The Contraband naval contract in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced sends Edward Kenway after a group of smugglers flying Spanish colors to hide in plain sight. Before you even get to them, you have to fight through two Spanish Frigates just to dock at Arroyos. This guide walks you through every step.
- TL;DR
- Contraband is a naval contract picked up at Arroyos (coordinates 158, 540) in the Castillo de Jagua region
- Two Spanish Frigates guard the settlement — clear them before docking
- The smuggler fleet consists of 2 Brigs and 1 Frigate flying fake Spanish colors
- No bonus objective — the full reward is a flat 2,400 Reales
- Use mortar fire first to catch the smugglers off guard
- Sink the Brigs before turning on the Frigate
How to Unlock Contraband
Naval contracts in AC Black Flag Resynced don’t open up right away. You need to finish the This Old Cove main mission in Sequence 4 first. After that, head to Great Inagua and speak to Milo van der Graaff at the docks to kick off A Spanish Plague — the first naval contract. Completing that one unlocks all remaining contracts on your world map, including Contraband. You can check out our full naval contracts locations guide to see every contract and where to find them.
Where to Find Contraband – Arroyos Location
Contraband starts at Arroyos, a small settlement in the top-left corner of the Castillo de Jagua region. The coordinates are 158, 540. It’s easy to sail past without noticing since it’s not a major port, but the contract giver is right at the docks once you get in.
The problem is getting in. Two Spanish Frigates patrol the waters in front of Arroyos. They’re not optional — you have to sink them both before you can dock. Don’t sail straight at them. Use this approach instead:
- Drop Fire Barrels in the water ahead of time as you close in
- Open with Mortar bombs while the Frigates are still at range
- Take one Frigate at a time so you’re not caught in crossfire
- Keep your distance and let broadside cannons finish the job up close
If the Frigates are giving you trouble, it’s worth checking your ship upgrades before sailing out. A stronger Jackdaw makes this opening fight much easier. You can also look at final ship upgrade locations if you want to push the Jackdaw to its maximum before tackling tougher contracts.
Starting the Contraband Contract
Once both Frigates are sunk, dock at Arroyos. You’ll find a henchman standing near stacks of boxes and barrels at the dock. Speak with him to accept the contract. He’ll fill you in on the job: a group of smugglers are running an operation under a Spanish disguise, and your job is to send them to the bottom of the Caribbean.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the contract details:
- Objective: Sink all smuggler ships
- Reward: 2,400 Reales
- Bonus Objective: None
No bonus conditions to worry about here. The full 2,400 Reales is yours just for sinking the fleet.
Finding the Smuggler Ships
After accepting Contraband, a green quest marker appears south of Arroyos. There’s a search area shown on the map. Sail south past a cluster of rocky islands and you’ll find the smuggler fleet sitting in open water.
Pull out the Spyglass to scope them out before engaging. What you’re looking at:
- 2 x Brigs
- 1 x Frigate
All three are flying Spanish colors to avoid detection. They’re not actually part of the Spanish Navy — just smugglers using the disguise to blend in. They don’t know you’re coming, which is your biggest advantage.
How to Sink the Smuggler Fleet
The fleet isn’t expecting an attack, so you get the first move. Use that well and the whole fight becomes straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step:
Step 1 – Open with Mortar Fire
Before the smugglers can react, fire a salvo of Mortar bombs at the nearest Brig. Mortars hit at range and deal heavy damage before the enemy even starts returning fire. This is the best way to start the fight when you have the element of surprise.
Step 2 – Sink the Two Brigs First
Focus on the Brigs first. They’re smaller than the Frigate but there are two of them, so clearing them early prevents you from getting hit from multiple angles at once. Keep hammering them with mortar fire and broadsides until both go down.
Step 3 – Take Out the Frigate
With both Brigs sunk, the Frigate is the last target. It’s a tougher ship, but fighting it alone is much more manageable than juggling all three. Alternate between mortar bombs at range and broadside cannons when you’re close enough. Circle the Frigate if needed to avoid taking a full broadside yourself.
Once all three ships are sunk, Contraband is complete and 2,400 Reales drops straight into your pocket.
If you’re finding legendary or high-tier ships tough in general, check out the guide on beating all 6 legendary ships and the mortar trick for legendary ships — the same principles apply to naval contracts like this one.
Key Characters in Contraband
- Edward Kenway – The playable protagonist hired to take down the smuggling operation
- Milo van der Graaff – The eccentric merchant who commissions the contract and wants the smuggler fleet sunk
Tips for Completing Contraband Efficiently
- Upgrade Mortars before you go — they’re your best opening weapon against ships that haven’t spotted you yet
- Pre-drop Fire Barrels near Arroyos to soften up the Frigates on approach
- Don’t ignore the Brigs — they deal damage fast if you focus the Frigate first and leave them alive
- Use the Spyglass to confirm ship types before engaging so there are no surprises
- Keep moving during the fight to avoid being bracketed by fire from multiple directions
Need more resources to upgrade the Jackdaw before taking on this contract? Check out the guide on how to farm Metal and Wood fast and the crafting guide to make the most of what you collect.
Other Naval Contracts and Related Guides
Contraband is one of 15 naval contracts in AC Black Flag Resynced. Completing all of them is required for 100% and eventually unlocks The Final Contract, which rewards the Black Skull Sails (Legendary) and the Handsome Devils Crew Attire (Rare).
Here are other naval contracts and related guides worth checking out:
- The Realities of War Walkthrough
- Weathering the Storm Walkthrough
- Driftwood Walkthrough
- Silk on the Waves Walkthrough
- The Law of the Ocean Walkthrough
- A Personal Matter Walkthrough
- All Naval Contracts Locations Guide
You can also buy the game on Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox, or PlayStation Store.
FAQs – Contraband Naval Contract in AC Black Flag Resynced
Where is the Contraband naval contract in AC Black Flag Resynced?
Contraband is located at Arroyos in the Castillo de Jagua region, at coordinates 158, 540. Two Spanish Frigates guard the settlement, so you’ll need to sink them before you can dock and accept the contract.
How many ships do you need to sink in Contraband?
Three ships in total — 2 Brigs and 1 Frigate. All three are disguised with Spanish colors but are actually part of a smuggling operation.
What is the reward for Contraband in AC Black Flag Resynced?
2,400 Reales. There’s no bonus objective attached to Contraband, so the full reward is available just for sinking all three smuggler ships.
Is there a bonus objective in the Contraband naval contract?
No. Contraband has no bonus objective, unlike several other naval contracts in the game. Just sink all the smuggler ships and you’ll collect the full 2,400 Reales payout.
How do I unlock Contraband in AC Black Flag Resynced?
You need to complete the This Old Cove main mission in Sequence 4, then talk to Milo at the Great Inagua docks to trigger A Spanish Plague. Finishing that first naval contract unlocks Contraband and all other naval contracts on the map.
What is the best strategy for sinking the smuggler fleet in Contraband?
Open with Mortar fire to exploit the element of surprise, then take out the two Brigs first before focusing on the Frigate. Keeping distance during the early volleys reduces the damage you take from the fleet before numbers thin out.
