You've spent hours sailing. Your ship is full of skulls, merchant crates, and those common Captain's Chests that honestly don't feel that special anymore. Then, you hear about it—the Chest of Ancient Tributes. It’s the kind of loot that makes a session feel worth the effort. But let’s be real: most players just stumble around the Shores of Plenty hoping for luck, when there is a very specific, somewhat sweaty process to actually getting one of these things. It isn't just about digging. It’s about solving a puzzle before a literal timer drowns you in a locked room.
What is the Chest of Ancient Tributes Anyway?
Basically, this is the crown jewel of the Gold Hoarders. It’s not just some shiny box you find sitting on a beach or tucked away in a random shipwreck. Introduced back in the Vaults of the Ancients update, this chest represents the highest tier of treasure you can pull out of a Treasure Vault.
Look at it. It’s covered in gold leaf, Aztec-style carvings, and glowing gems. It looks expensive because it is. On a base level, you’re looking at roughly 3,400 to 3,900 gold. If you’re running a Grade V Gold Hoarder Emissary flag—which you absolutely should be if you’re doing this—that value jumps up significantly, often netting you over 8,000 to 9,000 gold for a single item. That’s a lot of grog.
But it’s more than the money. For completionists, it’s about the "Seeker of Ancient Vaults" commendation. You need to sell 50 of these to unlock the Ancient Vault Sails. Fifty. That is a massive grind, and if you don't know the mechanics of the Vault Wayfinder voyages, you’re going to waste a lot of time sailing in circles.
The Ritual of the Wayfinder Compass
You can't just stumble onto a Chest of Ancient Tributes. You have to be invited—sorta. You need to head to any Gold Hoarder representative at an Outpost and buy a Treasure Vault Voyage. Note that your rank matters here. If you’re a low-level pirate, you’re going to get a Stone Vault Key. Stone keys are fine, but they don't guarantee the big prize. You want the Gold Vault Keys, which usually start appearing once you’ve leveled up your reputation significantly.
Once you propose the voyage, you get a Golden Wayfinder compass. This thing doesn't point North. It points toward torn map fragments.
You follow the needle. You dig. You find a piece of paper. You do it again.
Sometimes you get lucky and the map shows the island location after just two pieces. Other times, the game decides to be a jerk and makes you find all six. Once the map is complete, there will be a red 'X'. That 'X' marks the spot for the Vault Key.
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Cracking the Vault: Where the Stress Happens
The key tells you which island to go to. It could be Kraken’s Fall, Mermaid’s Hideaway, or even the dreaded Devil’s Ridge. When you get there, you have to find the vault entrance. They’re hidden behind rocks or inside caves. You place the key on a small stone pedestal, and the wall literally opens up.
This is where things get fast.
You have roughly three minutes once the door opens. Inside, there are piles of gold and several chests, but the Chest of Ancient Tributes is locked behind a puzzle in the center of the room. You’ll see four pillars with symbols on them. You need to find three medallions hidden around the room—usually tucked on high ledges or behind wooden scaffolding—and bring them to the central table.
Each medallion reveals a symbol on the table’s stone map.
- Medallion one: First pillar.
- Medallion two: Second pillar.
- Medallion three: Third pillar.
- The fourth pillar? You have to guess.
Actually, you don't really guess. The fourth pillar is a combination of the first three symbols. If you have a shark, a crown, and a diamond, the fourth pillar will likely show a symbol containing all three of those elements. If you solve it in time, a secret compartment opens. There it is. The chest.
If you fail? The door slams shut. Water pours in. You drown. Your shipmates laugh at you while the treasure stays locked away forever. It’s brutal.
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Why People Mess This Up
Most crews fail because they get greedy. They see the piles of gold on the floor and start clicking. Don't do that. The gold on the floor is "pocket change." The Chest of Ancient Tributes is the priority.
One person should be dedicated to finding medallions immediately. The other two (if you're on a brig or gallie) should be grabbing the smaller chests and dropping them just outside the vault door. You can pick them up later. If you wait until the door starts closing to move your loot, you're going to lose half of it.
I’ve seen so many players get trapped inside because they wanted to grab one last pile of gold coins. It's not worth it. The chest is the prize. Everything else is a bonus.
The Long Game: Commendations and Rewards
Selling the Chest of Ancient Tributes isn't just about the immediate gold hit. It's about the Hoarder of Ancient Tributes commendation.
- Grade 1: Sell 1 chest.
- Grade 5: Sell 50 chests.
Doing this unlocks the Ancient Vault Sails, which are some of the most "I know what I'm doing" cosmetics in the game. They glow. They look prestigious. People see those sails and know you've survived the vaults fifty times over.
Also, keep in mind that these chests can be sold to the Reaper’s Bone at the Reaper’s Hideout. You get the same gold and reputation, but you risk being tracked on the map. If you're looking for a quick sell and aren't worried about a fight, it’s an option. But for the commendations related to the Gold Hoarders, you have to sell them to the green-tinted guys at the outposts.
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Strategies for Solo Sailors
Doing a vault solo is a nightmare. It's possible, but it’s high-stress. If you're alone, you basically have to ignore the loose gold entirely. Focus 100% on the medallions. Solve the puzzle, grab the Chest of Ancient Tributes, and get it out of the door.
If you have extra time, grab the Captain’s Chests. But honestly, as a solo player, the risk of the door closing on you is much higher because you're doing the work of three people. Park your ship close. Check the horizon for Reaper ships before you go underground. There is nothing worse than coming up from a vault with a chest in hand only to see your ship sinking because a stray skeleton ship or a bored player decided to take a few shots at your hull.
Actionable Tips for Your Next Session
To maximize your efficiency and ensure you actually walk away with the loot, follow these steps:
- Emissary First: Always raise the Gold Hoarder Emissary flag before starting the voyage. The multiplier is the difference between a "fine" payout and a "massive" one.
- Skip the Fragments: If you recognize the island on the map after finding only two or three fragments, stop looking for them. Head straight to the island. It saves 15-20 minutes of sailing.
- The "Drop" Method: Don't carry chests all the way to the ship while the vault is open. Just drop them outside the stone door. You have all the time in the world to move them to the ship once the vault is officially sealed.
- Puzzle Priority: Solve the pillar puzzle within the first 60 seconds. If you can't find the third medallion, start brute-forcing the fourth pillar by rotating it and checking the button. There are only a few combinations.
- Check the Ceiling: Sometimes medallions spawn on high beams that require a bit of parkour. Don't just look at eye level.
Get out there, get your key, and don't let the door hit you on the way out. Literally. It kills you.
Next Steps for Players:
Start by reaching Level 25 with the Gold Hoarders to unlock the higher-tier Vault Voyages. Once you have a Gold Key, head to a large island like Devil's Ridge or Crescent Isle, where the vault layouts are more forgiving for beginners. Focus on the puzzle first to secure the chest, then work on the commendation grind for the Ancient Vault Sails.