In 2020, Sea of Thieves delivered one of its most talked-about free updates, Vaults of the Ancients, which arrived on September 9. Looking back from 2026, it still stands as a clever example of how the game kept old systems feeling fresh without dumping pirates into an overwhelming mess. After the Shores of Gold storyline wrapped up, the Gold Hoarders needed somewhere safe for all that shiny new wealth, and the ancient vaults scattered across the map turned out to be a nearly perfect storage solution. The twist, naturally, was that players could use those same keys to raid the vaults themselves.
What the Vaults Actually Changed
The core loop was simple and satisfying. A pirate would head out into the world, recover a valuable vault key, and then decide whether to complete the original job or cash in on a much riskier opportunity. Using the key opened a vault full of riches, but the real challenge began inside. Players had a limited amount of time to find several medallions hidden within the chamber. Finding enough of them unlocked an additional area packed with even more loot. It turned the usual grab-and-go treasure hunt into a timed, high-pressure scramble, which made even seasoned crews sweat a little.
That structure gave the Gold Hoarders faction a fresh identity. Instead of only digging up chests on beaches, players now had a reason to chase ancient secrets and test their memory of vault layouts. Over time, crews developed routes, callouts, and tricks for clearing the rooms efficiently, which made the update feel deeper than a simple content drop.
Mysterious Notes Gave New Pirates a Softer Landing
Sea of Thieves had grown a lot by 2020, and that growth came with a problem: newcomers could log in and have no idea which activity to try first. The update introduced Mysterious Notes, an in-game method for the developers to recommend content without breaking immersion.
These notes could point players toward world events, profitable opportunities, changing world dynamics, or new arrivals at outposts. They were personalized and appeared in a player's inventory at the start of each session. For someone sailing alone or joining with friends, that gentle nudge helped reduce the feeling of being dropped into a chaotic sandbox with no compass for progression.
Small Quality-of-Life Fixes That Still Matter
Not every addition was dramatic, but some of the smaller changes had a big impact on daily play. Island Banners used in Adventures could now be hidden completely from a player's HUD. The banners had been helpful for tracking ammunition count and player health, but they also cluttered the screen. Giving players the choice to remove them was a welcome bit of flexibility.
Accessibility also received attention. The recently added Single Stick mode was adjusted so players could swap between camera and movement on the same stick. That change might sound minor, but it opened the game up to more people and showed that the developers were paying attention to how different pirates actually played.
A Crossover, an Event, and Some Four-Legged Friends
The update arrived during the Summer of Sea of Thieves event, which ran until the end of September. That timing made it a strong moment to return and clean up event objectives while exploring the new vaults.
There was also a fun tie-in with the new Battletoads game. Any player who completed Act I of Battletoads received a free Fighting Frogs ship livery in Sea of Thieves. It was a small but charming crossover reward, especially for players who enjoyed both universes.
Finally, dog companions joined the game. The addition of four-legged friends gave pirates a new kind of crewmate to keep them company on long voyages, and it quickly became one of the most talked-about parts of the update.
| Update Feature | What It Offered |
|---|---|
| Vaults of the Ancients | Timed vault raids with hidden medallions and extra loot |
| Mysterious Notes | Personalized in-game guidance for new players |
| Island Banner toggle | Cleaner HUD by hiding adventure banners |
| Single Stick mode swap | More flexible camera and movement control |
| Fighting Frogs livery | Free ship cosmetic for Battletoads players |
| Dog companions | New four-legged pets for pirate crews |
From a 2026 perspective, Vaults of the Ancients does not feel like a relic. It set a template for how Sea of Thieves could blend lore, player choice, and accessibility without losing the freewheeling spirit that made the game special. For many long-time pirates, that September update was the moment the seas started to feel truly full of possibility.