Shores of Gold Exploit

The sea is salty enough. I've had this in my bag of tricks since TT checkpoints were introduced.

I can count on my fingers the number of times I've actually had to use it in a tactical situation.

Half of those the aggressor had the checkpoint too.

Just go do the TT so you can have it too. Or is that too hard?

I have the quest on me at all times because of PvE players trying to escape from me this way, so this isnt much of an issue.
Had a few players trying to escape from me & my crew using this method, but i simply put the quest down aswel and then we keep chasing these so called PIRATES.

@jonny-rip In some ways, I empathize with your view that it is an exploit, as I do think there is an argument that it fulfills the definition of one, but it is a weaker argument, and unfortunately, it would be really difficult to differentiate "fair use" of the mechanic from more "questionable" use.

My definition of an exploit might be more broad than others.

To me an exploit is:

A) Something that provides an unintended benefit / goes against the intended design of the game
B) Is purposeful
C) Is nonobvious to replicate by observing others

That last one is something I think is an important distinction, but is subject to debate. Becoming really skilled at the game might allow you to do things so quickly, others are puzzled how you could pull it off. Double gunning / quick swapping is contentious for this reason.

Something like the cutlass dash in water, however, seems to be fine under this definition. It does meet A and B, but I think is fairly straightforward to replicate by watching others.

Conversely, speed shovel digging got removed, even though I don't think it offered much benefit or was too difficult to replicate. I think in this case, digging faster just cheapened the feeling of discovering loot / reduced the need to dig as a group. It conflicted with the intended design.

Running to the shores of gold does provide a benefit (A), it is purposeful (B), and quite possibly, it is nonobvious to replicate IF you don't know the tale tall even exists or that the shores of gold even exist. Because it is a unique area, it doesn't behave the same ways as the rest of the red sea, and is the one area you just have to learn others might flee to.

The reason I think it hasn't been removed is because there are many things in the game that new players won't understand that could be construed as cheating or exploits. But I think Rare does a pretty good job at making a lot of those things fairly intuitive to observe and learn from other players.

Shores of Gold? Maybe not so much. It is by design suppose to be the finale of the original tall tales, so it is meant to be something you don't learn about in the normal course of gameplay, and discover later. Unfortunately, that comes with potential misuse as you have seen, since it is gated behind finishing all the tale tales or getting the checkpoint from someone first. If you don't know players can do that to escape, it can be frustrating for new players to learn the hard way.

The other reason it may not have been removed is that they still can't sell there, so technically, they haven't actually gotten away yet, just delayed the inevitable. It also has about the same consequence as red sea running to the pursuer, except they don't get some satisfaction from knowing the loot was totally lost, not just denied from them.

Overall, I echo the opinions of others too that it isn't a strong enough case to call it a true exploit, even though I think the game would be better without it. It is just kind of a wart on an otherwise fairly thought-out game. It isn't the only wart, but it is just one we might have to live with.

@like-500-ninjas said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

@cpt-sockmonster said in Shores of Gold Exploit:
The best pirates in history were excellent runners first and foremost. You should read up on the actual history of pirates. Boats were far too valuable to risk in a fight, so if fleeing was an option it was highly preferred.

Not even being facetious. You may find it interesting.

The best pirates in sea of thieves arent runners & fight you head on even if you have 100k+ worth of loot on board.
The definition of being a pirate in this game is different then in irl.

According to history pirates also didnt...

• Fight the undead & waterfolk.
• Shoot out of cannons.
• Use magic tridents.
• Use a mythical creature to respawn on their ship.
• travel to the afterlife to fight ghosts.
• Have their ships respawned.

Bringing in history to try and defend something in a pirate game doesnt realy help that everyone runs these days instead of having some sort of interaction or a fun fight, They all asume PvP is toxic.
These players don't run because thats what the best pirates did. They run because they have 0 self confidence, and they won't ever improve their PvP skills because they won't even try to stand up for themselves or defend what ever valiables they have.
Because they are dead scared of losing, when the treasure they have means absolutely nothing in this cosmetic based game.

@cpt-sockmonster PIRATES (in this game) * fixed that original post for you, as that's clearly not what you meant.

@cpt-sockmonster and clearly the treasure means something... Why else would you be working yourself up about it?

@thagoochiestman said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

@cpt-sockmonster and clearly the treasure means something... Why else would you be working yourself up about it?

Because I & the majority of all other PvPers will tell you that they dont care about the loot since we have a large bank & all cosmetics we want.
Its nice if you can get a steal, but having a good fight will beat getting a lot of loot, especialy if both crews are good sports.

I propably lost count as of how many times ive either given away loot, or just left the server and didnt sell the loot at all.

@thagoochiestman said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

@cpt-sockmonster PIRATES (in this game) * fixed that original post for you, as that's clearly not what you meant.

I think we all know what i ment when i said the word Pirates on the forums of a pirate fantasy based game, were almost the whole community decided to run instead of fight. xd
I guess the two guys that upvoted me must not have understood what i ment.

Why did you feel the need to respond twice?
Look what you did, now i responded twice!

Most committed pvp crews will have the checkpoint, I have it and only use to chase rather than run. It's not at all an exploit, tools not rules

I never leave home without my Tribute Peak checkpoint, never know when you're gonna need it!

@jonny-rip said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

Obviously everyone knows about the grab the voyage for the Shores of Gold and you can hide in there forever so no one can touch you unless they also have the voyage... Is this ever gonna get addressed or? Tired of people avoiding actually playing the game by hiding there

it not an exploit it part of the game i think you might just be mad because you dont have it?

@like-500-ninjas said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

I find it funny that when there is a pro-PVP post, you guys are all "REAL pirates were terrible people who killed everybody and everything, arrrrrr me griefing be justified" but when it's a PVE-sided post, it's always "Hey bruh....this game isn't realistic with the skeletons and all that, ok? Stop trying to justify it with real life because they have nothing in common." 🙄

What i find funny is that you asume that im one of those guys that said pirates in sot should be terrible people that always fight & sink everyone, simply because i want people to PvP more instead of Run and improve their PvP skills.
No im not going to stop telling people that try and bring in historical accuracy to a fantasy pirate game, were being a pirate means something different for people then in irl.

At any rate, if loot means nothing....why you salty though?

Projecting much?
So salty means making a bunch of valid points? While you're the one attacking me & other PvPers for playing the game as intended? In what way am i angry, when i just want to have a fun encounter with other players, even if it doesnt result into PvP?

I'll tell you right now, I NEVER PVP in this game. Ever.

That means you will never learn how to improve & adapt from situations.
I'm glad im not like you, because ive been were you have been, we all have. Not knowing how to fight properly, afraid to lose something & start running, thinking of what to do.
But i & others have improved & build confidence by taking in our mistakes, instead of just giving up & scuttling without even trying.

I'll either scuttle and go play another game or, if I'm bored, sail around and waste your time with nothing on board, let you catch up, see my ship is empty....then scuttle while you and your crew are all "Chainshotz off teh bowz, boardz wit da firebombz...l33t snipez" and dripping in your own sweat.

Thats kind of toxic of you man.
I will tell you, what i tell other PvE'ers that treat PvPers like this. You don't know me, for all i know there could be a wholesome encounter in a chase or even in the heat of battle. I sunk a gallion 2 weeks ago, and they were sad, but because they were sad & didnt rage at us & did acknowledge that PvP is part of the game, we told them to come back.
We gave them a high level quest and went with them on their gallion to chill & let them sell all their loot. And afterwards they were beyond gratefull & we all had a blast of a time.

Always leads to awesome messages from the would-be PVP crew through Xbox Live, which are immediately reported as I'm an Xbox Ambassador and basically have to.

Awesome messages? You sure hate PvPers a lot don't you? Is this even the right game for you?

No interest in PVP, no interest in being good at it, and also....the best pirates in this game are those that could get their own treasure.

Aah the good old, we worked hard for it and you didnt deserve any of our hard earned loot. That is were you are wrong. The best pirates are those that can defend their own loot from any crew on the server, that being PvErs or PvPers.
Not the crews that get their loot, its not your loot until you turn it in.

That's why the Reapers lost Golden Sands: they can't actually complete missions themselves because they would rather be lazy and steal other people's loot. When they had to do it themselves, they couldn't get the job done.

I was actualy doing both sides because it was funny. Didnt know winning this adventure ment so much to you, just so you could kick other players that like to fight into the dirt. Instead of having a fun community interaction.

I honestly don't think this game is for you tbh, PvP will always be a part of it. Don't be so toxic towards other players just because they want to fight you, because wholesome situations can still bloom from them.

@galactic-geek said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

While abusable, it's pretty Rare, due to the stringent requirements.

Step 1: Complete TTs 1-9.
Step 10: Travel to the Devil's Roar.
Step 11: Activate the voyage.
Step 12: Get loot.
Step 13: Get another crew's attention.
Step 14: Run into the Red in the NE corner.
Step 15: Find a safe way back out.

15/6 steps = rarely seen and not really worth the time wasted to do it.

I'm confused, isn't the point that once you get the shores of gold checkpoint, you actually don't need to do travel to devil's roar anymore, and can activate the tall tale checkpoint from anywhere after getting loot, and after getting another crew's attention? It is the fact that you can activate the checkpoint on the fly that is being debated.

I guess in your defense, OP doesn't explicitly say that, but I think that is probably the use he his referring to.

Just do the shores of gold and get yourself the Shroudbreaker! It’s a very handy tool for chasing or getting away if all options failed

So. What is the exploit?

Maybe they are doing the tall tale, what does it matter if they hide “all day”.
As long it isn’t ruining your own game it fine.

@like-500-ninjas said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

No interest in PVP, no interest in being good at it, and also....the best pirates in this game are those that could get their own treasure.

@Cpt-SockMonster said in Shores of Gold Exploit

Aah the good old, we worked hard for it and you didnt deserve any of our hard earned loot. That is were you are wrong. The best pirates are those that can defend their own loot from any crew on the server, that being PvErs or PvPers.
Not the crews that get their loot, its not your loot until you turn it in.

You are both wrong. Best pirates are those who understand that there is no best pirate. Best pirates are those who can embrace the freedom of the sea and dont blame anyone else for using it. Stealing is not lazy nor doing pve. Best pirates can understand that this is a sandbox/shared world game where everyone is allowed to do what they want.

• Pirates can PVP but they dont have the right to complain about people running.

• Pirates can PVE but they cant complain about people attacking them.

Best pirates just contribute to the sandbox in their way and don't judge how others do. Their sandbox plays can effect yours and that is completly fine. This was how the game was suppouse to be from the start. This makes the game uniqe and stand out from all others.

This is what makes the game special in the first place. There is no repetitiveness. Sandbox nature makes it uniqe to a point that doing a mission for the 500th can be fun because of player interaction.

There is no Best OR worst pirates. Everyone is free to do their thing as long as it is family friendly.

@like-500-ninjas said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

I'm an Xbox Ambassador and basically have to.

"Xbox Ambassadors are on a mission to make gaming fun for everyone. Join today and begin to level up for being a positive and welcoming gamer on Xbox."

@jonny-rip I’m more concerned about Grade 5 reapers server hopping through portals until they find a server with lots of emissaries. Kinda defeats the purpose of putting them on the map as a growing threat when at any given moment a reaper can spawn within 2 minutes of the outpost you’re selling at because they server hopped using the new tall tales.

@thorumsu said in Shores of Gold Exploit:

You are both wrong. Best pirates are those who understand that there is no best pirate. Best pirates are those who can embrace the freedom of the sea and dont blame anyone else for using it. Stealing is not lazy nor doing pve. Best pirates can understand that this is a sandbox/shared world game where everyone is allowed to do what they want.

I agree with some points here, but i do still think you're wrong with the main point. Sure people can do what ever they want, but that doesnt make them the best pirates. Player interaction in this game is a thing, imo the best pirates are the ones that can defend their treasure & their ship from any crew on the server & remain good sports. Because the toxicity in PvP is high these days.

I will blame a crew if they run while insult me & my crew for chasing them, because in my eyes, it makes them cowardly toxic pirates that won't improve at all.

They don't realise that these interactions can result into loot being returned to the other crew, or sharing it with a alliance, Or even in my example, playing a session with them.

• Pirates can PVP but they dont have the right to complain about people running.

Actualy We do, because everyone does it these days & it results into the runners being toxic in most cases instead of having some sort of interaction.
If only some people did it with the right reasons, like being out of supplies, or not feeling confident to fight while respectfully communicating this to the other crew without toxicity, then its what ever.
But everyone runs, and their reason is PvPers are toxic and they don't deserve my hard earned loot.

• Pirates can PVE but they cant complain about people attacking them.

Yet they keep going to the forums begging for PvE servers.

Best pirates just contribute to the sandbox in their way and don't judge how others do. Their sandbox plays can effect yours and that is completly fine. This was how the game was suppouse to be from the start. This makes the game uniqe and stand out from all others.

Sure, don't be a stupid to other players & accept that people can interact with you in one way or another, but that doesnt make them the best pirates, it makes them nice players.

This is what makes the game special in the first place. There is no repetitiveness. Sandbox nature makes it uniqe to a point that doing a mission for the 500th can be fun because of player interaction.

There is a lot of repetitiveness & very little different stuff to do in this game from the PvE perspective, that is why some players dislike it. And player interaction can be fun, if the new influx of players sinds the last months didnt run as much as they do & act toxic in some cases.

There is no Best OR worst pirates. Everyone is free to do their thing as long as it is family friendly.

Disagreed.
If people are going to run or PvP & act toxic to the other crew, they arent good pirates.
If people get attacked and sink the enemy crew & both crews remain good sports, they are good pirates.
people shouldnt be family friendly, people should treat each other with respect no matter the interaction.

@jonny-rip
I do this trick when a Galle or alliance are chasing me for my a big haul of loot

Also, it's not an exploit.
It's doesn't have any benefit by doing this, it's litteraly camping and a big waste of time.

As raider, you can also play smart. Don't wait for him from the sea, go Tucc at 3Pace SeaPost (Park your ship at Galleon Grave)
No matter what direction she will take, you will see her coming. Most of the time, they'll go at the nearest Outpost or get out of shores for chores

@wolfmanbush said:

It's not an exploit.

There was never requirement, obligation or restrictions about why someone goes there.

An exploit would be if people weren't allowed (via coding) to take loot with them and they circumvented the restriction to take loot with them, which is not what exists.

Why do we have tall tale checkpoints? So we can use them to get a free Morningstar outfit? So we can scuttle our ships for infinite supplies? So that we can cheese completions without actually repeating the tales?

Or were they simply designed for us to pick up where we left off in a tale?

You are right, that technically there are no requirements or obligations for going to the Shores of Gold. However, there is a restriction, being either a vote at Morrow's Peak or a checkpoint.

Placing that vote or checkpoint, while not intending to complete the tall tale, is technically using the mechanic in an unintended way. Thus it is exploiting. But it's not necessarily the worst thing.

I've always said that the issue of exploits is more nuanced than "intended = good, unintended = bad." Some exploits are more harmful than others (dolphin dive boarding), and some are less accessible to others (dpi glitching).

People complain about sprint-canceling swaps and reload-cancels, but anyone can do them regardless of input device or platform; and they don't require you to complete 8 tall tales before being able to do it.

I'd put Shores-of-Gold-running in the same "benign" category as stuff like portal hopping. Whereas using the portal to scuttle-stock up your ship is a bit more harmful to the environment.

Anyway, discussions like this remind me of how cleaner the environment could have been if tall tales were given their own "story" mode, and we didn't have to worry about their impact on the intended organic experience.

Out of curiosity, couldn't a crew fire up one of the Pirate's Life tall tales and just "escape" a server altogether?