Plundering is one of the most exhilarating aspects of being a pirate in Skull and Bones. It allows you to raid settlements, resource camps, and other locations to gather loot, but it's not just about gathering treasure-you'll also need to fend off enemy reinforcements and defend your crew. In this guide, we'll walk you through how to successfully plunder loot, select the right locations, and ensure you can manage reinforcements while gathering your spoils.

How to Choose a Place to Plunder

Before you embark on a plunder, you need to select the right location. Skull and Bones has various settlements and resource camps scattered across the map, but not all of them are created equal. Here's how to choose the best target for plundering:

Map Overview:

Open your world map and look for icons that indicate a location you can plunder, such as settlements, resource camps, or enemy hideouts.

Hover over a location on the map to bring up an info sheet. The sheet will display important details such as:

Loot available: This can include valuable items, resources, and weapons you'll gain by completing the plunder.

Recommended ship level: This is crucial for ensuring you're not biting off more than you can chew. Locations have enemy ships and guard towers around the recommended ship level, so avoid plundering too high-level areas if your ship is under-equipped.

Spyglass:

Use the spyglass while sailing to get a detailed view of plunderable locations and check for nearby threats like guard towers, enemy ships, and other obstacles.

The spyglass will also help you spot loot containers and vulnerable parts of the settlement, making it easier to plan your approach.

How to Start the Plunder

Once you've found a plunderable location, it's time to engage and start gathering loot. Here's how to initiate the plunder:

Getting Within Range:

Sail your ship close to the location you intend to plunder. When you are within the designated range, you'll have the option to begin plundering.

Hold the button (check control prompts for your platform) to start the plundering process. This will trigger your crew to begin looting the settlement.

Plundering Guard Towers:

If the location has guard towers, you can target and destroy them directly. Doing so will automatically start the plunder, bypassing the need to be within range to manually trigger it.

Guard towers are critical in defending the settlement, and taking them down will weaken the location's defenses, making it easier for your crew to gather loot.

Loot Progression During Plunder

As your crew begins plundering, you'll notice a gold progress bar at the top of the screen. This progress bar indicates how far along you are in the plunder, with each treasure chest representing a step toward completion. Here's what you need to know about loot progression:

Treasure Chests:

Each time the progress bar reaches a new chest, you'll gain a portion of the loot. This means you don't have to complete the entire plunder to start gathering rewards.

The further along you go, the better the loot, so be strategic about how you approach the plunder.

Enemy Reinforcements:

With each chest collected, expect new enemy ships to appear, attempting to thwart your plunder.

Guard towers may also respawn after a certain amount of time, adding to the difficulty. You'll need to be prepared to deal with these reinforcements to continue plundering.

Progress Reset:

If you take too long to plunder or are overwhelmed by enemies, the plunder progress can reset. Make sure to defend your crew and manage reinforcements to keep the plunder going.

Dealing with Reinforcements and Guard Towers

Plundering is not a simple task, and your crew will need your help to fend off reinforcements. Here's how to manage the growing threats:

Fending Off Enemy Ships:

As enemy ships approach, you'll need to use your ship's cannons and other weapons to destroy them before they can interrupt your plunder.

It's often wise to focus on taking down enemy ships before continuing to gather loot. If you're overwhelmed, consider retreating temporarily to regroup and resupply.

Dealing with Respawning Guard Towers:

Guard towers will respawn after a period, so you'll need to prioritize either destroying them again or making sure your crew is safe from their attacks.

You can destroy multiple guard towers during the plunder to make the process smoother, but be mindful of your resources and time.

Call for Help Mechanic

If you find yourself struggling with the plunder or facing overwhelming enemies, Skull and Bones provides a way to get help:

Call for Help:

While you're at the plundering location, you can use the Call for Help mechanic. Hold a button (check control prompts for your platform) to notify other players in the world that you need assistance.

Other players can come to your aid, helping you fend off enemy ships and taking down guard towers. Be aware that this feature relies on other players being nearby and willing to assist.

Teamwork and Plundering:

In multiplayer, teamwork can make plundering significantly easier. Coordinate with your allies to divide the responsibilities of defending the crew, dealing with reinforcements, and taking down key structures.

This cooperative approach can drastically increase the speed and success of your plunder.

How to Maximize Loot During Plundering

To get the best loot possible from plundering, consider the following tips:

Prioritize High-Value Targets:

Check the loot list for the plunderable location before committing. Some locations may offer more valuable or rare items, so focus on these higher-value targets for the best rewards.

Upgrade Your Ship for Speed and Defense:

Having a ship equipped with faster sails and stronger armor will help you plunder efficiently. You'll be able to gather loot faster and deal with reinforcements without wasting resources.

Gather Resources Before Starting:

Before embarking on a plunder, stock up on resources like food, repair kits, and ammunition to avoid running low during the process.

Stay Mobile:

Make sure to maneuver your ship to avoid getting caught in a bad position during combat. Always look for ways to use terrain and environmental hazards to your advantage while plundering.

Conclusion

Plundering in Skull and Bones is not just about gathering treasure; it's a tactical and strategic endeavor that can significantly impact your progress as a pirate. The key to success lies in choosing the right locations, managing enemy reinforcements, and leveraging resources like ship upgrades, food, and the Call for Help mechanic. By staying adaptive, focusing on high-value loot, and ensuring your ship is equipped for both offense and defense, you can maximize the amount of Skull and Bones items and Skull and Bones silver you collect during each plunder.