Sea of Thieves Guide | How to Level Up Merchant Alliance

This guide outlines the fastest and easiest method to level up your Merchant Alliance reputation in Sea of Thieves following the latest update.

By following this step-by-step approach, you will efficiently earn Emissary reputation and valuable loot.

Ensure you've reached at least level 15 with the Merchant Alliance before attempting this method, as you'll need the Merchant Emissary unlock to raise your Emissary Flag.

Raising Your Emissary Flag

As soon as you spawn in, raise your Merchant Emissary flag at the Emissary Table. Once the flag is up, purchase all available crates—excluding Fireworks, Wood Crates, Cannibal Crates, Fruit Crates, Storage Crates, and Bait Crates.

Loading these on board should propel you nearly halfway to Grade 2 of your Emissary Flag without leaving port.

Preparing Your First Voyage

Navigate to the Voyages section and select the Merchant Alliance Lost Shipment category. 

Choose the Ashen Executive Lost Shipment voyage, which features only two routes, each with a short sale time and predictable spawn locations. This makes it ideal for rapid reputation gains.

Completing the Lost Shipment Voyage

Dive at your first waypoint and surface directly in front of the initial clue.

Watch for blue glints in the water, indicating either Clue Bottles or Captain's Keys.

If neither appears, search nearby Merchant Barrels and grab the next clue regardless, as any progress rewards significant Emissary reputation.

Stay close to the predetermined path. If you obtain a Captain's Key, sail straight to the shipwreck, which consistently spawns near Mar's Peak Outpost, and ignore the remaining clues.

Handling Unexpected Clues

Should you receive a clue for an island you're close to but lack a Captain's Key, reduce your ship's speed by trimming sails to prepare for a quick turnaround.

Use a cannon to explore the island swiftly. Once you secure the Captain's Key, head directly to the shipwreck, grab all loot—including Kegs—and prepare to deliver.

Turning In Your Loot

After looting the shipwreck, you are less than a square from the Turning Point outpost. Dock and turn in all gathered goods to the Sovereigns if you're on a Captain's ship; otherwise, hand them to the nearest Merchant.

Do not lower your Emissary Flag yet—you'll maximize reputation by remaining active.

Undertaking the Ashen Lord Raid Voyage

Return to the Voyages menu, select Merchant Alliance Raid Voyages, and pick Duel with an Ashen Lord.

This triggers an Ashen Winds world event with a Grade 5 Merchant Emissary flag. Equip a Blunderbuss and continually reload; this tactic defeats the Ashen Lord quickly, regardless of crew size.

Completing the event awards a Scroll of Chartered Waters and high-tier Merchant loot, as well as progressing commendations.

Final Turn-In and Reset

Sail to the nearest outpost and sell all loot, this time lowering your Emissary Flag. Although this yields less gold, it grants substantial Merchant Alliance reputation.

Once turned in, raise your flag again and repeat the entire process to continue leveling up efficiently.

Also, check our Sea of Thieves Review and other guides below:

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