What is it that we would like to see in an ocean update?

I’ve seen a lot of discussion about updating the oceans, and I believe I even saw a poll showing more interest for the next biome update to be the oceans rather than the Ashlands.

The oceans pretty much connect every single biome. Beyond your starting island, you will most likely have to start sailing around everywhere and bringing back metals as soon as you defeat the Elder.

When the wind isn’t against you, exploration is fun. You chart out new portions of the map, or fill in some holes. You discover efficient or interesting sailing routes to whatever you’re in search of. Once you’ve gathered a whole boatload of metals, it’s time to come home and enjoy the fruits of your labor. The anticipation of getting all your metals smelted so you can craft new equipment or build new structures is part of the excitement sailing back home.

Your only dangers are underwater rocks and serpents, but with a little bit of vigilance the journey home is a relaxing one.

But what is it that we want to see in an ocean update? It’s understandable to think that the ocean may feel a bit bland considering how often you need to sail. It’s crucial to the transportation of precious metals.

I don’t really want a big ocean update. It should be on the scale of Hearth and Home or the Frost Caves, not a big update like the Mistlands. The Ashlands should be the next major update.

I want the oceans to remain the fun and relaxing part of the game that they currently are. Let me customize the sails on my longboat, change out the dragon head figurine, add colorful shields to the sides to serve as armor against enemy attacks. Add new visual underwater elements. Or come up with some new mechanics and/or items to help you dock your boat. I know spyglasses have also been talked about to increase the map exploration range on a boat. Maybe add a new resource like sand which you can turn into glass panes after smelting, which would be thinner and less reflective versions of crystal walls, like the tar equivalent of the oceans.

But I don’t want the ocean to become full of enemies I have to navigate for a common task like transporting metals. For me, an ocean update shouldn’t make it more challenging or difficult to navigate and transport resources. It should introduce new features and resources without increasing the difficulty slider on the frequently common task of sailing.