The Sloop is your first real ship in Windrose and the workhorse that will carry you through the early and mid stages of the game. Small, agile, and surprisingly capable when properly upgraded, the Sloop bridges the gap between the fragile Ketch you start with and the powerful Brigantine that awaits in the mid-game. This guide covers everything you need to know: how to acquire or craft a Sloop, the optimal upgrade order, cannon configurations, crew management, and the sailing techniques that make the most of its strengths.
How to Get a Sloop
There are two ways to obtain a Sloop in Windrose: crafting one at a Wharf or capturing one from NPC ships on the open water. Both paths have their advantages, and the best choice depends on your current resource situation and how confident you feel in combat.
Crafting at the Wharf
To craft a Sloop at a Wharf, you need to have unlocked the Shipwright skill tree and gathered the required materials. The Wharf must be within a bonfire radius like any other crafting station. The base Sloop requires the following materials:
| Material | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Planks | 80 | Processed from Wood at the Sawmill |
| Copper Ingots | 20 | Smelted from Copper Ore at the Furnace |
| Iron Ingots | 10 | Smelted from Iron Ore; requires Foothills biome access |
| Coarse Rope | 15 | Crafted from Plant Fiber at the Workbench |
| Sails Canvas | 4 | Crafted from Plant Fiber and Cloth Scraps |
The total crafting time at the Wharf is approximately 3 minutes of real-time. You do not need to stand at the Wharf while it builds — the ship will appear on the water nearby once complete. Make sure there is enough open water adjacent to your Wharf for the Sloop to spawn, or you risk it clipping into terrain.
Stockpile extra Planks before building your Sloop. Planks are used in nearly every ship upgrade, and running out means going back to chop and mill more Wood. Aim for at least 150 surplus Planks before you start the upgrade process.
Capturing a Sloop
Alternatively, you can board and capture an NPC Sloop you encounter while sailing. To do this, you must first cripple the enemy ship by destroying its masts or reducing its hull to low health. Once the enemy crew is neutralized, interact with the ship's wheel to claim it. Captured Sloops come with whatever cannons and cargo the NPC had — sometimes a profitable bonus, sometimes junk. The main advantage of capturing is that it costs no materials upfront, but you miss out on the crafting XP from the Wharf.
Sloop Stats and Overview
Before diving into upgrades, it helps to understand the Sloop's base statistics. Here is what you are working with from a fresh, unmodified Sloop:
| Stat | Base Value | Max Upgraded |
|---|---|---|
| Hull HP | 800 | 1,600 |
| Speed (base) | 14 knots | 19 knots |
| Turning Radius | Fast | Very Fast |
| Cannon Ports | 4 (2 per side) | 4 |
| Cargo Capacity | 12 slots | 20 slots |
| Crew Capacity | 2 | 3 |
| Draft | Shallow | Shallow |
The Sloop's biggest strength is its turning radius and shallow draft. It can navigate through shallow waters and narrow channels that larger ships simply cannot enter. This makes it the ideal ship for coastal exploration, river navigation, and early-game trading routes that hug the coastline.
Sloop Pros and Cons
Advantages
- Fast turning speed — The Sloop can pivot and change direction much faster than any larger ship. In combat, this means you can bring your broadside to bear quickly and dodge incoming fire with sharp turns.
- Shallow draft — The Sloop can sail through shallow bays, river mouths, and around reef formations that block larger vessels. This opens up shortcut routes and safe zones inaccessible to Brigantines and Frigates.
- Low material cost — Crafting and upgrading a Sloop is affordable even in the early game. The total investment for a fully upgraded Sloop is roughly a third of what a Brigantine requires.
- Fast wind response — The Sloop accelerates and decelerates quickly, making it easier to manage sail angles and respond to wind shifts.
- Ideal for solo players — The Sloop's small crew requirement means a single player with one NPC crew member can operate it effectively.
Disadvantages
- Limited firepower — Only 4 cannon ports means you can never match the broadside of a Brigantine (8 ports) or Frigate (12 ports). You must win fights through positioning and timing, not raw DPS.
- Low hull HP ceiling — Even fully upgraded, the Sloop's hull HP is half that of a Brigantine. One bad engagement against a larger ship can end your voyage permanently.
- Small cargo hold — With a maximum of 20 cargo slots, the Sloop is not ideal for long-distance bulk trading. You will make more trips but earn less per run compared to larger ships.
- Vulnerable in storms — The Sloop's light weight makes it prone to being tossed by large waves. Heavy storms can deal significant hull damage if you are caught in the open ocean.
Best Upgrade Priority Order
Resources are tight in the early game, so you need a clear upgrade order that maximizes the Sloop's combat effectiveness and survivability. Follow this sequence for the best results:
1. Hull Reinforcement (Priority: Critical)
Your first upgrade should always be Hull Reinforcement. Doubling your hull HP from 800 to 1,600 is the single most impactful upgrade because it directly determines how many mistakes you can survive. A reinforced hull means you can take a broadside from an enemy Brigantine and still sail away, whereas the base hull might sink from a single volley.
| Upgrade | Materials Required | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Hull Reinforcement I | Planks x30, Iron Ingots x8, Tar x5 | Hull HP +200 (1,000 total) |
| Hull Reinforcement II | Planks x50, Iron Ingots x15, Tar x10 | Hull HP +400 (1,400 total) |
| Hull Reinforcement III | Planks x70, Iron Ingots x25, Tar x20, Steel Ingots x5 | Hull HP +200 (1,600 total) |
2. Cannon Upgrade (Priority: High)
After hull reinforcement, upgrade your cannons from the default Iron Cannons to Long Iron Cannons. The longer barrel increases range by approximately 25%, which is critical on a Sloop. Since you only have 4 cannon ports, you need every shot to count — and the extra range lets you fire earlier in an engagement while still being able to disengage before the enemy closes to their effective range.
3. Sail Upgrade (Priority: Medium)
Upgrading to Fine Canvas Sails improves your speed by roughly 3 knots and your turning speed slightly. This upgrade is most valuable for trading runs and exploration, where speed directly translates to efficiency. In combat, the speed boost helps with chase scenarios and repositioning, but it is less important than hull and cannon upgrades.
4. Cargo Expansion (Priority: Situational)
If you are focused on trading, prioritize cargo expansion after cannons. Each upgrade adds 4 cargo slots, bringing you from 12 to a maximum of 20 slots. If you are focused on combat and exploration, you can delay cargo expansion until you are ready to transition to trading.
There is no penalty for sailing an un-upgraded Sloop for a while. If you need to farm resources or complete early quests, do not feel pressured to upgrade immediately. Save your materials and upgrade all at once when you have enough stockpiled for the full Tier 1 upgrade set.
Best Cannon Layout for the Sloop
The Sloop has 4 cannon ports: 2 on the port side and 2 on the starboard side. Since you cannot increase this number, cannon placement strategy is straightforward but important. Here are the two recommended layouts:
Layout A: Balanced Broadside (Recommended)
Equip all 4 ports with the same cannon type — Long Iron Cannons for range or Heavy Iron Cannons for damage. This gives you consistent performance regardless of which side you present to the enemy. A balanced broadside is the safest choice for new players because you never have to think about which side to show the enemy.
Layout B: Mixed Battery
Put Long Iron Cannons on one side and Heavy Iron Cannons on the other. This lets you choose your engagement profile: show the long cannon side when you need range and stay at distance, or show the heavy cannon side when you can close in for maximum damage. More experienced players favor this layout because it adds tactical flexibility.
| Cannon Type | Damage | Range | Reload Time | Cost per Cannon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Cannon (default) | 45 | Medium | 4.0s | — (included) |
| Long Iron Cannon | 40 | Long | 4.5s | Iron Ingots x3, Planks x5 |
| Heavy Iron Cannon | 60 | Short | 5.5s | Iron Ingots x5, Planks x8 |
| Steel Cannon | 55 | Long | 3.5s | Steel Ingots x4, Planks x10 |
Crew Recommendations
The Sloop supports a crew of 2 at base and up to 3 with the upgraded quarterdeck. Here is how to manage crew for different team sizes:
Solo Play (1 Player)
When sailing solo, your single NPC crew member should be assigned to the cannons. The AI gunner will automatically fire at targets within range when you man the helm, which is a significant DPS boost during combat. You steer the ship and manage sails while the gunner handles the broadside. Make sure to equip your gunner with good-quality weapons — their accuracy and rate of fire improve with better gear.
Duo Play (2 Players)
With two players, one takes the helm and the other manages cannons and repairs. This is the Sloop's ideal crew configuration. The helmsman focuses entirely on positioning, sail management, and reading the wind, while the cannon operator maximizes broadside damage and patches hull breaches during lulls in combat. Communication between helmsman and gunner is critical — call out when you are about to turn so the gunner can prepare for the broadside window.
Do not leave the helm unattended during combat. Even a brief moment at the wheel can cause your ship to drift off course or present your weakest angle to the enemy. If you need to repair, assign your NPC crew member to repairs while you keep steering. Dropping the wheel in a fight usually results in taking unnecessary damage.
Sailing Performance Tips
The Sloop handles differently from every other ship in the game. Understanding its unique sailing characteristics is the difference between a ship that feels sluggish and one that dances across the waves.
- Tack into the wind frequently. The Sloop loses significant speed when sailing directly upwind, but its fast turning radius means you can tack (zigzag) efficiently. Short, frequent tacks maintain higher average speed than long, gradual turns.
- Use the shallow draft to escape. If a larger ship is chasing you, head for shallow water. Brigantines and Frigates will run aground or be forced to break off pursuit while the Sloop glides through.
- Watch your sail angle indicator. The small arrow near the mast shows optimal sail trim. Keep your sails adjusted to match the wind direction for maximum speed — a 10-degree misalignment can cost you 2-3 knots on a Sloop.
- Ride waves at an angle during storms.> Heading directly into large waves risks taking the mast down. Angle your approach 20-30 degrees off the wave direction to ride over them safely.
- Drop anchor to make sharp turns.> Dropping the anchor briefly during a turn reduces your turning radius even further. This is a useful maneuver for tight channels or emergency evasion.
When to Upgrade to a Brigantine
The Sloop is a fantastic ship, but it has a natural ceiling. You should start planning your transition to a Brigantine when you meet these conditions:
- You have unlocked the Foothills biome and have reliable access to Iron and Copper deposits for the Brigantine's higher material costs.
- You are consistently running out of cargo space on trading runs. If you find yourself leaving profitable goods behind because your hold is full, it is time for a bigger ship.
- You are encountering NPC Brigantines regularly and winning fights through pure skill rather than ship stats. Upgrading levels the playing field.
- You have a multiplayer crew of 3 or more. The Sloop cannot effectively utilize more than 2-3 crew members, so extra hands are wasted.
Keep your upgraded Sloop even after building a Brigantine. The Sloop serves as an excellent scout and coastal runner. You can park it at a secondary base and use it for quick supply runs, shallow-water exploration, and missions where speed matters more than firepower. Having two ships also provides a safety net — if your Brigantine sinks, you still have a backup ready to go.
Complete Upgrade Cost Summary
Here is the total material cost for fully upgrading every system on the Sloop:
| Upgrade Path | Total Planks | Total Iron Ingots | Total Steel Ingots | Total Tar | Total Rope |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hull (all tiers) | 150 | 48 | 5 | 35 | 0 |
| Cannons (all 4) | 40 | 32 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Sails (max tier) | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Cargo (max tier) | 40 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Crew Quarters | 30 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Grand Total | 280 | 95 | 21 | 35 | 33 |
These totals assume you upgrade each system to its maximum tier. In practice, most players upgrade hull to Tier 2, cannons to Long Iron, and sails once before transitioning to the Brigantine. A partial upgrade path costs roughly half the grand total and is sufficient for comfortable early-to-mid game progression.