Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf you’re unsure what to do next in Spiritfarer, start with a spirit’s active request, check what your boat or a new region requires, then explore and gather the materials that move that goal forward. Requests point toward story progression; boat upgrades open some routes, while other progress depends on visiting new places or advancing spirit stories.
What should you do next?
Use this loop to turn an unclear objective into a manageable next step:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Check spirit requests. Read the active requests in your log and identify any named item, building, destination, or conversation they require.
- Check the relevant requirement. If a route is blocked or a building cannot be added, look at the requirement shown in the game rather than guessing which upgrade or material is missing.
- Explore for the next clue or resource. Visit accessible islands and continue fulfilling requests. Thunder Lotus Support advises players to keep exploring and fulfilling spirit requests to find new resources: official Spiritfarer support.
- Process what you gather. Some materials need to pass through a facility before they become the item a request or upgrade calls for.
- Return to the shipyard or the spirit. Install an available upgrade, build the needed facility, or continue the conversation that advances the request.
A missing resource does not always mean you overlooked a particular island. It may be behind a route barrier, require a production step, or depend on story progression. Some areas can also require releasing one or more spirits; see the spoiler note below.
Which boat upgrades matter?
Albert’s Shipyard is where you improve the boat. Keep two upgrade categories distinct: ship-size upgrades expand the boat, while functional improvements change what it can do. A secondary upgrade guide lists size upgrades as Glim purchases and improvements and Blueprint Station upgrades as material-based; the current requirements shown in your own shipyard menu are the best guide for your save.
#1 Best Overall
Functional improvements open routes or save travel time
Barrier improvements listed by the guide include ways to pass ice, destroy rocks, and clear mist. It also lists speed improvements that shorten travel. When choosing what to work toward, first ask whether an upgrade opens a route or resource you currently need. If not, consider whether the extra room from a size upgrade would let you build a needed facility, or whether a speed improvement would save enough travel time to be useful.
These are practical ways to compare options, not an official upgrade ranking. Requests, accessible destinations, and the upgrade menu on your save should determine the next step.
Rank #2
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
Size upgrades use Glims
Guide Strats lists this ship-size sequence and costs. They are secondary-source figures, so confirm the cost in the in-game menu before planning around them:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
| Ship-size upgrade | Glim cost listed by Guide Strats |
|---|---|
| Exploring Krill | Free |
| Intrepid Otter | 1,200 |
| Adventurous Manatee | 4,000 |
| Dauntless Dolphin | 8,000 |
| Brawlish Narwhal | 16,000 |
| Flawless Beluga | 30,000 |
| Silent Orca | 45,000 |
| Fearless Whale | 80,000 |
Why can’t you use a material you just found?
Gathered materials may need processing before they match a blueprint or request. The secondary guide gives these examples: logs become planks at the Sawmill, ore becomes ingots at the Foundry, and fibers are woven at the Loom. Some advanced sheets require the Smithy.
Rather than memorizing a full chain, read the exact item name and requirements in the relevant building or upgrade menu. If the item is not available yet, check whether you need to construct or improve a facility, visit a different accessible location, or advance a spirit request.
How should you organize the boat as it grows?
Think of boat space as a progression resource. Before spending materials on a facility, check whether it supports an active request or turns a material you already have into something needed. A larger ship can provide room for more buildings, but size alone does not make a blocked route passable; that may call for a functional improvement or story progress.
- Prioritize facilities that meet a current request or material-processing need.
- Use the boat menu’s requirements to see which materials or facilities are missing.
- When deciding between expanding and improving the boat, consider whether you need space, access to a region, or faster travel.
What does releasing a spirit mean for progression?
Spoiler warning: this section discusses spirit departures.
Spiritfarer is about caring for spirit friends and eventually releasing them into the afterlife. Thunder Lotus describes the player’s role as building a boat, exploring, caring for spirits, and releasing them. The developer’s support guidance also notes that access to some areas can depend on releasing one or more spirits. A departure is therefore not necessarily a sign that you have failed or made a wrong choice.
There is no universally supported spoiler-free release order to follow. If you reach a point where exploration and requests do not open a route, consider whether a spirit’s story has reached that step rather than assuming you need a different boat upgrade.
Which edition is this guide about?
The current complete-edition framing on the official pages is Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition. Thunder Lotus calls it the definitive edition and says it brings together the base game and three major content updates, adding four spirit friends. Nintendo describes its Farewell Edition as including the base game and all additional content released to date. See the Thunder Lotus game page and Nintendo store listing for their respective descriptions; platform and regional availability can differ.
Thunder Lotus’s Lily Update post describes Lily as a late-game spirit who enables night navigation after the first conversation with her. It also lists quality-of-life changes including station item counts, island names during fast travel, and more visible bus stops on the fast-travel screen: Lily Update details.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
