Sailing & Ship Management — Sea of Thieves Guide

Learn the essentials of sailing and ship management in Sea of Thieves. Discover how to navigate, handle your vessel, and manage resources effectively to conquer the seas.

Treasure items are transportable goods that players can find, carry, and sell to Trading Companies in exchange for Gold, Reputation, and Emissary Value. These items are the primary source of income and progression in Sea of Thieves.

Mechanics:

Treasure is the main source of Gold, Doubloons, Reputation, and Emissary Value. Each Trading Company values specific Treasure items and has representatives at every Outpost who accept them. These representatives also offer Voyages, which are quests leading to treasure. Random treasure can be found on islands, in shipwrecks, barrels, forts, or taken by enemies like Skeleton Ships, Megalodons, and the Kraken. All treasure items emit a colored glint for easy spotting. Treasure must be carried by hand to a Company Representative for a payout. A pirate can only carry one item at a time and cannot use equipment or resources while doing so. Harpoons can retrieve treasure from a distance. Smaller items can be stored in Container Chests, which hold up to three items and can hide their glow.

Treasure left on land remains until interacted with, but treasure dropped in water sinks after about 5 minutes, except for Trade Good Crates which float longer. Sailing as a Trading Company Emissary grants Emissary Grade Reputation when picking up relevant treasure, with additional Reputation for placing it on the ship. These increases are awarded only upon the first claim of a treasure item.

Types of Treasure Items:

Treasure items are categorized by the Trading Company that purchases them. The three main companies are the Gold Hoarders, the Order of Souls, and the Merchant Alliance. Within these, treasure can be further classified into Regular, Ashen, Stronghold, Skeletal, and Ghostly variants.

Gold Hoarders Treasure:

These items are sold to the Gold Hoarders for Gold and Reputation. Selling as a Gold Hoarder Emissary yields increased rewards and Emissary Value.

Treasure Chests:

Treasure Chests are locked containers sold to the Gold Hoarders. They can be found via Treasure Maps, Riddle Maps, in Ancient Vaults, or randomly across the seas. They emit a white glint. Types include Regular, Shipwrecked (damaged, found underwater/in shipwrecks), Coral (found in Siren Shrines/Treasuries), Ashen (molten, found in The Devil's Roar, double price), Valuable (from specific encounters), and Cursed (tied to specific locations/effects, very valuable).

Artefacts:

Artefacts are smaller items found on their own, inside Treasure Chests, or in Fortress Vaults. They emit a golden glint. There are four types: Regular Artefacts (trinkets, containers, ornaments made of valuable metals and gems).