Its very easy to make a chunky dent in the achievements for this game, some can be done right in the opening moments ({{Legends - "Cronch"}}, {{What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor?}}), and some more soon after setting sail for the first time ({{Handbrake Turn}}, {{Full Billow}} and others). There's a chunk of grinding to do (yay). And some still TBC as the game is so new...
As a fully open-world game there isn't really a campaign as such - so in the guide here we have defined 'Story' as 'do everything for the three trading companies and become a Pirate Legend ({{Become Pirate Legend}}).
The grind achievements are a grind, but they are unlocked as a consequence of getting commendations (i.e. unlocked at various points in the grind), so progress toward them isn't reported in the same way as a normal 'get X kills' type achievement. The achievements are all for the Grade 5 (highest) level for the category. These will take a good while to unlock them all (estimated 500+ hours).
Yes seriously that long, or more. Unless the game is adjusted to increase the drops rates for things (e.g. banana crates) or the achievement requirements are lowered then this is not a game it is reasonable to expect to 100%...
No achievements look to be missable, there's no difficulty setting - just set sail and enjoy!
Update: since 10th April 2018 all achievements are now unlocking correctly and any delayed/missing achievements you are entitled to should unlock the next time you enter the game.
Note; this is an online-only shared-world game. Most of it you can solo, but some achievements require that you engage with other players, including {{Dead Pirates DO Tell Tales}}, {{Did Everyone See That?}}, {{Friends Not Foe}}, {{Legends - "The Greatest Race of All Time!"}}, {{Legends - "This is Unacceptable!"}}, {{Legends - "The Skullduggers"}}, {{Tactical Chunder}}, {{I'm On A Whole New Adventure}}, and maybe {{Ignoring The Rules Of Engagement}}, {{How Appropriate! You Fight Like A Chicken}} and {{You Fight Like A Merchant}} as well.
Bonus for achievement hunters: is highly recommended that you use microphone to contact other players, this is a great way to boost up achievements that requiere you to act as foes (I've met other players that are willing to give you chest to help you with the achievement, you just need to tell them what achievement you want to do). another tip: always use flags that let know other players that can get near to talk with you about achievement or alliances. (remember is an open world game, so the first question i ask is to determine the language... just like real pirates)
Single and multi-player
Difficulty does NOT affect achievements
No missable achievements (plus 45 unknown)
Sign in with Steam or Xbox to track your progress, and:
Just like Griffin, your pirate kin, 'cronch' a banana and eat its skin!
You can get this right at the beginning of the game in the tavern - select the banana from your inventory and eat it...
Each new pirate greets the world with anchor raised and sails unfurled!
Unmissable, and awarded just for getting started in the game - but some reports of it taking time (up to 2 hours) for it to unlock...
To swiftly avoid a great danger you're dreading, steer hard and drop anchor to alter your heading!
Just do what it says on the tin. You can do this anytime you're sailing.
A Company's pleased and you've reason to revel if your Reputation increased by one level!
You'll get this pretty soon; completing the first initiation voyage for a faction will grant it.
Too many tankards of sweet, golden grog will first make you queasy, then sick as a dog…
You can do this right from the beginning of the game - you start in the tavern, select the tankard from your inventory and drink it. Then go to the bartender and get more. Rinse & repeat until you puke...
It takes 3-4 drinks to get this. And the drunken effects on screen are pretty convincing...
When you vomit, catch it in your bucket so you have some vomit ready for {{Tactical Chunder}}
So many voyages, but which one to do? Stow yours and vote for one placed by your crew.
You need to be in coop for this; with your crewmate putting a Voyage on the table for selection - vote for it and start to pop the achievement.
A skeleton cronches through thick yellow peel. Attack it and kill it before it can heal!
Cronch means eat. Skeletons may eat a banana to heal if they are injured. Kill one quick while it is doing this.
Some reports this isn't unlocking for everyone.
All sails with the wind, what time it saves when speeding across the ocean's waves!
Some reports (unconfirmed) that this can be glitchy, but you can attempt it anytime. Likely easiest solo so you can use the smaller ship. Just have a go ad adjusting the sails to get the speed boost, try to maximise this and the achievement should pop.
Alternatively, you're quite likely to get this popping randomly as you sail about the place and just happen to get the alignment right...
You fought a crew, stood strong and brave and sent their ship to a watery grave!
So long as you are part of the crew you'll get this - you don't have to be the one shooting the cannon.
Well-cooked meals are never easy, dine too soon and you'll get queasy!
Adventure
Eat raw/uncooked food and be sick. This is easy right from the beginning with any meat. Kill a chicken/snake/pig on any island to get meat if needed.
Commendations are given by Companies when you've reached certain targets. Try to earn ten!
You get a commendation for each level you unlock in the 12 grinds that exist for each of the three trading companies. You'll get this early in your journey grinding for all the other achievements.
The Voyage is done; a chest of old now safe with those who hoard their gold!
Gold Hoarders are one of the three factions you'll do missions for. These are the ones in the small tent with the gold key flag outside and a wizened dude inside.
The missions will be to find an island with an 'X' marks the spot, where there'll be a buried chest. Find the island and dig up the treasure to complete the mission. On completing the first one you'll likely unlock {{I Wanna Be A Pirate!}} as well.
Your Voyages have earned you enough recognition so buy a Promotion and prove your position!
When you hit rank 5 with a trading company, you can - on the same screen you buy voyages - in the top left buy the promotion for some gold.
NB this achievement is not unlocking for everyone
Your hearty meal's turned out wrong. You left it on the stove too long!
You can cook food on a stove on your ship. Leave something on the stove for 5 minutes or so and it'll burn. Don't leave it too long or your ship will catch fire...
Complete the Maiden Voyage
Your Voyage complete, a skull returned, praise from the Order thusly earned!
See {{It's A Pirates Life For Me}}, but for the Order of Souls you have to go to an island, kill skeletons and bring back their skulls.
A chest of yours has gone astray and been cashed in as some thief's pay!
This is basically the opposite of {{You Can Always Trust The Untrustworthy}}
Sampling every type of fruit will keep you fit to fight and loot!
You can scavenge all kinds from barrels on outpost islands.
Sign in to track your progress against these checklist items
Make your first buy from the Shipwright, who deals in figureheads, cannons, new sails and wheels!
Ship customisations start at around 70,000 gold. There's a shipwright at most outposts - look on a jetty opposite the merchant in some cases at least.
Visit the Weaponsmith, you'll find they teach the value of buying a new Eye of Reach!
The Eye of Reach is the sniper rifle type weapon. You'll need around 13,500 gold, and there's a weaponsmith at most/all outposts.
Be part of a crew that votes to raise an Emissary Flag for the Gold Hoarders.
The Weaponsmith's open, you'll see it's no fuss to purchase a glorious new blunderbuss!
You'll need around 13,500 gold, and there's a weaponsmith at most/all outposts.
Your trusty blade was just too slow. Now it's your turn to feel their blow!
This has to be against a human opponent! Is the opposite of {{You Fight Like A Merchant}}
A sunken ship and ancient key will set you on a great journey!
Titles are gathered from deeds near and far. Earn ten to show what type of pirate you are!
You can buy titles from the clothing shops on the last page - after they have been unlocked by progressing/grinding through the game.
Some reports that titles earned prior to 1.0.2 (4th April 2018) don't seem to count toward the 10.
Be part of a crew that votes to raise an Emissary Flag for the Order of Souls.
You must first be level 15 for the faction, and then buy the emissary flag for 20,000 gold from their representative at any outpost. Then (in the same room/area as the representative) vote to be emissary on the nearby table.
This will unlock if you're in a crew and you only vote - i.e. even if you're under lvl 15 and someone else buys the flag.
Conversely - you can also do this solo; just buy the flag and vote solo to raise it.
NB being an emissary increases XP gains significantly - helping with other achievement grinds.
Your reputation is starting to thrive. Grab your Promotion, you've reached twenty-five!
Similarly to {{Shopping for a Promotion}}, once you've done the voyage grind to level up to rank 25, buy that promotion. Simples.
From under the waves a great creature arrived but you drove it away. Better still, you survived!
The kraken appears randomly as you sail around; it could spawn could happen anytime while at sea, to a single ship. It is not yet clear if there's any place it is more or less common, nor if there is a way of triggering (or avoiding) it. It is defeatable with a single ship.
Various reports of the achievement not unlocking though...
To strike from behind is a sneaky attack that leads to a blunderbuss shot in the back!
The opponent has to be a human player, from another crew.
Be part of a crew that votes to raise an Emissary Flag for the Reaper's Bones.
You must first be level 15 for the faction, and then buy the emissary flag for 20,000 gold from their representative at any outpost. Then (in the same room/area as the representative) vote to be emissary on the nearby table.
This will unlock if you're in a crew and you only vote - i.e. even if you're under lvl 15 and someone else buys the flag.
Conversely - you can also do this solo; just buy the flag and vote solo to raise it.
NB being an emissary increases XP gains significantly - helping with other achievement grinds.
Little fishie, all aglow, off to The Hunter's Call you go.
Receive the Commendation for earning 150,000 gold from Gold Hoarder voyages.
Adventure
Grind this Gold Hoarder commendation to level 5.
Dexterous swordplay can keep you alive. Block an attack and then strike within five!
This has to be against a human opponent! Is the opposite of {{How Appropriate! You Fight Like A Chicken}}
A pirate may choose to go down with their ship. A musical send-off concludes their sad trip!
You can do this anytime from the beginning of the game just by scuttling your ship. Make sure to select an instrument from your inventory first...
Sell the Tome of Resurrection II.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Resurrection IV
Sell the Tome of Resurrection III.
Sell the Tome of Resurrection V.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Resurrection I.
A peg-leg, an eyepatch, a hat and a hook, all purchased to pull off the true pirate look!
you'll want about 40,000 gold to be able to buy all four items.
Sign in to track your progress against these checklist items
A Cursed Rogue searching, never sleeping. What great secrets is she keeping?
Complete The Seabound Soul
Plundered from an unwary crew, their Captain's Chest cashed in - by you!
You have to steal a chest from another crew and take it to the trading point.
If you can be discreet, catching a ship on its arrival to an outpost, sneaking on, taking the treasure and sneaking around to the side back onto the outpost island would do it. Or go in with your crew guns blazing...
Note that this is the opposite of {{Legends - "This is Unacceptable!"}}. And that they could give you the chest...
A Voyage is over, back to land a merchant's cargo in your hand!
See {{It's A Pirates Life For Me}}, but for the Merchant Alliance you have go fetch stuff (like catching an animal in a cage) and bring them back.
Complete Heart of Fire
Adventure
Complete this Tall Tale
Sell the Tome of Curses III.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for earning 150,000 gold from Order of Souls Voyages.
Grind this Order of Souls commendation to level 5.
All on the Ferry are sister and brother. Send forth a message to someone or other!
You'll end up on the Ferry of the Damned when you die. Other players will end up there too. Use the comms menu to communicate pirate commands to communicate with anybody else on there at the same time as you.
Be part of a crew that votes to raise an Emissary Flag for the Merchant Alliance.
You must first be level 15 for the faction, and then buy the emissary flag for 20,000 gold from their representative at any outpost. Then (in the same room/area as the representative) vote to be emissary on the nearby table.
This will unlock if you're in a crew and you only vote - i.e. even if you're under lvl 15 and someone else buys the flag.
Conversely - you can also do this solo; just buy the flag and vote solo to raise it.
NB being an emissary increases XP gains significantly - helping with other achievement grinds.
Sell the Tome of Curses II.
Sell the Tome of Curses V.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Curses IV.
Sell the Tome of Curses I.
If reeling a coloured fish in, take care, The Hunter's Call claim they're incredibly rare!
Clear the Fort of the Damned of all enemies.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Fire I.
Sell the Tome of Fire IV.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Fire V.
Sell the Tome of Fire III.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Fire II.
Sell the Tome of Power IV
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Power I.
Sell the Tome of Power II.
Adventure
Sell the Tome of Power V.
You've overcome a score of tests and now you're hoarding twenty chests!
Adventure
Yeah, loot lots before turning in, and pray nobody takes you out. Easiest when working together for the achievement with 4 players on a galleon.
Use the Gold Hoarders' Ancient Vault quests - for 8 or so chests at a time.
Note the chests don't actually have to be on your ship - just in your "possession"; so just picking a chest up counts as making it yours.
Sell the Tome of Power III.
Adventure
Defeat each colour of Shadow of Fate.
Adventure
Activate the Fort of the Damned by lighting all six Flames of Fate and sacrificing a Ritual Skull.
Adventure
A midnight snack, if you desire, cooked to perfection on a fire!
Receive the Commendation for earning 150,000 gold from Merchant Alliance Voyages.
Grind this Merchant Alliance commendation to level 5.
A greeting, when given with Pirate Salute, can make a new friend - or perhaps a recruit!
Do the 'make friends' emote from the wheel at the same time as another player does it to you. It may be helpful to try for this at the same time as {{I'll Drink To That}} - although they don't have to be from another crew for this one. It doesn't matter whether you are already xbox friends with the other person or not. (you must add them as a friend not a favorite)
Launched from your vessel, this cannon-fired trip must see you land safe on the deck of a ship!
Find another player's ship, ideally one that is stationary at a port. Hope they don't shoot at you.
Go to a cannon, unload it if it has a cannon ball in it and aim at the other ship. Its helpful to aim at a mast (you won't take damage for hitting it!) so you can splat the mast and fall to the deck. Once aimed, go up to the front of the cannon barrel and use the action to get in it. Then fire self, and win!
Adventures told with a fearless grin. Perhaps some truths might lie within?
Complete the "the Legendary Storyteller" tall tail. The book to start this is given by Tasha in the tavern at the Ancient Spire Outpost.
Five legends from across the sea playing instruments in harmony!
What it says on the tin; stand in a group of 5 players and all play a musical instrument at the same time.
Two different crews, their tankards held high, will meet at a tavern and drain them all dry!
Just do what it says on the tin. Likely requires some cooperation/boosting to get another crew to the same tavern at the same time...
Sell all 5 Tomes of Resurrection.
Adventure
Be part of a crew that votes to raise an Emissary Flag for Athena's Fortune.
Adventure
NB Athena's Fortune only becomes accessible once you're a Pirate Legend.
There is no level requirement to buy the flag for Athene's fortune. Then (in the same room/area as the representative) vote to be emissary on the nearby table.
This will unlock if you're in a crew and you only vote - i.e. even if you're under lvl 15 and someone else buys the flag.
Conversely - you can also do this solo; just buy the flag and vote solo to raise it.
NB being an emissary increases XP gains significantly - helping with other achievement grinds.
The heavens' secrets, now concealed through ancient fable are revealed!
Adventure
Complete the "Stars of a Thief" tall tale - which you can begin at the North Star Seapost- by talking to Sudds.
You need to have already completed the Shroudbreaker.
Complete all commendations for Heart of Fire
Within The Arena, try taking a trip in contests, aboard each colour of ship!
Arena
Sign in to track your progress against these checklist items
Jealous wrongs must be set right so two young lovers can unite!
Adventure
Madame Olive at the Sanctuary Outpost gives the book for this Tall Tale. Complete the Tall Tale!
Sell all 5 Tomes of Curses.
A shining treasure you must claim, the prize within a deadly game!
A Company's items are sold to the loyal, five upgrades rewards you with their finest spoil!
Adventure
Another painful grind; you can do this for any of the items that the trading companies sell you (each one has two items you can buy). the max level upgrade only becomes available when you're at rank 45 with the trading company, and it will cost a total of 15,000 gold to buy through the upgrades.
You've gathered gold from near and far. A Master Hoarder now, you are!
Adventure
You have to reach level 50 with the Gold Hoarders to get this. It would be a Grind type achievement except that you need this anyway for {{Become Pirate Legend}}
Sell all 5 Tomes of Fire.
A feast of meats all roasted well, each kind to The Hunter's Call you'll sell.
Sell all 5 Tomes of Power.
So what if you've stolen some other crew's chest?
Arena
Must be done in the arena; steal another crew's chest and deliver it.
Sun-bleached skulls from across the ocean earn the Order's highest Promotion!
Adventure
You have to reach level 50 to get this. It would be a Grind type achievement except that you need this anyway for {{Become Pirate Legend}}
Guide three wayward souls to rest, the next step on your golden quest!
Adventure
A true Pirate Legend is one of the greats and for them, Athena's Fortune awaits…
Adventure
Becoming a Pirate Legend is effectively the endgame of the game at launch, but the beginning of the next stage in another sense.
You become a Pirate Legend after grinding to level 50 with all three trading companies. This will take a looonnngg time!
Find and sell at least one of each Legendary Treasure.
You have to be a Pirate Legend first, to gain access to the Athena's Fortune voyages. Then run the "Athena’s Run of Thieves" voyages - these are long (5 chapters!). Lots of treasure on each run - randomly some of them will be legendary. You'll probably have to do this voyage a few times to get them all though.
Sign in to track your progress against these checklist items
Forbidden secrets must be told. What lies beneath the Shores of Gold?
Adventure
Great evil sleeps below the sands, revenge at last within your hands!
Adventure
Through stormy seas in silent flight, no lanterns lit to pierce the night.
Can be done right from the beginning. Interact with the lanterns on the ship to turn them off, and sail around until nightfall looking for a storm (you'll see the lightning from a long way off).
Alternatively, keep the lights off all the time and you'll come across an opportunity sooner or later.
The Merchant Alliance applauds your devotion bestowing upon you a Master Promotion!
You have to reach level 50 to get this. It would be a Grind type achievement except that you need this anyway for {{Become Pirate Legend}}
Ill-gotten gains - yet, after all, they still sold to the Hunter's Call.
Complete all commendations for The Seabound Soul
Within The Arena, here's what you must do. Play music in contests, with four in your crew!
Arena
Side by side, two ships must race with weapons silenced for first place!
Do what it says on the tin, you may be lucky and get this naturally through normal play. But the other ship will likely assume you want to kill them, so you may have to boost it.
Receive the Commendation for delivering 25 Trophy Fish to The Hunter's Call.
That shark bit off more than it could chew, when it chose to mess with you.
Kill a shark with a gunpower keg.
A heavy attack while you've boarded their ship may send your foe over the side for a dip!
You can do a heavy attack with your cutlass. You'll be unable to move for a sec after, but the dude you hit should get pushed back. Knock them off their ship...
Clear the Fort of the Damned of all enemies, 10 times.
Adventure
Receive all Commendations for 'The Shroudbreaker' Tall Tale.
Adventure
All crews take a soak to work out their troubles. (But please remember to turn on the bubbles!)
In The Arena, each minute moves fast. Deliver a chest before five have gone past!
Defeat the ghost of the Burning Blade 10 times!
Adventure
Receive all Commendations for 'The Cursed Rogue' Tall Tale.
Adventure
When threatened at sword point, remember this trick: blind your poor foe with a bucket of sick!
You'll need vomit in your bucket for this - so get drunk first (see {{What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor?}}) and catch the vomit in your bucket by equipping it as soon as you start vomiting.
With the bucket still equipped, find an opponent with their sword drawn and throw the bucket at them.
The opponent needs to be a human player, not a skeleton.
Defeat 500 ghost ships!
Adventure
Receive all Commendations for 'The Legendary Storyteller' Tall Tale.
Adventure
Receive all Commendations for the 'Wild Rose' Tall Tale.
Adventure
Be promoted to level 75 with the Order of Souls.
Adventure
Receive all Commendations for the 'Stars of a Thief' Tall Tale.
Be promoted to level 75 with the Gold Hoarders.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for selling 360 Villainous Skulls.
Grind this Order of Souls commendation to level 5.
Receive all Commendations for all the Shores of Gold Tall Tales.
Receive all Commendations for 'The Fate of the Morningstar' Tall Tale.
Receive all Commendations for 'The Art of the Trickster' Tall Tale.
Adventure
Receive all Commendations for 'The Revenge of the Morningstar' Tall Tale.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for selling 360 Captain’s Chests.
Grind this Gold Hoarder commendation to level 5.
Taking part counts as much as winning, until in 100,000 Silver you find yourself swimming!
Be promoted to level 75 with the Merchant Alliance.
Be promoted to level 20 with Athena's Fortune.
NB Athena's Fortune is only accessible once you reach Pirate Legend status.
Be promoted to level 75 with the Reaper's Bones.
Adventure
In The Arena, first join a contest, then drink lots of grog and deliver a chest!
Arena
Receive the Commendation for placing in the top three 100 times in The Arena.
Purchase the Master Hunter Promotion from The Hunter's Call Trading Company.
To prove it's the Glorious Sea Dogs you love, purchase their Hat, Jacket, Hook and their Gloves!
Adventure
A platter of each kind of fish will serve the Hunters quite a dish!
Defeat Red Ruth 5 times
Adventure
Defeat Warden Chi 5 times
Adventure
Defeat Captain Grimm 5 times
Adventure
Defeat Old Horatio 5 times
Adventure
Represent the Reaper's Bones in the Master Tier at the closure of an Emissary Ledger, 5 times.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for purchasing 250 Merchant Alliance contracts.
Grind this Merchant Alliance commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for defeating 1,000 Skeleton Captains.
Skeleton Captains are the ones with their names in red - they appear after a few waves of regular skeletons.
Receive the Commendation for purchasing 250 X Marks the Spot Voyages.
Grind this Gold Hoarder commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for completing 200 contests in The Arena.
Arena
Within The Arena, you've caused a commotion. The Sea Dogs will sell you their Master Promotion!
Arena
Represent the Gold Hoarders in the Captain Tier at the closure of an Emissary Ledger, 5 times.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for selling 300 Shipwrecked Chests.
Grind this Gold Hoarder commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for placing first 100 times in The Arena.
Arena
Receive the Commendation for placing first 100 times in The Arena as a Pirate Legend.
Arena
Represent the Order of Souls in the Grandee Tier at the closure of an Emissary Ledger, 5 times.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for delivering 100 Gunpowder Kegs on time.
Adventure
Grind this Merchant Alliance commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for purchasing 250 Cursed Captain Bounty contracts.
Grind this Order of Souls commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for sailing 1,000 nautical miles on Gold Hoarder voyages.
Grind this Gold Hoarder commendation to level 5.
Represent the Merchant Alliance in the Admiral Tier at the closure of an Emissary Ledger, 5 times.
Adventure
Represent Athena's Fortune in the Legend Tier at the closure of an Emissary Ledger, 5 times.
Adventure
Receive the Commendation for sailing 1,000 nautical miles on Order of Souls Voyages.
Grind this Order of Souls commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for completing 250 Gold Hoarder Voyages.
Grind this Gold Hoarder commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for delivering 50 Fruit Crates on time.
Grind this Merchant Alliance commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for completing 57 Grade 5 Hunter's Call Commendations.
Receive the Commendation for completing 250 Order of Souls Voyages.
Grind this Order of Souls commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for sailing 1,000 nautical miles on Merchant Alliance Voyages.
Adventure
Grind this Merchant Alliance commendation to level 5.
Receive the Commendation for completing 250 Merchant Alliance Voyages.
Adventure
Grind this Merchant Alliance commendation to level 5.