Side Missions

Side Missions

Beyond the main narrative, the Caribbean teems with opportunities for Edward Kenway to amass wealth, upgrade the Jackdaw, and solidify his reputation as a formidable pirate. Engaging in these side missions is not merely for completionists; they provide crucial resources, unique upgrades, and often, a deeper dive into the vibrant world of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag.

Assassin Contracts

These missions involve tracking down and eliminating specific targets, often with unique challenges or environmental considerations. Completing them rewards you with Reales and unlocks new contracts.

• Unlocking Contracts: Assassin Contracts become available after completing Sequence 3, Memory 4: "A New Recruit." They are marked on your map with a distinctive Assassin icon (a stylized 'A').
• Strategy:
  • Stealth is Key: While direct combat is an option, many contracts offer bonus objectives for remaining undetected or performing specific types of assassinations (e.g., air assassinations, stealth kills). Prioritize stealth to maximize rewards.
  • Environmental Awareness: Utilize the environment to your advantage. Tall grass, haystacks, and crowds provide excellent cover. Rooftops offer vantage points for air assassinations or scouting.
  • Tools of the Trade: Sleep Darts and Berserk Darts are invaluable for managing patrols and creating diversions. Smoke Bombs can facilitate escapes or create openings for quick kills.
  • Target Identification: Use your Eagle Vision (press L3/LS) to quickly identify your target and any nearby guards.
• Notable Contracts & Rewards:
  • Havana Contracts: Early contracts here are great for building up initial funds. Look for targets near viewpoints for easy access.
  • Kingston Contracts: Often involve more complex guard patrols. Consider upgrading your hidden blades for double assassinations.
  • Nassau Contracts: Some targets are on ships or heavily guarded docks, requiring naval combat or careful infiltration.
  • Reward: Completing all 30 Assassin Contracts across the various locations (Havana, Kingston, Nassau, etc.) will unlock the exclusive Pistol Swords weapon, a powerful and stylish addition to Edward's arsenal. You'll also receive a significant sum of Reales.

Naval Contracts

These missions put your naval combat skills to the test, ranging from sinking specific enemy fleets to protecting merchant convoys. They are essential for earning Reales and upgrading the Jackdaw.

• Unlocking Contracts: Naval Contracts become available after completing Sequence 3, Memory 4: "A New Recruit." They are marked on your map with a ship's wheel icon.
• Strategy:
  • Upgrade the Jackdaw: Before tackling tougher contracts, ensure your Jackdaw is adequately upgraded. Prioritize Hull Strength, Broadside Cannons, and Round Shot damage. Mortars and Heavy Shot are crucial for later contracts.
  • Know Your Enemy: Different enemy ships have varying strengths and weaknesses. Brigs are fast but lightly armored, Frigates are balanced, and Man O' Wars are slow but devastating. Adjust your tactics accordingly.
  • Utilize All Weapons: Don't rely solely on broadsides. Swivel Guns are excellent for finishing off weakened ships or targeting weak points. Chain Shot can disable enemy ships for boarding. Mortars are perfect for long-range engagements.
  • Boarding vs. Sinking: Boarding ships yields more resources (sugar, rum, metal, wood) and crew members, but sinking them is faster. Choose based on your current needs.
  • Repair at Sea: Always carry enough wood to perform repairs during combat.
• Notable Contracts & Rewards:
  • "Smuggler's Den" (Andreas Island): Often involves sinking multiple small vessels. Good for practicing basic naval combat.
  • "Pirate Hunter" (Grand Cayman): Challenges you to take down a powerful enemy hunter ship. Requires good maneuvering and cannon aim.
  • "The Dreaded Pirate" (Kingston): A series of contracts that escalate in difficulty, culminating in battles against multiple formidable foes.
  • Reward: Completing all Naval Contracts will earn you the Golden Flintlock Pistols, a unique and powerful set of firearms, along with substantial Reales and resources for Jackdaw upgrades.

Mayan Stelae

Scattered across various islands, Mayan Stelae are ancient stone monuments that present environmental puzzles. Solving them reveals the location of a Mayan Key fragment.

• Unlocking: Mayan Stelae are accessible from the start of the game, but you'll need to explore to find them. They are marked on your map with a distinctive Mayan symbol once discovered.
• Strategy:
  • Observation: Each Stela requires you to align a symbol by rotating and moving a camera perspective. Look for the faint outline of the symbol in the environment.
  • Patience: Some Stelae can be tricky. Take your time and experiment with different angles.
  • Reward: There are 16 Mayan Stelae in total. Each one rewards you with a Mayan Key fragment. Collecting all 16 fragments allows you to unlock the Mayan Outfit, located in Tulum. This outfit grants immunity to bullet damage, making Edward nearly invincible against firearms.

Templar Hunts

These missions involve tracking down and eliminating Templar agents, often after receiving a map from a rescued pirate or completing other side activities.

• Unlocking: Templar Hunt missions are initiated by finding specific maps. These maps are often found in treasure chests, dropped by defeated enemies, or given as rewards for other side missions.
• Strategy:
  • Map Reading: The maps provide a general location. You'll need to use your in-game map and environmental clues to pinpoint the exact starting point of the hunt.
  • Follow the Clues: Once a hunt begins, you'll typically follow a trail of clues (e.g., footprints, conversations, specific objects) to locate your target.
  • Discretion Advised: Templar agents are often well-guarded. Plan your approach carefully, utilizing stealth and distractions.
  • Reward: Each Templar Hunt rewards you with Reales and often unique items or upgrades. Completing all four Templar Hunts (each initiated by a specific map) unlocks the powerful Templar Armor, which significantly increases Edward's defense.

Diving Bell Missions

These underwater expeditions allow Edward to explore shipwrecks and underwater caves, recovering valuable cargo and secrets.

• Unlocking: The Diving Bell becomes available after completing Sequence 6, Memory 1: "Diving for Medicines." Diving locations are marked on your map with a diving helmet icon.
• Strategy:
  • Air Management: Edward has a limited air supply underwater. Stay close to air barrels to replenish it.
  • Avoid Predators: Sharks are a constant threat. Use your hidden blade for quick kills or avoid them entirely. Moray Eels can also be found in tight spaces.
  • Environmental Hazards: Watch out for sea urchins and strong currents.
  • Treasure Hunting: Look for glowing chests and cargo to collect valuable resources and blueprints.
  • Reward: Diving Bell missions are crucial for finding rare resources like Metal and Wood for Jackdaw upgrades, as well as valuable artifacts and blueprints for elite ship upgrades.

Fort Capture

Assaulting and capturing enemy forts grants you control over that region of the map, revealing all collectibles and activities within its influence, and providing a fast travel point.

• Strategy:
  • Naval Barrage: Begin by using the Jackdaw's cannons to destroy the fort's defenses (cannons, watchtowers, weak points). Prioritize the heavy cannons that target your ship.
  • Land Assault: Once the defenses are sufficiently weakened, dock the Jackdaw and infiltrate the fort.
  • Eliminate the Captain: Locate and assassinate the fort's captain.
  • Raise the Flag: Interact with the flag pole to claim the fort.
  • Reward: Capturing forts provides a significant amount of Reales, opens up new fast travel points, and reveals all secrets and side activities in the surrounding area. It's a vital step for 100% synchronization.