How to level up fast in Skull and Bones: Infamy Ranks & Ship upgrades

Ishan Vashishth
Skull and Bones torn apart as beta testers quit after less than an hour

The level progression in Skull and Bones is based on Infamy Ranks and ship upgrades. If you’re wondering how you can quickly ascend ranks and turn your ship into a nightly vessel, here’s everything you need to know about this game’s mechanics that will turn you into the most legendary pirate in the Indian Ocean.

In Skull and Bones, gaining Infamy not only marks your progress but also unlocks new challenges and rewards, enhancing your journey on the High Seas. Similarly, upgrading your ship ensures that you remain a formidable opponent against both the naval forces and rival pirates you’ll encounter.

Whether navigating solo or as part of a fearsome fleet, mastering the art of leveling up in Skull and Bones is essential in your journey to become the ultimate pirate kingpin of the Indian Ocean.

Read on to discover how you can swiftly climb the ranks of Infamy and turn your ship into an unstoppable force, ensuring your name is feared across the oceans.

A captain stands at the helm of his ship during vicious naval combat in Skull and Bones

How to quickly level up Infamy in Skull and Bones

Your path to becoming a legendary pirate in the game is twofold: increase your Infamy to unlock new opportunities and simultaneously enhance your ship to ensure it’s battle-ready for whatever the sea throws your way. Let’s chart the course for achieving both objectives effectively.

Infamy is the measure of your renown and notoriety in the pirate world of Skull and Bones. A higher Infamy Rank opens doors to lucrative contracts and garners respect among pirate circles. Here are all the ways you can accelerate your rise:

  • Contract Fulfillment: Actively seek and complete contracts to gain a substantial boost in Infamy. Prioritize contracts that match your current capabilities to avoid penalties associated with failure.
  • Strategic Exploration: The vast open seas are full of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Engage in exploration to find hidden treasures and complete treasure hunts, each contributing to your Infamy.
  • Live the Pirate Life: Embrace the essence of piracy by attacking merchant ships, engaging in naval skirmishes, and plundering to your heart’s content. Each successful pirate act increases your Infamy.
  • Be Calculated: Focus on activities that offer the most Infamy rewards. Avoid tasks that are beyond your current capabilities to prevent setbacks in your journey to the top.
skull and bones ships

All Infamy Ranks in Skull and Bones

Ubisoft’s title includes 10 Infamy Ranks in total and each one requires a certain amount of points. Here are all of them, as well as their requirements.

  1. Outcast (Starting Rank – No points)
  2. Scoundrel (725 points)
  3. Rover (2,205 points)
  4. Freebooter (4,055 points)
  5. Buccaneer (6,555 points)
  6. Brigand (9,930 points)
  7. Marauder (15,305 points)
  8. Corsair (21,305 points)
  9. Cutthroat (27,905 points)
  10. Kingpin (39,030 points)

Once you hit the Kingpin Rank, you’ll then ascend through it with the levels Kingpin 1, Kingpin 2, Kingpin 3, and so on.

skull and bones

How to quickly level up Ships in Skull and Bones

A pirate is only as strong as their ship. Upgrading your vessel is crucial for survival and dominance, so here’s how to transform your ship into a fearsome titan of the seas:

  • Blueprint Acquisition: Keep an eye out for blueprints during your island visits. These are essential for crafting ship parts that enhance your ship’s capabilities.
  • Craft and Equip Upgrades: Utilize the services of the Blacksmith and Carpenter to craft parts from acquired blueprints. Upgrade your ship by attaching new armaments, armor, and aesthetic improvements via the Manage Ship menu.
  • Level Monitoring: Your ship’s level is a direct reflection of its strength and durability. As you add upgrades, watch the ship level indicator in the bottom right of your screen to gauge improvement. Removing parts, however, will lower your ship’s level, so upgrade wisely.

By boosting your Infamy through contracts, exploration, and true pirate behavior, and by methodically upgrading your vessel to become a formidable force on the high seas, you’ll carve out a name that will echo through the annals of pirate history in Skull and Bones. 

For more Skull and Bones content, check some of our other useful guides below:

Is Skull and Bones crossplay? | Skull and Bones: All Achievements and Trophies | Does Skull and Bones have land combat? |  How many players in Skull and Bones multiplayer? | Skull and Bones voice actors & cast list | Is Skull and Bones coming to Nintendo Switch? | Is Skull and Bones coming to Xbox Game Pass? | All Skull and Bones editions & pre-order bonuses | Skull and Bones PC requirements | All Ship types Skull and Bones | Does Skull and Bones have microtransactions

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About The Author

Ishan is a former evergreen writer at Dexerto. Ishan graduated from IMT Hyderabad in 2021 with an MBA in Marketing. Previously, he worked as a content marketing specialist in the software development domain. In addition, he worked as a freelancer for GameRant for nearly two years.