This page now has a shortlink! http://tinyurl.com/YPPbasicsI
Acknowledgements
I'd very much like to thank Gurndigarn for his edits, Sparkplug for his structural suggestions, and Empresstamar for her insight.
I'd also like to thank everyone that read early drafts of this.
Without these guys, this guide would probably still be in the jumble closet. (Seriously, you don't want to look in there.)
~ Squishat
Foreword
YPP - come for the puzzles, stay for the people. It is a MMO, which means it is a SOCIAL game.
This guide has a lot that needs to be digested, so reading over several sessions is advised.
Cute 2D noseless pirates? Oh, but there is so much more if you choose to delve.
Part I: Basics
I-1: Introduction
Note: if images are too small, drag them to the url bar to see them in full size.
Why is it called “YPP”?
Well technically it’s “Y!PP” as in, Yohoho! Puzzle Pirates.
What exactly is the game about?
I really like the about page that describes everything in a nutshell over here. What is Puzzle Pirates?
How is this different from other games, why should I give it a chance?
In a nutshell, it's about puzzles.
It's not a game where you have to worry about your Clicks Per Second, and it's not a game where you grind out missions in order to get enough experience to make it to the next level.
It does take time to learn the puzzles, but that is purely dependent on how fast you pick them up.
It's not a game where you have to worry about your Clicks Per Second, and it's not a game where you grind out missions in order to get enough experience to make it to the next level.
It does take time to learn the puzzles, but that is purely dependent on how fast you pick them up.
How long does it take to play?
Shipboard activities-- the core of the game-- usually take between one to two hours. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that's the typical range.
Land-based activities usually take less time.
When going on any sort of shipboard voyage (especially voyages that take longer), do consider whether you have enough time to commit to the voyage, as it is extremely poor etiquette to leave in battle or halfway through. Land-based activities usually take less time.
Is this a co-operative game, or a solo game, or what?
As a MMORPG, It is definitely a social game.
Most parts of it being co-operative, other parts are competitive, others still solo, and even a couple of team vs team aspects.
You can see a list of the available puzzles at a glance here.
Most parts of it being co-operative, other parts are competitive, others still solo, and even a couple of team vs team aspects.
You can see a list of the available puzzles at a glance here.
Do I need to pay?
YPP is a f2p (free-to-play) game, and it is not a “fake” f2p either! You can access all game content without ever having to pay.
You don’t have to ever pay, but the main benefit to a paid account:
Never get deleted, keep all your possessions. Unpaid pirates get deleted after 6 weeks (40 days) of inactivity.
- This is great if you need to take a break, so that when you come back you don’t have to restart from square one.
How much do I need to pay to enjoy this benefit?
You can just buy the smallest package of $2.95.
Which Ocean (server) is for me?
If you have friends playing an ocean already, join them wherever they are!
If not, here is a slightly outdated but rather accurate guide to which ocean is a better fit for you.
If not, here is a slightly outdated but rather accurate guide to which ocean is a better fit for you.
Don’t intend to pay monthly? Doubloon Ocean.
How do I switch between servers and how are they different?
One account can have 3 pirates (characters) on each server.
- Two different types of servers exist for YPP: Dubloon and Subscription
- On a Dubloon ocean(server), access content a-la-carte through badges. You can play all content without restriction without ever paying this way. (Or pay for them)
- currently two main Doubloon Oceans: Meridian and Emerald
- German Ocean: Opal Spanish Ocean: Jade (Both are under the Doubloon Model)
- On the subscription ocean, pay a monthly fee of 10 dollars (discounted in bulk) to access all content without badges.
- Currently only one Sub ocean: Cerulean
Which ocean has a better active rate of players? (consistent, and a good amount of jobbers)
Currently, Emerald has the most active players online at any time, followed closely by Meridian, and most of the others trailing.
How big is the game setting?
Many islands make up an Archipelago, many Archipelagos make up the Ocean. Here is Emerald’s setup.
How do I use the interface?
Sunshine widget interface (they’re going to change this very soon)
Crew - your online crew and hearties (friends) will show here.
Vessel - This tab changes according to the scene you’re in (ship/land/shop)
Ye - important portal page
Booty - your inventory. Anything you get goes here
Ahoy! - This is where you check for job notifications
How do I move around?
To walk around, use the Left Mouse Button (LMB). To only move the map, but not move, use the Right Mouse Button (RMB).
Generally though, you don’t need to walk everywhere, just click Minimap > building type > building name. It will whisk (transport) you straight there.
Protip>> clicked on mini-map and clicked the wrong location? Click and drag (don’t let go!) to the item you want instead. This also works for the dock.
The official answer in the documentation provides more details about moving around. The only truly important part is the “Home” part.
What is the Notice board?
The notice board is a portal that allows you to job with others, get news, whisk to your houses, and other useful purposes.
How do I use the dock page?
The dock allows you to board all ships that are in your crew, ported at the island.
There are also ferries - All colonized (player-owned) islands can be ferried to if they are in the same archipelago. You can use these ferries to get to other islands for free.
Should I get that free portrait?
Yes you should, but maybe not right away as only the first portrait is free.
The cost for more can be quite staggering for a greenie (new player).
Though it is purely for aesthetics, you do want it to look nice as everyone you apply to will see it.
The cost for more can be quite staggering for a greenie (new player).
Though it is purely for aesthetics, you do want it to look nice as everyone you apply to will see it.
Do pirates have experience or levels?
Then what do these words on the pirate page mean?
Experience (in green): how long you’ve played this puzzle. Experience is static. It can only go up.
Pro tip: this word doesn’t really mean all that much when jobbing with others.
Standing (in red): Standing, or rank, is how well you do in relation to others.
Pro tip: the higher the experience, the harder it is to rank up. So practice on another pirate if you don’t really get it at first!
Again, here is the official documentation on experience and rankings.
How do I ask for help?
One of the great things of this game is that there is always a moderator (Ocean Master) online that will answer any questions that you submit in through petitions. It sometimes takes awhile (10-20 mins), but they will get to you eventually!
Under Ye > Help > Ask a greeter (when green) or Petition
The help tab also has many different sections on general information.
(FAQ, Game Documentation, Forums).
What other places can I go to to find information?
You can always head to the yppedia (the YPP wiki), or the new player forums. Additionally, you should also take a look at this beginner’s guide to finding answers.
What is the difference between poe and dubs?
PoE (Pieces of Eight circled in green) is what you earn when you do things.
Doubs (Doubloons circled in red) are a secondary currency that you can buy (10 USD for 42) or use PoE to trade for in-game.
Essentially, doubloons are the pay-as -you-play model, and most items cost a combination of both.
Doubs (Doubloons circled in red) are a secondary currency that you can buy (10 USD for 42) or use PoE to trade for in-game.
Essentially, doubloons are the pay-as -you-play model, and most items cost a combination of both.
What is the significance of Doubloons?
- Doubloons for badges
- Doubloons for item delivery - no doubs, no item.
- The cost of an item includes their doub value as well. e.g. The value of an item costing 5k and 4 dubs for delivery would be: 5k + (4 x 2.3k) = 14.2k
Where do I exchange PoE for Doubs?
Do note that prices on the doubloon exchange are determined by supply and demand (purely player-driven) and cannot be changed, nor influenced by, the OMs (Game Masters).
How do I use the Doubloon Exchange?
On the left side, are people waiting to buy doubloons for a certain amount each.
On the right side are people waiting to sell doubloons.
You don’t have to be the highest offer when trying to buy doubs, or the lowest offer when trying to sell, but do remember that you need to wait for the higher offers to fill (transaction to go through) before yours goes through.
E.g., in this screenshot I have offered to buy 10 for 2330 PoE each, but I have to wait for the 192 @ 2332 PoE to fill first, and then the 30 @ 2331 PoE, before my offer can be completed.
If you cannot wait, then buy immediately for the lowest selling price.
Note that this price is always more expensive than waiting to buy.
What are badges?
Badges are the a-la-carte (pay as you go) section of the doubloon server. You can choose which areas of gameplay you want to access through buying different badges (which have different costs and grant different privileges).
Where can I find them and should I buy them? What is the "palace shoppe"?
You shouldn’t buy them until you are ready, or until you need them. If you’re completely new, don’t buy any.
Why not?
All badges dust (or Decay) after a certain amount of time. You cannot trade any badges once opened. Exception is the pirate badge.
When will I be ready to get a badge?
As you learn the game, you'll begin to figure out how soon you actually need the badges. Even without the badges, you can play virtually everything. Here is the free day schedule. Having a parlor/labor badge just means not being restricted to those days.
What is the difference between wrapped and not wrapped?
Unwrapped means that they start taking effect immediately the minute you buy them, and cannot be traded.
Wrapped just means that you can decide to use it at a later time.
What do the different badges do for me?
Badge
|
Cost (Doubloons)
|
Access
|
Remarks
|
Parlor
|
4
|
SF and Rumble 1v1 challenges are always free.
|
YPP poker (Texas Hold ‘Em) is different from online or real life poker. Might not want this as your first.
|
Labor
|
5 (24h) and 15 (72h)
|
You should try them out on the free days and see if you like them first. Lots of further reading required.
| |
Bravery
|
5
|
|
You don't get into many unless you have the stats for it. Sea monster hunts are sinking situations.
Suggested stats: at least resp+ in one or more of the basic duty puzzles, before you get this badge. (This is really the first one you should work towards, if you want to get a badge).
|
Officer
|
8
|
Sailing your own ship
|
You really want to learn the game before trying to drive the ship. It will be much better for you, and few people will want to job for an obviously new player.
|
Pirate
|
1
|
Can be traded
|
Unless you're doing these types of expeditions (and you want to start with basic pillaging first), you don't need this.
|
(I'm sorry this table formatting isn't co-operating... tried coding it from scratch, and still get this. I'll maybe fix it later, or not.)
Stay turned for parts II and III!
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