Pirates preparing for high-stakes adventures, Sea of Thieves introduces a covert expansion called The Smugglers' League, promising lucrative voyages for the bravest seafarers.
Sea of Thieves, the popular pirate-themed game developed by Rare, has unveiled its latest season, titled Smugglers' Tide. This season introduces a new faction, The Smugglers’ League, and a host of exciting gameplay elements that promise to reshape the player's experience.
The Smugglers’ League and Hideouts
The Smugglers’ League has established six secret hideouts across various islands. Players can locate these hidden bases, navigating through traps and rivals, to begin smuggling operations and earn gold by selling contraband goods.
Smugglers’ Route Run Voyages
Season 17 introduces Smugglers’ Route Run Voyages, on-demand voyages from the Quest Table. These voyages require players to covertly transport high-value and fragile goods like paintings, alcohol, and the new Black Powder Barrels along a marked—but dangerous—route on the ship’s map. Rival crews may lie in ambush along these treacherous pathways.
Black Powder Barrels
A powerful new explosive item, Black Powder Barrels deal greater damage and have a wider blast radius than Stronghold Kegs. They are carried upright, making them easier targets, but are more durable and can be used strategically or as risky cargo on smuggling runs. Players can sell these to the Smugglers’ League at their hideouts for rewards.
Messages in a Bottle
Outside of the volcanic Devil's Roar region, any message in a bottle can now offer secret Smugglers’ Route Runs following hidden routes, providing opportunities for lucrative smuggling voyages.
Smuggler Shipwrecks
New shipwrecks containing valuable and never-before-seen treasures are scattered across the ocean floor. Players can dive to recover these artifacts and return them to Smugglers’ League contacts for rewards.
New Pirate Profiles System
The season offers a new Pirate Profiles System, allowing players to create extra pirate profiles to start fresh characters without affecting their original character's progress, enabling multiple independent gameplay experiences.
Additional Content and Progression
The season offers 100 new Renown levels with associated rewards, a new optional Plunder Pass, and a series of commendations related to Smugglers’ League interactions. Future Acts in the season (scheduled for September and October) will introduce heists and more content expansion.
Gameplay Impact
The Smugglers’ League brings a more clandestine and high-risk smuggling dynamic into the game, rewarding stealth, route planning, and strategic use of explosive cargo. This makes Season 17 an evolving sandbox adventure focused on covert operations and treasure hunting.
These new gameplay elements enrich Sea of Thieves by adding fresh challenges, secretive factions, and high-stakes cargo smuggling that will reshape player interactions and exploration in Season 17.
[1] Sea of Thieves Official Website
[2] Sea of Thieves Wiki
[3] PC Gamer
[4] Rare Ltd.
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