From the moment Sea of Thieves launched, its promise of a shared sandbox pirate adventure captured imaginations. Players could crew up, sail the seas, hunt treasure, and battle skeletons. Yet the game's initial content felt thin to many, and Rare's early free DLC did little to bring back those who had already walked the plank. Still, a dedicated few remained. Among them was an Xbox player named Zyx, who would go on to become the first person to unlock every achievement in Sea of Thieves.
When achievement-tracking websites first estimated the completion time, the number seemed absurd: over 10,000 hours. That estimate reflected not just the game's scale but also its grind. Rare later made crucial updates that trimmed the journey. According to Zyx, the ability to find message in a bottle missions helped with the Merchant Forager achievement, which required delivering 1,000 banana crates. Before the update, banana crates were a rare sight. Rare fixed that, but the task remained monumental. For Zyx, the total time to complete every achievement was still around 2,000 hours.
In an interview with True Achievements, Zyx shared the accomplishment. Their persistence stood out because many players had jumped off the Sea of Thieves bandwagon precisely because of tedious fetch quests. Zyx, however, stayed the course. They completed every task the game had on offer, from sailing and fighting to foraging and delivering. As the first player to complete every Sea of Thieves achievement, Zyx became more than just a Pirate Legend. They became a benchmark for dedication in a game that often tested patience.
Sea of Thieves was not a straightforward completion. Its achievement list included a mix of exploration, combat, trading, and random events. Some tasks depended on other players, while others depended on luck. The Merchant Forager achievement was one of the worst offenders, demanding 1,000 banana crates at a time when they were scarce. Zyx's success came after Rare improved spawn rates and added message in a bottle missions, but the improvement only reduced an impossible grind to a merely brutal one. Two thousand hours is still a full-time job for a year.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| First full achievement completion | Zyx |
| Original estimated time | 10,000+ hours |
| Actual completion time | Around 2,000 hours |
| Key achievement | Merchant Forager |
| Requirement | Deliver 1,000 banana crates |
| Helpful update | Message in a bottle missions |
| Status earned | More than a Pirate Legend |
As far as future content was concerned, Rare announced a PvP add-on called The Arena, set to release in 2019. Although Sea of Thieves already had ship battles, the PvP components were not as deep as some players hoped. The Arena promised something closer to traditional multiplayer, but with ship battles. For achievement hunters and PvP fans alike, it was a sign that Rare was listening. By 2026, Sea of Thieves has grown far beyond that initial release, with seasonal updates, new enemies, and expanded sailing. Yet the story of Zyx remains a legendary chapter.
The Arena was not the end of Sea of Thieves' evolution. Rare continued to add content, and the game eventually found a stronger identity. But in the early days, the completionist path was lonely. Many players left, and the remaining crews often focused on their own goals. Zyx's achievement was a solo victory within a multiplayer world. It required organization, patience, and a willingness to repeat the same voyages until every requirement fell.
Why does Zyx's feat matter in 2026? Because Sea of Thieves is still a living game, and achievement hunting remains a way for players to push against its boundaries. New players can still chase the same goals, though many achievements have been rebalanced or joined by newer challenges. The grind that once took 10,000 hours is now more manageable, but it is still a voyage. Zyx's 2,000-hour journey shows that completion is not about speed. It is about refusing to abandon ship.
For those who dream of becoming a Pirate Legend, the lesson is simple: the sea rewards the stubborn. Zyx did not just unlock achievements. They mapped a path for every completionist who followed. In a sandbox built on stories, Zyx's story is one of the most impressive. It is a tale of banana crates, message bottles, and an unyielding will to see every checkbox filled. And in the end, that is what makes a true pirate legend.
Sea of Thieves is available now for PC and Xbox One, and it continues to evolve. But the first full completion will always belong to Zyx. 🏴☠️