Ahoy there, fellow pirate! Even in 2026, the first season's Apprentice Trials of the Sea remain a fantastic way to sharpen your skills and earn some doubloons, whether you're a fresh spawn or a seasoned scallywag. These trials, originally introduced back in 2021, cover everything from cooking and drinking to diplomacy and musical serenades. I've completed them all more times than I can count, and I'm here to guide you through each deed with a dash of humor and a ton of practical tips. Let's dive in!

🍳 Apprentice Cook Trial

Cooking in Sea of Thieves isn't just about filling your health bar—it's an art form, and this trial will teach you the basics and the "don'ts."

Burn it, baby! The first deed asks you to cook a piece of food until it's charred beyond recognition. Grab any fruit from your ship's barrel, slap it on the stove, and walk away. Seriously. Wait until it turns dark brown all over. Remove it, and the deed is done. Easy peasy.

Perfection awaits. Next, you need to cook a piece of meat to golden perfection. Fish is the safest bet. Catch one with your fishing rod (or find a rare barrel one), then place it on the hob. Here's the secret: watch the fish's eyes. The moment they turn completely white, grab it off the heat! For other meats like chicken or pork, look for an even golden-brown color on the top side. Miss the mark? No worries—just try again. Fishing can be chill, so enjoy the waves.

Trophy time. The final deed requires you to cook and eat two perfectly cooked Trophy Fish. These are the big boys, noticeably larger than standard fish. Reel them in, cook them until the eyes go white (they take a bit longer because of their size), and then devour them. Pro tip: use appropriate bait to increase your chances of landing a trophy. The satisfaction is worth it.

🍻 Apprentice Party Pirate Trial

Pirate life isn't all work and no play. This trial celebrates the joys of grog and music.

Drink till you're sick. Yes, you read that right. Find your trusty tankard in the inventory wheel and chug some grog. One mug isn't enough—you'll need to down at least two full mugs in quick succession. The easiest spot is the tavern at any outpost, where the barkeep refills for free, or from the grog barrel on your ship. After a minute of stumbling and blurry vision, your pirate will recycle their dinner, and the deed will pop.

Jam with three other pirates. Equip any instrument—banjo, hurdy-gurdy, you name it—and start playing a shanty. To complete this, you need three other pirates playing nearby. The simplest way: gather your crew of four and do it together. Failing that, sail toward another ship with an Alliance Flag raised, get close, and serenade them. Be prepared for betrayal, but when it works, it's magical.

🎣 Apprentice Hunter Trial

Time to work for the Hunter's Call, the strangest trading company that only cares about fish and monster meat.

Catch a fish. The first deed is as simple as it sounds. Cast your line into any body of water, wait for a bite, and reel it in. If you're struggling, check out the many fishing guides out there—location and bait matter.

Hand in cooked meat. Next, cook any meat (even fish) and deliver it to the Hunter's Call representative at a seapost. These tiny rock outposts are scattered across the map. The quality doesn't matter for the deed, but perfectly cooked meat nets you more gold and reputation. So why not aim high?

Deliver a perfect trophy fish. Just like in the Cook trial, but now you're handing it over instead of eating it. Catch a trophy fish, cook it until the eyes are white, and sell it at a seapost. This deed also earns you a nice bonus, so it's a win-win.

🤝 Apprentice Diplomat Trial

Being nice pays off—sometimes literally. This trial pushes you to cooperate with other crews.

Cargo Run in an Alliance. Raise your Alliance Flag from the crow's nest and join up with another ship. Then, complete any Merchant Alliance Cargo Run voyage while still allied. The plants, rum, or cloth you deliver don't need to be in perfect condition—just get them to the destination.

Form an Alliance. Simple: hoist that flag and wait for another crew to accept, or join an existing one. Done.

Let another crew cash in your chest. This sounds generous, but even if they steal it, the deed completes. Place any treasure chest (not a storage chest) on your ship to mark it as yours, then let another crew sell it. Pro move: do this in an Alliance so you still get 50% of the gold!

🗣️ Apprentice Socialite Trial

Finally, we mingle without drawing swords. Mostly.

Drink with another crew at an outpost. Both you and at least one pirate from another ship must drink simultaneously at one of the seven outposts. Use voice or text chat to convince them—promising an Alliance often works. Just be ready for the occasional shootout.

Greet a pirate on the Ferry of the Damned. When you die and find yourself on the ghost ship, look around for another player. Use the pirate chat wheel (hold an item for extra phrases) to say anything. The deed unlocks instantly, so don't miss the chance before they respawn.

Play an instrument as your ship sinks. Scuttling won't work, so take the helm and steer into rocks until your hull fills. Drop anchor, whip out your instrument, and play a mournful tune as the water rises. It's oddly poetic and completes the trial. Do this at the end of a session to avoid losing loot.

And there you have it—all five Apprentice Trials of the Sea, still as relevant in 2026 as they were on day one. Whether you're burning supper or making friends at the bottom of the ocean, every deed teaches you something new about this crazy pirate sandbox. Now get out there and earn that season progress! 🏴‍☠️