Burning Blade Sea Of Thieves – How To Find This Rare Ship

The Sea of Thieves is a vast and unpredictable world filled with adventure, treasure, and of course, other pirates. Among the many threats and opportunities that await, one encounter stands out as particularly challenging and rewarding: the Burning Blade. This spectral ship, captained by the infamous Captain Flameheart, offers a unique and thrilling experience for seasoned pirates. But finding the Burning Blade isn't as simple as sailing in a straight line. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know to locate and engage this formidable foe.

The Burning Blade encounter is a world event, meaning it spawns randomly across the Sea of Thieves map. It's not always active, and its presence is determined by the game. Unlike static locations or predictable routes, you'll need to actively seek it out. This guide will break down the steps to find the Burning Blade, prepare for the fight, and hopefully, claim the spoils of victory.

Step 1: Identifying an Active World Event

Before you even set sail, you need to know if the Burning Blade world event is active. Here's how:

  • Look at the Sky: The most obvious indicator is the sky. When the Burning Blade is active, you'll see a massive, fiery tornado swirling in the distance. This tornado is visible from almost anywhere on the map, making it your primary beacon.
  • Check the Map Table: Head to the map table on your ship. Active world events are usually marked with a unique icon. The Burning Blade is represented by a fiery skull or a ship engulfed in flames. If you see this icon, you know the event is live.
  • Listen for Audio Cues: As you sail closer to the Burning Blade, you'll start hearing distinct audio cues. These include the sounds of roaring flames, ghostly voices, and the general cacophony of a spectral fleet.

Important Note: Only one world event can be active at a time in a region. If you see another world event marker on your map, such as a Skeleton Fleet or a Fort of Fortune, the Burning Blade will not be active in that region.

Step 2: Locating the Burning Blade

Once you've confirmed that the Burning Blade is active, it's time to pinpoint its exact location.

  • Navigate Towards the Tornado: The fiery tornado is your guiding light. Set your sails towards it and keep a close watch on the horizon.
  • Use Your Spyglass: As you approach the tornado, use your spyglass to get a clearer view. You should be able to make out the silhouette of the Burning Blade amidst the flames and spectral ships.
  • Watch for the Red Sea: The Burning Blade event often takes place near the edge of the map, close to the Red Sea. Be careful not to sail too far and risk your ship being destroyed by the Red Sea's wrath.
  • Pay Attention to the Surrounding Fleet: The Burning Blade is not alone. It's typically accompanied by a fleet of smaller ghost ships. These ships will attack you on sight, so be prepared for a fight even before you reach the main vessel.

Step 3: Preparing for the Encounter

The Burning Blade is not an easy fight. Proper preparation is key to success.

  • Stock Up on Supplies: Before engaging the Burning Blade, ensure you have ample supplies. This includes:
    • Cannonballs: Essential for damaging the Burning Blade and its fleet. Aim for the lower deck to cause flooding.
    • Wooden Planks: For repairing damage to your ship. The Burning Blade and its fleet can inflict significant damage quickly.
    • Bananas, Coconuts, Mangoes, Pineapples: For healing yourself after taking damage.
    • Firebombs: Surprisingly effective against ghost ships. Setting them ablaze can deal continuous damage.
    • Cursed Cannonballs: Especially useful. Peaceballs can stop the ghost ships from firing, while jigballs can cause chaos on their decks.
  • Choose Your Ship Wisely: A Galleon offers the most firepower and crew capacity, making it ideal for larger groups. A Brigantine provides a balance of speed and firepower, suitable for smaller groups. A Sloop is best for experienced solo players or duos who are confident in their skills.
  • Assign Roles: Before engaging, discuss roles with your crew. Designate someone to steer the ship, others to man the cannons, and someone to repair damage and bail water. Clear communication is crucial.
  • Understand the Burning Blade's Attacks: The Burning Blade has several unique attacks:
    • Spectral Fire: The ship can launch volleys of spectral fireballs that inflict heavy damage and set your ship ablaze.
    • Ghostly Ram: The Burning Blade can ram your ship, causing significant damage and potentially knocking crew members overboard.
    • Flameheart's Barrage: Captain Flameheart himself will occasionally unleash a powerful barrage of cannon fire from the ship.

Step 4: Engaging the Burning Blade

Now that you're prepared, it's time to engage the Burning Blade.

  • Maintain Distance: Avoid getting too close to the Burning Blade, especially early in the fight. This will allow you to dodge its ramming attacks and minimize the impact of its spectral fire.
  • Focus Fire on the Burning Blade: While dealing with the surrounding ghost ships is important, prioritize damaging the Burning Blade itself. Sinking the Burning Blade is the key to completing the event.
  • Use Cursed Cannonballs Strategically: Cursed cannonballs can be game-changers. Use them to disable enemy ships, disrupt their attacks, or create openings for your crew.
  • Repair and Bail Water Constantly: The Burning Blade and its fleet will inflict a lot of damage. Repairing holes and bailing water should be a continuous process throughout the fight.
  • Utilize Firebombs: Throw firebombs onto the decks of the ghost ships to set them ablaze. This will deal continuous damage and help you whittle down their health.
  • Boarding Tactics (Optional): If you're feeling brave, you can attempt to board the Burning Blade. This can be a risky maneuver, but it can also be highly effective. Use blunderbombs to clear the deck and eliminate enemy pirates.

Step 5: Claiming Your Rewards

Once you've sunk the Burning Blade, it will drop a significant amount of loot.

  • Collect the Treasure: The Burning Blade will drop a variety of valuable items, including:
    • Ashen Chests: These chests contain valuable artifacts and can be sold to the Merchant Alliance or the Gold Hoarders.
    • Ashen Keys: Used to open Ashen Chests.
    • Skulls of the Damned: Valuable skulls that can be sold to the Order of Souls.
    • Other Valuable Treasure: Keep an eye out for other valuable items, such as gems, trinkets, and artifacts.
  • Be Aware of Other Players: Sinking the Burning Blade will attract the attention of other players in the area. Be prepared to defend your loot from opportunistic pirates.
  • Sell Your Loot: Once you've collected all the treasure, head to the nearest Outpost and sell your loot to the appropriate trading companies.

Conclusion: The Thrill of the Hunt

Finding and defeating the Burning Blade in Sea of Thieves is a challenging but rewarding experience. It requires careful planning, coordination, and a healthy dose of courage. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to locate the Burning Blade, prepare for the fight, and claim the spoils of victory. Remember to work as a team, stay vigilant, and never give up. The Sea of Thieves is full of surprises, and the Burning Blade is just one of the many adventures that await. So, hoist the sails, gather your crew, and set out to find this rare ship. The thrill of the hunt and the promise of riches await!