15. Eternal Freedom Set

'And I half-expected it to be made of wood'

These weapon skins can only be purchased from the Pirate Emporium, but they’re too distinctive not to include in this list. Released with the ‘A Pirate’s Life’ update, each piece of the set sports visual signatures relating to the notorious Captain Jack Sparrow - parts of his sash and bandana, jewellery, and engravings of his unique sparrow tattoo. They embody the weatherworn, jaunty style of the bold captain of the Pearl. Wield these and you can safely say that others have at least heard of you.

The entire set costs a total of 996 Ancient Coins from the Emporium. And yes, the Flintlock comes with more than one shot.

14. Cursed Ferryman Set

'Nice Sword. Hmm'

Also released with A Pirate’s Life, the Cursed Ferryman set pays homage to the captain and crew of the Flying Dutchman, and to the ship itself. ‘Part of the ship, part of the crew!’ Feel one with the deep as you wield these weapons styled after the monstrous mutations of Davy Jones and the men he press-ganged into his service. The mouth of the blunderbuss in particular puts me in mind of the hellish carved designs of the Dutchman’s gun ports.

The full set can be purchased from the Pirate Emporium for 996 Ancient Coins.

13. Hunter Set

I think every item in this set could be used as a weapon, honestly

From here on, I’ll only include weapon sets that can be earned and bought in the base game. No point listing tantalising looks that are no longer available! Inspired by the look of British highwaymen, the Hunter set has a more angular, industrial appearance than others. Chunky, blocky, cruel looking, and riveted together, there is a real weight to these tools of destruction. The cutlass really feels like wielding a hefty cleaver-like blade. Perfect for, well, hunting your prey.

You can purchase the entire set from the Weaponsmith’s Shop at any Outpost for 35,350 Gold.

12. Eastern Winds Jade Set

The last thing your enemy sees is a flash of green

The Jade set is a wee bit pricey, but essential if you wanted to model your pirate after a wealthy sailor of the South China Seas. Each weapon is accentuated with stunning blocks of gold and an inlay of a jade dragon; they add a touch of grandeur to your appearance in combat.

The entire set can be found at the Weaponsmith for a total of 477,225 Gold. The Blunderbuss, Cutlass, and Flintlock are available for purchase immediately, but the sleek Eye of Reach pictured above does require you to complete the Generous Giving for Many Commendation before you can get your hands on it. It’s easy enough if you are lucky to find friendly Players (a rare type of creature).Just seek out 25 Generous Gifts and gift them to other Crews.

11. Wild Rose Set

'I called her Wild Rose. She didn't smile, but she also didn't hit me.'

Themed on the Wild Rose Tall Tale, this set is for romantic pirates who want to add some real flair to their getup. Each piece is lavishly gilded and wrapped in a red ribbon fastened with a rose motif. The Cutlass is perfect for delivering a final flourish of a killing blow. Let your victim know they will be always yours… for as long as they have left to cling onto this earthly plane. That’s what this set is all about – murdering with love.

The full set can be purchased for 275 Doubloons at the Weaponsmith, no strings attached. Only ribbons.

10. Dark Adventurers Set

'The skull symbol offers your foes a glimpse of their imminent demise'

This infamous set is one of the most sought after in the game. Whilst the Dark Adventurers ship cosmetics have more prestige, the weapons themselves have a certain air of menace that’s hard to pass up. All dark, rusty spikes and gloomy red jewels, this set is perfect for intimidation and showing off your wealth. The Eye of Reach pictured above does well for covert shots in the dark as you hunt your prey. But be prepared to work hard to gain this set.

First, you must reach Pirate Legend status and gain access to the Athena’s Fortune Hideout. In the Hideout, at the Shopkeeper – Legendary Luke – you can purchase these weapons together for an arduous 10,206,000 Gold. What else are you going to spend it on?

9. Mercenary Set

The finest piece in the game, in my opinion. My go-to Flintlock

Unfortunately, with this set, the Blunderbuss and Eye of Reach are currently unavailable, as they require time-limited Commendations that are no longer on offer. If the missions come back, those two guns would be available for 30 Doubloons together after unlocking.

But the swish Cutlass and Flintlock are worth mentioning anyway. Not only do they look authentic, like tools a wealthy pirate might have owned or stolen back in the day, the Flintlock is probably the closest any gun in the game gets to having iron sights. This makes it the most accurate Flintlock around. Finally, a gun you can actually aim! Both the Cutlass and Flintlock can be purchased from the Weaponsmith for 16,450 Gold.

8. Party Boat Set

Bring life to the party! Or maybe the reverse, more likely with these...

This set is for the fun-loving, maybe slightly unhinged pirate. Paired with the colourful outfit and fantastic ship cosmetics, you can show off your sense of play as you sail and pester other Players on the seas. The skewered meat and pomegranate on the Rapier and the underbarrel fireworks on the Blunderbuss and Flintlock are just perfectly silly.

Each weapon requires a different, but uncomplicated, Buried Treasures Commendation to complete. After that, the full set can be purchased from the Weaponsmith for 50,100 Gold.

7. Frostbite Set

Never goes past its use-by date

Themed around cold-weather conditions, obviously, the weapon skins resemble the furry hide look of the Frostbite Clothing options, with a cool blue metal underneath. The Cutlass looks like it’s just been unsheathed, sword in the stone style, from an iceberg or glacier. Stay cool as you run your enemies through.

Upon completing the Generous Giving for All Commendation – 50 Generous Gifts given to other Crews – this set can be purchased in full from the Weaponsmith for 477,225 Gold.

6. Ruffian Sea Dog Set

*It's the flint-striking-ignition-mechanism-firearm of Spades! The flint-striking-ignit...*

This set, and its counterpart, the Rogue Sea Dog set, are a classic look. They’re well suited to the grimy, salty life of an honest, hardworking pirate. Well, maybe not so honest. The Ruffian variety comes in dark grey with a spades suit motif painted in off-white on the stock and handles of the guns. The rust texture on the metalwork of each piece, with grooves and divots missing here and there, give the impression of well-used, rough and ready equipment.

The set can be purchased from the Weaponsmith for 38,350 Gold.

5. Fearless Bone Crusher Set

Oink, oink

You’ll spend enough time dismantling the shambling Skeletons in game, so you might as well show them you mean business by gathering fragments of their defeated fellows and binding them together to make weapons. Having the appearance of dirty bones pieced alongside rusty metal, wrapped in lengths of green cloth, this set makes for one of the grimmer, more grotesque looks on the waves. Perfect for disgusting your opponents. I love the Blunderbuss that seems to be parts of a boar, complete with tusks, that some inventive pirate has fashioned into a mini cannon.

This set can be fully purchased from the Weaponsmith for 275 Doubloons.

4. Silent Barnacle Set 

Ok, yeah - this would really be my go-to Flintlock. If I had one!

I long for the day I can wield the barnacle-encrusted ordnance of this set. Covered with the tiny shellfish, shades of algae slime and that ever-healthy rust, and shaped with creatures of the sea in mind, these weapons put me in the mood for exploring the deep. The Flintlock is so swanky, the barrel looking as if it protrudes from a fish’s mouth, and the Cutlass would be an ideal sword in the hands of the crew of the cursed Flying Dutchman. Only be ready for the punishing task of earning these weapons.

To unlock this set, you must complete the dreaded Hoarder of Barnacled Gold Commendation – 300 Shipwrecked Chests found and handed over to the Gold Hoarders. After slogging through that, you can finally buy all four pieces for 477,225 Gold.

3. Legendary Fortune Set

'Your fame lives on, your foe does not...'

This set is just pure bling. I mean, look at them! You will stick out like a sore thumb wielding these gleaming purple, teal, and gilded weapons, but by the time you’ve got your hands on the things, you should be capable enough with them to repel boarders. The Blunderbuss is especially chonky, with its barrel wrapped in a thick black chain. Imagine making use of that as a club once its ammo has run dry. The road to this set is a long one as well.

Like the Dark Adventurers set, you must first become Pirate Legend and unlock the entrance to the Athena’s Fortune Hideout. Thankfully they are not as expensive. After climbing the ranks in Athena’s Fortune, you can purchase the full set from Legendary Luke in the Hideout for 35,350 Gold.

2. Ghost Set

Well, the ghosts won't be able to hold it now. Might as well be yours

Another post-Pirate Legend set, the Ghost set lives up to its name. Each weapon sports the pale green glow of Sea of Thieves’ Phantoms, teeming from dark metal and wood twisted into sharp gothic forms. My favourite weapon has to be the Cutlass, its blade fragmented in the centre, the tip floating in place, like parts of the Ferry of the Damned. Use them to create more ghosts…

Again, after unlocking the Hideout and rising in the ranks of Athena’s Fortune, you can purchase the full set from Legendary Luke for 252,970 Gold.

1. Briggsy’s Sword

'I never asked to be cursed!'

No full set for this last, but the gleam of this Cutlass is hard to resist. One of the few weapon skins available from the game’s story missions, this sword belongs to the Skeleton Lord Captain Briggsy. Seemingly made fully from gold, its guard is studded with gems reminiscent of Mermaid Gems found throughout the Sea of Thieves. This is the weapon for any self-respecting Gold-addicted hunter to slay the dark beasts of the deep with.

Found in one of the game’s earlier Tall Tales, ‘The Cursed Rogue’, you must simply complete the Tale to be awarded her Cutlass. It feels almost as good as silencing the pesky bag of bones.

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