Every Cannonball Type in Sea of Thieves and How to Use Them in 2026
I’ve been sailing the Sea of Thieves for years now, and even in 2026, naval combat remains the heartbeat of every voyage. When I first started as a solo slooper, I quickly learned that knowing how to fire a cannon is just the beginning—mastering the ammunition is what separates a fledgling pirate from a true terror of the waves. Cannonballs come in a dizzying variety, but they all fall neatly into three categories: standard ammunition, cursed rounds, and ghostly projectiles. Let me walk you through each one, drawing on countless battles where a single well-chosen shot turned the tide. ⚓️💣
Standard Cannonballs 🎯
At the start of any voyage, your pockets are usually stuffed with nothing but regular cannonballs. Don’t underestimate them—these humble spheres of iron have sunk more galleons than any cursed trickery. When I’m lining up a shot, I always account for my ship’s speed and the enemy’s course. The physics is forgiving: cannonballs slice right through waves without losing momentum or dipping in flight. You don’t need to aim over swells; just time the natural bob of the cannon and lead your target horizontally. Wind? It doesn’t touch a flying cannonball. I’ve found that patience and a steady hand are worth more than a rare magical round in most fights.
Then there’s the firebomb 🔥, which can be lobbed by hand or loaded into a cannon. It won’t punch holes in a hull, but it sets players and decks ablaze, forcing crews to juggle firefighting with repairs. I once watched a brigantine crew scramble in chaos after just two well-placed firebombs. For rigging destruction, the chainshot ⛓️ is my go-to. Aim high—these twin balls linked by a chain are designed to snap masts and shred sails, crippling an enemy’s mobility. I save them for the perfect moment when a ship is trying to flee or line up its broadside. The blunderbomb 💥 works like a canister shot from the cannon: on impact, it sprays pellets in all directions. It’s brilliant for clearing enemy decks during a boarding attempt but next to useless against the ship itself.
Cursed Cannonballs 🧙♂️
Cursed cannonballs don’t damage the vessel directly, but their effects can be devastating when timed right. The Grogball 🍺 turns enemy pirates into stumbling drunkards—their vision blurs, and they sway uncontrollably for a few seconds. It’s not the strongest curse, but I’ve used it right before a boarding to turn a coordinated defense into a slapstick comedy. The Ballastball ⬇️ is far deadlier: it instantly forces the target ship to take on water. Fire a few regular shots first to punch holes, then follow with the ballastball, and you’ll have the enemy crew bailing helplessly.
Movement curses are subtle but effective. The Limpball 🦵 slows players to a crawl for a brief window, enough to stop a repairman from reaching a leak. I’ve watched ships sink because a single pirate couldn’t get to the planks in time. The Wearyball 😴 and Jigball 💃 are my personal favourites for sheer mischief. The wearyball puts enemy pirates to sleep, while the jigball forces them into a merry dance. Both are lethal if you’ve already riddled their hull below the waterline—by the time they wake or stop jigging, their ship is on the seabed.
Other cursed rounds target the ship’s functions. The Anchorball ⚓ immediately drops the foe’s anchor and fills their stern with smoke, but can be countered by a fast crew. The Peaceball 🏳️ raises their cannons and covers them in smoke, preventing return fire—ironically, it’s one of the best cursed cannonballs for aggressive play. The Helmball 🛞 locks the enemy’s steering wheel, so they can’t change direction for a few critical seconds. I love using it just before ramming or when I need to keep my target in a broadside sweet spot. The Riggingball ⛵️ yanks their sails up, abruptly stopping their momentum; just don’t waste it on skeleton ships whose sails are already permanently raised. At the bottom of the pile is the Barrelball 🛢️, which denies access to supply barrels for a short time. It sounds annoying, but most skilled pirates already have everything they need on their person, so its impact is minimal.
Ghostly Cannonballs 👻
What about the phantom ammunition? Well, the Flame and Phantom Cannonballs are nothing more than spectral re-skins of the standard iron shot and firebomb. They fly at the same speed and deal identical damage. But the Wraith Cannonball 👹 is a game-changer. Imagine a miniature gunpowder keg packed inside a cannonball—that’s exactly what it acts like. On impact it explodes with a blast that rivals even a stronghold keg. In any skirmish, a single wraith shot can open multiple holes and throw the enemy into immediate panic. I hoard these beauties for the most crucial moments, because once they’re gone, they’re gone.
In 2026, the sea still teems with pirates who underestimate the humble cannonball. But after all these years, I’ve learned that victory doesn’t come from rarity—it comes from knowing exactly when to use each tool. Whether you’re dancing foes to Davy Jones’ locker with a jigball or punching decisive holes with a wraith round, the cannons are your voice on the waves. Master this language, and no ship will ever be safe from you.