Ship Types & Management — Sea of Thieves Guide

Navigate the seas of Sea of Thieves with our comprehensive guide to ship types, management, and essential mechanics. Learn how to find, sell, and utilize treasure effectively.

Treasure in Sea of Thieves refers to Transportable Items that players can discover, carry, and sell to various Trading Companies. Selling treasure yields Currencies, Reputation, and Emissary Value, which are crucial for progression.

Mechanics:
Treasure is the primary source of Gold, Doubloons, Reputation, and Emissary Value. Each Trading Company specializes in valuing certain types of treasure and has representatives at every Outpost to accept them. These representatives also offer Voyages, which are quests designed to lead players to treasure. Beyond Voyages, treasure can be found randomly across the Sea of Thieves, including on islands, in barrels, shipwrecks, fort vaults, and even taken by enemies like Skeleton Ships, Megalodons, and the Kraken. All treasure items emit a distinct colored glint or glow, aiding players in spotting them from afar. To sell treasure, it must be carried by hand to the respective Company Representative. A pirate can only carry one treasure item at a time and cannot use equipment or resources while doing so; the item must be dropped to regain full control. Harpoons can retrieve treasure from a distance. Smaller treasure items can be stored in Container Chests, which hold up to three items, simplifying transport and delivery. Treasure left on land remains until interacted with, but treasure dropped in water sinks after approximately 5 minutes, with the exception of Trade Good Crates. When sailing as a Trading Company Emissary, collecting relevant treasure grants Emissary Grade Reputation, with additional bonuses for placing items on the ship. These reputation 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, depending on their origin.

Gold Hoarders Treasure:
These items are sold to the Gold Hoarders for Gold and Reputation, with increased rewards and Emissary Value for Gold Hoarder Emissaries.

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

Artefacts:
Artefacts are smaller items found individually, within Treasure Chests, or in Fortress Vaults. They emit a golden glint and are categorized into four types, sharing pricing tiers with Treasure Chests.