Skull and Bones Year 2: Land Combat, Naval Wars, and a Freakin’ Kraken?
Ubisoft’s pirate adventure Skull and Bones may have taken a decade (and a stormy development voyage) to get here, but Year 2 is shaping up to be the real treasure chest fans hoped for.
If you dropped anchor early or dismissed it at launch, this new roadmap might make you reconsider — especially now that land combat, massive naval wars, and the legendary Kraken are all officially part of the plan.
First launched in February 2024 after years of delays, Skull and Bones had a lukewarm reception. Critics were mixed, and players voiced loud disappointment, especially over the lack of core pirate fantasies like on-foot sword fights and a compelling world.
But Ubisoft, much like a seasoned sea captain, didn’t abandon ship. Instead, they charted an ambitious Year 2 course — and now it feels like their Cyberpunk 2077 / No Man’s Sky moment.
The game has reportedly brought in “record player engagement,” and Ubisoft even pushed it to Steam — a move rarely seen unless there’s confidence behind the curtain.
What’s New in Skull and Bones Year 2?
Here’s a breakdown of the treasure map, season by season:
Season 1: Ascent into Chaos (April 15, 2025)
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New Death Tides PvP mode — team-based combat at sea
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Item Ascension and World Tiers for better loot and bigger challenges
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New Schooner class ship
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Prepares players for the incoming naval war between the French and Dutch
Season 2: Oaths of War (Summer 2025)
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The real war begins — pick a side: French vs Dutch navies
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Megaforts arrive with tougher defenses and elite loot
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Introduction of Frigate class ships
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Player choices may determine the war’s outcome
Season 3: Guts and Glory (Fall 2025)
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Land combat finally arrives!
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Swordfights, firearms, and on-foot raids in caves and beaches
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Recruit Officers through on-land missions
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New antagonist: The Rogue Merchant, playing both sides of the war
Season 4: Eye of the Beast (Winter 2025)
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The Kraken emerges!
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Sea Peoples rise to end the wars and possibly reset the world
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Corvette ships and the mysterious Hunter’s Guild also join the fray
Ubisoft’s Second Wind
The update feels like Ubisoft admitting where they fell short — and doing something about it. The introduction of land combat is a massive shift, and the storytelling via naval factions, rogue merchants, and mythological beasts gives Skull and Bones the narrative flavor it sorely lacked at launch.
Is it too late? Maybe not. A free weekend (April 17–21) is the perfect chance for curious players to test the tides, and the discounted game price might reel in newcomers who were on the fence.
And let’s be honest — land combat and a giant sea monster event might be exactly what this pirate sim needed to stop drifting and start thriving.
Whether you're a former doubter or a hopeful fan, Skull and Bones Year 2 is finally giving us something to yo-ho-ho about.
