Gunpowder Kegs (Kegs) are great resource to take advantage of. Not only do they provide great offensive capabilities, but can provide some utility. A 5 second timer can be triggered on them when in hand. Here is a collection of some known uses as well as how to find them.
Where to find them - These Kegs can be found throughout the Seas, however they can be found in more abundance in certain areas. While acquired in different ways
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Random spawns on islands (Unreliable)
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Gunpowder Skeletons can be shot in the head or foot. They will then proceed to drop
the keg they were carrying. Said Keg can be claimed for further future use. -
Forts are by far the greatest place to find these Kegs. This also includes active (Skull Cloud) and inactive forts. If you have time it is worth stopping at any fort to claim these. Usually you can fine around 10 sometimes more or less.
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Mega Keg can be found once the current active fort is cleared. This is within the treasure vault locked behind the key dropped by the captain.
Storage - Once you find said kegs in general it is safer to store the kegs in the crows nest. Their is one exception, the Mega Keg can not be safely stored anywhere, their is no spot on the ship where it will not make any holes upon detonation. All the regular kegs can be stored safely however. If they detonate while in the Crow's Nest, no damage will happen to the ship. It will rock at the very least. NEVER store any kegs of any kind within the ship. Enemy players or even your own crew can detonate them to cause damage. They can be triggered by cannon-fire as well.
Damage - Kegs can damage people, ships, and PvE threats in different ways
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When detonated on ships, a standard keg will put in 4 holes regardless of blast radius. However the location of said holes varies on the location. When a single keg is detonated in either the mid deck or upper deck (Location of Cannons) of a Galleon, 2 holes will be placed in mid deck and 2 will be at lower deck near the blast radius of the keg vertically. When detonated at the lower deck of a Galleon, 4 holes will be created in the lower deck.
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Since the Sloop and Brigantine are single deck ships detonating anywhere will put 4 holes in regardless. However, depending on location certain hole locations have different water flow rates. For example the Map location on the sloop, and the bed location of the Brigantine.
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Detonated near players, damage varies on proximity of to Keg.
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Detonated near Skeletons can also vary. All White Skeletons and Gold skeletons (Captains included regardless of voyage tier) will one shot.
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Shadow Skeletons I believe are resistant (Unverified if known I will cite you)
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Gunpowder Kegs can chain off each other
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Mega Keg hole count.... (unverified anyone know?)
Utility - Excluding the obvious of detonating on an enemy ship, Kegs have other alternative uses.
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Sea Mine - Kegs have the utility like feature that when contact is made to a moving vessel, while floating in the water, it will detonate. Can utilized in a trap like fashion if you believe a ship will travel through a certain area. Otherwise you can just drop it behind your ship to catch a trailing ship off guard. Add a dozen and you have made a small little carpet bomb.
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Movement Boost - Little known fact, a keg can be used to give a small burst of speed to a ship, without damaging it. Stand at rear of ship, cook keg for 3-4 seconds, then release in water at back of ship. Blast will propel ship forward without damaging ship.
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Long Lasting Floaters - Sea of Thieves classify these as merchant items, therefore, they will remain floating the same length that animal cages float.
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Unstuck Ship - Sometimes the blast can cause a ship, that is stuck, to shift to a location where it is unstuck.
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Ambushes - Plan on attacking a unsuspecting person cashing in their loot, place in slightly hidden location near a vendor and shoot at range. Player will die, and said loot will be dropped on the spot to be cashed in by you. Place near water by dock to make a chained trap to sink unaware ship.
