Are Ashen Chests More Valuable? A Deep Dive into Sea of Thieves’ Fiery Treasures
The short answer: Yes, Ashen Chests are generally more valuable than regular treasure chests in Sea of Thieves. However, the full picture is more nuanced, involving factors like how you choose to sell your loot, and what specific rewards you are looking for. This article will break down why Ashen Chests are coveted by pirates and how to maximize their worth, along with answering some of the most common questions players have about these fiery containers.
Understanding Ashen Chests and Their Contents
Ashen Chests are a unique type of treasure found in Sea of Thieves, distinguished by their fiery appearance and the fact that they require a specific key – the Ashen Key – to open. Unlike regular chests which are unlocked simply by picking them up, Ashen Chests contain significantly more valuable loot. These chests aren’t merely containers for gold and trinkets; they are gateways to precious Ashen Tomes, doubloons, and other valuable items.
Inside each Ashen Chest, you will typically find three treasure items. These usually include:
- Valuable trinkets and skulls: These can be sold to various trading companies for gold and reputation.
- Pouches of Gold and Doubloons: These resources are immediately added to your pirate’s coffers.
- Ashen Tomes: These are the most sought-after items, necessary for unlocking commendations, obtaining Doubloons, and purchasing cosmetic items.
The presence of Ashen Tomes alone is a major reason why these chests are considered more valuable, as these tomes not only contribute to wealth, but also unlock cosmetics and commendations.
How to Maximize the Value of Ashen Chests
While the contents of an Ashen Chest are usually more valuable than regular chests, understanding how to sell them for the highest returns is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of the best strategies:
Selling to the Reaper’s Bones
The Reaper’s Bones faction, located at The Reaper’s Hideout, is the optimal choice for selling Ashen Chests and their contents. When sold to The Servant of the Flame at the Reaper’s Hideout, these chests receive significant multipliers for Doubloons, Reputation, and Emissary Value when sailing as a Graded Reaper’s Bones Emissary.
This bonus doesn’t just apply to the chest itself, but also to everything inside it, including the Ashen Tomes, trinkets, and skulls. Therefore, selling all Ashen Chest loot to the Reaper’s Bones is almost always the most profitable option in terms of total value.
Why Not the Gold Hoarders?
While the Gold Hoarders will accept Ashen Chests, they offer a standard price without any special multipliers. This results in significantly lower rewards compared to selling to the Reaper’s Bones. The same principle applies to any item found within the chest. While a player may choose to sell other loot to Gold Hoarders, doing so with loot from Ashen Chests will be a significant decrease in potential value and rewards.
What About the Ashen Tomes?
Ashen Tomes can be sold to two different factions:
- The Bilge Rats: Selling to the Bilge Rats at any Tavern yields a fixed amount of 10 doubloons per tome. This is a quick and easy option for a small payout if you don’t intend to maximize the value.
- Reaper’s Bones: As with the chests themselves, selling Ashen Tomes to the Reaper’s Bones results in higher Doubloon rewards, Reputation, and Emissary Value, particularly when you are a graded Emissary. This will often yield significantly higher rewards than selling to Bilge Rats.
For maximum profit and progression, the Reaper’s Bones are generally the best place to sell all Ashen Tome. Keep in mind that selling Ashen Tomes for the first time, and completing sets will allow players to purchase Ashen Dragon Cosmetics from Outpost shops.
Comparing Ashen Chests to Collector’s Chests
It is important to note, that while most of the time an Ashen Chest will provide a greater value of loot, Collector’s Chests can contain a variety of different items and on occasion may provide more value in gold and general loot. However, Ashen Chests contain Ashen Tomes which will always make them desirable as they provide commendations and allow players to unlock cosmetics, which Collector’s Chests cannot do.
Finding Ashen Chests and Keys
To maximize your returns, you’ll need to find Ashen Chests and their corresponding Ashen Keys. Here’s a quick guide:
- Ashen Chests: These chests can be found randomly on islands, as part of emergent quests, or within Skeleton Forts.
- Ashen Keys: These keys are also found in several ways:
- Emergent Skeleton Captains: Roaming the shorelines of Islands, these captain’s have a chance to drop Ashen Keys upon defeat.
- Skeleton Forts: These also have a chance to drop Ashen Keys during the second boss wave.
- Chance Spawns: A key may also simply spawn while a player is exploring the islands of Sea of Thieves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ashen Chests are more valuable due to their unique contents, especially the Ashen Tomes, and the increased rewards they provide when sold to the Reaper’s Bones. While the occasional Collector’s Chest might contain a larger amount of tradable gold items, the Ashen Chest provides access to exclusive commendations and cosmetics, making them highly coveted. By understanding where to find these chests and keys, and choosing the Reaper’s Bones as your selling faction, you can significantly boost your earnings and progression in Sea of Thieves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you further understand Ashen Chests:
1. What is an Ashen Key used for?
Ashen Keys are specifically used to open Ashen Chests. Without a key, you cannot access the valuable loot inside, including Ashen Tomes.
2. Where can I find Ashen Keys?
Ashen Keys can be found by defeating Emergent Skeleton Captains on islands, within Skeleton Forts (especially during the second boss wave), or as a chance spawn while exploring the Islands.
3. Can I sell Ashen Chests to the Gold Hoarders?
Yes, you can sell Ashen Chests to the Gold Hoarders, but it is not recommended. You will get significantly less value compared to selling them at the Reaper’s Hideout.
4. Are Ashen Tomes worth anything?
Yes, Ashen Tomes can be sold to the Bilge Rats for 10 doubloons each, or to the Reaper’s Bones for much higher value. They are also used to unlock commendations and cosmetics in the game.
5. What are the Ashen Dragon Set Cosmetics?
The Ashen Dragon Set includes cosmetic items that can be purchased from Outpost shops. These items are unlocked by completing commendations relating to each set of Ashen Tomes.
6. Can I keep an Ashen Key in my inventory?
No, Ashen Keys cannot be kept in your inventory. You have to drop it in the world using X (on PC) or the equivalent on your chosen platform.
7. What is the rarest treasure in Sea of Thieves?
The Box of Wondrous Secrets is considered one of the rarest treasures in Sea of Thieves.
8. How much is an Ashen Skull worth?
The Ashen Winds Skull is worth between 2,000 to 5,000 gold, with its value depending on the amount of charge left within.
9. Who should I sell Ashen Skulls to?
Ashen Skulls can be sold to the Order of Souls at any Outpost, or the Reaper’s Bones for increased value as an Emissary.
10. What do you get for selling Ashen Tomes for the first time?
Selling each individual Ashen Tome for the first time unlocks their corresponding commendation, and allows players to purchase the Ashen Dragon Set Cosmetics.
11. How do you get the Hat of the Ashen Dragon?
The Hat of the Ashen Dragon is purchased from the General Clothing Shop. This requires that the player has acquired The Tome of Curses I commendation.
12. Can you open an Ashen Marauder’s Chest with an Ashen Key?
No, the Ashen Marauder’s Chest requires a Skeleton Key, not an Ashen Key. These chests are opened by the Gold Hoarders.
13. Can you open an Ashen Seafarer’s Chest with an Ashen Key?
No, the Ashen Seafarer’s Chest also requires a Skeleton Key held by the Gold Hoarders to open.
14. How do I spawn an Ashen Key Master?
Ashen Key Masters spawn as Emergent Skeleton Captains, at Skeleton Forts during the second boss wave, and as random spawns when exploring Islands.
15. What is the highest paying loot in Sea of Thieves?
The Reaper’s Bounty Treasure Chest is one of the highest paying loot items in the game. It can be worth a significant amount of gold when sold at the Reaper’s Hideout, especially when sailing as a Reaper Emissary at a high grade.