Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag's 'Resynced' version introduces new content for players eager to explore the Caribbean, including the ability to acquire animal companions and a special quest related to Blackbeard's treasure.
Taming the Crew: New Animal Companions
Several new pets can be found and collected, offering a touch of personality to the player's ship, the Jackdaw. These companions can be selected from the inventory menu once obtained, appearing alongside the player at the helm.
Two distinct cats and two monkeys are available. Soot the Cat can be found after completing Sequence 04: This Old Cove. An icon for a local event called 'Cat Distribution System' will appear on the map; heading to coordinates 819,441 and climbing onto the rooftops will reveal Soot. Albert the Monkey is acquired through the 'Monkey Business' local event in Havana, located at coordinates 225,568. Players must infiltrate a Spanish ship on the docks to the southeast and rescue the mistreated monkey.
Beyond these in-game finds, the Dark Animus Familiar is available through the Animus menu as the first reward in the 'Eye in the Dark' project, costing 600 Data Fragments earned from Anomaly side missions. Additionally, Gold Tom, a ship's pet, is included as part of the Master Assassin Naval Pack with the Deluxe Edition of the game.
Unearthing Blackbeard's Secrets
A new mission, Blackbeard's Treasure, offers a narrative conclusion involving the pirate Edward Thatch. This quest becomes accessible after completing Sequence 08: Do Not Go Gently. Following a series of cutscenes, players will receive 'Burn Blackbeard's Beard,' a sea shanty, and Blackbeard's Treasure Map.
The map guides players to Anotto Bay at coordinates 591,243, north of Kingston, Jamaica. Upon arrival, hostile pirate ships will appear and must be dealt with using the Jackdaw's cannons.
After clearing the area, players need to dive near the wreckage of a diving bell to enter underwater tunnels. Navigating these tunnels requires avoiding jellyfish and sharks, with air pockets marked by bubbles to replenish oxygen. The path eventually leads to a smuggler's den teeming with pirates.
Within the den, a locked chest requires a smuggler's key, held by an NPC who only spawns when the area is revisited during free-roam. This chest contains a map fragment that can be deciphered at the Treasure Dealer shop in Great Inagua. Another buried chest in the vicinity is also accessible via a separate Treasure Map collectible.
The main Blackbeard's Treasure quest involves using red barrels to blast through collapsed walls. The first obstruction can be cleared by placing a barrel against the wall and shooting it. After defeating enemies in the subsequent cavern, a second barrel is used to breach another wall, triggering a cutscene. This leads to the discovery of tools and wares, along with a letter from Blackbeard suggesting the items are for rebuilding the Great Inagua settlement. Completing this quest also rewards players with Blackbeard's Portrait, which can be displayed in their manor. The narrative concludes with a time skip of two months.