In Windrose, your character will go from a run-of-the-mill pirate to a menace of all oceans as you gather weapons and resources to improve your fleet and fighting abilities. To this end, no item speaks louder than Steel Nails.
Inside the game’s mechanics, Steel Nails represent a significant step up from the rudimentary copper and iron versions found during your first hours in the archipelago, since they serve as the structural backbone for advanced maritime maintenance and the most durable high-tier constructions.
And having high-tier constructions and naval capabilities is, evidently, within your interests, as Windrose will throw you into major naval and land battles that will take a toll on your fleet and resources. So check out how to farm and stack up on this item and increase your survivability many times over.
How to Obtain Steel Nails in Windrose
Unlike their common counterparts, you cannot “make” Steel Nails. Considered a high-quality import by Windrose’s standards, these items can only be scavenged, looted through raids, or purchased.
The most direct method of obtaining Steel Nails is by attacking enemy ships and seizing their cargo. Once a vessel is disabled, boarding it and looting its storage gives you a chance to collect Steel Nails alongside other valuable resources. This is widely considered the most efficient method, though it comes with obvious risks.
A safer, but slower, alternative is scavenging. Steel Nails can occasionally be found in shipwrecks or specialized loot containers such as Blackbeard Crew Chests or Decrepit Chests. However, this method is entirely chance-based, so results may vary and require patience.
For players who prefer a more straightforward approach, Steel Nails can also be purchased from the Brethren of the Coast Provisioner in Tortuga for 10 Piastre each. This option becomes available once you reach Reputation Level 2 with the faction.
Uses of Steel Nails in Windrose
So now that you have Steel Nails, what should you use them for? There are several important applications.
Their most critical role is in the production of Combat Repair Kits and Master Combat Repair Kits. These tools are essential because they continue repairing your ship’s hull even while you are actively taking damage during combat.
Beyond ship maintenance, Steel Nails are also required for building high-tier decorations and the largest storage chests available. Using them allows you to expand your inventory capacity well beyond what basic fabric-based storage offers.
Finally, higher-tier hull bracing often requires Steel Nails to reinforce your vessel, ensuring it can withstand the heavy broadsides of late-game pirate fleets.
Final Thoughts
Much like Fish Fillets, a steady supply of Steel Nails serves as a core part of your journey to dominate the seas in Windrose. Alongside many other items, they reflect the game’s design philosophy of tying resources directly into gameplay, making them essential rather than optional.
While Steel Nails can be difficult to obtain, the durability they provide to your ship and the utility they offer your base make them well worth the effort, whether through combat, exploration, or trade. So keep your cannons ready and always be on the lookout for ships worth plundering.
