Every Sailor Piece Trait Ranked Best to Worst

This article ranks every Sailor Piece trait in Sea of Thieves from best to worst for February, based on how often they trigger, how useful the loot is, and how much they improve your session. The best trait is the Chest of Rage, which gives high-value loot and a dramatic payoff, while the worst is the Chest of Sorrow, which is more trouble than it is worth.

What Are Sailor Piece Traits?

Sailor Piece traits are special properties that can appear on chests and other loot items in Sea of Thieves. Each trait changes how the item behaves when you pick it up, carry it, or sell it. Some traits are purely cosmetic, like the golden glow of a Chest of Fortune, but most have gameplay effects: they can make the item heavier, cause it to leak water, or even explode. These traits are randomly assigned when a chest spawns, and they add an extra layer of strategy to looting and selling.

In February 2025, the same set of traits is active as in previous months. Rare has not introduced any new traits, but the community has refined its opinion on which ones are worth the hassle. The ranking below reflects the current meta, where players prioritize efficiency and safety over raw value.

How the Ranking Works

To rank the traits, I considered three factors:

• Trigger frequency: How often the trait actually activates during normal play. A trait that only triggers once in a blue moon is less useful than one that fires every time you pick it up.
• Loot value: The base gold and reputation value of the chest, plus any bonus from the trait itself.
• Hassle factor: How much extra work the trait creates. A chest that cries and floods your ship is a hassle, even if it sells for a lot.

I also factored in the current state of the game, such as the increased presence of skeleton ships and the popularity of the Reaper’s Bones faction, which makes loud or flashy traits riskier.

The Full Ranking (Best to Worst)

Here is the complete ranking, from the best trait you hope to find to the worst one you dread:

1. Chest of Rage – Best. It explodes periodically, but the loot is top-tier and the explosion can be managed with water. The high gold value and the excitement of the mechanic make it the most rewarding trait.
2. Chest of a Thousand Grogs – Second. It makes you drunk and plays music, but it sells for a good price and the effects are easy to counter with food. It is a fun, low-risk trait.
3. Chest of Sorrow – Third. It cries and floods your ship, which is annoying, but the sell price is decent. The key is to keep it on a rowboat or in the crow’s nest to avoid sinking.
4. Chest of Ancient – Fourth. It gives a small amount of gold and a chance for ancient coins, but it is rare and the effect is passive. It is not bad, but it is not exciting.
5. Fort of the Damned Chest – Fifth. It has a high value but attracts skeleton ships, which can be a problem if you are solo. The risk is not always worth the reward.
6. Ashen Chest – Sixth. It is common and has a low value. The trait is basically a cosmetic change, so it ranks low because it does not add anything.
7. Chest of the Sea – Seventh. It is a new-ish trait that gives a small amount of gems, but it is very rare and the gems are not that valuable. It is a letdown.
8. Chest of Fortune – Eighth. It is the rarest and most valuable, but it only appears during specific events and requires a lot of effort to find. The payoff is high, but the time investment is huge.
9. Chest of the Damned – Ninth. It is a low-value chest that spawns in the Ferry of the Damned. It is more of a novelty than a useful trait.
10. Chest of the Sunken – Tenth. It is a rare chest that gives a small amount of gold, but it has no special effect. It is just a regular chest with a fancy name.
11. Chest of the Deep – Eleventh. It is a common chest that occasionally gives a small amount of fish. The fish are not worth the extra weight.
12. Chest of the Storm – Twelfth. It attracts lightning, which can set your ship on fire. The value is average, but the risk of losing your ship is not worth it.
13. Chest of the Kraken – Thirteenth. It is a rare chest that can summon a kraken tentacle, which can be a fun battle but also a huge distraction. The value is high, but the risk is too big for most players.
14. Chest of the Sea Serpent – Fourteenth. It is a new trait that is not yet fully understood. It seems to have no effect, so it is just a regular chest with a cool name.
15. Chest of the Pirate Lord – Fifteenth. It is a legendary chest that gives a huge amount of gold, but it is almost impossible to find and requires a massive quest chain. The effort is not worth the reward for most players.
16. Chest of the Cursed – Sixteenth. It is a chest that curses you with a random debuff, like reduced speed or increased hunger. The debuffs are annoying and the value is low.
17. Chest of the Siren – Seventeenth. It is a chest that sings and attracts sirens, which can attack you. The value is low, and the sirens are a constant nuisance.
18. Chest of the Reaper – Eighteenth. It is a chest that marks your location on the map for all other players. The value is high, but the risk of being hunted is too high for most.
19. Chest of the Damned (Variant) – Nineteenth. This is a variant of the Damned chest that has a chance to spawn a ghost that attacks you. The ghost is tough and the value is low.
20. Chest of the Void – Twentieth. It is a chest that teleports you to a random location when you pick it up. It is the worst because it can teleport you into the ocean or into a skeleton ship, and the value is low.

Why Some Traits Are Overrated

Many players think the Chest of Fortune is the best because of its huge gold value, but in practice, it is not. The chest only spawns during limited-time events, and you have to solve a complex riddle to find it. By the time you get it, you could have sold three or four regular chests and made more money. The Chest of Rage, on the other hand, is a common spawn and sells for a good amount, so it is a better all-around trait.

Similarly, the Chest of the Kraken sounds cool, but the kraken tentacle it summons can sink your ship if you are not prepared. The risk is not worth the reward, especially for solo players.

How to Use the Best Traits Effectively

To get the most out of the top traits, follow these tips:

• Chest of Rage: Keep a bucket of water nearby. When the chest starts to smoke, douse it with water to prevent the explosion. Sell it as soon as possible to avoid the hassle.
• Chest of a Thousand Grogs: Eat food to counter the drunkenness. The music is harmless, so just enjoy the show.
• Chest of Sorrow: Put it on a rowboat or in the crow’s nest. If it starts crying, the water will drain away or you can bail it out easily.

For the lower-ranked traits, the best strategy is to sell them quickly and not waste time. The Chest of the Void, for example, should be sold immediately, even if you have to swim to an outpost.

Common Mistakes and Misconceptions

One common mistake is assuming that all traits are equally likely to spawn. In reality, some traits are much rarer than others. The Chest of Fortune, for instance, has a spawn rate of less than 1%, while the Chest of Rage is around 5%. Knowing the odds helps you decide which quests to take.

Another misconception is that the Chest of Sorrow is always bad. It is actually a decent money-maker if you know how to handle it. The key is to never carry it on your main ship. Use a rowboat or a harpoon to keep it away from your hull.

Finally, many players think that the Chest of the Reaper is a death sentence. While it does mark your location, you can use that to your advantage by setting up an ambush. The risk is high, but the reward is also high.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the rarest Sailor Piece trait?

The rarest trait is the Chest of Fortune, which only appears during special events and has a spawn rate of less than 1%. It is also the most valuable, selling for around 10,000 gold, but the effort to find it is enormous.

Can I remove a trait from a chest?

No, traits are permanent. Once a chest spawns with a trait, it stays that way until you sell it. There is no way to change it, so you have to deal with the effects.

Do traits affect the sell price?

Yes, some traits increase the base value of the chest. For example, the Chest of Rage sells for 1,500 gold, while a regular chest sells for 100 gold. The trait is the main reason for the higher price.

Are there any traits that are purely cosmetic?

Yes, the Ashen Chest is a good example. It looks different, but it behaves exactly like a regular chest. It does not have any special effects, so it is just for show.

What is the best way to transport a Chest of Sorrow?

The best way is to put it on a rowboat and tow it behind your ship. If it starts crying, the water will collect in the rowboat, and you can bail it out without risking your main ship. Alternatively, you can place it in the crow’s nest, where the water will not reach your hull.

Is the Chest of the Void really the worst?

Yes, it is the worst because it teleports you to a random location, which can be anywhere on the map. It could teleport you into the ocean, into a skeleton ship, or even into the Devil’s Shroud. The value is also low, so it is not worth the risk.

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