You can get banned from Sea of Thieves (Sot) primarily by violating the game's Pirate Code and Community Code of Conduct, with a significant focus on any form of in-game cheating or hacking, which is met with a zero-tolerance approach and can result in a permanent ban.
Violating the Sea of Thieves Pirate Code and Community Code of Conduct
Sea of Thieves maintains a clear set of rules designed to foster a fair and enjoyable environment for all players. Violating these rules, which are detailed in their Pirate Code and Community Code of Conduct, can lead to disciplinary action, including temporary suspensions or permanent bans.
Cheating and Hacking
The most direct path to a permanent ban in Sea of Thieves is engaging in any form of in-game hacking or cheating. The developers have a zero-tolerance approach to these activities. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Using Third-Party Software: Any unauthorized software designed to give an unfair advantage, such as aimbots, wallhacks, speed hacks, or tools that alter game mechanics.
- Macroing: Using automated scripts to perform actions that provide an unfair advantage.
- Data Manipulation: Altering game files or network data.
Transgression in this area is viewed very seriously and almost always results in a permanent ban from the game.
Unacceptable Player Behavior
Beyond cheating, disruptive and toxic player behavior is also a common reason for disciplinary action. These actions undermine the positive community experience Sea of Thieves aims to cultivate:
- Harassment and Hate Speech: This includes, but is not limited to, verbal abuse, personal attacks, discriminatory language (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc.), excessive profanity, or any speech intended to intimidate or distress other players.
- Griefing: While Sea of Thieves encourages player-versus-player interaction, persistent and excessive actions solely aimed at ruining another player's game experience without a clear in-game objective (e.g., spawn camping a ship after all loot is taken for extended periods, repeatedly brigging crewmates without reason) can be considered griefing.
- Real-World Threats: Any threats of physical harm, doxxing, or other serious real-world consequences are taken extremely seriously and will result in immediate and severe punishment.
- Impersonation: Pretending to be a Rare staff member, moderator, or another player to deceive or manipulate others.
- Spamming: Flooding chat with repetitive messages, advertising, or disruptive content.
Exploiting Game Mechanics
Discovering and deliberately abusing glitches or bugs in the game for personal gain or to disrupt others can also lead to bans. This includes:
- Abusing Exploits: Repeatedly using known bugs to gain an unfair advantage, such as glitching into inaccessible areas, duplicating items, or bypassing intended gameplay mechanics.
- Unauthorised Access: Attempting to gain access to areas or features of the game not intended for player access.
Account and Real-Money Trading (RMT) Violations
Actions related to your game account and financial transactions outside the game are also strictly prohibited:
- Account Sharing/Selling: Allowing others to use your account or attempting to sell, trade, or transfer accounts. Your account is personal and non-transferable.
- Real-Money Trading (RMT): Buying or selling in-game items, gold, or services for real-world currency or any non-Sea of Thieves currency. This includes trading accounts.
Common Ban Offenses and Potential Consequences
The severity and duration of a ban depend on the nature and frequency of the offense. While cheating almost always results in a permanent ban, other violations may start with warnings or temporary suspensions.
| Offense Type | Examples | Potential Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Cheating & Hacking | Aimbots, wallhacks, speed hacks, unauthorized third-party software | Permanent Ban |
| Severe Harassment | Hate speech, targeted personal attacks, real-world threats | Permanent Ban |
| Exploiting Glitches | Item duplication, accessing unintended areas for unfair advantage | Temporary Ban to Permanent Ban |
| Griefing | Excessive and targeted disruption without game objective | Temporary Ban to Permanent Ban |
| Account Misuse | Account sharing, selling, or buying accounts | Permanent Ban |
| Real-Money Trading (RMT) | Selling gold, items, or services for real-world money | Permanent Ban |
| Minor Harassment/Spam | Excessive profanity, chat spam, minor verbal abuse | Warning to Temporary Ban |
How Bans Are Issued
Bans are typically issued after players are reported and a thorough investigation by the Sea of Thieves support team determines a violation has occurred. The game utilizes both automated systems and manual reviews to identify and address prohibited activities.
