Shovel
The shovel is an equipment item in Sea of Thieves, used either for digging buried items such as treasure or bait, or burying treasure on an island.
Mechanics
Every player acquires a shovel during their Maiden Voyage, which can be used at any time during their adventures on the Sea of Thieves. The shovel can be accessed from the Item Radial. The cosmetic design of a player's shovel can be switched at Equipment Chests. These designs can be purchased from Equipment Shops and only change the item's appearance.
Usage
The shovel has two interactions: dig and bury.
Dig
Pirates can dig with their shovel by pressing the Primary Use button (/
) with the shovel equipped over suitable ground. A player can only dig on soft ground, such as sand and grass, with any other surface making the shovel clank back.
Players can either dig up treasure or bait. Treasure is most often buried on islands, the location of which can be indicated by a quest. Once the treasure has been located, digging at the correct spot will trigger the distinct sound item being hit underground. An item can take a varying number of digs depending on crew size.
Bury
The shovel can also be used to bury your own treasure. Pirates can bury treasure by pressing the Secondary Use button (/
) with the shovel equipped over soft ground, with any other surface causing the shovel to clank back.
Standing over a piece of treasure on the ground with the shovel in-hand will indicate the Secondary Use button (/
) to bury the item. Unlike digging, players can only use the bury function when looking at a treasure item. After a few digs, your pirate will pat the ground twice with the shovel, and the buried item will disappear below the earth, with only a slight disturbance to the ground to indicate its location.
Once fully buried, the crew will be awarded a Buried Treasure Map, marking the location of any treasure buried by the crew on that island. If the number of items buried by one crew on one island exceeds 10, a fresh map will be awarded on top of the previous one to save overcrowding of x marks the spot locations on one map. The crew will too be awarded with a Map Bundle on their Voyage Table, containing all of their Buried Treasure Maps, which can be stolen, gifted or lost. If the bundle is removed or lost from the crew's Voyage Table, their Buried Treasure Maps will no longer be accessible through the Quest Radial, however, they are still able to rediscover the stash, provided that they can remember where they left it.
List of Shovels
All new players are equipped with the basic Sailor Shovel skin. Other versions are available for purchase from the Equipment Shop, and from various companies. Note that there are no upgrades, with all differences being purely cosmetic.
Image | Name | Source | Cost | Ltd | Requires | Set | In-game description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Admiral Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Admiral | "Only to be used if undignified physical toil is absolutely necessary." | ||
Aristocrat Shovel | 15 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Aristocrat | "Seems a shame to get dirt and sand on this shovel. But, more treasure means more finery." | ||
Azure Ocean Crawler Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | Azure Ocean Crawler | "You know what digs really well? Crabs do! So this shovel makes perfect sense, okay?" | |||
Bilge Rat Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Bilge Rat | "Would you believe that's still the original handle? Lots of digging left in it yet." | ||
Bone Crusher Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | Bone Crusher | "What better than a skeleton for digging in the earth?" | |||
Castaway Bilge Rat Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Castaway Bilge Rat | "Would you believe that's still the original handle? Lots of digging left in it yet." | ||
Ceremonial Admiral Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | Ceremonial Admiral | "If physical toil is absolutely necessary, this efficient shovel will commandeer buried prizes." | |||
Cultured Aristocrat Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Cultured Aristocrat | "Seems a shame to get dirt and sand on this shovel. But, more treasure means more finery." | |||
Dark Adventurers Shovel | 624,375 ![]() |
n/a | Dark Adventurers | "Perfect for digging up Chests of Legends. Oh, and all the other less legendary loot." | |||
Dawn Hunter Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Dawn Hunter | "Not to be used as a weapon. Or for burying people." | |||
Deep Ocean Crawler Shovel | 16,650 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Deep Ocean Crawler | "You know what digs really well? Crabs do! So this shovel makes perfect sense, okay?" | ||
Eastern Winds Jade Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Eastern Winds Jade | "Folk tales say these tools were used to load carts with gold and gems in tribute to a terrifying fire-breather." | |||
Eastern Winds Ruby Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Eastern Winds Ruby | "In colder regions, this shovel might be used to dig up snow. You'll just have to settle for gold." | ||
Eastern Winds Sapphire Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Eastern Winds Sapphire | "In colder regions, this shovel might be used to dig up snow. You'll just have to settle for gold." | ||
Esteemed Hoarder Shovel | 2,800 ![]() |
n/a | Gold Hoarders | "Grab a mighty hoard from famed pirates to get your hands on this glittering 20 karat gold shovel." | |||
Fates of Fortune Shovel | 150,000 ![]() |
n/a | Fates of Fortune | "Is it a rumour or can you be more accurate and faster with this shovel? It's probably a rumour." | |||
Fearless Bone Crusher Shovel | 15 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Fearless Bone Crusher | "What better than a skeleton for digging in the earth?" | ||
Flaming Jackal Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Flaming Jackal | "Dig for victory! Or treasure. Mostly treasure, actually." | ||
Forsaken Ashes Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | Forsaken Ashes | "As well as digging up treasure, this looks suited to shovelling hot coals." | |||
Frostbite Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Frostbite | "Just be careful not to lean too heavily on the end of this shovel when unearthing your treasure." | |||
Frozen Horizon Shovel | 249 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Frozen Horizon | "No, I asked for a snow shovel - not a shovel that makes snow." | ||
Ghost Shovel | 13,250 ![]() |
n/a | Ghost | "Now here's a shovel that has dug more graves than it has dug up treasures." | |||
Gilded Phoenix Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Gilded Phoenix | "You may be just shoving it into the ground, but that doesn't mean it can't be gorgeous." | ||
Glorious Sea Dog Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Glorious Sea Dog | "Digs up treasure chests just in time for your rivals to show up and steal them!" | ||
Grand Admiral Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Grand Admiral | "Only to be used if undignified physical toil is absolutely necessary." | ||
Guardian Ghost Shovel | 13,250 ![]() |
n/a | Guardian Ghost | "Now here's a shovel that has dug more graves than it has dug up treasures." | |||
Hunter Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Hunter | "Not to be used as a weapon. Or for burying people." | ||
Imperial Sovereign Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Imperial Sovereign | "We recommend waiting between digs so your crew can appreciate its impractical splendour." | ||
Inky Kraken Shovel | 16,650 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Inky Kraken | "What better for digging up treasure over on Kraken's Fall?" | ||
Kraken Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Kraken | "What better for digging up treasure over on Kraken's Fall?" | ||
Legendary Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | Legendary | "Shovel of a pirate beyond measure, ideal for digging lovely treasure." | |||
Lucky Hand Shovel | 600 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Lucky Hand | "With a few talismans bolted on for good luck, you'll be sure to strike paydirt any day now." | ||
Magpie's Glory Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | ![]() |
Magpie's Glory | "Use this Athena's Fortune award for unearthing or interring amazing acquisitions." | ||
Masked Renegade Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | ![]() |
Masked Renegade | "Ideal for roguish Reaper behaviour, be it for burial or burglary!" | ||
Measly Hoarder Shovel | 700 ![]() |
n/a | Gold Hoarders | "By swiping a pittance of loot from pitiful pirates we'll let you have this 6 karat gold shovel." | |||
Mercenary Shovel | 15 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Mercenary | "Digging feels like less work when you remember that the treasure belongs to someone else." | ||
Merchant Alliance Shovel | 300,000 ![]() |
n/a | Merchant Alliance | "Sometimes it's wise to bury cargo and come back for it later - unless you happen to be transporting livestock." | |||
Merchant Ambassador Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | ![]() |
Merchant Ambassador | "Guaranteed no blisters when you dig deep with this elegantly padded excavator." | ||
Nightshine Parrot Shovel | 16,650 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Nightshine Parrot | "You can dig through the dirt and still look bright and snazzy, thanks to this shovel." | ||
Notable Hoarder Shovel | 1,400 ![]() |
n/a | Gold Hoarders | "A reasonable 12 karat gold shovel can be yours if you raid enough wealth from lowly pirates." | |||
Notorious Hoarder Shovel | 3,500 ![]() |
n/a | Gold Hoarders | "This magnificent 24 karat shovel is a deserved reward for raiding big booties of revered pirates." | |||
Ocean Crawler Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Ocean Crawler | "You know what digs really well? Crabs do! So this shovel makes perfect sense, okay?" | ||
Onyx Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Black Dog | "Widely believed to avoid unearthing buried skeletons, so long as you dig in the right place." | ||
Order of Souls Shovel | 300,000 ![]() |
n/a | Order of Souls | "Using a shovel like this to exhume remains is sometimes a necessary evil if you're the Order of Souls." | |||
Parrot Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Parrot | "You can dig through the dirt and still look bright and snazzy, thanks to this shovel." | ||
Rascal Sea Dog Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Rascal Sea Dog | "Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on." | ||
Reaper's Heart Shovel | 149 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Reaper's Heart | "Spend quality time with a special someone by digging up a treasure chest together." | ||
Relic of Darkness Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | ![]() |
Relic of Darkness | "Bury bones or bring to light bright bounties with this tool from the Order of Souls." | ||
Renowned Hoarder Shovel | 2,100 ![]() |
n/a | Gold Hoarders | "16 karats of quality shovel are waiting after you plunder the prizes of prominent pirates." | |||
Rogue Sea Dog Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | Rogue Sea Dog | "Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on." | |||
Royal Sovereign Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | Royal Sovereign | "We recommend waiting between digs so your crew can appreciate its impractical splendour." | |||
Ruffian Sea Dog Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Ruffian Sea Dog | "Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on." | ||
Sage Sea Dog Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Sage Sea Dog | "Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on." | ||
Sailor Shovel | Default item |
n/a
|
n/a | n/a | Sailor | "Perfect if all you want from a shovel is to dig some earth. Preferably when no-one is watching." | |
Sapphire Blade Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | n/a | Sapphire Blade | "Being a pioneer means exploring in new directions. Down is a direction." | ||
Scorched Forsaken Ashes Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | Scorched Forsaken Ashes | "As well as digging up treasure, this looks suited to shovelling hot coals." | |||
Scurvy Bilge Rat Shovel | 5,400 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Scurvy Bilge Rat | "Would you believe that's still the original handle? Lots of digging left in it yet." | ||
Sea Dog Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Sea Dog | "Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on." | ||
Seared Forsaken Ashes Shovel | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | Seared Forsaken Ashes | "As well as digging up treasure, this looks suited to shovelling hot coals." | |||
Shovel of the Ashen Dragon | 2,600 ![]() |
n/a | Ashen Dragon | "Digs up treasure like a... like a hot shovel through sand." | |||
Shovel of the Bristling Barnacle | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Bristling Barnacle | "This watery shovel should serve you well, but the sand does seem to stick to it." | |||
Shovel of the Silent Barnacle | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Silent Barnacle | "This watery shovel should serve you well, but the sand does seem to stick to it." | |||
Shovel of The Wailing Barnacle | 15 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Wailing Barnacle | "This watery shovel should serve you well, but the sand does seem to stick to it." | ||
Silver Blade Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | n/a | Silver Blade | "Being a pioneer means exploring in new directions. Down is a direction." | ||
Sovereign Shovel | 1,850 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Sovereign | "We recommend waiting between digs so your crew can appreciate its impractical splendour." | ||
Stormy Sea Dog Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Stormy Sea Dog | "Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on." | ||
Sunshine Parrot Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Sunshine Parrot | "You can dig through the dirt and still look bright and snazzy, thanks to this shovel." | |||
Thriving Wild Rose Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Thriving Wild Rose | "A beautiful shovel that pretty much does the ground a favour." | |||
Tribute Peak Shovel | n/a
|
n/a | ![]() |
Tribute Peak | "The perfectly crafted tool for unearthing locked chests destined for the Gold Hoarders." | ||
Triumphant Sea Dog Shovel | 11,180 ![]() |
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Triumphant Sea Dog | "Digs up treasure chests just in time for your rivals to show up and steal them!" | |||
Twilight Hunter Shovel | n/a
|
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n/a | Twilight Hunter | "Not to be used as a weapon. Or for burying people." | ||
Venomous Kraken Shovel | 24,975 ![]() |
n/a | Venomous Kraken | "What better for digging up treasure over on Kraken's Fall?" | |||
White Rose Shovel | 1,500 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Standalone Cosmetics | "A beautiful shovel that pretty much does the ground a favour." | ||
Wild Rose Shovel | 15 ![]() |
n/a | n/a | Wild Rose | "A beautiful shovel that pretty much does the ground a favour." |
Pirate Chat
Here is the Pirate Chat Wheel for Shovels:
Patch history
- 2.9.1.1 (November 28, 2023)
- Players are now prevented from burying Voyage items that had only been partially uncovered.
- 2.5.0 (March 10, 2022)
- New pirates equipping a shovel for the first time will now be shown the Burying Items tutorial.
- 2.4.0 (December 2, 2021)
- Introduced bury function.
- 2.3.1 (October 14, 2021)
- Players should now be able to consistently dig with a Shovel after migrating servers.
- 2.2.1 (August 17, 2021)
- Players can no longer cancel the digging animation while using a Shovel in order to dig more rapidly than intended.
- 1.3.0 (September 27, 2018)
- The effects that appear after digging no longer appear to have lines running through them.
- First Release (March 20, 2018)
- Introduced.