Skull and Bones players who have stuck through the torpedo woes of previous patches are finally getting their moment in the sun. Despite a flurry of nerfs in other areas of the game Skull and Bones Items, torpedoes have received some substantial buffs, and nowhere is that more apparent than when paired with the Sloop-a small but powerful ship that's quickly becoming the surprise star of both PvE and PvP content.
This guide breaks down a fully-optimized Torpedo Sloop build, one that delivers top-tier explosive damage, excellent healing potential, and powerful area control while still being relatively affordable and accessible-making it a great pick for both veteran players and newer captains looking to make their mark.
Why the Sloop?
The Sloop may be a lightweight ship, but with the right perks, it becomes a torpedo-firing menace. The two most important passive bonuses here are:
Outburst: Increases explosive damage by 15%
Heavy Arsenal: Boosts broadside weapon damage by a whopping 50%
These synergize perfectly with a torpedo loadout, particularly when using Shali 3 torpedoes, which benefit from broadside configuration. With three torpedo slots per broadside, that means a potential 150% damage boost from Heavy Arsenal alone-before factoring in Outburst and other bonuses.
Primary Weapons-Shali 3 Torpedoes
The heart of this build is the Shali 3 torpedo set. These torpedoes take full advantage of the Sloop's explosive damage scaling and deliver devastating payloads when fired in unison. Each hit deals massive damage-landing all three per side becomes a game-changing alpha strike.
To maximize damage, you'll want to ascend your Shali 3 torpedoes with the following:
Shock: Adds electric damage
Amplified Explosive: Boosts explosive output
Second Storm: Chains into further electric damage potential
The addition of electric attributes not only boosts raw damage but opens the door to synergy with electric-focused furniture, making your ship's loadout even more devastating.
Front Weapon-Nashkar: Your Multi-Purpose Tool
While torpedoes deal with ships, they struggle against structures and buoy fields. Enter the Nashkar, a front-mounted cannon that's incredibly useful in multiple ways:
Anti-Buoy Utility: Clears minefields and Infernal Moor buoys that would otherwise neutralize torpedoes.
Self-Healing: Targeting weak points on forts and towers can restore up to half your HP in just two shots.
Essential for Plundering: Torpedoes can't hit land-based targets. The Nashkar gives you the ability to deal structural damage where it matters.
Add in ascensions like repair kit cooldown reduction, and the Nashkar turns into a lifesaver during high-pressure plunders or boss fights.
Rear Weapon-Brick Breaker 3
The Brick Breaker 3 serves as your cleanup tool. It deals explosive damage (synergizing with Outburst and Heavy Arsenal) and is also effective at breaking mines and buoys. It's great for enemies on your tail or clearing out obstructive battlefield elements without needing to re-position.
Auxiliary Weapon-Little Grace 3
The Little Grace 3 isn't flashy, but it's a top-tier support tool. Ascensions include:
Service: Increases support effectiveness
Sailor's Respite: Rapid healing when not taking damage
Preemptive Defense: Stacks extra armor before incoming attacks
Combined with the Nashkar's healing and the right armor, this gives the Sloop surprising durability despite its size.
Armor-Silver Sentinel
No build is complete without the right protection. The Silver Sentinel armor is still the best all-around option in this patch for this type of setup. Why?
3,000 damage reduction when bracing within two seconds of a big hit (great for dodging mortars and fort attacks)
Excellent against explosive damage, which is everywhere in PvP right now
Whether you're in a 1v1 sea skirmish or holding a plunder point, Silver Sentinel will keep your Sloop afloat longer than it has any right to be.Furniture Loadout-The Real Power Multipliers
Here's where the build goes from good to top-tier. With the right furniture pieces, your torpedoes start hitting like tactical nukes.
Fire Barrels
+10% secondary damage (applies to torpedoes)
+5% explosive weapon bonus
Works well with Ascended Shali 3s and Nashkar/Brick Breaker
Tuning Station
+20% secondary damage
+13% projectile speed
Makes hitting fast-moving targets much easier-essential for PvP and agile bosses
Hubac Tuning Rack
+10% more projectile speed
+14% max range
-25% arming distance
Perfect for landing torpedoes at close range, mid-range, or long-range with ease
Ram Rod Workshop
-7% reload time on broadsides
+7% secondary damage
Helps keep the torpedo pressure high during sustained fights
Charge Stores
+5% electric weapon damage
+15% bonus damage after storm struck triggers
Turns your electric-infused torpedoes into shocking finishers
Torpedo Works
+19% secondary damage across the board
Huge boost to electrical, explosive, and flooding damage types
All of this stacks, and it shows. The burst potential from a well-timed broadside volley is enormous-great for PvP ambushes, raid boss rotations, or clearing enemy groups in plunders.
PvP and PvE Usage-How It Performs
In PvE, especially plundering, this build dominates clustered enemies. The torpedoes apply explosive and electric splash damage, and the Nashkar lets you engage forts, towers, and minefields.
In PvP, the build really shines when you catch people off-guard or control the range. With Combat Fury as your ultimate ability (more on that in a second), you become a mobile, deadly threat who can heal while out-damaging most opponents.
Bonus: Combat Fury-The Underrated Ultimate
You might be tempted by flashy abilities like Toxic Mortar Spam or Summoning the Leest, but Combat Fury is arguably the best PvP ultimate right now:
Increases sailing speed and broadside damage
Reduces stamina usage while trimming and bracing
Provides massive healing over time
It may not have the visuals, but it's kept many players-including the builder of this guide-completely unsunk in high-pressure PvP events.
Final Thoughts and Experimental Ideas
Torpedoes have long been a bit of a meme in Skull and Bones, but that era is over. With this Torpedo Sloop Build, you can now dish out some of the highest broadside damage in the game, heal yourself mid-fight, and remain agile enough to dodge big hits or control the battlefield.
For those looking to experiment, consider trying out the Daka torpedoes with explosive ascensions. Their base perk reduces enemy armor by 200%, potentially leading to even more devastating volleys. Just keep in mind they need explosive bonuses to properly synergize with the Sloop's ship perks-otherwise skull and bones boosting for sale, they won't activate your explosive-based furniture and passive effects.