PvE players generate loot that makes PvP encounters meaningful, while PvP adds tension and stakes to PvE activities. When PvE players react with hostility, it discourages friendly interactions, alliances, or even the playful trash-talk that makes pirate encounters memorable. It also paints the PvE community unfairly, as most PvE players are just out there enjoying their voyages and don’t resort to this behavior.


I’m not here to just complain—I think we can work toward a better community. Here are a few ideas:

• Educate on Game Design: Rare could add in-game tips or tutorials emphasizing that PvP is a core part of the experience, not something to be avoided. A loading screen tip like “Embrace the risk—every pirate’s loot is fair game!” might set expectations better.
  
  
• Encourage Positive Communication: The community could promote more constructive dialogue. If you’re upset about losing loot, try saying, “Nice fight, got any tips for next time?” instead of raging. I’ve had great post-battle chats with crews that turned salty moments into fun ones.
  
  
• Use Existing Tools: PvE players can use strategies like sailing to safer servers, forming alliances, or practicing defensive tactics. Rare’s Safer Seas mode already offers a PvE-only option for those who want it, though it comes with reduced rewards to balance the lack of risk.

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