Co-op & Multiplayer Guide
Windrose shines in co-op. This guide covers how to set up multiplayer, what to expect with different group sizes, and strategies for efficient crew play.
1. How to Play Co-op
From the main menu, select "Host Game" to create a session, or "Join Game" to browse public sessions. You can also join friends directly through Steam. Private servers require a password set by the host.
2. Crew Roles
In an ideal crew of 4:
- Captain (1) — Steers the ship, manages navigation, calls targets during naval combat.
- Gunner (1-2) — Operates cannons during naval battles. Switches between ammo types as needed.
- Scout/Gatherer (1) — Explores ahead, gathers resources, marks dangers on the map.
- Boarder (1) — Specializes in melee combat for ship boarding and dungeon clearing.
3. Shared Progression
Progression is tied to the world save, not individual characters. All players share the same world state, quest progress, and base. However, character levels and talents are per-character. This means a new player joining a late-game world will be under-leveled — they should grind POIs and quests to catch up.
4. Dedicated Servers
For persistent worlds that run 24/7, set up a dedicated server using SteamCMD (App ID: 4129620). See our Dedicated Server Guide for step-by-step setup. Dedicated servers prevent progress loss when the host disconnects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play Windrose solo?
Yes. The game is fully playable solo, though some bosses and naval combat are significantly easier with a crew.
Do items transfer between worlds?
No. Characters keep their level and talents, but inventory and equipment are tied to each world save.