Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Elite Design Plans Guide

There are plenty of upgrades to be had in Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, and you’ll need them if you want to take down everything in your path. The best upgrades come from Elite Design Plans, which you can only find in special underwater shipwrecks or buried treasure sites around the map. There are 12 in total, and each one will upgrade a different part of your ship, the Jackdaw. 

You’ll need to have completed “Diving for Medicines” and gotten the diving bell in order to explore the wrecks. Many of the upgrades are found in buried treasure chests as well, meaning you must have the treasure map for that area to get it. Ready to get started? Use our guide to find them all.

Elite Broadside Cannons

Go to the Blue Hole and head towards the coordinates 471, 170. Head down into the underwater wreckage and snag the upgrade.

Elite Fire Barrel Storage

Go to Isla Providencia and head to the coordinates 502, 44. This upgrade is in a buried treasure chest. It can be found along the south coast, near the wrecked ship. You will need to already have the treasure map from sending your fleet to Eastern Canada for the “Scarlatina” mission.

Elite Fire Barrel Strength

Find these plans near San Juan. Go to the coordinates 479, 487. At Smuggler’s Den, break the wooden planks and defeat the smugglers so you can dig up the buried treasure. You will need to have the treasure map from Santanillas to get this upgrade.

Elite Harpoon Strength

Go to Andreas Island. Head to the coordinates 579, 720 and find the location for the buried treasure. It will be near a small cluster of palm trees. Dig up the treasure to get the plans. You need to have already gotten the treasure map for Mariguana Island before you can get this upgrade. 

Elite Heavy Shot Strength

Head to Misteriosa Island for this plan. Use the coordinates 307, 195 to find the wreck. Get the upgrade from the buried treasure chest by the structure here. You will need to have gotten the treasure map from Ambergris Key to get this one.

Elite Heavy Shot Storage

Go to Petite Cavern and find the coordinates 901, 263. This plan is in a buried treasure chest. Find the location in the restricted area, near the campfire. You need to have already gotten the treasure map from Cayman Sound for this upgrade.

Elite Hull Armor

Head to San Ignacio at 379, 770. There is a shipwreck here. Dive down and find the upgrade.

Elite Mortars

This plan is found in the wreckage at Antocha. Go to the coordinates 630, 660 and dive down. Find the northeast corridor at the front of the ship. There is a small opening you need to go through to get the upgrade. Watch out for a nearby shark.

Elite Mortar Storage

Head to Mantanzas for this ship upgrade. Find the coordinates 333, 650 and look for the buried treasure location near the ruins. You need to have the treasure map from Tortuga for these plans.

Elite Ram

Go to La Concepcion at 181, 296. Dive down and explore the underwater shipwreck. You can get this design plan by going down the ship’s staircase, near the mast platform.

Elite Round Shot Strength

Go to the Kabah Ruins and head to the coordinates 769, 145. Go into the shipwreck and go down to the lower level of the ruins to find it. 

Elite Swivel Guns

Head to Devil’s Eye Caverns and go to 488, 353. Head underwater to the wreckage. There is a tunnel near here; go through it. Swim with the current and use the air pocket to catch your breath before moving on. When you get out of the water, head up to get the upgrade from a chest.