How to Complete the Gunpowder Skeleton Bilge Rat Adventure in Sea of Thieves
Learn the best way to kill all those skeletons using the new gunpowder skeleton enemy!
Sea of Thieves has received its second Bilge Rat Adventure, gunpowder skeletons! These explosive skeletons have a high chance of spawning, carry a gunpowder barrel, and are not afraid to use them. However, as part of the Bilge Rat Adventure, pirates will need to shoot first and ensure the explosion kills groups of skeletons.
Gunpowder Skeleton Commendations
There are quite a few commendations that can be earned through the gunpowder skeleton Bilge Rat Adventure, and all of them reward the highly coveted doubloon. This rare currency is used to purchase the time-limited weapons and clothing, as well as the Letters of Recommendation, so completing all the commendations is an extremely good idea.
Normal Gunpowder Skeleton Commendations
Note: The number at the end of the commendation indicates how many times players must perform this act, except for the title commendations. For example, the "Skeleton Exploder" title consists of four other commendations, each of which have require three successful skeleton kills, bringing the total to 12.
- Skeleton Exploder –Kill 3 bone skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (3)
- Master Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 bone skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (10)
- Plant Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 plant skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (3)
- Master Plant Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 plant skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (10)
- Gold Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 gold skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (3)
- Master Gold Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 gold skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (10)
- Shadow Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 shadow skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (3)
- Master Shadow Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 shadow skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (10)
- Chain Reaction – Set off a chain reaction between gunpowder skeletons (1)
- Gunpowder Plot – Destroy 5 skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton on an active fort while at least 1 other crew is on the island at the same time (1)
- “Skeleton Exploder” Title – Earn the following commendations: Skeleton Exploder, Plant Skeleton Exploder, Gold Skeleton Exploder, and Shadow Skeleton Exploder (12)
- “Master Skeleton Exploder” Title – Earn all non-Legendary gunpowder skeleton commendations (42)
Legendary Gunpowder Skeleton Commendations
- Legendary Skeleton Exploder – Kill 3 bone skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton (50)
- Legendary Gunpowder Plot – Destroy 5 skeletons at the same time by shooting a gunpowder skeleton on an active fort while at least 1 other crew is on the island at the same time (20)
- Legendary Chain Reaction – Set off a chain reaction between gunpowder skeletons (50)
How to Complete the Gunpowder Skeleton Bilge Rat Adventure
Each of the fifteen commendations requires players to kill skeletons by shooting the gunpowder barrel that is being carried by a skeleton. It is important that the player shoots the barrel, causing it to explode, if the skeleton sets it off it will not count. It’s worth noting that just because a skeleton has lit the fuse of a gunpowder barrel doesn’t mean it will explode, it will only explode if a player is near it for a few seconds.
To get these commendations completed quickly, players will want to start going on Order of Souls voyages. These voyages spawn all types of skeletons (bone, plant, gold, and shadow), so all that’s needed is to corral the skeletons together and shoot a gunpowder skeleton. It can be helpful to kite the skeletons down to the water’s edge and shoot the barrel from a distance. Alternatively, group the skeletons up and rush the gunpowder skeleton and shoot it, you’ll die in the process but at least it will guarantee the kill.
All crewmates of a ship will receive a tally on the commendation whenever the prerequisite is met, regardless of their distance to the gunpowder skeleton that exploded – they can even be on the Ferry of the Damned when this occurs and they will still receive a point. It’s also worth mentioning that cannons do not work for this adventure, players must shoot the skeletons using an eye of reach, flintlock pistol, or blunderbuss.
As for the Gunpowder Plot commendations, these will take a little longer considering they require not only an active fort on the server but another crew, too. It’s a good idea to try and get this one accomplished as early as possible, as players usually aren’t too keen on having other crew members come and participate in finishing a skeleton fort. When you first join a server, try hanging out in the Ferry of the Damned to speak with other players to tee up working together on a fort, this should make the process a bit easier.
Players who manage to get all the Gunpowder Skeleton commendations, even the legendary ones, will have 150 doubloons to spend on the bone-themed weapons, Letters of Recommendation, or holding onto them for the next Bilge Rat Adventure. In the meantime, take a look at the Shacknews Sea of Thieves guide and walkthrough for more pirate tips and tricks!
