As one would expect from a game about pirates, sailing the high seas in Windrose is about more than just dodging enemy broadsides and hunting for buried treasure; it is fundamentally a game of survival.
In order to ensure you and your crewmates are in peak fighting condition, one must move beyond basic snacks and start preparing high-tier meals that offer significant statistical advantages. And for that, fish fillets are king, as they form the backbone of some of the most potent restorative recipes in the game.
Needless to say, every aspiring captain should make getting them a priority, so read on to find out how to stock up on fish fillets in Windrose.
What Items or Equipment Do You Need to Get Fish Fillets
Before you can start harvesting the ocean’s bounty, you need to access the fishing minigame, which cannot be done right away. First, you will need to progress through the main story until you arrive in the Foothills (the second biome). At that point, the ability to craft fishing-related items becomes automatically available.
Afterwards, you’ll have to craft a Simple Fishing Rod, as its recipe is also unlocked at the same time. To manufacture the rod, you will need some preparation. First and foremost, your Workbench must be upgraded to level 2, which in turn requires building the Sawhorse upgrade in your base.
Once that’s taken care of, you will need 5 Hardwood (harvested from Divi Divi trees), 3 Rope (crafted from plant fibers), and 2 Foothills Iron Ingots (smelted from ore found in the second biome). Then, you place those materials in the Workbench and get your hands on the fishing rod.
It may look like a lot, but the entire process is actually quite quick, and the game itself will guide you through most of it. After that, it’s just a matter of equipping the rod and finding any body of water. Cast your line and wait for a significant splash or for the bobber to bounce, then reel it in with a well-timed click.
The good news is that you don’t even have to be on land to fish. The minigame is also available from your ship.
How to Get Fish Fillets
As hinted previously, the primary method for obtaining this resource is through the fishing minigame. Once you have successfully pulled a fish from the water, it will appear in your inventory as a raw creature.
While other games automatically convert caught fish into usable cooking materials like fish fillets, Windrose does not. To transform your catch into usable materials, simply right-click the fish in your inventory to process it into fillets. Although it’s a simple step, many players overlook it. There is no risk of ingredients spoiling, but it is worth remembering that the conversion must be done manually.
The quantity of fillets you receive depends heavily on the rarity and size of the fish. Common shallow-water catches like Blue Tang or Reef Snappers provide a modest amount, while landing an epic Giant Mackerel or Large Barracuda will yield a much higher number of fillets.
However, if you’re willing to skip the realism or simply don’t enjoy fishing, there are alternative ways to get a head start. New players can find a guaranteed stash of 20 fish fillets in the starting chest located in the Pi Ruins Ashland. Additionally, while fishing is the most direct method, some players prefer exploration, as fillets can occasionally be found as a seafood resource throughout the islands.
What Do Fish Fillets Do?
The true value of fish fillets lies in their culinary versatility. They are a mandatory ingredient for Rare and Epic tier foods that provide long-lasting buffs to your maximum health and core attributes. Without them, you will struggle to maintain the Vitality and Agility needed for endgame boss encounters.
Key uses for fish fillets include:
- The Seafood Platter: Considered one of the best meals in the game, this epic recipe requires 7 fillets and grants a massive +20 Vitality buff for 30 minutes.
- Stat-Boosting Recipes: Fillets are used to craft Chowder (+10 Agility), Fish and Tostones (+10 Vitality), and Seafood Skewers (+5 Strength).
- Utility Construction: Beyond eating, you will need 5 fillets to construct the Food Dryer station, which is essential for advanced food preservation.
Final Thoughts
Much more than a simple consumable item, fish fillets are deeply integrated into most of Windrose’s character maintenance experience. Think of them as “salt” in a real-life recipe. Almost any dish you can think of will use it in some way, so it is better to have a surplus than a deficit.
Not only that, but the buffs these dishes provide are nothing to scoff at and will help you in the long run, whether you are preparing for a fortress assault or a long voyage into the Cursed Swamps.
Windrose was made available via early access on Steam.
