Trading is the main way to convert catches and rare finds into resources, modules and torn pages in DREADMOOR. The pricing rule is direct enough to plan a whole economy around: the more dangerous the prey, the higher the price the mysterious traders of the Submerged Lands pay.
On this page
What moves the price
| Item class | What traders pay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Common catches | Low | Standard lagoon roster, easy to land |
| Rare fish (named zones) | Medium | Deeper water, harder to reach |
| Night-only species | High | Time-of-day gate, escalated threats |
| Mutated catches and salvage from wrecks | High | Component value (scrap metal, chromatic scales, blueprints) |
| Forgotten blueprints | Highest per item | Direct unlock path to the next tier of crafting |
Boat fuel is another consumable that can be paid in fish, so the trade-off between selling a catch and burning it as fuel depends on how close the next settlement is and whether a resupply run is worth the detour. NPCs at settlements do not have full voice acting beyond stock fishing lines, so do not expect bargaining dialogue — the price you see is the price you get.
Income plan
Stack dangerous catches instead of selling mid-trip
Stack dangerous catches from the day's run instead of selling them mid-trip.
Use multiple settlements to compare prices
Use multiple settlements to compare prices for rare catches before unloading the hold.
Avoid selling rare fish too early
Avoid selling rare fish too early in the run — early sale locks in a smaller payout and removes the catch from the next expedition's roster.
Bring forgotten blueprints to settlement traders
Bring forgotten blueprints to settlement traders rather than dismantling them for raw scrap; the blueprint unlocks the next tier of crafting.
Continue the income plan
Trading income scales with how deep into the named zones you are willing to sail and how disciplined the catch stack stays across the day.
Settlement restock
Sell the day's catch at the dock-side trader
Sell the day's catch at the dock-side trader for the day's rate.
Restock Purified Water, baits and any missing medicine
Restock Purified Water, baits and any missing medicine from the same settlement.
Refuel the trawler before the next leg
Refuel the trawler before the next leg so the tank is full at the next dock.
Move to the next settlement if a named zone is closer to that dock
Move to the next settlement if a named zone is closer to that dock than to the home one.
For how to find the right settlement to dock at and which trader pays the best rate, see the DREADMOOR settlements and traders guide.
Continue the restock loop
Use the dock as the dock for the day and as the supplier for the next leg.
FAQ
How do settlement trader prices work?
Across every settlement the rule is the same: the more dangerous the prey, the higher the price. Rare fish, mutated catches and night-only species pay the most, while common catches are usually worth burning as boat fuel on long runs.