Unlock The Secrets Of Sea Of Thieves Ancient Vaults
The allure of hidden treasure is a cornerstone of the pirate life, and in Sea of Thieves, few locations embody that allure more than the Ancient Vaults. These mysterious chambers, scattered across the map, hold untold riches and valuable artifacts, but accessing them requires more than just a shovel and a dream. This guide will arm you with the knowledge you need to successfully navigate these challenges and claim the rewards within. We'll cover everything from finding the voyages to solving the puzzles and escaping with your loot.
Get ready to test your pirate skills and unlock the secrets of the Ancient Vaults!
1. Embarking on the Vault Voyage: Choosing the Right Quest
Before you can plunder an Ancient Vault, you'll need a voyage that leads you to one. These voyages are offered by the Gold Hoarders trading company, and are called "Gold Hoarder Voyages." You'll need to be at least reputation level 25 with the Gold Hoarders to purchase the basic Ancient Vault voyages. Higher reputation levels unlock more challenging and rewarding voyages.
There are a few key things to consider when selecting your voyage:
- Difficulty: Voyages are rated by difficulty, usually represented by the number of X's on the voyage scroll. Higher difficulty voyages feature more complex puzzles and greater rewards.
- Island Location: The voyage description will hint at the general region where the vault is located. Consider the potential for player encounters in that region. Popular areas like The Shores of Plenty might be more dangerous than the Ancient Isles.
- Time Commitment: Ancient Vault voyages can take a considerable amount of time, especially if you're new to them. Factor this into your gameplay session.
Tip: Don't be afraid to start with easier voyages to learn the mechanics and puzzle types before tackling the more challenging ones.
2. Deciphering the Map and Finding the Totem
Once you've purchased the voyage, the real adventure begins. The voyage will lead you to an island where you'll find a map. This map will have a red "X" marking the location of the totem. The totem is a key that unlocks the Ancient Vault. It's crucial to find the totem quickly, as other players may be searching for it as well.
Here's how to effectively locate the totem:
- Island Reconnaissance: Upon arriving at the island, take a moment to survey the landscape. Look for prominent landmarks that match the map.
- Map Comparison: Compare the map to your surroundings. Pay attention to the shape of the island, the position of hills, rocks, and other distinctive features.
- Dig Site: Once you believe you've located the correct spot, use your shovel to dig. The totem will be buried beneath the sand.
Common Mistake: Many pirates waste time digging randomly around the island. Take your time to accurately match the map to the environment.
3. Locating the Ancient Vault: A Totem's Tale
With the totem in hand, your next task is to find the Ancient Vault. The vault's location is not marked on a map. Instead, you must use the totem itself to reveal its location. Each totem is associated with a specific type of animal (Boar, Snake, Moon, Scarab, Crab, and Shark). Each animal corresponds to a specific island.
- Boar Totem: Devil's Ridge
- Snake Totem: Crooked Masts
- Moon Totem: Crescent Isle
- Scarab Totem: Discovery Ridge
- Crab Totem: Uncharted Island (I-12)
- Shark Totem: Kraken's Fall
Sail to the island associated with your totem.
4. Unlocking the Vault Door: A Test of Wit
Once you've arrived at the correct island, you'll need to locate the Ancient Vault door. These doors are usually hidden in plain sight, often disguised as part of the natural rock formations. Look for a large stone door with a keyhole shaped to match your totem.
Insert the totem into the keyhole. This will trigger a mechanism that opens the vault door, revealing the entrance to the Ancient Vault.
Warning: Inserting the totem will alert nearby players with a loud sound. Be prepared for potential ambushes.
5. Solving the Puzzle: The Key to Riches
Inside the Ancient Vault, you'll find a central table and four rotating stone blocks, each displaying different symbols. This is the puzzle that stands between you and the treasure. To solve the puzzle, you must rotate the blocks to match the symbols shown on the walls around the room.
Here's how to approach the puzzle:
- Symbol Identification: Carefully examine the symbols on the walls. Each wall will have a different symbol.
- Block Rotation: Rotate the stone blocks until the correct symbol is displayed on each block.
- Time Limit: Once you've solved the puzzle, the vault door will begin to close, and water will start to flood the chamber. You must quickly collect the treasure before the vault is completely submerged.
Tip: Assign roles within your crew. One person can focus on identifying the symbols, while others rotate the blocks. Communication is key.
6. Claiming Your Rewards: A Pirate's Bounty
With the puzzle solved, the vault will reveal its treasures. You'll find a variety of valuable items, including:
- Gold Hoarder's Chests: These chests are the primary reward for completing the voyage.
- Artifacts: Ancient artifacts that can be sold to the Merchant Alliance.
- Gems: Valuable gems that can be sold to the Mysterious Stranger at any tavern.
- Skulls: Bounty skulls that can be sold to the Order of Souls.
Quickly gather the treasure and load it onto your ship.
7. Escaping the Vault: A Race Against Time
As the water level rises, you'll need to escape the vault before it's completely flooded. The vault door will remain open for a limited time, allowing you to escape with your loot.
- Prioritize Loot: Focus on collecting the most valuable items first.
- Teamwork: Work together to carry the treasure to your ship.
- Be Aware: Keep an eye out for other players who may be waiting to ambush you as you exit the vault.
Important: If you fail to escape before the vault is flooded, you'll drown and lose any treasure you haven't managed to carry out.
8. Selling Your Loot: A Pirate's Profit
Once you've successfully escaped the Ancient Vault, sail to the nearest outpost and sell your loot to the appropriate trading companies. The Gold Hoarders will buy your chests, the Merchant Alliance will buy your artifacts, the Order of Souls will buy your skulls, and the Mysterious Stranger will buy your gems.
Selling your loot will earn you gold and increase your reputation with the corresponding trading companies. This will unlock access to more challenging and rewarding voyages, including more Ancient Vault voyages.
Conclusion: Becoming a Vault Master
Unlocking the secrets of Sea of Thieves Ancient Vaults requires a combination of skill, strategy, and teamwork. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a master vault raider. Remember to choose your voyages wisely, decipher the maps carefully, solve the puzzles efficiently, and always be aware of your surroundings. With practice and perseverance, you'll be able to claim the riches that lie hidden within these mysterious chambers and become a legend on the Sea of Thieves. Now get out there, pirate, and claim your fortune!