Poisoned Power: The Trident of the Banished

Sea of Thieves Season 18, focused on the dark magic of The Devil’s Roar, introduces a new, variant tool: the Trident of the Banished. This item directly replaces the function of the standard Trident of Dark Tides but features unique properties that make it a significant, high-tier threat in both PVE and PVP scenarios. It is not an equipable weapon but a usable, held item found in the world.

Key factual elements of the Trident of the Banished:

  • Variant Functionality: The Trident of the Banished is a consumable, limited-use item found primarily within the new Sanctuaries of the Banished in The Devil’s Roar. It cannot be stored or restocked on ships in the same way as standard cannonballs or planks.
  • Faster Charge Rate: The most crucial functional difference is its significantly faster charge rate compared to the original Trident of Dark Tides. This allows pirates to fire medium and high-power energy blasts more rapidly, increasing overall damage-per-second (DPS).
  • Poison/DoT Effect: Unlike the standard Trident’s raw magic damage, the Banished variant applies a Damage over Time (DoT) or Poison effect. This unique mechanic adds ongoing pressure to enemy players and makes quick recovery difficult, forcing faster consumption of food.
  • Limited Rarity: Due to its power, the Trident of the Banished is expected to be much rarer than the standard Trident, acting as a highly sought-after, temporary resource when preparing for major battles or raiding the new, difficult Sanctuaries.

The developers’ intent is to introduce a high-impact, temporary power spike tied to the new zone’s rewards, creating a “hot resource” that players must risk carrying across the map.

Community Reaction: High-Value Tool, Temporary Grind

The community response is highly enthusiastic about the weapon’s utility and power, but also acknowledges the temporary nature of the new tool.

  • Naval Combat Advantage: Pirate crews immediately recognize the massive advantage the faster charge and DoT effect provide in naval combat. A crew utilizing multiple Tridents of the Banished can overwhelm an enemy ship’s repair crew or quickly pressure a key area (like a cannon line or helm) during a close-range fight.
  • PVE Farming Speed: PVE players appreciate the Trident’s power for clearing the high-HP mobs, particularly the Eternal Guard and the summoned skeletons, making the high-value Sanctuary runs more efficient and less resource-intensive.
  • The “Consumable” Factor: The main critique is that the Trident is a consumable. Players lament that such a powerful, fun-to-use tool is limited and cannot be stored permanently, forcing them into a constant grind in The Devil’s Roar if they wish to utilize its power regularly.

Strategic Impact: Boarding Defense and Treasure Extraction

The presence of the Trident of the Banished immediately influences strategic decision-making in PVP and PVE extraction routes.

Firstly, the Trident is a formidable boarding defense tool. Its ability to apply rapid, stacking DoT damage makes it extremely punishing for any player attempting to board a ship, forcing boarders to retreat or risk being overwhelmed by the poisonous energy.

Secondly, carrying the Trident adds another layer of high-value risk. A crew with multiple Banished Tridents is exponentially more dangerous, making them a high-priority target for aggressors. If they are sunk, the loss of these powerful tools is a major setback, reinforcing the high-stakes nature of sailing with powerful, non-renewable gear.

The Trident of the Banished is a perfect, high-risk addition to the Season 18 sandbox. By delivering a temporary, powerful weapon tied to the volatile Devil’s Roar, the developers ensure that the seas are filled with tactical opportunities and that the loot chase has immediate, practical rewards in combat.