Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: How to Get All Ship Pets (Rare Cat & Monkey Guide)
When I first heard the rumors that Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced would introduce ship companions, I honestly expected it to be another tiny cosmetic feature that players would forget after a couple of hours. After spending dozens of hours sailing across the Caribbean, I can confidently say I was completely wrong.
The new Ship Pet System is one of those additions that doesn’t change the core gameplay, yet somehow makes every voyage feel more personal. The Jackdaw has always been one of gaming’s greatest ships, but now it finally feels alive. Watching a cat curl up near the captain’s table after a long naval battle or spotting a monkey swinging through the rigging while you’re chasing a Spanish frigate gives the entire adventure far more personality than I expected.
As someone who has spent countless hours with the original Black Flag, I genuinely appreciate features that reward exploration instead of simply throwing more collectibles onto the map. Finding your own companion feels surprisingly satisfying, and that’s exactly why this guide focuses on everything worth knowing about the Ship Pet System—from basic recruitment to tracking down the rarer variations.
Why the Ship Pet System Feels Like a Natural Upgrade
One thing I immediately noticed is that Ubisoft didn’t design pets as another crafting mechanic. You don’t hunt them, buy them, or unlock them through simple progression.
Instead, pets are treated as living parts of the world.
That approach fits Black Flag perfectly. The Caribbean has always encouraged curiosity, whether you were diving for shipwrecks, hunting treasure maps, or climbing forgotten Mayan ruins. Ship companions simply extend that philosophy.
Rather than completing another checklist objective, you’re encouraged to slow down and actually observe the environment.
Some players may overlook this feature entirely during the main story, but those who enjoy exploring every island will naturally discover new companion opportunities along the way.
How Ship Pets Work
Recruiting a companion isn’t difficult, but patience matters.
Animals react to your behavior, meaning charging directly toward them usually scares them away. Using stealth and approaching carefully is much more effective.
The basic recruitment process usually follows the same pattern:
- Locate a recruitable animal.
- Stay out of combat.
- Approach quietly using stealth.
- Interact once the prompt appears.
- Confirm that you’d like the companion to join the Jackdaw.
Once recruited, companions become permanent members of your ship and can be swapped whenever you want from the customization menu.
One detail I especially enjoy is that they don’t simply stand in one location forever. They wander naturally around the vessel, interact with different parts of the ship, and even appear during longer sailing sequences.
That small touch makes the Jackdaw feel less like a floating menu and more like a genuine home.
Where to Find the Ship Cat
If there’s one companion almost everyone seems to search for first, it’s the cat.
Besides looking fantastic aboard the Jackdaw, the feline adds a cozy atmosphere to the captain’s quarters. You’ll often find it resting beside navigation charts, sleeping near the helm, or quietly watching the crew move around the deck.
The easiest place to recruit the standard cat is within the early cities, particularly residential districts and dockside neighborhoods.
Best Strategy for Recruiting the Cat
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Explore urban districts | Search residential streets and dock areas. |
| Activate Eagle Vision | Recruitable animals are highlighted differently from enemies. |
| Stay crouched | Slow movement prevents the cat from fleeing. |
| Interact carefully | Pet the animal before confirming recruitment. |
| Send it to the Jackdaw | The companion immediately joins your collection. |
From my experience, avoiding crowds helps considerably. If NPCs or guards become hostile nearby, there’s a good chance the animal will disappear before you can interact with it.
Where to Find the Monkey
The monkey quickly became my favorite companion.
Unlike the relaxed behavior of the cat, monkeys constantly move around the ship. They’ll climb ropes, jump between masts, and occasionally appear during boarding actions, making every naval encounter feel a little more dynamic.
Finding one requires leaving civilization behind.
Dense jungle environments, abandoned temples, plantations, and remote tropical islands provide the highest chance of discovering them.
Best Approach for Recruiting a Monkey
- Sail to isolated jungle regions.
- Listen for movement before searching visually.
- Stay hidden while approaching.
- Use the interaction prompt once you’re close enough.
- Complete the recruitment and return to the Jackdaw.
One thing I noticed is that rushing almost never works. Monkeys are noticeably more alert than cats, so taking your time usually produces better results.
Rare Companion Variants Worth Hunting
For completionists, the standard companions are only the beginning.
Several cosmetic variants have reportedly been discovered throughout hidden areas of the Caribbean, rewarding players who thoroughly explore locations most captains simply sail past.
Rumored rare companions include:
- Dark-coated cats hidden near smuggler hideouts.
- Lighter tropical monkey variants found on isolated islands.
- Special appearances unlocked after completing advanced naval activities.
- Exclusive cosmetic rewards tied to premium editions.
Whether every community rumor proves accurate remains to be seen, but discovering unusual companions has already become one of my favorite excuses to revisit islands I originally ignored.
Small Environmental Details Make Exploration Better
One thing Resynced appears to improve dramatically is environmental interaction.
Even outside the pet system, wildlife feels far more believable.
While exploring beaches, you’ll encounter turtles slowly moving across the sand, tiny crabs digging into shorelines, and numerous ambient animals reacting naturally to your presence.
These details don’t always reward you with loot, but they help create one of the most immersive versions of the Caribbean we’ve seen in the Assassin’s Creed series.
As someone who enjoys simply sailing without chasing objectives every minute, I appreciate these quieter moments almost as much as the naval combat itself.
Deluxe Edition Cosmetic Pets
Players who own premium editions receive additional customization options for their companions.
These cosmetic upgrades don’t improve gameplay, but they definitely add personality.
Some premium outfits include miniature pirate accessories such as:
- Small pirate hats.
- Decorative naval clothing.
- Custom captain-themed costumes.
- Special cosmetic appearance packs.
Changing companion appearances is straightforward.
Simply enter the Captain’s Cabin, access the ship customization interface, open the Ship Pet category, and equip whichever unlocked cosmetic you prefer.
Fortunately, these remain entirely visual, meaning standard edition players aren’t missing gameplay advantages.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced Gold Guide: How to Get Reales Fast
My Personal Tips for Collecting Every Companion
After spending plenty of time experimenting with the system, a few habits consistently made recruitment easier.
- Avoid unnecessary combat. If enemies attack nearby, animals frequently flee before you can interact with them. Clearing the area beforehand saves a surprising amount of frustration.
- Explore after finishing nearby activities. Many hidden locations become much safer once local missions are complete, allowing you to search freely.
- Revisit old locations. Some areas seem far more active after progressing through the story. Returning later can reveal encounters you previously missed.
- Use your cabin regularly. There’s no reason to keep only one favorite companion forever. Swapping between collected pets keeps the Jackdaw feeling fresh throughout the campaign.
Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Who Are the Three New Ship Officers?
Is the Ship Pet Feature Worth Your Time?
Absolutely.
In a game already packed with naval battles, treasure hunting, underwater exploration, and memorable characters, adding recruitable companions could easily have felt unnecessary.
Instead, it became one of my favorite additions.
Not because pets offer combat bonuses or powerful upgrades—but because they strengthen the feeling that the Jackdaw is truly your ship.
Gaming doesn’t always need another progression system. Sometimes all it takes is seeing your loyal cat waiting beside the captain’s chair after returning from a difficult sea battle, or hearing your monkey chatter while the crew prepares for another boarding action.
Those little moments stick with you.
If you’re the type of player who enjoys uncovering every hidden secret, filling every collection menu, and exploring every forgotten island, then tracking down every available ship companion is easily worth the effort. It encourages exploration without feeling repetitive, gives the Caribbean even more life than before, and adds a surprising amount of charm to an already outstanding pirate adventure.
For me, that’s exactly the kind of feature a remake should introduce—not something that replaces what made the original great, but something that quietly makes the entire experience even better every time you set sail.
