General
Deep Sea Monuments Guide
Ore islands, ghostships, floating cities. Loot locations, scientists, and exploration strategies.
Ore islands, ghostships, floating cities. Loot locations, scientists, and exploration strategies.
The deep sea contains three distinct monument types introduced in the Naval Update. Each offers unique loot, challenges, and rewards. Understanding monument layouts, scientist distributions, and loot spawning patterns transforms exploration from chaotic to methodical. Experienced deep sea players develop routes that maximize loot collection while minimizing danger.
Ore islands are tropical islands scattered throughout the deep sea. White sand beaches, dense vegetation, and scattered structures characterize them. Islands feature multiple NPC scientists, loot crates, ore nodes, and environmental navigation challenges. Each island is unique requiring adaptation to specific layouts.
Each island hosts 3 to 5 scientists on patrol. They're moderately armored, armed with rifles and shotguns. Scientists work patrol routes and respond aggressively to player presence. Defeat them tactically to secure island loot. Their drops include keycards, weapons, and components.
Scattered crates across islands contain basic to elite-tier loot. The Shipshape update balanced spawning, so expect moderate returns per visit. Crate quality varies from common to elite. Loot respawns slowly over time enabling repeat farming runs.
Ore islands contain ore nodes with high-quality metal and sulfur. Harvesting provides supplemental resources. Nodes respawn slowly so don't strip islands bare. Plan regular returns as nodes respawn.
Land your boat on the far beach away from scientist spawn areas. Scout carefully for scientist positions. Engage them one or two at a time. Use vegetation for cover. Shotguns excel at close range. Assault rifles work medium distance. Bring medical supplies for healing after combat.
Medical supplies for healing. Ammunition for weapons. Pickaxes for ore harvest. Boat repair materials. Extra food and water. Clothing for environmental protection.
Prioritize keycards, weapons, and components. Secondary items: ammunition, medical supplies, blueprints. Skip low-value ore unless cargo space permits. Selective collection maximizes value per trip.
Ghostships are wrecked vessels with multiple interconnected decks. Navigation is maze-like with numerous dead-ends and corridors. Scientists patrol decks and guard loot areas. Some cabins require keycards for entry. Interior combat is close-quarters and deadly. Plan to spend 30 to 60 minutes per ship depending on opposition.
Ghostships host 5 to 10 heavily armored scientists with assault rifles and shotguns. They coordinate patrols and communicate threats. Never engage multiple scientists simultaneously. Use corridors to funnel them into favorable engagements. Coordinate fire and support.
PT boats actively patrol ghostship waters. Spend too much time looting or sustain boat damage and patrol boats will investigate. They carry dual front turrets and rear .50 caliber guns. Keep engines running for quick escape. Abandon ghostship if patrol boats arrive and you're not ready for combat.
Ghostships contain the deepest elite crates. Keycards unlock higher-tier rooms. Green cards open basic areas. Blue cards access better loot. Red card rooms contain elite military crates rivaling the best monuments. The loot justifies the danger and preparation required.
Enter carefully through lower decks. Clear methodically deck by deck. Don't rush. Tight spaces favor shotguns. Assault rifles provide medium-range coverage. Sniper rifles are ineffective in cramped interiors. Mark cleared areas and dead bodies to avoid re-engagement.
Maintain escape routes. Don't venture so deep you can't quickly return to your boat. Listen constantly for PT boat engine sounds. If patrol boats approach, evacuate immediately. A live player with partial loot beats a dead player with nothing.
Floating cities are built from abandoned infrastructure. Multiple levels and interior spaces. Environmental hazards like broken walkways and collapsed structures present falling dangers. Navigation requires care but is non-combat focused.
No hostile NPCs. Safe zone amenities scattered throughout. Recyclers, workbenches, and research tables. The Deep Deck Casino provides entertainment. Floating cities serve as rest and repair points during extended expeditions.
The Shipshape update added boat building stations to floating cities. Repair boats after combat or long voyages. Floating cities enable extended deep sea operations by providing maintenance points.
Basic supplies and occasional gear drops. Not a primary loot source but supplemental finds available. The real value is the safe haven and repair capability.
Floating cities may become player gathering points. Some players use them as trading hubs. Others camp for unsuspecting divers. Remain cautious. Backstabs still happen. Keep your guard up even in neutral zones.
Scout from distance first. Observe patrol patterns. Land on far sides away from scientist spawns. Circle wide and approach from unexpected angles. Positioning is critical for success.
Plan your return journey before looting. Calculate fuel requirements. Know safe extraction routes. Leave before fuel runs critically low. A boat stranded in deep sea is disaster.
Run monuments during favorable server conditions. Avoid peak raid times when enemy activity peaks. Run during low-population periods for reduced PvP risk.
Start with ore islands. They offer manageable threats and good loot. Develop scientist combat skills in island environments. Progress to ghostships once island success is consistent. Never rush ghostships before adequate preparation. Build custom vessels and develop naval tactics. Master deep sea methodically.
Return to the same monuments repeatedly. Loot respawns over time. Establish efficient routes between favorite monuments. Learn layouts and spawn patterns. Consistent farming beats one-time exploration.
Overview information in Deep Sea Guide. Scientist combat tactics in Deep Sea Scientists Guide. Underwater exploration in Underwater Diving Guide. Boat building for custom vessels. Loot tables reference. Weapon guides for combat preparation.