@rocketmankian the captain chest actually hardly reach 1K now.
That crate is by far much more valuable than the Captain's.
Giving us a range from 1k to 2K
While the captain's is from 500 to 1K .

So from my perspective, I see that as a pretty valid option. Since sometimes we can grab 2 or 3 of these from the inside of the vault. And we can find it in shipwrecks and on the shores.
One higher end item would just turn the most easiest alliance to be even more easy. What would be the fun of it?
Just my simple opinion.

@nunoazuldimeter Yes that is the current most high end item but sells sometimes for the same amount as the captains chest which was the gold hoarders high end item before the forts. What I mean by my post is adding a stronghold merchant item like the Stronghold Skull or Stronghold Chest that sells for 1.5k upwards like the current stronghold items, this will make it so by doing forts you get rewarded for every faction.

@rocketmankian hello mate, there is already that high end item. It's the spicy crate (the black one).
It gives you +/- gold and reputation than gold animals during quests.

I need to disagree aboutstruggling to level up merchant alliance. It is actually the most easy and well rewarded alliance.
As we level up the amount of golden animals requested really increases.

@xcalypt0x Maybe, that does sound pretty cool.

@rocketmankian Crate of Stronghold Armaments/Arms/Weapons

@skulliah True but if they added this it should sell for the same price that the current stronghold items sell for.

@alphacenturion2 Indeed, everything the community suggests rare always see. But rare has the decision on whether to move forward on that idea or not.

@slave2thesave The only problem with that is if you get a full crate of planks, bananas or cannonballs and is sold without being part of a voyage you get literally nothing for it.

@rocketmankian

Drew seems really interested with a Stronghold Keg:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Seaofthieves/comments/8yc9i7/has_rare_every_been_asked_what_the_deal_is_with/e2mjlri/

It would be really amazing and increase the risks to have this item on your ship!

My vote goes towards a crate of official, or royal, correspondence (e.g., mail and letters of import).

@rocketmankian Who knows. The art of the sea of thieves is a good indication of what might be added but there is nothing in there about skull forts. If enough people request it then it may happen. Time will tell.

@je0rgie-p0rgie
They are a very rare find, if they came up in Skull forts, there would definitely be an increase in activity around skull forts, being such a highly sought after item.

A stronghold barrel of undead rum or grog or some such thing would be my other suggestion.

@slave2thesave I'm glad you brought those up. I've noticed that for how rare it is to find a crate of cannonballs, planks or bananas, and for the amount we have to put into the crate(s) the reputation and gold payout isn't worth it.

I would love to see a "stronghold crate" or something along those lines. Maybe it could be a "create of rare gems" or something along those lines.

I think the real reason we don't have a crate right now is because the MA has like 20 different items that can increase its level. However, the GH also have a lot of items that can be found and turned in so the MA should have a stronghold counterpart as well.

Maybe a full crate of Bananas and Cannonballs?!?

@afro-silent This would be good but only if this cages parrot or crab spawns in the fort, not just anywhere to cage it.

yeah there needs to be a caged parrot or crab that gives just as much money as skull fort chest and skull xp as well

@alphacenturion2 I agree, anything can happen as long as it is related to pirate lore, but will Rare do it?

@realstyli Oooh that sounds really cool

Crate of Royal Garments
Kraken Hide
Megalodon Teeth

@rocketmankian Perhaps some kind of mythical creature could be stored there. It have to be able to fit with the game so nothing too far fetched perhaps something like a cursed parrot after all if pirates can get cursed why not a parrot. Other than that its difficult to know what it could be. It could just be a largish crate of spices/sugar etc but I think that's a little average. It cant be something like gold because that would be taken by the gold hoarders. Ultimately you could just have a crate of mysterious minerals and that would suffice.

@blindnev I agree, I gain xp faster by doing merchant alliance voyages than order of souls or gold hoarders. But I think it is a necessity to include a stronghold merchant item just to make it even more easier.

I am currently level 44,44,41,3

Yeah a stronghold item would be great.

I'm currently 50/50/46 and it's a real shame that I have no reason to do a fort when it's up (aside from gold that is).
There are usually about 3-4 crates and they can be rare tea or sugar, so not worth it.

It's not that bad though. The amount of rep you get from the voyages and sunken ships still feels a lot better to me compared to the other 2 factions.