Voyage Progression & Unlocks

Discover how to progress through Sea of Thieves by understanding treasure mechanics, types, and how to sell them to Trading Companies for Gold, Reputation, and Emissary Value.

Treasures are Transportable Items that can be found, carried, and sold to Trading Companies in exchange for Currencies, Reputation, and Emissary Value.

Mechanics: Treasure is the primary source of Gold, Doubloons, Reputation, and Emissary Value in Sea of Thieves. Each Trading Company values specific Treasure Items and has Representatives at every Outpost who accept these items for rewards. Representatives also offer Voyages, which are Quests leading to Treasure. Random Treasure can be found across the Sea of Thieves on Islands, in Barrels of Plenty, Shipwrecks, Vaults, or taken by enemies like Skeleton Ships, Megalodons, or the Kraken. All Treasure items emit a colored glint or glow for easy spotting. Treasure must be carried by hand to a Company Representative for a payout. A pirate can only carry one Treasure Item at a time and cannot use equipment or resources while doing so. Dropping the Treasure allows full control. Harpoons can retrieve Treasure from afar. Smaller items can be placed in Container Chests (holding up to 3 items) to hide their glow, glint, or sound, making transport easier. Treasure left on land remains, but items dropped in water sink after about 5 minutes (except Trade Good Crates). Sailing as Trading Company Emissaries grants Emissary Grade Reputation when picking up relevant Treasure, with additional Reputation gained when placing items on the ship. These increases are given only upon the first claim of a Treasure item.

Types of Treasure Items: Treasure items are categorized by the Trading Company that purchases them. Within the Gold Hoarders, Order of Souls, and Merchant Alliance, items are 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, with increased rewards and Emissary Value when sold as Gold Hoarder Emissaries.

• Treasure Chests: Unbreakable, locked chests sold to the Gold Hoarders. Found via Treasure Maps, Riddle Maps, Ancient Vaults, or randomly. Emit a White Glint. Types include Regular, Shipwrecked (damaged, found underwater/shipwrecks), Coral (found in Siren Shrines/Treasuries), Ashen (molten, found in The Devil's Roar, sell for double), Valuable (specific to Encounters), and Cursed (tied to locations/effects, very valuable).
• Artefacts: Smaller items found alone, in Treasure Chests, or Fortress Vaults. Emit a Golden Glint. Types include Regular Artefacts (trinkets, containers, ornaments made of metal/gems).