Revision 5

Smugglers Waters is the open-sea region that hosts the Smugglers of Port Royal's operating territory. Compared to Blackbeard Waters, the baseline danger is lower, but the region is not a safe zone. Blackbeard patrols push into it, smuggler-hostile bounty encounters occur, and specific side-quest chains route through it. The region is particularly relevant for any playthrough that leans on contraband trade, currency exchange, or heavy-plate armor unlocks.

Summary

Why Players Come Here

• Contraband trading. The Smugglers are the only faction that deals in both Piastre and Guineas, and their Provisioner exchanges currency at a preferred rate for high-value artifact submissions.

• Hull upgrade plans. The Smugglers of Port Royal Provisioner sells Keelhold, Iron Resolve, and Standfast plans at Reputation Tier 2 for 300 Piastre each.

• Naval Tactics unlocks. Naval Tactics I through V are sold by the same Provisioner at Reputation Tier 3 for 500 Piastre each.

• Heavy-plate armor sets. Conquistador's and Pikeman's Armor plans are sold at Reputation Tier 2 for 300 Piastre each.

• The Underground Network quest chain physically routes through Smugglers Waters as part of its investigation steps.

Vendor Plans Quick Reference

Everything worth grinding reputation for routes through the Smugglers of Port Royal Provisioner at the hidden base. Smuggler reputation climbs through tiers at 0, 100, 400, and 1000 standing, and the plans below unlock at the listed tier.

Payment is in Piastre. The Smugglers also deal in Guineas, their premium currency, which is where high-value artifact submissions come in handy at the same vendor.

Encounters

Smugglers Waters carries lighter hostile spawns than Blackbeard Waters, but not zero. Expect:

• Independent pirate patrols. Small Ketch or Brig formations that are not Blackbeard-aligned but are hostile on sight.

• Blackbeard incursion fleets. Occasional scripted or semi-random Blackbeard squadrons push into the edges of the region from Blackbeard Waters. The incursions climb in difficulty as main-story progress unlocks higher-tier Blackbeard hulls.

• Merchant escorts. Neutral trade ships that offer Boarding Combat opportunities with mid-rarity loot. Attacking merchant ships reduces standing with the affected faction if the player has registered reputation with them.

• Weather-tied spawns. Heavier storm events can bring in temporarily aggressive patrols that do not normally traffic the region.

Navigation Tips

• Keep a light hull until the Smuggler Reputation grind is complete. A player Ketch is fast enough to reach the hidden base and back without needing a full Brig loadout, which saves the Rigging and Navigational Instruments stockpile for a later Frigate build.

• Carry Gunroom Grog for trade runs through Blackbeard incursion zones. The 15% reload buff turns a close chase into a survivable engagement.

• Watch for rumor-note drops in Tortuga taverns. Smuggler-facing rumor chains point to specific Smugglers Waters POIs that are otherwise difficult to find.

See Also

• Smugglers of Port Royal the controlling faction

• Smugglers Main Base the hidden hub accessible through this region

• Underground Network the faction-introduction quest chain

• Keelhold headline hull-mod sold by the local Provisioner

• Naval Tactics the five Tier 3 abilities sold here

• Blackbeard Waters adjacent hostile region