How to Read the Trade Map Like a Pro

Your map is your best tool for making money. Once you’ve explored a region, hover over it and check the right side of the screen. You’ll see two categories:

In Plentiful Supply – These goods are common in the area and sell for very little.

Highest In Demand – These are rare in that region, meaning they’ll pay you top dollar.

Plan your trade routes accordingly. If a nearby port has Skull and Bones Silver a high demand for an item you’re carrying, it’s worth a detour. It’s also wise to jot down which ports consistently pay well for which goods—that knowledge becomes invaluable as the world opens up.
Best Early Trade Routes

One beginner-friendly trade route involves sailing between your starting port and a nearby inland camp. Usually, these will be within the same region and have different demand profiles. Try this:

Check both vendors—dockside and inland—for what’s buying high.

Gather low-cost or free loot nearby (via treasure maps, wrecks, or contracts).

Make a quick sale at the vendor with the best price.

Use the profits to restock and repeat.

You’ll be surprised how quickly you can build a small fortune this way—especially when you avoid combat and stick to calm waters.
Avoid These Early Game Mistakes

Even seasoned players fall into traps that bleed them dry in the early game. Here are a few to avoid:

Selling Everything You Find: Keep essential crafting and upgrade items. Only sell things that are explicitly marked as trade goods.

Ignoring the Arrow Indicators: Green arrows mean good prices. Red arrows mean a bad deal. If you’re seeing red, hold off.

Trading Without Exploring: You can’t see a port’s demand unless you’ve fully discovered it. Don’t assume prices without doing the legwork.

Being cautious and deliberate pays off in the early hours. Think like a merchant, not just a pirate.
Investing Early Profits Wisely

As you rack up coin, your first instinct might be to splurge on weapons or cosmetic items. Resist that urge. Instead, invest in:

Cargo upgrades: Bigger holds = bigger profits.

Speed enhancements: Faster trips mean more runs per hour.

Map knowledge: Unlocking more regions means more trading options.

Later in the game, you’ll have more freedom to experiment. But in Skull and bones items for sale cheap the early phase, think long-term. Every coin reinvested wisely multiplies your future income potential.