Sea of Thieves Update 3.6.0: Secrets of the Banished and More
Sea of Thieves continues to captivate its dedicated player base with fresh content and meaningful gameplay improvements. As of the latest update, version 3.6.0, the game introduces an exciting new season titled Secrets of the Banished, bringing with it formidable enemies, hidden sanctuaries, and powerful new weapons. With an average player count currently hovering around 5,104, Rare’s pirate adventure remains a vibrant and evolving experience on the high seas.
The Eternal Guard: A New Threat Emerges
One of the standout features of the 3.6.0 update is the introduction of the Eternal Guard, a mysterious and dangerous new enemy faction. These spectral warriors are summoned through ancient sarcophagi scattered primarily across The Devil’s Roar, but intriguingly, they can now also appear on large islands in other regions of the Sea of Thieves world. Encountering the Eternal Guard is no simple task - they are cloaked in ancient magic, rendering them invulnerable while hidden and stalking their prey.
Players must stay vigilant and watch for telltale signs that an Eternal Guard is preparing to strike. When they do attack, they manifest in mortal form, wielding blowpipes, spears, and poison bombs in a deadly assault before vanishing back into the shadows. Adding to the challenge, these encounters often feature Banished Ancient Skeletons summoned by the Guard, creating intense and dynamic combat scenarios.
Defeating an Eternal Guard rewards players with a key that unlocks one of the newly introduced Sanctuaries of the Banished, promising rich rewards but demanding skill and teamwork to conquer.
Sanctuaries of the Banished: Hidden Treasures Await
The Sanctuaries of the Banished are ancient, mysterious structures excavated by the Smugglers’ League and hidden beneath islands in The Devil’s Roar-specifically Cinder Islet, Flame’s End, and Brimstone Rock. These sanctuaries are marked on the ship’s map, inviting crews to explore and plunder their depths.
Using the keys obtained from defeating the Eternal Guard, pirates can unlock these sanctuaries to discover a trove of Ancient Treasure and the powerful new weapon, the Trident of the Banished. Inside the sanctuaries, locked compartments require Ashen Keys to open, adding another layer of exploration and reward for dedicated crews willing to scour the islands thoroughly.
The Trident of the Banished: A New Weapon for Pirates
The Trident of the Banished is a formidable addition to the Sea of Thieves arsenal. While details on its full capabilities remain under wraps, the weapon’s introduction hints at new combat dynamics and strategies for players to master. Its presence within the Sanctuaries of the Banished encourages adventurous crews to engage with the new content and reap the benefits of their bravery and skill.
Gameplay Improvements in Update 3.5.3: Smoother Combat and Loading
Prior to the 3.6.0 update, Sea of Thieves 3.5.3 delivered several quality-of-life improvements aimed at refining combat responsiveness and reducing downtime during gameplay. One of the key changes was the improvement to weapon switching mechanics. Players now experience faster and more fluid transitions between ranged weapons, with the time between firing two ranged weapons reduced to just one second. This change allows for a snappier, more engaging combat experience, especially during intense battles.
Additionally, the update removed previous restrictions that forced players to watch the full weapon wield animations when switching weapons. Players can now cancel these animations, granting greater freedom of movement and faster reaction times. The wield animations themselves were also optimized, particularly when jumping or falling, to provide a consistent visual cue for when weapons are ready to fire.
Loading Time Optimizations and Bug Fixes
Another significant improvement in 3.5.3 was the reduction of extended loading times, a common frustration for many players. The update enhanced the process of loading back onto ships after death or using mermaids to travel long distances. These optimizations help to prevent stuck loading screens and reduce occurrences of visual glitches such as glowing green skeletons lingering after respawns.
These improvements were particularly beneficial for players on lower-spec hardware, including consoles, PCs, and handheld devices, ensuring a smoother and more consistent gameplay experience across all platforms.
Additional Updates: Reaper’s Chest and Spatial Audio Integration
Sea of Thieves 3.5.3 also reintroduced Reaper’s Chests to the Fort of the Damned vault loot pool, giving players more incentive to challenge this perilous event. Moreover, the integration of Immerse Spatial Audio added a new layer of depth and precision to the game’s sound design, enhancing immersion and situational awareness during naval battles and island explorations.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Sea of Thieves
With the Secrets of the Banished update, Sea of Thieves reinforces its commitment to delivering fresh, engaging content that challenges players and rewards exploration and teamwork. The addition of the Eternal Guard and Sanctuaries of the Banished expands the lore and gameplay possibilities, encouraging crews to dive back into the perilous waters of The Devil’s Roar and beyond.
As the game continues to evolve, Rare’s dedication to refining gameplay mechanics and improving player experience ensures that Sea of Thieves remains a standout title in the multiplayer adventure genre. Whether you’re a seasoned pirate or a fresh-faced buccaneer, the seas are calling - and the secrets of the Banished await your discovery.