Sea of Thieves Custom Seas Guide
Custom Seas is for players who want to configure a session, invite a group and control the social setup more directly than a normal shared-world sailing session.
What to expect
| Question | Source-based guidance |
|---|---|
| Session flow | Use the official Custom Seas flow for lobby, presets, session controls and invitations. |
| When it fits | Choose it when controlled social play matters more than open-world encounters with other crews. |
| Compared with Safer Seas | Check the current rules and limits; use the Safer Seas vs High Seas guide for the mode comparison, and do not assume identical progression or access. |
| Compared with High Seas | High Seas remains the broader shared-world option; Custom Seas has its own current constraints. |
Sources: official Custom Seas page, Season 20 announcement and Xbox Wire overview. Sources last checked: Aug 25, 2026. Details can change; check the linked official source for the latest information.
Current recipes and controls
Use the official Custom Seas recipes page to orient around the current recipe cards before starting a session. Switches describe which documented options are active, while presets provide a starting configuration rather than a permanent ruleset.
The Command Menu is the practical place to use supported commands during a session. Check the live recipe cards and release notes before relying on a switch, preset or command because these controls can change between updates.
Sources: Rare — Custom Seas, Rare — Custom Seas Recipes and Rare — Release Notes 3.8.2. Sources last checked: Aug 26, 2026. Controls remain update-sensitive.