Sword of the Sea: 10 Essential Beginner Tips for Mastering the Hoversword - 2025

Giant Squid's atmospheric surfing adventure Sword of the Sea launched on August 19, 2025, bringing a unique blend of skateboarding, snowboarding, and exploration mechanics to PS5 and PC. As The Wraith, you'll surf across magnificent sand dunes and restore life to a desolate world using the mystical Hoversword. This comprehensive guide will help you master the game's movement mechanics, discover hidden secrets, and maximize your trick scores from the very beginning.

Prerequisites & Requirements

• Platform Requirements:
• PS5: PlayStation Plus Game Catalog subscription (included day one)
• PC: Available on Steam and Epic Games Store
• Recommended Setup:
• Controller highly recommended (DualSense on PS5 for haptic feedback)
• Headphones for immersive audio experience

10 Essential Tips for New Wraiths

1. Master the Ocean Seed Mechanic Early

The Problem: Many players rush past Ocean Seeds without understanding their importance, missing out on speed boosts and exploration opportunities.

The Solution: Always activate Ocean Seeds when you find them. These mystical nodes transform sandy terrain into flowing water, which dramatically increases your movement speed. Water surfaces allow for bigger jumps, longer combos, and access to previously unreachable areas.

Common Mistake: Ignoring Ocean Seeds in favor of direct routes often makes journeys longer and more difficult.

2. Use Water Surfaces for Maximum Speed

The Problem: Sand surfing feels slow and limits your ability to reach high platforms or hidden areas.

The Solution: The Wraith moves significantly faster on water than sand. After activating Ocean Seeds, always route your path through water sections. The speed boost isn't just for traversal – it's essential for reaching secret areas and achieving higher trick scores.

3. Feel the Surface Through DualSense Haptics

The Problem: Players miss optimal grinding surfaces and speed zones by relying on visuals alone.

The Solution: On PS5, the DualSense controller provides distinct haptic feedback for each surface type. Sand feels coarse, water creates smooth vibrations, and ceramic tiles produce melodic tones. Use these sensations to identify the best paths even when visibility is limited.

Surface Guide:

• Water: Smooth vibration, maximum speed
• Sand: Rough texture, moderate speed
• Ceramic/Ruins: Musical tones, good for grinding
• Ice/Crystal: Sharp feedback, slippery but fast

4. Collect Every Tetra Triangle You See

The Problem: Limited trick repertoire makes it difficult to achieve high scores and access certain areas.

The Solution: Golden Tetra triangles are the game's currency. Collect them obsessively! You'll need them to purchase new tricks from vendors, unlock abilities, and open new paths. Early investment in your trick arsenal pays massive dividends later.

5. Learn the Basic Trick System First

The Problem: New players attempt complex combos before mastering fundamentals, leading to failed attempts and low scores.

The Solution: Start with the basic double jump trick (press X twice while airborne). Master the timing before purchasing advanced moves. Once comfortable, buy your first advanced trick from a vendor and practice combining it with the basic double jump.

Trick Progression:

1. Basic: X → X (double jump trick)
2. Advanced: Hold L1 + Triangle/Square/Circle/X
3. Combo: Mix grabs with flips for multipliers

6. Explore Off the Beaten Path

The Problem: Following the obvious path means missing valuable Tetra, secret vendors, and hidden Trick Attack arenas.

The Solution: Sword of the Sea rewards exploration generously. When you see a high cliff or distant structure, find a way to reach it. Use water speed boosts to access seemingly impossible areas. The best rewards are always hidden in challenging locations.

Hidden Content Types:

• Trick Attack Arenas: Score-based challenges
• Secret Vendors: Rare tricks and abilities
• Tetra Caches: Large triangle collections
• Story Murals: Lore and world-building

7. Use Sea Life as Natural Ramps

The Problem: Players overlook interactive marine life, missing movement opportunities and shortcuts.

The Solution: Restored sea life isn't just decorative. Buoyant jellyfish act as bounce pads for massive air. Seaweed strands can be climbed to reach new areas. Schools of fish often indicate hidden paths. Learn to read the environment as a movement puzzle.

8. Find and Master Trick Attack Arenas

The Problem: Without practice areas, improving trick scores feels random and frustrating.

The Solution: Hidden Trick Attack arenas are perfect training grounds. These skatepark-like areas feature ramps, rails, and optimal surfaces for combos. Use them to practice new tricks, experiment with combinations, and understand the scoring system. Each arena has target scores to beat.

Arena Benefits:

• Safe environment for practice
• Score targets provide clear goals
• Rewards for achieving high scores
• Perfect layout for combo chains

9. Pay Attention to Environmental Storytelling

The Problem: Rushing through areas means missing crucial story elements and the mysterious pursuer subplot.

The Solution: Murals, ruins, and environmental details tell the story of this lost civilization. Take time to observe. Notice the dark figure following you – understanding their identity enhances the narrative. The world's history directly connects to your quest.

Story Elements to Watch For:

• Ancient murals depicting the ocean's disappearance
• Ruined structures hinting at past civilization
• The mysterious dark wraith following you
• Changes in architecture suggesting different eras

10. Prioritize Movement Over Combat

The Problem: Players expecting traditional action-adventure combat will be disappointed.

The Solution: Sword of the Sea is about flow, not fighting. The Hoversword is your vehicle, not a weapon. Embrace the meditative quality of surfing. Your mission is restoration through movement, not destruction. This philosophical approach makes the game unique among action-adventures.

Pro Tips & Advanced Strategies

• Speed Tech: Chain water sections by planning Ocean Seed activation routes. Create continuous water highways for maximum velocity.
• Combo Mastery: Mix grabs (L1 + face buttons) with flips (directional inputs) for exponential score multipliers.
• Exploration Mindset: If a location seems unreachable, there's always a way. Look for environmental clues and momentum opportunities.
• Resource Management: Save Tetra for essential tricks first. Prioritize movement abilities over style moves early on.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Ocean Seeds in favor of direct routes
• Attempting complex tricks before mastering basics
• Missing Tetra collections in hidden areas
• Rushing through without appreciating the narrative
• Expecting traditional combat mechanics

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long is Sword of the Sea?

A: The main story takes approximately 6-8 hours, but completionists can expect 12-15 hours to find all secrets and master every Trick Attack arena.

Q: Is there combat in the game?

A: No, Sword of the Sea focuses entirely on movement, exploration, and environmental restoration. The Hoversword is a vehicle, not a weapon.

Q: Can I replay areas after completing them?

A: Yes! The game encourages revisiting areas with new abilities to discover previously inaccessible secrets and improve trick scores.

Q: What happens if I miss Tetra triangles?

A: You can always return to collect missed Tetra. The game tracks which ones you've found, making completionist runs manageable.

Q: Is there multiplayer?

A: Sword of the Sea is a single-player experience focused on personal journey and atmospheric immersion.

Final Thoughts

Sword of the Sea offers a unique gaming experience that blends the meditative exploration of Journey with the kinetic satisfaction of extreme sports games. By mastering these beginner tips, you'll transform from a struggling Wraith into a graceful guardian of the seas. Remember: speed comes from water, exploration yields rewards, and every restored area brings the world closer to its former glory.

The game rewards patience, curiosity, and mastery of its movement systems. Whether you're chasing high scores in Trick Attack arenas or uncovering the mystery of the dark pursuer, Sword of the Sea provides a refreshing take on the action-adventure genre.

Ready to surf the dunes? Sword of the Sea is available now on PS5 (via PlayStation Plus Game Catalog) and PC (Steam/Epic Games Store). May your journey restore life to the Necropolis!