The credits have rolled, and Edward Kenway has officially become captain of the Jackdaw, yet the world of the Caribbean refuses to let go. In Resynced, the post-game content isn’t just a couple of extra missions; it is a vast array of activities that easily surpasses the original in terms of density and variety. According to Metacritic, the remake holds an 84 critic score, with players particularly praising the successful integration of modern mechanics into the classic gameplay. Features include the new “A World Without Gold” chapter, three officers with personal questlines, legendary ships, Mayan stelae, and contracts built around these new mechanics. However, without a clear plan, you might waste precious time or—worse—encounter a bug that sidelines your progress.
Speaking of bugs: if you’re playing on PC and notice cutscenes suddenly locked at 30 FPS, know that this isn’t a design choice but a known issue. Ubisoft has confirmed that the bug occurs when manually setting ray tracing, BVH, or terrain quality to “Ultra-High.” The workaround is to reset graphics to any preset and avoid manually adjusting those three specific settings. A patch is already in the works. For the impatient, enthusiasts have released the ACBlackFlagFix mod, which unlocks the frame rate in cutscenes and removes the black bars on the sides.
We’ve thoroughly broken down the Resynced post-story content: what’s changed, the best order to tackle activities to get 100% completion, and how to gather resources for the toughest naval battles.
Table of Contents
What’s new in Resynced after the credits roll: key differences from the original
Ubisoft didn’t stop at a simple remaster. Resynced is a comprehensive reimagining designed to meet modern standards while preserving the spirit of the original. The developers have added approximately six hours of new narrative content. Upon completing Sequence 12, you are presented with more than just “free roam” mode; a wide array of activities awaits—content that was either absent from the original game or implemented differently.
Key new features:
-
“A World Without Gold” chapter — 8 new missions featuring a dedicated antagonist, Maynard; unlocks after Sequence 11.
-
Three new officers — Lucy, Padre, and Tobias “Deadman” Smith, each with their own questline and a unique ability for the Jackdaw.
-
New side quests — “Blackbeard’s Treasure,” the Stede Bonnet questline, “Art Lover,” “Top-Notch Gear,” and the hunt for Mayan stelae.
-
Four “Animus Rifts” — additional challenges centered on key characters: Edward, Blackbeard, and James Kidd. These reveal further details about their backstories and become available after Sequences 4, 8, and 11, as well as the epilogue.
-
Pets — the cat South (Great Inagua) and the monkey Albert (Havana) can take up residence on the Jackdaw.
-
Improved contract system — greater variety, plus new objectives and rewards.
The comparison table below clearly illustrates exactly what has changed:
This table is your primary evidence that Resynced is worth replaying, even for those who finished the original a decade ago.
“A World Without Gold” — the new final chapter and its rewards
The chapter unlocks automatically after completing Sequence 11, but its associated content becomes available only after the end credits roll. The antagonist, Maynard, is no mere run-of-the-mill villain. Known as “Iron” Maynard, this captain commands a fleet and threatens everything Edward has built.
The chapter’s eight missions are substantial, not filler. Each involves a mix of naval combat, stealth, and land-based exploration. The questline begins at the Great Inagua docks. Completing the chapter grants you a new weapon for the Jackdaw: a powerful cannon that surpasses all others in the main campaign in terms of damage and range. Additionally, this chapter is where you will encounter the new legendary ship, HMS Ipswich.
Important: The “A World Without Gold” chapter is directly linked to the officer Tobias “Deadman” Smith. If you don’t complete his quest chain, certain chapter missions will remain inaccessible. This isn’t a bug but an intentional design choice—the developers have tied officer progression directly to the new content.
Preparing the Jackdaw for the endgame: essential upgrades
Before diving into “A World Without Gold” or hunting legendary ships, you need to upgrade the Jackdaw so it doesn’t fall apart after the first broadside. Battles against legendary ships are balanced for a Jackdaw with maxed-out (or near-maxed) stats. Here is a minimum checklist:
-
Hull: at least Level 3 (durability at least 60% of the maximum).
-
Cannons: all guns upgraded to “Heavy” spec; ammo capacity of at least 80 cannonballs.
-
Rigging: speed and maneuverability at Level 4 to evade broadsides from legendary ships.
-
Broadsides: reinforced armor to defend against boarding parties.
-
Collect all Elite blueprints—some are obtained via treasure maps.
The easiest way to gather the necessary resources is by completing contracts and hunting Templars. Don’t rush into the endgame with a stock ship; there is a world of difference between a prepared and an unprepared Jackdaw in naval combat.
Three New Officers: Where to Find Them and Why You Need Them
These new officers aren’t just background characters on deck. Each one equips the Jackdaw with a unique passive ability that alters combat tactics.
Each officer’s questline is a detailed series of missions with its own narrative. Tobias’s storyline is particularly interesting, as it picks up on several key plot threads from the main campaign. Completing all officer quests not only unlocks the “All Aboard” trophy but also provides valuable upgrades for the Jackdaw.
Side Quests, Hunting, and Contracts: What to Prioritize
After the credits roll, it’s a good idea to make a habit of visiting every port and picking up all available contracts. Prioritize missions that offer rare resources for ship upgrades.
New Questlines:
-
“Blackbeard’s Treasure” — a tribute to the legendary pirate; the reward is an exclusive flag.
-
Stede Bonnet’s Questline — the story of a captain who lost everything but is trying to start over.
-
“Art Lover” — searching for paintings and artifacts across the Caribbean.
-
“Top-Tier Gear” — crafting legendary items using rare materials.
Critical Warning: Unfinished Templar Hunt contracts can block progress in certain side quest chains. These are quirks of the old engine that the developers apparently couldn’t fully fix. If you feel stuck, check your log for any “active but incomplete” contracts. Complete them, and progress will resume.
100% Completion Roadmap: Optimal Strategy
To avoid running into bugs or backtracking unnecessarily, we’ve put together a step-by-step plan. You can tweak it to suit your playstyle, but this order has proven effective:
-
Immediately after the credits roll—complete all Templar Hunt contracts (to avoid potential bugs).
-
Next—the new officer questlines (prioritize Lucy and Padre; handle Tobias alongside “A World Without Gold”).
-
After the officers—the “A World Without Gold” chapter (8 consecutive missions, without distractions).
-
Then—all new side quests (“Blackbeard’s Treasure,” Stede Bonnet, etc.).
-
Next—hunting the 6 Legendary Ships (from weakest to strongest). In the original game, destroying all four Legendary Ships rewarded you with an upgraded ram. In Resynced, this upgrade is granted much earlier—when you recruit Padre. Now, defeating each Legendary Ship awards cosmetic items for the Jackdaw: sails, hull, figurehead, and wheel.
-
Finally—exploring Mayan Stelae and underwater locations (these don’t affect main progress but unlock a set of exclusive transmog items). Don’t forget the four “Animus Rifts”—they appear at different times and fill in important narrative gaps. This sequence is based on logic: first, we wrap up everything that could break the save file; then, we play through the new story content; and finally, we move on to pure exploration.
World Exploration, Underwater Treasures, and Legendary Ships
The Caribbean in Resynced is more than just a pretty view. Beneath the waves lie countless chests containing rare blueprints, while the surface hosts six legendary ships that offer a level of challenge far surpassing anything seen in the main campaign.
Underwater locations demand caution: sharks are ever-watchful, and your air supply is limited. Yet, the rewards justify the risk—this is precisely where you can find the blueprints for the Jackdaw’s final upgrades.
Legendary Ships (six in total, compared to four in the original game):
-
El Impoluto (Dry Tortuga)
-
HMS Fearless and Royal Sovereign (Eleuthera) — a dual-ship battle
-
La Dama Negra (Serranilla, coordinates 240, 72) — the easiest of the lot; its bow and stern are vulnerable
-
HMS Prince (Navassa)
-
HMS Ipswich — a new secret boss added in Resynced. It appears during the final stage of the “A World Without Gold” chapter and does not respawn after defeat. Tactics: stay behind the ship, dodge its broadside fire, and use your swivel guns to detonate the gunpowder barrels it drops.
Sinking a legendary ship yields not only resources but also a unique flag or hull paint—customization items that make the Jackdaw truly one-of-a-kind. Sinking every single legendary ship unlocks the prestigious “Caribbean Devil” achievement.
Conclusion: Resynced invites you to rethink your tactics, master new content built upon familiar mechanics, and feel the satisfaction of knowing that exploring every corner of the Caribbean was well worth the effort. And don’t forget the technical side: if cutscenes stutter on PC, drop your graphics settings to a preset and wait for the official patch. The key is not to chase sheer volume but to establish the right order of play; that way, achieving 100% completion becomes a pleasure rather than a chore.
Ready for the finale? Check off your list, wrap up your contracts, and dive into the “World Without Gold.” Animus Rifts, new Legendary Ships, and secret rewards await. The rest will fall into place.
