The fastest way to make money in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced is to board ships instead of sinking them, and to take the Captain’s Lockbox whenever you capture a frigate or Man-o-War. Boarding pays twice the loot of a sinking, and the Lockbox adds a large pile of Reales on top. Once you have a few captured ships, Kenway’s Fleet and the Great Inagua Hideout add passive income while you do everything else.
Below we cover the best active money methods, the passive income to set up early, and what is worth spending on first.
1. Board Ships, Do Not Sink Them
Ubisoft’s naval deep dive is clear about this: boarding an enemy ship nets “the most loot, double what you’d get by simply destroying them.” Disable the ship with cannon fire, pull alongside, and lower the crew’s morale by fighting or cutting down the ship’s flags until they surrender.
After a capture you choose one reward. On larger ships, such as frigates and Man-o-Wars, one option is the Captain’s Lockbox, which Ubisoft says offers “more reales.” When money is the goal, take the Lockbox every time.
Use your Spyglass before you engage. Ubisoft says it shows what a ship carries, so you can skip ships with nothing you need.
Boarding costs crew, so top up at taverns, by rescuing captive pirates on land, or by picking up castaways at sea.
2. Hunt Convoys
Naval convoys are a lead ship with escorts, and the lead often carries a large Reales haul. They appear for a limited time as you sail. Ubisoft says the tip jar at the Hideout’s Tavern increases your chances of finding a Royal Convoy on the open water.
If the escorts are too strong, disable and board the lead ship quickly, then sail off before the rest catch up.
3. Raid Forts, Plantations and Warehouses
- Forts are tough, but taking one pays well in money and materials, reveals new points of interest in its region and opens Kenway’s Fleet missions there.
- Plantations and warehouses hold chests, and each warehouse needs a key found nearby.
4. Dig Up Treasure and Loot Shipwrecks
Treasure chests usually pay 2,000 to 3,000 Reales plus an item, and nothing is missable. Our treasure digging guide covers how to read the maps. Underwater shipwrecks reached with the Diving Bell hold what Ubisoft calls “much rarer loot,” and chests near playas are worth a free dive whenever you pass one.
5. Sell Trade Goods and Hunting Spoils
Cargo you plunder, animal skins and harpooning spoils can all be sold at the next port. Ubisoft says sharks and whales give “high-value resources you can sell off at the next port or use for crafting.” Keep what your next Jackdaw or Edward upgrade needs and sell the rest.
Passive Income to Set Up Early
Kenway’s Fleet
Captured ships you add to Kenway’s Fleet can be sent on missions that generate passive income, trade goods and materials “even while you’re busy elsewhere,” per Ubisoft. You unlock the Fleet in a region by capturing that region’s Fort, and different missions need different ship classes. Keep your fleet repaired, because an underpowered ship sent on the wrong mission can be destroyed.
The Great Inagua Hideout
The Hideout collects regular income from the island’s residents, and several buildings raise it. Ubisoft lists the Fisherman’s Wharf and Treasure Dealer as raising Hideout income over time, and the Mansion Facade, Tower and Garden, and Guesthouse as raising your maximum passive income. The Treasure Dealer also adds a chance of extra profit on fleet trading missions. Upgrade these early, because every hour you play after that pays more.
What Not to Waste Money On
- Throwing money. Ubisoft priced it at 10 Reales per throw. It is cheap, but spamming it adds up.
- Bribes, unless you need them. You can lower your wanted level by bribing an officer in port, but capturing a ship and choosing to lower notoriety does it for free.
- Bones before you need them. The Treasure Dealer sells Bones for 1,000 Reales each. Our Bones guide explains when that is worth it.
What to Spend It On First
Put early Reales into the Jackdaw’s hull and broadside cannons so you can board bigger ships, which is the money loop itself, and into the Harbormaster and General Store on Great Inagua. Our guides to Heavy Shot and ship repairs help you win the fights that pay, and our Legendary Ships guide covers the hardest ones once you are rich. Money carries into New Game Plus too: the 1.0.8 patch notes say money, materials and trade goods all carry over.
More Resynced help is on our Assassin’s Creed guides hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to make money in Black Flag Resynced? Board ships rather than sinking them, and take the Captain’s Lockbox on frigates and Man-o-Wars. Boarding doubles the loot, and the Lockbox adds a large Reales bonus.
Is there a money glitch in Black Flag Resynced? Ubisoft patches exploits it finds (update 1.0.7 closed one in the Right-Hand Man quest), so we do not recommend relying on one. Boarding big ships and running Kenway’s Fleet earn plenty without risking a save.
How do you get passive income? Send captured ships on Kenway’s Fleet missions and upgrade the buildings at your Great Inagua Hideout, which collect income from the island’s residents over time.
Does money carry over to New Game Plus? Yes. The 1.0.8 patch notes say all money, materials and trade goods in your inventory carry over.
What should I spend Reales on first? Jackdaw hull and cannon upgrades, so you can take bigger ships, plus the Harbormaster and General Store at the Hideout.