How to Get Steel Ingots in Skull and Bones

Steel beats wood.

Skull and Bones Iron Ore
Screenshot by Prima Games

As you traverse the high seas in search of greater fame and loot, you’ll find that the enemy vessels quickly outclass your own, and sturdier armor and bigger guns will go a long way. Here’s how to get Steel Ingots in Skull and Bones to equip your ship properly!

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Where to Get Steel Ingots in Skull and Bones

To get Steel Ingots in Skull and Bones, you must either mine Pure Iron, which isn’t found in the starting region, or purchase the ingots directly from a trader. To mine Pure Iron, you must traverse the treacherous sea to the East Indies; more specifically, you’ll want to reach the archipelago at Nilam Sea, where you’ll find a handful of iron nodes to mine. It’s also important to note that you require a Pickaxe II to mine Pure Iron.

Once you have a little stockpile, visit a Refinery, like the one up the coast from the Nilam Sea, and you can smelt Steel Ingots using Pure Iron at a cost of 10 silver per ingot.

But be wary as the trip across the open ocean to reach this point is quite treacherous. It’s a neverending storm, with the looming threat of rogue waves always on the horizon and more than a handful of Compaigne and Dutch East India Company vessels sailing too close for comfort. Most of them sit around level 8-10.

Alternatively, you can buy Steel Ingots from merchants, especially around the East Indies, and loot the ingots from destroyed ships. A few of the small vessels in the game will contain Steel Ingots, but you’ll have more luck taking on bigger, stronger ships.

While you’re venturing across the ocean, it’s also an excellent chance to hit a few small islands along the way to gather resources for Bronze Ingots. You need Steel and Bronze Ingots to upgrade your ship and weapons for late-game combat.

About the Author

Brandon Morgan

Brandon began writing in 2012, for websites such as OnlySP, before transitioning to digital marketing in 2016 to learn the ins and outs of SEO. In mid-2023, Brandon returned to write strategy guides for Prima Games, IGN, DualShockers, and more, with a focus on ARPGs, RPGs, and Survival games. His past coverage includes Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, Starfield, Skull and Bones, and many more!