Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions

Third possible solution. No change. I like sticking loot on my anchor so you would be boarders have a harder time. Also I like to litter the deck with storage crates and openable chests so when you change your weapon mid battle oops you just opened a storage crate. Hehehe stay off my ship you pesky pirate.

Your first solution it overly complicated. The simple solution would be to make loot not droppable on top of the capstan as in your second solution. It’s up to rare to decide whether or not this is done so until then, we can getting a lucky prompt and anchor balls.

If you've ever come across a crew that has placed loot on their anchor, so that you as an opponent can't drop the anchor so easily, then you know that it can be quite annoying during a battle.

It’s not annoying. It’s a tactic and very fine one. Maybe just maybe you should change your stance and stop boarding to drop and simply sink them with cannonballs. I hear an anchor ball does the trick.

Think about it. If the anchor drops because of a ball…they have to remove the chests to raise.

Again. Nothing wrong with people doing this and needs no fix or solution.

I think it’s fine as is. When you’re chasing runners, they get a lot of attempts at dropping your anchor if they’re decent boarders. So it’s nice to have a deterrent.

Also, it’s a risk/reward - if you do get their anchor down or anchor ball them in battle, man, it’s hard to raise their own anchor while it’s covered in loot.

Ahoy @Sshteeve,

I agree with you about this “"tools not rules" then every crew should be allowed to play as they wish”. I also sometimes put loot on my anchor to make it more difficult for the opponent, but when I board someone else and their anchor is also under the loot, then this can be quite annoying during a battle.

I don't think this was intended in the game and so I'm giving possible solutions to get rid of this. I'm not saying Sea of Thieves should do this, I'm just giving ideas to get rid of it.

And even with my first possible solutions you can still do what you want with the anchor as a player, only if you put loot on your anchor you will be kind of punished.

@jtye-b said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

Ahoy @Sshteeve,

I agree with you about this “"tools not rules" then every crew should be allowed to play as they wish”. I also sometimes put loot on my anchor to make it more difficult for the opponent, but when I board someone else and their anchor is also under the loot, then this can be quite annoying during a battle.

I don't think this was intended in the game and so I'm giving possible solutions to get rid of this. I'm not saying Sea of Thieves should do this, I'm just giving ideas to get rid of it.

And even with my first possible solutions you can still do what you want with the anchor as a player, only if you put loot on your anchor you will be kind of punished.

The way I see it, there already is a punishment. If your anchor is dropped. It’s incredibly difficult to raise.

I’ve been there. I haven’t complained. I’ve understood that it’s risk/reward.

If galleons weren’t so completely undone by an anchor drop, I may agree with you. But when you’re just trying to have a decent naval fight and all crews do is run away and try to drop your anchor. It’s a godsend to have an extra second to fight off boarders before they drop the anchor.

Ahoy @MostExpendable,

I agree with you and I disagree with you.

I disagree with you on this:

The way I see it, there already is a punishment. If your anchor is dropped. It’s incredibly difficult to raise.

I've also put loot on my anchor and I know when my anchor is dropped with loot on it, it's not that hard for me to get the anchor back up. This is mainly because interacting with the anchor handles is further away from the loot.

I do agree with you about this:

If galleons weren’t so completely undone by an anchor drop, I may agree with you. But when you’re just trying to have a decent naval fight and all crews do is run away and try to drop your anchor. It’s a godsend to have an extra second to fight off boarders before they drop the anchor.

it is indeed nice to have more time to react to the boarders for the anchor, but as a boarder it is not nice.

@mintharp184509

Not only is the angle of interactivity sharply decreased but if you accidentally grab a piece of loot now you are left completely vulnerable, unable to sprint, etc. until you drop it. And then the process repeats if you attempt to interact with the capstan again because loot has absolutely no collision whatsoever which means it can be stacked literally to no end.

I don't have a problem dropping a loot-covered anchor if I stay far enough away/look at the right angle.

Aren't pvp players always talking about the skill ceiling? Putting loot on the anchor rewards you for thinking outside the box. There's no point in "homogenizing the meta" here.

I really like the second solution

I see this as an evident exploit and no one should be allowed to block important parts of the ship with crates and chests without consequences. So crates should either drop next to the capstan or it should increase time required to raise the capstan as you put more and more loot onto it.

Putting a bunch of stuff all over your anchor is something anyone can do, and something anyone smarter than that can undo and mitigate.

One anchorball or one really good slaying boarder nullifies the effect of this anchor blocking. It's meant to be smarter than leaving your anchor unchecked, which allows you to have room for error not fully watching boarders. But if you're unable to beat the boarder(s), your anchor is still unprotected and it will eventually go down.

Arguably if you're that good in the first place you'd know when to watch for boarders and wouldn't need to be attentive to making sure your anchor doesn't go down so long as you kill the boarders.

There is no reason to remove the option. If it annoys you, then find a better way to immobilize the enemy crew. There's their mast(s), slaying the crew via cannons, the aforementioned anchor ball. There's so much you can do against the enemy that a capstan full of objects is just a minor inconvenience to a basic and predictable strategy.

@sussybakastyle said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

[Mod Edited]

"Unintended use of gameplay mechanics" does not mean that it is an exploit and is no way comparable to bucket/shovel x cancelling that was. Just because someone found an inventive use of the existing game mechanics to use as a strategy does not mean it is an exploit. Cancelling the animation to shovel/bucket faster was done by actually bypassing the game mechanics (animations) to accomplish and thus is clearly an exploit.

Don't cry because someone outwitted you so you can't do an easy anchor drop anymore and have to work to board and immobilize a ship now instead of doing it with a single button press as you passed the capstan.

@sussybakastyle remember to be respectful of everyone. Calling people stupid doesn’t do anything but make your point less appealing.

It’s not an exploit. If they have loot on their anchor, that means they can’t use it either. And if you anchor ball them they’re screwed.

Also what’s wrong with plain old naval combat? Not every situation can be solved by boarding the other vessel. Fights would all be boring if they could.

@mintharp184509 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@dlchief58 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@sussybakastyle said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

[Mod edited]

"Unintended use of gameplay mechanics" does not mean that it is an exploit and is no way comparable to bucket/shovel x cancelling that was. Just because someone found an inventive use of the existing game mechanics to use as a strategy does not mean it is an exploit. Cancelling the animation to shovel/bucket faster was done by actually bypassing the game mechanics (animations) to accomplish and thus is clearly an exploit.

Don't cry because someone outwitted you so you can't do an easy anchor drop anymore and have to work to board and immobilize a ship now instead of doing it with a single button press as you passed the capstan.

Nobody is crying.

The developers designed the capstan to release the anchor with a simple press and hold of primary use.

The prompt to do so is supposed to be visible 360 degrees around the capstan.

When you place loot on top of the capstan you are using a game mechanic (loot) in an unintended way to attempt to deny access to said capstan to drop the anchor by attempting to block access to the aforementioned prompt.

Obvious exploit.

How do you stop people from getting aboard your vessel? You guard ladders.

How do you stop the anchor from dropping completely if somebody does manage to board and release it? You catch the capstan before it drops completely.

Funny as it sure sounds that way since people are outwitted by a low-tech strategy such as this so they can't do their standard hop and drop on the capstan to get an easy stop of a ship.

Hogwash. It is no different than hiding keys or your best treasures under piles of common loot. It is not an exploit, it is playing smart and inventive - I take this a step further by putting grog barrels on the capstan (not always easy to do) to get a temporary stun on anyone trying to drop my anchor when they grab that. And the player is at an equal disadvantage as they cannot quickly drop their anchor to pull off anchor turns so it isn't a one way type of advantage like the other REAL exploits which have (or should) be patched out like quick bucketing and wall-banging.

You just need to stop being so dependent upon the same tired meta of boarding if this causes you problems. This is not an exploit but an inventive use of the mechanics/environment available in the game. Just because you have a narrow view of possible strategies is your own shortcoming, no need to be sour because someone outwitted your simple, single-minded approaches.

@mintharp184509 An exploit isn't an exploit when the game is doing exactly what it's supposed to do in those situations. Using objects to hide prompts is a very inventive strategy intermediate players do all the time in order to outwit other enemy players and barely come out on top.

@mintharp184509 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@dlchief58 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@mintharp184509 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@dlchief58 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@sussybakastyle said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

[Mod edited]

"Unintended use of gameplay mechanics" does not mean that it is an exploit and is no way comparable to bucket/shovel x cancelling that was. Just because someone found an inventive use of the existing game mechanics to use as a strategy does not mean it is an exploit. Cancelling the animation to shovel/bucket faster was done by actually bypassing the game mechanics (animations) to accomplish and thus is clearly an exploit.

Don't cry because someone outwitted you so you can't do an easy anchor drop anymore and have to work to board and immobilize a ship now instead of doing it with a single button press as you passed the capstan.

Nobody is crying.

The developers designed the capstan to release the anchor with a simple press and hold of primary use.

The prompt to do so is supposed to be visible 360 degrees around the capstan.

When you place loot on top of the capstan you are using a game mechanic (loot) in an unintended way to attempt to deny access to said capstan to drop the anchor by attempting to block access to the aforementioned prompt.

Obvious exploit.

How do you stop people from getting aboard your vessel? You guard ladders.

How do you stop the anchor from dropping completely if somebody does manage to board and release it? You catch the capstan before it drops completely.

Funny as it sure sounds that way since people are outwitted by a low-tech strategy such as this so they can't do their standard hop and drop on the capstan to get an easy stop of a ship.

Hogwash. It is no different than hiding keys or your best treasures under piles of common loot. It is not an exploit, it is playing smart and inventive - I take this a step further by putting grog barrels on the capstan (not always easy to do) to get a temporary stun on anyone trying to drop my anchor when they grab that. And the player is at an equal disadvantage as they cannot quickly drop their anchor to pull off anchor turns so it isn't a one way type of advantage like the other REAL exploits which have (or should) be patched out like quick bucketing and wall-banging.

You just need to stop being so dependent upon the same tired meta of boarding if this causes you problems. This is not an exploit but an inventive use of the mechanics/environment available in the game. Just because you have a narrow view of possible strategies is your own shortcoming, no need to be sour because someone outwitted your simple, single-minded approaches.

I’m not sour nor narrow minded I just don’t particularly like exploits.

Enjoy your exploits while they last young padawan.

Then you should have no issue with this as it is most definitely NOT an exploit.

@dlchief58 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

You just need to stop being so dependent upon the same tired meta of boarding if this causes you problems. This is not an exploit but an inventive use of the mechanics/environment available in the game. Just because you have a narrow view of possible strategies is your own shortcoming, no need to be sour because someone outwitted your simple, single-minded approaches.

"You just need to stop being so dependent upon the same tired meta of blocking the capstan with loot. Just because you have a narrow view of possible strategies is your own shortcoming, no need to be sour because someone wants your simple, single-minded approach to be removed"

Just admit, that you don't want your favorite "inventive" strategy to be removed.

It's not creative or smart, it's not risk/reward, players doing this are not at an equal disadvantage. Simply because when you're boarding runners, it's literally the only way to stop the ship, besides wasting your time to raise their sails. Not being able to stop runners =/= not being able to perform an anchor turn, that people willingly giving up when using loot on capstan tactics.

It's a risk/reward system, one anchor ball and you're screwed

@unshodguide2026 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

It's a risk/reward system, one anchor ball and you're screwed

It doesn't affect the ability to raise/catch the anchor, interaction points are on the sides of capstan, not on the center where loot is placed.

@mintharp184509 said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

It’s definitely an exploit.

Most definitely not.

@rustyaldrich said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@dlchief58 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

You just need to stop being so dependent upon the same tired meta of boarding if this causes you problems. This is not an exploit but an inventive use of the mechanics/environment available in the game. Just because you have a narrow view of possible strategies is your own shortcoming, no need to be sour because someone outwitted your simple, single-minded approaches.

"You just need to stop being so dependent upon the same tired meta of blocking the capstan with loot. Just because you have a narrow view of possible strategies is your own shortcoming, no need to be sour because someone wants your simple, single-minded approach to be removed"

Just admit, that you don't want your favorite "inventive" strategy to be removed.

It's not creative or smart, it's not risk/reward, players doing this are not at an equal disadvantage. Simply because when you're boarding runners, it's literally the only way to stop the ship, besides wasting your time to raise their sails. Not being able to stop runners =/= not being able to perform an anchor turn, that people willingly giving up when using loot on capstan tactics.

Admit it, you don't what your easy-cheesy "pop and drop" of the capstan to be hindered because you lack the naval skills to stop a ship...or any other useful tactics other than that. Don't be mad because you lack the inventiveness that others have shown in the game.

Personally while I have done this from time to time (experimenting with the grog barrels as well), it is not something I do on a regular basis - mainly because I don't keep loot on the ship that long to be of any use. That and I rarely get boarded to begin with (being a master of avoidance and keeping a wary eye out). But this is most definitely not an exploit in any way, shape or form - DEAL WITH IT!

@rustyaldrich said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@unshodguide2026 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

It's a risk/reward system, one anchor ball and you're screwed

It doesn't affect the ability to raise/catch the anchor, interaction points are on the sides of capstan, not on the center where loot is placed.

But does hinder the ability to make sudden stops and anchor turns, so yea it is somewhat of a risk reward. You are sacrificing maneuverability and stopping power for a little anchor insurance.

@dlchief58 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@rustyaldrich said in Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

@unshodguide2026 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

It's a risk/reward system, one anchor ball and you're screwed

It doesn't affect the ability to raise/catch the anchor, interaction points are on the sides of capstan, not on the center where loot is placed.

But does hinder the ability to make sudden stops and anchor turns, so yea it is somewhat of a risk reward. You are sacrificing maneuverability and stopping power for a little anchor insurance.

Lemme ask you, what are the chances, that people who put loot onto their capstan to prevent anchor from being dropped are going to be the same people, who perform sudden anchor turns and anchor drops? I'll tell you - somewhere close to zero.

@dlchief58 пишет в Loot on the anchor. Two possible solutions:

Admit it, you don't what your easy-cheesy "pop and drop" of the capstan to be hindered because you lack the naval skills to stop a ship...or any other useful tactics other than that. Don't be mad because you lack the inventiveness that others have shown in the game.

Personally while I have done this from time to time (experimenting with the grog barrels as well), it is not something I do on a regular basis - mainly because I don't keep loot on the ship that long to be of any use. That and I rarely get boarded to begin with (being a master of avoidance and keeping a wary eye out). But this is most definitely not an exploit in any way, shape or form - DEAL WITH IT!

Admit it, you don't want your easy-cheesy "drop loot on a capstan" to be hindered because you lack the close combat fighting skills to stop your boarders... or any other useful tactics other than that.

How amusing when you put it that way, but believe it or not, it's exactly loot-on-capstan people, who lack naval skills and instead of fighting prefer to run and are afraid of their anchor being dropped :)

Keep calling the use of an exploit an "inventive" method, lol.

Btw, I probably missed the part, where boarding and fighting in close combat became something to be ashamed of.