How to do the 'Ship of Thieves' Commendation in Sea of Thieves' A Pirate's Life Tall Tale - Rare Thief (2024)

Wondering how to earn the commendation ‘Ship of Thieves’? Glad you’re here, me hearty!

‘Ship of Thieves’ belongs to a series of six commendations, which must be completed sequentially in one grand adventure!

The series includes the following commendations, in this order:

1. A Powerful Thirst
2. Raising the Dead
3. Treasure for the Dead
4. Ship of Thieves
5. Secret of the Grave
6. The Crew of the Headless Monkey

Aye, you must first complete ‘A Powerful Thirst,’ ‘Raising the Dead,’ and ‘Treasure for the Dead’—in this same session at sea.

Otherwise, you’ll run into two problems, preventing you from completing ‘Ship of Thieves’: (1) you won’t have one critical item, and (2) you won’t be able to place another critical item.

So, if you have not done so already, make sure you’ve completed the objective for those first three commendations. Then sail back here, and we’ll get you on your way.

If you have already completed the objectives for all three commendations in this sailing session, let’s begin!

This commendation picks up right where you ended ‘Treasure for the Dead’—meaning you’ve just given Poor Dougie his chest.

Stick around. Soon enough, Poor Dougie will give you something in return.

Alas! We’re finally bringing the Cursed Captain along on our journey!

If you’re adventuring with a crew, you can send one crewmate to go pick up the Cursed Captain and meet you at the gambling den.

If you’re adventuring all on your own, bring Poor Dougie’s Medallion to the gambling den, and just set it on the ground to free up your hands. Then go get the Cursed Captain, and bring him into den.

Whether you’re the pirate holding the Cursed Captain or not, you’ll likely want to be present when he enters the gambling den. He’ll have plenty to say!

You’ve already found the gambling den once before. Remember: just outside the tavern there’s a wooden footpath leading to the back of the halved ship. That’s where you’ll find the gambling den.

Don’t worry. It’s the Cursed Captain who fancies playing a game of Chess. Ah, but if you bring the Cursed Captain over to the table you see that a buy-in is required.

Bring Poor Dougie’s Medallion over to the table, and you’ll see the prompt, “Place.”

Now that you’ve placed the Medallion on the table, you can place the Cursed Captain the headless skeleton.

Looking at the table, it seems the other skeleton wagered a key. Soon enough, the game is over, and that key is yours.

This key belongs to a locked captain’s cabin filled with gold.

You’ve actually already encountered the Ship of Thieves at least twice while exploring Sailor’s Grave: once while rescuing the Cursed Captain, and once when fetching Captain Bones’ Special Recipe.

Here’s the quickest way back to that ship.

Take the Ship’s Key, and make your way back to the Cursed Captain’s cage. Standing at that cage, equip your compass, and face north-by-northwest.

You’ll see two green torches on either side of a path that leads under some scaffolding. Pass between those torches, and follow the path.

The path will curve a little left, then turn a little right. When you emerge from under the scaffolding you’ll see a pulley on your left.

Use that pulley to get to the scaffolding above.

Up on that scaffolding, you’ll find the captain’s cabin you seek. Simply use the Ship’s Key to unlock the door.

Then help yourself to the piles and pouches of gold inside!

Well done, me hearties! You opened the door to the locked ship in Sailor’s Grave! Shortly after unlocking that door, you should see yourself rewarded with the commendation: ‘Ship of Thieves’—in addition to a tidy little sum of gold.

You’ve only got two commendations left in this series: ‘Secret of the Grave’ and ‘The Crew of the Headless Monkey.’

If you’re considering completing the remaining commendations at a later date, remember:

Only then, will you be able to continue to the commendation ‘Secret of the Grave.’

Aye, seeing as there are only two commendations left, you likely want to continue on your way!

You’ll find your instructions for ‘Secret of the Grave’ here: How to do the Secret of the Grave Commendation.

How to do the Secret of the Grave Commendation