How to Get Companions in 100 Days At Sea

Companions vs Classes — What Is the Difference?

Classes change your spawn kit, passive perks, and starter tools for an entire run — unlock them in the lobby Classes menu with Pearls. Companions are separate inventory items that add a second passive layer without replacing your class.

You can equip one companion at a time from inventory after opening a chest. Zookeeper class (+25% companion buff effectiveness, 50 Pearls) multiplies companion value but is optional — Frog or Seagull still help budget runs.

STRANDEDDEVS code from how to redeem grants a free Companion Chest on Day 1 dock. Open it with inventory space before sailing — rerolls are not available on code chests.

How to Earn Pearls for Companion Chests

Pearls are the currency for companion chests and class unlocks. Primary sources: island chests on islands, daily quests at the lobby board, boss drops on bosses, and the 100DAYS code (25 Pearls) from codes.

Early Pearl budget: redeem 100DAYS before first chest purchase. Fisherman's Chest costs 40 Pearls — reachable after Starter Island and Jungle Island chest farming without spending on classes first if companions are your priority.

Mid-game Pearl income spikes on Shipwreck Island Iron farms and Volcano Island Red Chests. Save 120 Pearls for Pirate or Magma chests only after Fisherman and Warrior rolls feel weak for your build.

Merchant class (+20% sell price) and Treasure Hunter (+25% chest loot) accelerate Pearl income — see how to unlock classes for class spend timing if Pearls are tight.

Companion Chest Types and Costs

Fisherman's Chest — 40 Pearls. Drops: Frog (5% less hungry), Turtle (+5% max health), Crab (+5% gun damage), Dolphin (+7.5% sprint speed), Shark (+7.5% melee damage). Best first purchase for Days 1–15 — Shark or Frog cover combat and hunger gaps cheaply.

Warrior Chest — 80 Pearls. Drops: Snorf (+5% health), Cat (+5% sprint speed), Octopus (brings materials every 120s), Swordfish (+10% melee damage). Octopus pairs with Camper raft builds on raft building; Swordfish is the premium melee companion before Magma Golem.

Pirate Chest — 120 Pearls. Drops: Whale (+7.5% health), Seagull (brings food every 120s), Parrot (+7.5% gun damage), Pirate Gunner (+10% gun damage, 5% drop). Seagull solves Ice Island food drain; Parrot and Pirate Gunner boost Sharpshooter and Cowboy ranged DPS.

Magma Chest — 120 Pearls. Drops: Lava Snail (7.5% less hungry), Salamander (grabs nearby food), Magma Golem (+10% melee damage, 5% drop). Buy after Volcano Island unlock — Lava Snail and Magma Golem align with Lava Guardian and fire-zone survival on islands.

How to Get and Equip a Companion (Step by Step)

Step 1 — Lobby or dock shop: open the companion chest vendor. Select Fisherman's, Warrior, Pirate, or Magma chest and confirm Pearl spend.

Step 2 — Chest opens automatically. Note the companion name and perk percentage — compare against your current class build on builds.

Step 3 — Open inventory (default I key — see controls). Locate the companion item in your bag.

Step 4 — Click equip on the companion slot. Your pet appears beside your character and the passive applies immediately — no re-craft required.

Step 5 — To swap companions, unequip the current pet and equip a new roll. You keep unused companions in inventory for future runs or co-op role swaps per co op strategy.

Best Companions by Build and Progression

Survival / hunger builds: Frog (Fisherman's) or Lava Snail (Magma) reduce hunger drain. Seagull and Salamander automate food — critical before Frost Giant cold on Ice Island.

Melee DPS builds: Shark early, Swordfish mid-game, Magma Golem endgame. Pair with Battle Buku, Soldier, or Raider classes from tier list.

Ranged DPS builds: Crab and Parrot for gun damage; Pirate Gunner is the top roll at 10% gun damage. Essential before Sand Worm and Ghost Captain arenas on bosses.

Raft builder / economy: Octopus passive materials every 120 seconds reduces Jungle and Desert gathering trips. Whale adds health buffer for long survive day 100 sails between islands.

Co-op tip: assign Seagull holder on food duty, Octopus on builder, ranged player keeps Parrot — avoid four players rolling the same Fisherman's chest without role planning.

When to Buy Each Chest — Pearl Timeline

Day 1: STRANDEDDEVS free chest — equip best roll immediately. Do not delay for "better" chests; any companion beats none on Starter Island nights.

Days 3–10: Fisherman's Chest (40 Pearls) if STRANDEDDEVS roll was weak. Target Shark for Desert Sand Worm prep or Frog if Survivor class is not unlocked.

Days 15–30: Warrior Chest (80 Pearls) after Shipwreck Iron farm. Swordfish or Octopus depending on melee vs building focus.

Days 40+: Pirate Chest (120 Pearls) before Ice Island — prioritize Seagull for automated food during Frost Giant attempts.

Days 50+: Magma Chest (120 Pearls) after Volcano Island clear. Magma Golem and Lava Snail support Bermuda Island final push. Full companion stat table: companions.