Bloodsail Buccaneers Reputation Guide

Bloodsail Admiral

So, a scallywag like you wants to join the Bloodsail Buccaneers? Take care, laddie, this is no ordinary reputation grind. The Bloodsails have a blood feud against the Steamwheedle Cartel – patrons of the major neutral cities around the world. If you wish to sail with us, ye’ll have to cut ties with them. Being willing to take that plunge separates the Bloodsails from the bilge rats.

Rewards

What’s in it fer me?

O’ course – a pirate’s always in it fer the treasure.
There are no rewards for revered or exalted reputation with the Bloodsail – in fact, reaching exalted is impossible, as nothing gives you reputation that far.
At neutral reputation you can receive the Buccaneer’s Uniform. Opening it nets ye the Bloodsail ShirtBloodsail PantsBloodsail Sash, and Bloodsail Boots.
At friendly reputation, ye can receive the final reward: the Bloodsail Admiral’s Hat. After a thirty-second cooldown after putting it on, ye can use it to summon the Blood Parrot non-combat pet.

Reputation Losses

There’s always a catch. What do I lose?

Ye sacrifice a lot to become a Bloodsail, as the goblins of the Steamwheedle Cartel hold a lot of sway. Most of what Booty Bay, Ratchet, Gadgetzan, and Outlook have to offer will be lost to you.

  • You will be attacked when approaching Booty Bay, Ratchet, Gadgetzan, Outlook, and other Steamwheedle-affiliated areas. Nearly all associated quests with those cities are locked off and cannot be completed.
  • Gadgetzan and Booty Bay flightmasters are guarded by affiliated Bruisers. Ye will be attacked while flying in or out. Everlook is still usable, as it is not guarded by Bruisers.
  • If ye are an engineer, using the Ultrasafe Transporter: Gadgetzan or Dimensional Ripper – Everlook is often a death sentence.
  • It is possible to use the boat from Ratchet to Booty Bay, but it is difficult.
  • All neutral auction houses and banks are goblin operated. They will not be accessible.
  • The Ratchet, Un’Goro Crater, and Mudsprocket flight paths are partially unusable. Those flightmasters are with the cartel and cannot be spoken to, so ye cannot fly out of those areas. However, ye can still fly through or into the area.
  • Ye cannot specialize in Blacksmithing as the quest chains to do so require ye to speak to a member of the cartel.
  • Ye cannot acquire Noggenfogger Elixir.
  • Ye cannot speak to vendors that sell items such as Pattern: MoonclothRecipe: Nightfin SoupRecipe: Major Healing PotionExpert Fishing – The Bass and You, and many more.
  • Ye cannot get the Skeleton Key for Scholomance as it requires the Gadgetzan blacksmith.
  • Members o’ the Horde cannot become Gnomish or Goblin engineers, as both choices require a member of the cartel.
  • Members o’ the Alliance can choose Gnomish, but cannot become Goblin engineers.
  • Ye cannot become an Artisan level cook as it involves the butcher in Gadgetzan.
  • Ye cannot complete the Scepter of the Shifting Sands questline to open the gates of Ahn’Qiraj because it involves the same butcher in Gadgetzan.
  • The Dungeon Set 2 quest line requires speaking with members of the cartel.
  • Bruisers don’t drop any money or loot, so you’re going to end up at a net monetary loss for doing this grind. This will cost ye in repair bills and if you’re so inclined, the hefty requirements to repairing your reputation with the Steamwheedle Cartel. Ye must also consider the opportunity cost of spending all this time on this grind over doing something more lucrative.
  • Other unforeseen consequences.

A few of these mercantile restrictions can be sidestepped by having a friend use these on your behalf or using an alternate character.

Not all goblins are associated with the Steamwheedle Cartel. Short John Mithril of the Gurubashi Arena will still grant Arena Grandmaster to Bloodsails. Riggle Bassbait will reward Bloodsail winners of the Stranglethorn Fishing Extravaganza, though reaching him unharmed in Booty Bay will be difficult.

How to gain Bloodsail Reputation – Grinding

I know the risks. I’m in. Tell me how to join the crew.

Aye, matey. Welcome aboard. Open yer character sheet, switch to the reputation panel, select Booty Bay, then tick the “At War” checkbox.

WoW Classic Bloodsail Rep

Be careful out there. This will get dangerous.

By far the fastest way to increase reputation is by killing Booty Bay Bruiser. They are level 57 and have two abilities to worry about.

While in melee range, a Bruiser will often throw a net at you, preventing you from moving.

WoW Classic Booty Bay Bruiser

The most dangerous ability in the Bruiser’s arsenal is their gun which has a massive pushback. You will be thrown backwards if hit. This is often a death sentence if you find yourself pinned against a wall or flying into other Bruisers. They tend to only pull out their gun at longer range or if they otherwise can’t reach you, so be very careful if you root a Bruiser or attempt to keep your distance. If possible, keep yourself between the Bruiser and the waters of the bay, so if you get shot, you’ll be propelled to the water where you can make a retreat.

The area pictured below is a relatively safe spot to grind the Bruisers. It’s immediately to your left after entering Booty Bay from the cove entrance.

WoW Classic Booty Bay

Stay at the grassy path and kill the Bruisers that are standing close by. This is a safe spot. While waiting for the patrols to respawn, you can run into the nearby shop (the Plate-n-Chain) to spawn more bruisers. If you’re not at unfriendly reputation with Booty Bay yet, you’ll have to attack the vendors within to get them to call for help.

Here are some further tips:

  • Always be wary of your surroundings, especially as ye first start the grind. An extra bruiser coming in with a net or gun at the wrong time can easily spell death.
  • Be wary of opposing faction players as well. Some may jump at the opportunity to start some trouble since you’re actively taking down the peacekeepers of the town.
  • If you’re roaming around, don’t target vendors and quest givers. Not only do they give low amounts of reputation, but you’ll bother other adventurers. You’re making enough enemies already – don’t make more than you have to.
  • Bring friends to help with the grind if you’d like, but be sure they’re aware of the downsides before helping you. A buff or heal while out of combat is fine, but doing so while in combat will incur the same reputation penalties as if they killed the Bruisers too.
  • If you find yourself in trouble, jump over the railings and flee into the water. The Bruisers will often pull out their guns and push you even further away to safety.

And that’s about it. These Booty Bay Bruisers will be your targets throughout the entirety of your grind until the final quest at the end.

The above method is safer for a solo grind. If ye are in a group, ye might find that this can be slow going, as there is a timed spawn limit for guards. If ye want to spawn bruisers more often, move to the lower docks by the water. Wander around slowly in a tight group; ye don’t want to get overwhelmed. When a goblin-affiliated NPC sees an enemy player, they will spawn a bruiser per player. After 30 seconds, they will call for another against that player if they’re still in range. After 2 spawns, a roughly 8 minute cooldown will start before that NPC will call for bruisers against that player again.

What about Faldir’s Cove?

Faldir's Cove

If you’re between levels 35 and 46, ye are free to travel to Faldir’s Cove hidden in the southwestern part of Arathi Highlands and kill the Blackwater Raiders there. They are associated with Booty Bay and will grant ye reputation with the Bloodsail Buccaneers even at yer lower level. However, it will be slow going as they give less reputation than Booty Bay Bruisers and take a while to respawn. In addition, you’ll have to deal with the Steamwheedle Cartel’s hatred as ye level. Rough waters ahead for those who try.

If you’re level 47 or above, the reputation gained from killing them drops so significantly to be nigh worthless.

A warning to those who do this: Dressing the Part requires level 47, and Avast Ye, Scallywag requires level 55. Ye can’t enjoy the rewards of the grind until ye reach those levels.

Bloodsail Reputation
Reputation to Grind
# of Bruisers to kill (Non-human)
# of Bruisers to kill (Human)
Hated to Hostile
~36,000
~1440
~1310
Hostile to Unfriendly
3,000
120
110
Unfriendly to Neutral
3,000
120
110
Neutral to Friendly
3,000
120
110

When your character is first created, your starting reputation with the Bloodsail Buccaneers is at 35,500 in Hated. If you do any quests for Booty Bay or kill any Bloodsail Buccaneers during your leveling experience, your starting reputation will rapidly dwindle and yer grind will get much, much worse.

Ideally, yer Bloodsail grind begins as you level by simply not doing any quests related specifically to Booty Bay-related goblins – be careful when questing in Stranglethorn Vale. Questing for other Steamwheedle goblins is mostly safe, but be careful. When in doubt, check a questing database for any reputation losses on quest turn-in. Be wary in the Barrens, Dustwallow Marsh, Stranglethorn Vale, Thousand Needles, Tanaris, Un’goro Crater, Winterspring, and other areas where the Steamwheedle Cartel is around. This sounds like a pain, but this can cut your grind by nearly 75%!

The Bloodsail Buccaneers reputation maxes out at Friendly reputation by normal means. It is possible to push past that normal limit and reach Honored with Bloodsail Buccaneers by holding off on completing Avast Ye, Admiral! until you’re at maximum Friendly reputation then completing the quest, but there be no benefit fer doing so.

Quests

Ye will be hated by all members of the Steamwheedle Cartel long before you finish the Bloodsail Buccaneer grind, as the reputation lost with the goblins far exceeds the reputation gained with the Bloodsail per kill.

Note: Be sure to untick the “At War” checkbox for the Bloodsail Buccaneers. Ye wouldn’t want t’ stab yer new allies in the back after all that work, would ye?

WoW Classic Bloodsail Admiral Firallon

At neutral reputation, ye can get the quest Dressing the Part from Fleet Master Firallon. It merely requires you to speak with him, which rewards you with the Buccaneer’s Uniform. Opening it nets ye the Bloodsail ShirtBloodsail PantsBloodsail Sash, and Bloodsail Boots. This will net ye a small amount o’ 25 reputation with the Bloodsail. Keep at it matey – you’re nearly there.

Ye must meet both requirements to continue:

  • Friendly with Bloodsail Buccaneers
  • Hated with Booty Bay
WoW Classic Pretty Boy Duncan

“Pretty Boy” Duncan calls out to you in Avast Ye, Scallywag and tells you to report to Fleet Master Firallon. Upon doing so, Firallon charges you with killing Fleet Master Seahorn and Baron Revilgaz in Avast Ye, Admiral!

WoW Classic Baron Revilgaz

These scurvy dogs are at the top o’ the Salty Sailor Tavern, one of the most well-defended areas of Booty Bay. Take care when makin’ yer approach; any Bruiser with a gun will ruin yer chances.

Members o’ the Horde will have an easier time here: they can fly in by the flightmaster, dispatch the nearby Bruisers, and be right next to their targets.

Members o’ the Alliance will have a harder time. Flying in via the flight path will get ye close, but not close enough. You’ll still have to get through the inn.

WoW Classic Booty Bay

Bring friends if possible. This is the last leg o’ your journey and ye don’t want to mess it up. Thankfully these two aren’t elite, but they can spawn Bruisers to defend themselves. Take Seahorn and Revilgaz down and ye will be rewarded with honorary Admiralty.

Avast ye, Admiral! Hip hip, arrrrr!

Restoring Steamwheedle Reputation

I want the Steamwheedle to like me again.

So, ye are crawlin’ back to th’ goblins, are ye? Well, I can’t blame ye. They’re a powerful bunch and their greedy arms reach far and wide in Azeroth. Most can’t get far without their services. Ye have two major paths to take. Make yer choice:

I choose the harder path. Both the Bloodsails and the Steamwheedles will admire me.

Ye do one hard grind and pick up another? Kudos. Below are the methods to raise Steamwheedle reputation without sacrificing the Bloodsails.

Can’t argue with the basics of wanton murder. Kill th’ Steamwheedle Cartel’s enemies: Southsea pirates south of Ratchet, Wastewander Bandits East/Southeast of Gadgetzan, and Venture Co. goblins throughout Stranglethorn Vale all provide small amounts of reputation (~5 each). The Southsea pirates in th’ Barrens are low level, out of the way, and respawn quickly, making them th’ fastest. Even at maximum reputation with Ratchet, ye can continue killin’ ’em to for spillover reputation with th’ others. If killing Wastewander Bandits, you can hold onto the Wastewander Water Pouch to turn in for additional reputation gain once you’re neutral with Gadgetzan.

Saving Knot Thimblejack in Dire Maul North

Knot Thimblejack

Some classes can do this solo; other classes will probably need a group. Enter Dire Maul North and kill ogres until ye get a Gordok Shackle Key. Make yer way to Knot Thimblejack. Use the key to Free Knot! for 350 reputation with the Steamwheedle Cartel. If you wish, ye can also bring along 4 Bolt of Runecloth, 8 Rugged Leather, and 2 Rune Thread to turn in the The Gordok Ogre Suit for an additional 75 reputation, but you’ll also have to grab an Ogre Tannin along the way.

Helping Zorbin Fandazzle in Feralas

Zorbin Fandazzle

Speak to Zorbin Fandazzle. He’s working on a goblin version of the Gnomish Shrink Ray, and you can help him out with Zapped Giants and Fuel for the Zapping. It’s slow going, but it’s a safe method nonetheless.

I’ll take the easy way. See you later Bloodsails, I’m out.

Mutiny, is it? So be it. The most efficient way to betray the Bloodsails isn’t through wanton bloodshed, but in trade goods. There are quests that ye can turn in to restore yer reputation, but the Bloodsails won’t like it.

WoW Classic Mupsi Shacklefridd

RATCHET – Go to Mupsi Shacklefridd for Mending Old Wounds. This requires 40 Linen Cloth and 4 Empty Vial

Reputation gain: Ratchet: +500; Booty Bay: +250; Gadgetzan: +250; Everlook: +250; Bloodsail: -500

WoW Classic Bloodsail Traitor

BOOTY BAY – Go to Bloodsail Traitor for Traitor to the Bloodsail. This requires 40 Silk Cloth and 4 Red Dye

Reputation gain: Ratchet: +250; Booty Bay: +500; Gadgetzan: +250; Everlook: +250; Bloodsail: -500

WoW Classic Rumsen Fizzlebrack

GADGETZAN – Go to Rumsen Fizzlebrack for War at Sea. This requires 40 Mageweave Cloth and 4 Strong Flux

Reputation gain: Ratchet: +250; Booty Bay: +250; Gadgetzan: +500; Everlook: +250; Bloodsail: -500

WoW Classic Bronn Fitzwrench

EVERLOOK – Go to Bronn Fitzwrench for Making Amends. This requires 40 Runecloth and 4 Coal

Reputation gain: Ratchet: +250; Booty Bay: +250; Gadgetzan: +250; Everlook: +500; Bloodsail: -500

Ye can only turn in these quests if ye are at unfriendly reputation or below with the associated town, so due to the reputation spillover, it’s possible to minimize the cost of materials (though server economies may vary). See below:

RATCHET – 168 stacks of Linen Cloth, 336 Empty Vial
BOOTY BAY – 84 stacks of Silk Cloth, 168 Red Dye
GADGETZAN – 42 stacks of Mageweave Cloth, 84 Strong Flux
EVERLOOK – 22 stacks of Runecloth, 44 Coal

With this, ye should be able to plan ahead and restore your reputation relatively quickly. By the end, ye will be honored with Ratchet, friendly with Booty Bay, and neutral with Gadgetzan and Everlook due to reputation spillover. The turn-ins must be done in order of Ratchet first, then Booty Bay, and so on. Keep in mind that this is just the order for the cheapest material cost: ye can do the turn-ins in a different order if you’d like a different reputation outcome. If ye do the turn-ins in a different order, ye will need a different amount of materials. For example, if ye want to end up honored with Gadgetzan, ye will need 168 stacks of Mageweave and 336 Strong Flux and turn those in first.

Gear

Do what ye want, because a pirate is free

There’s two major reasons someone would join the Bloodsails. One is if you’re a completionist… the other is if you’re fashionable. Why stop at just the Bloodsail set? There’s plenty of choices to go for if ye want to complete that piratey look. Yer friends can tag along in yer buccaneering ways without doing the grind either.

Head:

  • Admiral’s Hat – A hat that’s so fancy it can buff your party! Cowardly Crosby sells the tailoring pattern.
  • First Mate Hat – This is an extremely rare drop off Bloodsails. What are ye, a traitor? But it need not come t’ that if ye can buy it off some other scallywag.
  • Ragefury Eyepatch – An eyepatch, o’ course! Ye can snatch this thing off o’ Hurley Blackbreath in the Grim Guzzler in Blackrock Depths.
  • Eye of Rend – A shame we can’t wear an eyepatch at the same time as the hat… Oh well. Purloin this off
  • Warchief Rend Blackhand in Upper Blackrock Spire.
  • Black Mageweave Headband – Fer the more hardworkin’ everyman pirate. Any tailoring trainer can teach ye the pattern.

Shirt/Chest:

Belt:

Legs:

  • Buccaneer’s Pants – It be all in th’ name. A low level green drop from th’ level 12-23 range. Look for it on th’ Auction House.
  • Crimson Silk Pantaloons – If ye can’t find the Buccaneer’s Pants, ye can always have th’ tailor-made Crimson Silk Pantaloons instead. All tailoring trainers know this one.
  • Brightcloth Pants – If red not be yer color, ye can have the gold-infused Brightcloth. Its tailoring pattern is a rare drop off o’ end game enemies.

Boots:

Weapons:
O’ course, yer selection will be limited t’ what yer class can wield.

Trinkets:

Parrots:

Other methods:

  • Hallowed Wand – Pirate – Ye can get this as a random reward during Hallow’s End by speaking to innkeepers. Use it on party members to turn them into a pirate. Arrr!
  • And ye can’t forget the ol’ favorite, Savory Deviate Delight.

And these aren’t the end of it! There are plenty o’ styles a pirate can have! A cagey corsair in cloth? A leery looter in leather? A menacing mercenary in mail? A plundering privateer in plate? Ye can have it all!

And remember – September 19th is Talk Like a Pirate Day. Celebrate to ye heart’s delight. Yarr!

 

About the Author

Minorou

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centurion
centurion(@centurion)
4 years ago

I like this guide so much I’m gonna go for it at some point.

Relik
Relik(@relik)
4 years ago

Great guide!

Can I nitpick one tiny thing? You can actually reach exalted by killing https://classic.wowhead.com/npc=9179/jazzrik over and over and over and over again.

Falcon
Falcon(@falcon)
4 years ago

You just inspired me to level an alt on my server, Deviate Delight, for the SOLE purpose of becoming a Bloodsail Buccaneer and slaying any horde who come attempt to kill my pirate shipmates! YA HA HAARRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

rijndael
rijndael(@rijndael)
4 years ago

Best of Barrens Chat™ award nominee IMO

Caspus
Caspus(@caspus)
4 years ago

This is why I love these forums. Good job.

Gensei
Gensei(@gensei)
4 years ago

Such a tragedy that Blizzard never fleshed out the Buccaneers to make up for what you lose from being hostile with the Steamwheedle Cartel. Like, especially T.05 and the key to Scholo. That was a huge oversight.

But you could easily have set up a corresponding Bloodsail port/flightpoint in zones where the Cartel is, maybe with some variation. But certainly a small hub in the southern Barrens, and on the eastern coast of Tanaris. I dunno. I just feel like they missed out on something that could have been super interesting.

Caspus
Caspus(@caspus)
4 years ago

It should’ve been a split path from the start to where you take up the life of a pirate for the blood sails or mercenary for the cartel since you generally meet both for the first time in STV.

Black Monarch
Black Monarch(@black-monarch)
4 years ago

It should’ve been a split path from the start to where you take up the life of a pirate for the blood sails or mercenary for the cartel since you generally meet both for the first time in STV.

Nah, giving us the option to go full “Insane in the Membrane” is the better route 🙂

Caperfin
Caperfin(@caperfin)
4 years ago

Just finished reading through this,
nice job Min!

DoomC
DoomC(@doomc)
4 years ago

Just killed a bunch of these guys, so I guess the pirate life isn’t in my future.

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