How to Get the Defender Hulk in Skull and Bones

In Skull and Bones, every ship plays a strategic role in shaping your pirate journey, whether you prefer swift raiding vessels or heavy-duty warships built to withstand brutal naval battles. The Defender Hulk stands out as a tanky ship designed for absorbing punishment and drawing enemy fire away from allies. While slower than many of its counterparts, it makes up for its lack of speed with raw durability and high firepower.

If you're looking to add this stalwart vessel to your fleet, you'll need to gather the right resources, accumulate enough Skull and Bones Silver, and obtain the required Skull and Bones Items for crafting. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about unlocking, building, and mastering the Defender Hulk.

Unlocking the Defender Hulk Blueprint

Unlike some starter ships that are introduced through story progression, the Defender Hulk requires you to secure its blueprint. The blueprint can be purchased from the Fara Warrior Vendor at the Sacred Tree. To obtain it, you'll need to pay 1,980 Skull and Bones Silver.

This means your first step is to make sure you have enough currency stocked up. Completing contracts, raiding trade routes, and looting enemy ships are some of the best ways to earn Silver quickly. Since the Defender Hulk is an investment-heavy vessel, be prepared to prioritize saving over other purchases early on.

Crafting Requirements for the Defender Hulk

Once you've obtained the blueprint, you'll need a combination of refined materials to craft the Defender Hulk. These are:

Fine Jute x12

Bronze Ingot x6

Iroko Plank x6

Unlike the raw resources needed for beginner ships, these materials are refined forms of basic resources. For instance, Bronze Ingots are created from smelting copper and tin, while Iroko Planks require processed lumber. To refine these resources, you'll need access to a Refinery, where you can convert raw goods into their upgraded forms.

Collecting and refining these materials is a core part of managing Skull and Bones Items. As ships become more advanced, the demand for refined resources grows, so learning how to farm and process them efficiently is critical to long-term progression.

Infamy Requirements

Acquiring the materials and blueprint is only part of the process. To actually craft the Defender Hulk, you must reach at least Rover I Infamy or higher. Infamy serves as your reputation within the pirate world, and higher ranks unlock better opportunities, ships, and gear.

The most efficient way to gain Infamy is by completing contracts tied to the main campaign, as well as exploring the open world for side contracts and plundering missions. Every successful contract not only brings you closer to the next Infamy tier but also rewards you with additional Silver and items.

Crafting the Ship

After reaching Rover I, gathering your refined materials, and obtaining the blueprint, head to a Shipwright located in Pirate Dens. Here, you can finally craft the Defender Hulk. Crafting costs an additional 1,080 Skull and Bones Silver, so make sure you have enough funds left after purchasing the blueprint.

This process underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy balance of resources and currency. While materials are essential for construction, Silver remains the backbone of progression, whether for crafting, repairs, or purchasing future upgrades.

Defender Hulk Stats and Playstyle

The Defender Hulk is built for resilience, making it ideal for players who want to stand their ground in combat. Its slow speed makes it difficult to disengage from fights, so instead of fleeing, the strategy revolves around absorbing damage and dishing out punishment.

Here's how its weapon loadout enhances its role:

Rahma's Legacy (Bow Weapon): A precision-focused weapon, perfect for delivering heavy strikes from the front of the ship. Its accuracy and power give the Defender Hulk an offensive edge in direct engagements.

Basilisk III (Broadside Weapon): This weapon excels at weakening enemy crews, leaving opposing ships vulnerable to boarding or follow-up attacks. Its high upfront damage also helps the Hulk maintain threat priority, drawing fire away from allies.

Flooding Demi-cannon III (Stern Weapon): Positioned on the rear, this weapon inflicts flooding damage on chasing ships. This slows down pursuers, buying the Defender Hulk some breathing room when retreating or repositioning.

Together, this arsenal reinforces the Hulk's identity as a defensive powerhouse that thrives in group play.

Tips for Using the Defender Hulk

Embrace the Tank Role: In solo play, focus on maximizing your firepower since escape isn't an option. In group play, use your presence to draw enemy attention and protect allies.

Farm Skull and Bones Items Efficiently: Since refined resources are essential, always keep gathering raw materials whenever you can. Building a stockpile will save you time in future crafting projects.

Manage Your Silver: Between the blueprint purchase and crafting fee, you'll spend over 3,000 Skull and Bones Silver on this ship. Budget accordingly so you don't stall your progress.

Pair With Allies: The Defender Hulk shines brightest in group play. With allies dealing damage from faster ships, you can act as the shield that keeps your crew safe.

Final Thoughts

The Defender Hulk is not a ship for pirates seeking speed or stealth, it's a vessel for those who relish being in the thick of battle, absorbing enemy fire, and retaliating with crushing blows. From obtaining the blueprint at the Sacred Tree to refining the necessary Skull and Bones Items, crafting this ship is an investment in durability and strength.

By ensuring you have enough Skull and Bones Silver, building up your Infamy rank, and mastering its weapon loadout, you'll unlock one of the game's most formidable defensive ships. Whether you sail alone or with allies, the Defender Hulk cements your reputation as a force to be reckoned with on the high seas.