In the world of Skull and Bones, legend and warfare often collide-but every now and then, a ship build emerges that feels less like a military configuration and more like a living myth. The community has given many names to fearsome vessels over the years, but few earn the whispers that trail behind the Hellgate Serpent-a torpedo-driven inferno machine with the power to melt hulls, out-heal full broadsides, and turn any naval battle into a flaming spectacle.

 

This build wasn't just engineered.

 

It was sung into existence.

 

From ghost-ship ballads echoing across the sea to black-flag anthems praising Captain GT and his fire-forged weapons, the Hellgate Serpent earned its reputation not only through numbers and stats-but through the chaos it brings to the open waters. Today, we break down the myth, the mechanics, make Skull and Bones Items and most importantly, how to assemble this monster for yourself.

 

Welcome to the complete deep-dive into the Serpent Torpedo Build-the most powerful self-healing damage setup in Skull and Bones.

 

A Song Born in Fire and Storm

 

Before diving into the actual mechanics, it's important to understand where this build comes from. For months, players shared fragments of sea-shanties, ghostly chants, and fiery folk stories describing a ship that:

 

 spits flame into the night,

 heals through every strike,

 burns enemy sails to ash,

 and turns proud vessels into drifting skeletons.

 

The legend spoke of torpedoes forged in spirit-fire, armor as black as midnight, and a captain whose will alone could light up the horizon.

 

These lyrics weren't just atmospheric-

they were hints.

 

Every verse pointed toward a specific mechanic: burning damage, flooding combos, explosive amplification, mines that erupt, and torpedoes that heal far more than they harm.

 

And now, finally, the complete build is here.

 

THE HELLGATE SERPENT BUILD

 

The Ultimate Torpedo-Based Fire & Flooding Setup

 

Below is the full breakdown of Captain GT's now-iconic self-healing torpedo ship.

 

This setup revolves around a central concept:

 

Consistent burning + flooding + maximum projectile distance = absurd healing and explosive burst damage.

 

It's not just strong.

It's unreasonable.

 

Ship Hull: Sandbuck

 

The Sandbuck is the backbone of this build-a versatile frame that allows heavy torpedo specialization, strong auxiliary support, and the armor needed to survive close-quarters duels long enough for your torpedoes to dominate.

 

It's not the flashiest hull.

It's not the biggest hull.

But it is the most effective for this strategy.

 

Primary Weapons: The Hellgate Serpent Torpedoes

 

This is where the build becomes a legend.

 

Hellgate Serpent Torpedoes-Core Stats & Effects

 

 Base Damage: ~2,563-2,582

 Spirit Mending: Restores 20% of damage dealt as hull health

 Distance Scaling: +5% healing per 50m traveled (up to +50%)

 Burning II & Flooding II built in

 Best healing weapon in the entire game.

 

Translation?

 

A single torpedo hit from long range can:

 

 deal massive burning & flooding damage

 heal your hull for 30-50%

 instantly flip a losing fight

 

Toss broadside brawling out the window-

This ship survives by launching infernal snakes across the sea.

 

Weapon Rolls Used

 

For maximum synergy:

 

 Combustion

 Amplified Burning

 Amplified Flooding

 

Every torpedo should have some combination of these.

And yes-every port of the ship is fitted with Hellgate Serpents.

Your entire offense is fire, explosion, and distance-boosted healing.

 

Auxiliary: Infernal M-Buoy

 

If the torpedoes are your fangs, the Infernal M is the firestorm around them.

 

Infernal M-Key Effects

 

 Deploys seafire mines

 Mines explode for 3,477 base damage

 Upon destruction, the buoy erupts for 300% damage,

instantly setting all targets ablaze

 

Rolls used:

 

 Damage

 Soulming

 Hearty Buoys

 

This buoy is pure chaos-perfect for setting enemies ablaze so your torpedoes gain bonus damage through synergies.

 

Enemies trying to chase you?

 

They burn.

 

Enemies trying to flee?

 

They burn faster.

 

Armor: Nocturn Heart

 

Nocturn Heart ties the build together by rewarding high health-

which this ship maintains almost constantly because of the self-healing torpedoes.

 

Perks Used

 

 Stout

 Maintenance

 Maintenance

 

The key perk:

 

+15% weapon damage when hull is above 75%.

This build is always above 75%.

 

Which means you're always dealing bonus damage.

 

Furniture & Stations

 

Here is where the system becomes a damage multiplier machine.

 

Major Furniture: Worm's Breath Turner

 

Most players ignore this item.

 

Those players lose.

 

This furniture adds:

 

 +20% explosive secondary damage

 +5% explosive weapon damage

 

Both apply directly to your torpedoes.

 

The shell-shock debuff is irrelevant-

but the explosive bonuses are mandatory.Kick Spall Station

 

This is your flooding multiplier.

 

It provides:

 

 +13% flooding damage beyond 200m

 +1% flooding damage per 1% projectile speed

 +10% bonus damage to flooded targets

 

Projectile speed is key for this build-

you want your torpedoes flying fast and far.

 

Tuning Station I

 

 +20% secondary torpedo damage

 +13% projectile speed

 10% crew heal per second when out of combat

 

More projectile speed = more damage = more healing.

 

Gunpowder Bench I

 

 +10% damage vs Ablaze targets

 

Since your buoy and torpedoes constantly ignite ships, this becomes a permanent buff.

 

Torpedo Grinder I

 +15% projectile speed

 An essential component of the distance-scaling healing formula.

 

Torpedo Works I

 +19% secondary torpedo damage

 If it makes torpedoes explode harder, you want it.

 

How the Build Works in Combat

 

1. Open with Distance

You fight best at range.

 

Fire torpedoes before the enemy even sees you.

 

2. Apply Burning & Flooding

 

Every hit stacks:

 

 Burning damage

 Flooding damage

 Distance-scaled healing

 

Your DoT pressure becomes unbearable.

 

3. Drop the Infernal M Buoy

 

This creates:

 

 area denial

 guaranteed ignite

 huge boom potential

 

Enemies who push into your buoy take 300% damage from its explosive death.

 

4. Heal Through Everything

 

Torpedoes restore:

 

 20% of damage dealt (base)

 +50% from max distance scaling

 

Meaning you can heal:

 

 through barriers

 through broadsides

 through full enemy volleys

 

You saw the video-

the ship literally heals from shooting barriers.

 

5. Stay Above 75% Hull

 

This keeps your +15% damage from Nocturn Heart active at all times.

 

Why This Build Works So Well

 

The Hellgate Serpent build is powerful because it blends:

 

 Explosive damage

 Burning damage

 Flooding damage

 Distance-based healing

 Projectile speed scaling

 Area denial from mines

 Armor that rewards staying healthy

 Furniture that amplifies torpedoes twice over

 

Everything synergizes.

 

Nothing is wasted.

 

It's a full-spectrum offensive and defensive loop.

 

 You deal huge damage.

 That damage heals you.

 Those heals keep your hull above 75%.

 Staying above 75% increases your damage.

 Which increases your healing even more.

 

It is a self-feeding cycle of destruction.

 

Final Thoughts: A Legend Forged in Fire

 

The Hellgate Serpent Torpedo Build isn't just a strong loadout-it's a statement. Born from ghost-ship songs, battle cries, and sea-shanty myths, it represents everything Skull and Bones does best:

 

 Explosive combat

 Chaotic naval encounters

 Deep mechanical specialization

 Builds that feel like playable stories

 

If you want a ship that:

 

 melts hulls,

more Skull and Bones Silver,

 heals faster than enemies can hurt you,

 and lights the horizon on fire-

 

then this is the build for you.