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 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. A 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 be able to rediscover the stash, provided that they can remember where they left it.

Variants

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.

Total Cost: 1,002,730 75 398

Name	Source	Cost	Requires	Set	In-game description
Admiral Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Admiral	"If physical toil is absolutely necessary, this efficient shovel will commandeer buried prizes."
Aristocrat Shovel	Equipment Shop	15	n/a	Aristocrat	"Seems a shame to get dirt and sand on this shovel. But, more treasure means more finery."
Azure Ocean Crawler Shovel	Equipment Shop	2,600	Hunter of Trophy Fish Deliver 25 Trophy Fish.	Azure Ocean Crawler	"You know what digs really well? Crabs do! So this shovel makes perfect sense, okay?"
Bilge Rat Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Bilge Rat	"Would you believe that's still the original handle? Lots of digging left in it yet."
Bone Crusher Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	Scourge of Skeleton Ships Defeat 50 Skeleton Ships.	Bone Crusher	"What better than a skeleton for digging in the earth?"
Castaway Bilge Rat Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Castaway Bilge Rat	"Would you believe that's still the original handle? Lots of digging left in it yet."
Ceremonial Admiral Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	31	Ceremonial Admiral	"If physical toil is absolutely necessary, this efficient shovel will commandeer buried prizes."
Cultured Aristocrat Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	The Curse Of The Pacifists Demise Curse another crews' ship with Peaceball while flying Reaper's Mark flag.	Cultured Aristocrat	"Seems a shame to get dirt and sand on this shovel. But, more treasure means more finery."
Dark Adventurers Shovel	Athena's Fortune Shop	624,375	Pirate Legend Obtained from the Mysterious Stranger after reaching Level 50 in any three Trading Companies. 150	Dark Adventurers	"Perfect for digging up Chest of Legends. Oh, and all the other less legendary loot."
Dawn Hunter Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	Plundered Prizes Sell 600 of any Trading Company items while flying the Reaper's Bones Emissary Flag. Grades: 120 240 360 480 600 treasures	Dawn Hunter	"Not to be used as a weapon. Or for burying people."
Deep Ocean Crawler Shovel	Equipment Shop	16,650	n/a	Deep Ocean Crawler	"You know what digs really well? Crabs do! So this shovel makes perfect sense, okay?"
Eastern Winds Jade Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	Generous Giving for Many Deliver 25 Generous Gifts.	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 Sapphire Shovel	Twitch Drops	n/a	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	Gold Hoarders	2,800	35	Gold Hoarders	"Grab a mighty hoard from famed pirates to get your hands on this glittering 20 karat gold shovel."
Fearless Bone Crusher Shovel	Equipment Shop	15	n/a	Fearless Bone Crusher	"What better than a skeleton for digging in the earth?"
Forsaken Ashes Shovel	Equipment Shop	2,600	Master Devil's Voyager Complete all 'Devil's Voyager' Commendations.	Forsaken Ashes	"As well as digging up treasure, this looks suited to shoveling hot coals."
Frostbite Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	Generous Giving for Many Deliver 25 Generous Gifts.	Frostbite	"Just be careful not to lean too heavily on the end of this shovel when unearthing your treasure."
Frozen Horizon Shovel	Pirate Emporium	249	n/a	Frozen Horizon	"No, I asked for a snow shovel - not a shovel that makes snow."
Ghost Shovel	Athena's Fortune Shop	13,250	Pirate Legend Obtained from the Mysterious Stranger after reaching Level 50 in any three Trading Companies. 150 Legendary Riches Sell 300 Athena's Fortune Treasures while flying the Athena's Fortune Emissary Flag. Grades: 60 120 180 240 300 treasures	Ghost	"Now here's a shovel that has dug more graves than it has dug up treasures."
Gilded Phoenix Shovel	Twitch Drops	n/a	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	Equipment Shop	2,600	n/a	Glorious Sea Dog	"Digs up treasure chests just in time for your rivals to show up and steal them!"
Grand Admiral Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Grand Admiral	"If physical toil is absolutely necessary, this efficient shovel will commandeer buried prizes."
Guardian Ghost Shovel	Athena's Fortune Shop	13,250	Bring It On After receiving your Blessing, complete a Pirate Legend Voyage while representing The Guardians of Fortune.	Guardian Ghost	"Now here's a shovel that has dug more graves than it has dug up treasures."
Hunter Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Hunter	"Not to be used as a weapon. Or for burying people."
Imperial Sovereign Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Imperial Sovereign	"We recommend waiting between digs so your crew can appreciate its impractical splendour."
Inky Kraken Shovel	Equipment Shop	16,650	n/a	Inky Kraken	"What better for digging up treasure over on Kraken's Fall?"
Kraken Shovel	Equipment Shop	2,600	n/a	Kraken	"What better for digging up treasure over on Kraken's Fall?"
Legendary Shovel	Athena's Fortune Shop	2,600	Pirate Legend Obtained from the Mysterious Stranger after reaching Level 50 in any three Trading Companies. 150 Legendary Gold Hoarder Sell 500 Chests as a Pirate Legend Grades: 10 50 100 250 500 chests	Legendary	"Shovel of a pirate beyond measure, ideal for digging lovely treasure."
Measly Hoarder Shovel	Gold Hoarders	700	5	Gold Hoarders	"By swiping a pittance of loot from pitiful pirates we'll let you have this 6 karat gold shovel."
Mercenary Shovel	Equipment Shop	15	n/a	Mercenary	"Digging feels like less work when you remember that the treasure belongs to someone else."
Nightshine Parrot Shovel	Equipment Shop	16,650	n/a	Nightshine Parrot	"You can dig through the dirt and still look bright and snazzy, thanks to this shovel."
Notable Hoarder Shovel	Gold Hoarders	1,400	15	Gold Hoarders	"A reasonable 12 karat gold shovel can be yours if you raid enough wealth from lowly pirates."
Notorious Hoarder Shovel	Gold Hoarders	3,500	45	Gold Hoarders	"This magnificent 24 karat shovel is a deserved reward for raiding big booties of revered pirates."
Ocean Crawler Shovel	Equipment Shop	2,600	n/a	Ocean Crawler	"You know what digs really well? Crabs do! So this shovel makes perfect sense, okay?"
Onyx Shovel	Equipment Chest	n/a	n/a	Black Dog	"Widely believed to avoid unearthing buried skeletons, so long as you can dig in the right place."
Parrot Shovel	Equipment Shop	2,600	n/a	Parrot	"You can dig through the dirt and still look bright and snazzy, thanks to this shovel."
Reaper's Heart Shovel	Pirate Emporium	149	n/a	Reaper's Heart	"Spend quality time with a special someone by digging up a treasure chest together."
Renowned Hoarder Shovel	Gold Hoarders	2,100	25	Gold Hoarders	"16 karats of quality shovel are waiting after you plunder the prizes of prominent pirates."
Rogue Sea Dog Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	31	Rogue Sea Dog	"Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on."
Royal Sovereign Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	31	Royal Sovereign	"We recommend waiting between digs so your crew can appreciate its impractical splendour."
Ruffian Sea Dog Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Ruffian Sea Dog	"Certified to have dug up at least a hundred chests, it's a shovel you can rely on."
Sailor Shovel	Equipment Chest	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	Insider Programme	n/a	n/a	Sapphire Blade	"Being a pioneer means exploring in new directions. Down is a direction."
Scorched Forsaken Ashes Shovel	Equipment Shop	2,600	Captain of Ashen Bones Set fire to 100 Skeletons with the Ashen Winds Skull	Scorched Forsaken Ashes	"As well as digging up treasure, this looks suited to shovelling hot coals."
Scurvy Bilge Rat Shovel	Equipment Shop	5,400	n/a	Scurvy Bilge Rat	"Would you believe that's still the original handle? Lots of digging in it yet."
Sea Dog Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	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	Equipment Shop	2,600	Captain of Ashen Bones Set fire to 100 Skeletons with the Ashen Winds Skull	Seared Forsaken Ashes	"As well as digging up treasure, this looks suited to shovelling hot coals."
Shovel of the Ashen Dragon	Equipment Shop	2,600	Tome of Power III Sell the Tome of Power III.	Ashen Dragon	"Digs up treasure like a... like a hot shovel through sand."
Shovel of the Bristling Barnacle	Equipment Shop	24,975	Hoarder of Barnacled Gold Sell 300 Shipwrecked Chests to the Gold Hoarders. Grades: 5 20 60 150 300 chests	Bristling Barnacle	"This watery shovel should serve you well, but the sand does seem to stick to it."
Shovel of the Silent Barnacle	Equipment Shop	24,975	Hoarder of Barnacled Gold Sell 300 Shipwrecked Chests to the Gold Hoarders. Grades: 5 20 60 150 300 chests	The Silent Barnacle	"This watery shovel should serve you well, but the sand does seem to stick to it."
Shovel of The Wailing Barnacle	Equipment Shop	15	n/a	Wailing Barnacle	"This watery shovel should serve you well, but the sand does seem to stick to it."
Silver Blade Shovel	Insider Programme	n/a	n/a	Silver Blade	"Being a pioneer means exploring in new directions. Down is a direction."
Sovereign Shovel	Equipment Shop	1,850	n/a	Sovereign	"We recommend waiting between digs so your crew can appreciate its impractical splendour."
Sunshine Parrot Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	Legends of the Sea II Find Umbra's book on Crescent Isle, where Salty once rested.	Sunshine Parrot	"You can dig through the dirt and still look bright and snazzy, thanks to this shovel."
Thriving Wild Rose Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	Always Yours Legendary Commendation: Complete all Commendations for 'Wild Rose.	Thriving Wild Rose	"A beautiful shovel that pretty much does the ground a favour."
Triumphant Sea Dog Shovel	Equipment Shop	11,180	Sea Dog Seeker Dig up 100 Chests with the Glorious Sea Dog Shovel in either Arena or Adventure Note: This can be achieved by digging up any type of buried treasure. Grades: 5 10 30 50 100 chests	Triumphant Sea Dog	"Digs up treasure chests just in time for your rivals to show up and steal them!"
Twilight Hunter Shovel	Twitch Drops	n/a	n/a	Twilight Hunter	"Not to be used as a weapon. Or for burying people."
Venomous Kraken Shovel	Equipment Shop	24,975	Legendary Kraken Hunter Defeat 10 Krakens	Venomous Kraken	"What better for digging up treasure over on Kraken's Fall?"
White Rose Shovel	Season Three	n/a	n/a	Standalone Cosmetics	"A beautiful shovel that pretty much does the ground a favour."
Wild Rose Shovel	Equipment Shop	15	n/a	Wild Rose	"A beautiful shovel that pretty much does the ground a favour."