Bounty Skulls

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Bounty Skulls are a range of treasure items in Sea of Thieves that are primarily associated the Order of Souls Order of Souls Trading Company. Skulls possess the memories and secrets valuable to the Order, whose members have the skills and magical know-how to read them, often transcribing them into into tangible maps that lead to hidden treasures. As such, the Order of Souls Representatives are willing to offer gold, Reputation and Emissary Value for these skulls.

Mechanics

A Player can only carry one Bounty Skull at a time and cannot use any other items while carrying them. When dropped, Bounty Skulls emit a light blue glint from far away, making them easier to spot. Bounty Skulls will float to the top when dropped in Water, however, they will start sinking to the bottom after 5 minutes have passed. Skulls dropped on land or on the shoreline will stay in-game for a long time. Untouched Bounty Skulls will disappear when an Island resets. Skulls that have been dropped in Deep Waters will disappear after sinking to the bottom. Every Skull can be caught with a Ship's Harpoon. Up to three Bounty Skulls can also be placed in any Container Chests. When closed, Container Chests cover the light blue glint of the Skulls. They can also be used to move multiple Skulls at once.

Like any Treasure, the main use of Bounty Skulls is to sell them for gold and Reputation.

The Ashen Winds Skull, left behind by defeated Ashen Lords, are unique Bounty Skulls that can also be used as a Fire-breathing Weapon. The attack can be performed by holding down Primary Use. As the attack is used, the crystals in the skull start to dim, until the Skull can no longer breathe fire.

Where to find

Bounty Skulls are most commonly found via Bounty Maps, which lead players to a specific Island that is home to 1-4 Crews of Skeleton Captains. Bounty Maps can be received as singular Quests or as a part of Order of Souls Voyages. When on a marked Island, Players have to locate the Skeleton Crews, which can be of any of the five types: Bone, Gold, Plant, Shadow or Ashen. Most Skeleton Captains are preceded by a couple of regular Skeleton waves before they make their appearance. Skeleton Captains have more health than their regular crewmates. The health of the skeletons is dependent on the difficulty of the Voyage. Once a Captain is defeated, it will leave behind a random Bounty Skull, the type of which is notified to the whole Crew. Captain Ghost Ships usually drop Ghostly Bounty Skulls. Singular Bounty Skulls can also be found on Islands or as rewards for completing any Encounters on the Seas.

Emissary Mechanics

Any Player Crews sailing as Order of Souls Emissaries can receive Emissary Grade Reputation for picking up and putting Bounty Skulls on their Ship for the first time. This benefit is also applicable for Reaper's Bones Emissaries who gain Emissary Reputation for any Treasure items that they steal. Selling Bounty Skulls to the two companies as Emissaries does not give Emissary Grade Reputation, however, Players do receive Emissary Value, which is counted for the respective Company Emissary Ledger leaderboards. The higher the Crew's Emissary Grade, the more gold, Reputation and Emissary Value they receive for selling Bounty Skulls.

Rewards

Bounty Skulls can be cashed in to Order of Souls Madames at any Outpost for gold and Reputation with the Company. As stated before, Order of Souls Emissaries will also receive Emissary Value with the Order for selling the Skulls while flying an Emissary Flag. Being an Emissary also increases the Gold and Reputation gains for selling Bounty Skulls. Alternatively, Crews can choose to sell any acquired Bounty Skulls to the Reaper's Bones Representative at The Reaper's Hideout instead for equal Gold and Emissary Value gains, but less Reputation gains with the Reapers. Bounty Skulls also have various achievable Commendations tied to selling them, offering players additional rewards, such as Titles, Doubloons or Reputation.

The following is a table of the multiplicative Rewards for selling Bounty Skulls as Graded Emissaries.

Emissary Grade Rewards, Reputation & Emissary Value
Grade 1 Base Reward
Grade 2 +33% Base Reward
Grade 3 +67% Base Reward
Grade 4 +100% Base Reward
Grade 5 +150% Base Reward

When sold, the whole Crew is rewarded with equal amounts of Gold, Reputation and Emissary Value, while Alliance Members will earn half of the Gold and Reputation Gains, but no Emissary Value.

Most Bounty Skulls have a variable value with the minimum and maximum reported Gold rewards documented in the tables below.

List of Bounty Skulls

There are various types of Bounty Skulls with varying Gold, Reputation and Emissary Values:

Regular Bounty Skulls

These are the basic Bounty Skulls mainly acquired from killing Skeleton Captains during Bounty Map Quests.

Image Bounty Skull Base gold Reward Base Emissary Value
Foul Bounty Skull.png Foul Bounty Skull 90 - 180 Gold 405
Disgraced Bounty Skull.png Disgraced Bounty Skull 180 - 350 Gold 810
Hateful Bounty Skull.png Hateful Bounty Skull 350 - 750 Gold 1,620
Villainous Bounty Skull.png Villainous Bounty Skull 750 - 1,450 Gold 3,240
Dark Bounty Skull.png Dark Bounty Skull 1,000 - 1,050 Gold 3,075
Vile Bounty Skull.png Vile Bounty Skull 1,500 - 1,550 Gold 4,575
Corrupted Bounty Skull.png Corrupted Bounty Skull 2,440 - 2,460 Gold 7,350
Vicious Bounty Skull.png Vicious Bounty Skull 3,600 - 3,650 Gold 10,875
Wrathful King's Bounty Skull.png Wrathful King's Bounty Skull 5,100 - 5,200 Gold 15450

Coral Skulls

These Bounty Skulls are found in Siren Shrines and Siren Treasuries.

Image Bounty Skull Base gold Reward Base Emissary Value
Foul Coral Skull.png Foul Coral Skull 158 - 315 Gold 711
Disgraced Coral Skull.png Disgraced Coral Skull 315 - 613 Gold 1,419
Hateful Coral Skull.png Hateful Coral Skull 613 - 1,313 Gold 2,835
Villainous Coral Skull.png Villainous Coral Skull 1,313 - 2,538 Gold 5,670

Ashen Bounty Skulls

These Bounty Skulls are commonly found in The Devil's Roar region.

Image Bounty Skull Base gold Reward Base Emissary Value
Ashen Foul Bounty Skull.png Ashen Foul Bounty Skull 180 - 350 Gold 810
Ashen Disgraced Bounty Skull.png Ashen Disgraced Bounty Skull 350 - 750 Gold 1,620
Ashen Hateful Bounty Skull.png Ashen Hateful Bounty Skull 750 - 1,450 Gold 3,240
Ashen Villainous Bounty Skull.png Ashen Villainous Bounty Skull 1,450 - 2,800 Gold 6,480
Ashen Dark Bounty Skull.png Ashen Dark Bounty Skull 1,240 - 1,260 Gold 3,750
Ashen Vile Bounty Skull.png Ashen Vile Bounty Skull 1,850 - 1,900 Gold 5,625
Ashen Corrupted Bounty Skull.png Ashen Corrupted Bounty Skull 3,210 - 3,230 Gold 9,660
Ashen Vicious Bounty Skull.png Ashen Vicious Bounty Skull 4,800 - 4,850 Gold 14,475
Ashen King's Bounty Skull.png Ashen King's Bounty Skull 5,800 - 5,900 Gold 17,550

Ghostly Skulls

These Bounty Skulls belong to the crew of Ghost Ships and are received as prizes for defeating Ghost Captain Ships.

Image Bounty Skull Base Gold Reward Base Emissary Value Notes
Skull of the Damned.png Skull of the Damned 1,050 - 1,250 Gold 3,480 These Skulls belong to the Crew of Ghost Ships and are usually dropped in numbers by a Ghost Captain Ship. Ghostly and plain in appearance.
Captain Skull of the Damned.png Captain Skull of the Damned 1,700 - 2,950 Gold 7,290 These Skulls belong to the Captains of Ghost Ships. One is dropped by Ghost Captain Ships per Ghost Ship Voyage and Ghost Fleet. Ghostly in appearance, bearing similarities to the Skeleton Captain's Skull.

Encounter and Quest Skulls

These Bounty Skulls are more Powerful and valuable than other Skulls, received as prizes for dangerous Encounters on the Seas:

Image Bounty Skull Base Gold Reward Base Emissary Value Notes
Skeleton Captain's Skull.png Skeleton Captain's Skull 850 - 2,200 Gold 4,860 Commonly found from sunk Skeleton Ships, or by vanquishing Megalodons or Kraken tentacle.

A bone skull held together by leather straps, decorated with golden teeth and gold nuggets for eyes. An intense magical glow is bursting from the cracked top of the skull.

Stronghold Skull.png Stronghold Skull 1,800 - 4,200 Gold 9,720 Most commonly found locked away behind Fortress Vaults or from vanquishing Skeleton Fort Skeleton Lords.

A dark bone skull held together with a leather strap, decorated with mystical markings, golden teeth and glowing gemstones. The markings and cracks emit an intense glow.

Gold Hoarder's Skull.png Gold Hoarder's Skull 10,000 Gold n/a Earned by defeating the Gold Hoarder during the Shores of Gold Tall Tale.

A bone skull decorated with green gemstones for eyes, a medallion stamped into the forehead, golden teeth, and the lower jaw replaced entirely by sculpted gold.

AshenWindsSkullIG.png Ashen Winds Skull 10,000 Gold 15,750 Earned by defeating the Ashen Lords during the Ashen Winds World Event.
Can be used as a flamethrower weapon by players.

A large bone skull that emits a fiery glow from its cracks, eyes, nose, and teeth.

Trivia

Commendations

Commendations
ImageCommendationRequirementsRewards
Hunter of Foul Skulls emblem.png
Hunter of Foul SkullsDeliver 90 Foul skulls to the Order of Souls.
 
  • Grade I: 5
  • Grade II: 15
  • Grade III: 30
  • Grade IV: 60
  • Grade V: 90
Title icon.png Rewards the Hunter of Foul Skulls Title.
Hunter of Disgraced Skulls emblem.png
Hunter of Disgraced SkullsDeliver 180 Disgraced skulls to the Order of Souls.
 
  • Grade I: 10
  • Grade II: 30
  • Grade III: 60
  • Grade IV: 120
  • Grade V: 180
Title icon.png Rewards the Hunter of Disgraced Skulls Title.
Hunter of Hateful Skulls emblem.png
Hunter of Hateful SkullsDeliver 270 Hateful skulls to the Order of Souls.
 
  • Grade I: 15
  • Grade II: 45
  • Grade III: 90
  • Grade IV: 180
  • Grade V: 270
Title icon.png Rewards the Hunter of Hateful Skulls Title.
Hunter of Villainous Skulls emblem.png
Hunter of Villainous SkullsDeliver 360 Villainous skulls to the Order of Souls.
 
  • Grade I: 20
  • Grade II: 60
  • Grade III: 120
  • Grade IV: 240
  • Grade V: 360
Title icon.png Rewards the Hunter of Villainous Skulls Title.
Hunter of Fort Skulls emblem.png
Hunter of Fort SkullsDeliver 60 Skeleton Fort Skulls to the Order of Souls.
 
  • Grade I: 1
  • Grade II: 5
  • Grade III: 10
  • Grade IV: 30
  • Grade V: 60
Title icon.png Rewards the Hunter of Fort Skulls Title.
Gathering Secrets emblem.png
Gathering SecretsSell 600 Order of Souls Treasures while flying the Order of Souls Emissary Flag.
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 120
  • Grade II: 240
  • Grade III: 360
  • Grade IV: 480
  • Grade V: 600
n/a
Honoured Mystic emblem.png
Honoured MysticSell 320 Order of Souls Treasures while flying a Grade 5 Order of Souls Emissary Flag.
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 60
  • Grade II: 120
  • Grade III: 200
  • Grade IV: 240
  • Grade V: 320
n/a
Hunter of Damned Captains emblem.png
Hunter of Damned CaptainsSell 50 Captain Skulls of the Damned.
Note: Progress for this Commendation will also count if the Skulls are sold to Reaper's Bones.
 
  • Grade I: 1
  • Grade II: 5
  • Grade III: 10
  • Grade IV: 25
  • Grade V: 50
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Ghost Captain Sails for purchase.
Secrets Stolen emblem.png
Secrets StolenSell 480 Order of Souls Treasures to the Reaper's Bones.
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 60
  • Grade II: 120
  • Grade III: 240
  • Grade IV: 360
  • Grade V: 480
n/a
Plundered Prizes emblem.png
Plundered PrizesSell 600 of any Trading Company items while flying the Reaper's Bones Emissary Flag.
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 120
  • Grade II: 240
  • Grade III: 360
  • Grade IV: 480
  • Grade V: 600
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Dawn Hunter instruments for purchase at Grade I, the Dawn Hunter equipment for purchase at Grade II, the Dawn Hunter clothing and vanity for purchase at Grade III, the Dawn Hunter weapons for purchase at Grade IV, the Dawn Hunter ship set for purchase at Grade V.
Fearless Reaper emblem.png
Fearless ReaperSell 320 of any Trading Company items while flying a Grade 5 Reaper's Bones Emissary Flag.
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 60
  • Grade II: 120
  • Grade III: 200
  • Grade IV: 240
  • Grade V: 320
n/a
Mystical Legend of the Strongholds emblem.png
Mystical Legend of the StrongholdsSell 100 Stronghold Skulls as a Pirate Legend
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 1
  • Grade II: 10
  • Grade III: 25
  • Grade IV: 50
  • Grade V: 100
Title icon.png Rewards the Mystical Legend of the Strongholds Title.
Legend of the Mystical Order emblem.png
Legend of the Mystical OrderSell 500 Bounty Skulls as a Pirate Legend
High Seas only
 
  • Grade I: 10
  • Grade II: 50
  • Grade III: 100
  • Grade IV: 250
  • Grade V: 500
Title icon.png Rewards the Legend of the Mystical Order Title.
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Legendary Tankard and Legendary Lantern for purchase.
Mystical Master of Strongholds emblem.png
Mystical Master of StrongholdsSell 10 Stronghold Skulls+20 Doubloons
Mystical Skeleton Captain emblem.png
Mystical Skeleton CaptainSell 20 Skeleton Captain's Skulls+20 Doubloons
Title icon.png Rewards the Mystical Skeleton Captain Title.
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Bone Crusher Wheel for purchase.
Hunter of the Ashen Winds emblem.png
Hunter of the Ashen WindsSell 25 Ashen Winds Skulls+30 Doubloons
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Sails of the Ashen Winds and Scorched Forsaken Ashes Instruments for purchase.
Skull of Fire emblem.png
Skull of FireSell a fully ignited Ashen Winds Skull+Doubloons
Ashen Bones emblem.png
Ashen BonesSet fire to 20 Skeletons with the Ashen Winds Skull+Doubloons
Captain of Ashen Bones emblem.png
Captain of Ashen BonesSet fire to 100 Skeletons with the Ashen Winds Skull+10 Doubloons
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Scorched Forsaken Ashes Tools for purchase.
Warsmith of the Flame emblem.png
Warsmith of the FlameSet fire to 10 Skeleton Ships with the Ashen Winds Skull+20 Doubloons
Title icon.png Rewards the Warsmith of the Flame Title.
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Frostbite Cannon and Scorched Forsaken Ashes Ship Components for purchase.
Treasured Company emblem.png
Treasured CompanySell treasures that you or another pirate earned from completing Trading Company Voyages.
 
  • Grade I: 50
  • Grade II: 100
  • Grade III: 250
  • Grade IV: 500
  • Grade V: 1000
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Cartographer Blunderbuss and Pistol for purchase.
Treasures Fit For a King emblem.png
Treasures Fit For a KingSell the rare Kingly treasures that can be found on the Sea of Thieves.
 
  • Grade I: 50
  • Grade II: 100
  • Grade III: 250
  • Grade IV: 500
  • Grade V: 1000
Lock icon.png Unlocks the Cartographer Cutlass and Eye of Reach for purchase. (Required to unlock the King's Chest Disguise for purchase at Grade III, in conjunction with Creeping Commodore.)

Patch history

  • 2.2.1 (August 17, 2021)
    • The ambient audio effects heard from Bounty Skulls will no longer be heard once a player cashes them in.
  • 1.4.3 (February 6, 2019)
    • What's that Whisper? - You can now hear stationary Bounty skulls when they’re close by.
  • 1.2.5 (September 6, 2018)
    • Bounty Skulls which are washed up on islands can now be picked up.