Ubisoft has kicked off the second year of content for its open-world pirate game, Skull and Bones, with the arrival of its first season, “Ascent into Chaos.” This new chapter plunges players into a volatile arms race within the Indian Ocean. Two formidable mega-corporations stand on the brink of all-out war. It’s good to see Ubisoft continue to support the game with a steady stream of new content and improvements.
To celebrate the launch, Skull and Bones will be hosting a Free Weekend from April 17th to 20th. This limited-time event will grant players full access to the game. Allowing them to progress through the main storyline, dive into the new Year 2 Season 1 content, and tackle exciting challenges alongside their friends.
“Ascent into Chaos” – What’s New?
The “Ascent into Chaos” season brings a wealth of fresh features and enhancements to the pirate-infested waters of the Indian Ocean:
Item Ascension
A significant addition is the new Item Ascension feature. This system empowers players to upgrade their existing gear in substantial ways, boosting their base damage and introducing unique modifications that can dramatically alter gameplay. By spending gathered materials and silver at local vendors, players can further refine their Ascended Items, meticulously tailoring each weapon and ship loadout to match their preferred combat style and adapt to specific encounters at sea.
World Tiers
Introducing an element of adjustable difficulty. World Tiers are now available as optional settings for various challenges within the game world. Season 1 starts with World Tier 2. Venturing into higher-tiered worlds will yield greater rewards, including more potent Ascended weapons. This allows players to fine-tune their experience and chase more valuable loot.
Helm Revamp
The Helm endgame experience has undergone a significant revamp. Players will now gain the ability to produce essential crafting materials directly at their own manufactories. Streamlining the process of growing their pirate empire’s strength. Accompanying this is the new Helm Upgrade Tree, providing players with greater flexibility in shaping their empire through new perks and upgrades. It’s worth noting that this season will be the final one where manufactory levels and Pieces of Eight will be reset, suggesting a more persistent endgame economy moving forward.
Death Tides – New PvP Team-Based Mode (Mid-Season)
Arriving mid-season is Death Tides, an exciting new player-versus-player (PvP) team-based mode. In this mode, players can utilize their own customized ship loadouts or choose from a selection of preset ships. Each possessing unique strengths, including the Pyroclast, Stormwall, and Paladin. Adding another layer of strategic depth are unique abilities, such as launching devastating La Peste Mortars or summoning the formidable Kuharibu, to aid in securing victory. Death Tides matches will take place across four distinct maps: Brimstone, Sanctuary, Sunken Ruins, and Mukiti Falls. Importantly, all rewards and experience points earned in Death Tides will carry over to the main game and the Smuggler Pass, incentivizing participation.
Quality of Life Improvements
Ubisoft has also addressed several quality-of-life aspects, including:
- The ability to hide equipped armor on ships for aesthetic customization.
- A convenient “Fund all manufactories” button for streamlined resource management.
- A revamped map and markers for improved navigation.
- A new minimap for better situational awareness.
- Enhanced visibility of enemy weakpoints during combat.
- An improved first-time user experience to ease new players into the game.
What Lies Ahead in Year 2
The “Ascent into Chaos” season is just the beginning of Year 2 for Skull and Bones. The ongoing Faction War narrative will continue to unfold with new elements, features, and improvements throughout the year:
Season 2: Oaths of War
Season 2, titled “Oaths of War,” will introduce a significant addition: the Frigate, the first ever playable large ship in Skull and Bones. This powerful vessel will offer additional weapon ports, allowing players to unleash even more devastating firepower. Narratively, the DMC will have successfully seized a Compagnie Royale Megafort following the events of Season 1, escalating the conflict in the Indian Ocean. Players will be faced with the choice of aligning themselves with one of the warring factions, each offering unique benefits but also creating a powerful new enemy. The collective actions and alliances of players will ultimately determine which faction emerges victorious at the season’s end.
Season 3: Guts and Glory
As the war intensifies in Season 3, “Guts and Glory” will introduce a new threat: the Rogue Warlord. This opportunistic figure will exploit the ongoing conflict by trafficking weapons and holding skilled Officers captive. Players will gain the ability to rescue these Officers and assign them to their ships, with each Officer providing unique buffs such as repair perks, increased damage, and faster sailing. This season will also mark the arrival of a highly anticipated feature: land combat. More details about this exciting addition will be revealed as the season approaches.
Season 4: Eye of the Beast
The final season of Year 2, “Eye of the Beast,” will culminate with the emergence of a legendary creature from the depths. Frustrated by the destructive effects of the war, the Sea People will abandon their neutrality and summon a ferocious Kraken to cleanse the waters. To aid players in combating this colossal threat, a new playable large ship, the Corvette, will be introduced. “Eye of the Beast” will also introduce the Hunter’s Guild, offering players the opportunity to become master hunters of the sea’s most dangerous creatures.
With a robust roadmap of content and ongoing support, Skull and Bones looks set to offer a compelling pirate experience throughout its second year. The launch of “Ascent into Chaos” and the upcoming Free Weekend provide a great opportunity for both returning and new players to jump into the evolving world of the Indian Ocean.
As always, remember to follow us on our social media (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube and Facebook) to keep up with the latest news.
