Getting your hands on the Astray in Lost Ark is a monumental achievement. As the fastest ship in the game, it’s the crown jewel for any adventurer who’s tired of slow sailing. But the truth is, a ship is only as good as the crew manning it. Even the sleekest vessel will flounder in treacherous waters without the right sailors. That’s why seasoned players pour as much effort into recruiting elite crew members as they did into building the Astray itself. The right combination of Legendary and Relic sailors can turn this speed demon into an untouchable force on the seas, shrugging off deadly environmental hazards while slicing through waves at breakneck pace.

Before you start slotting sailors onto your deck, it’s important to understand what makes the Astray special. The ship innately boasts phenomenal base speed, but its resistances to various hazardous waters are mediocre at best. In Lost Ark’s sprawling ocean, you’ll frequently encounter Tempest Seas, Dead Waters, Siren Seas, Sandstorm Seas, Kelp Beds, and Cold Snap Seas. Each of these can slow, stun, or damage a poorly prepared ship, and the Astray’s fragile resistances need serious reinforcement. You need crew that not only push knots but also plug those defensive gaps. The following sailors are widely considered the absolute best for the job—handpicked from the Legendary and Relic tiers to give you that perfect blend of velocity and resilience.

Relic Wilhelm: The Pirate Coin Powerhouse

If you’ve got the coins, Relic Wilhelm is a must-have. This guy is a fortress against some of the ocean’s most dangerous threats. His Tempest Seas and Dead Water resistances are standout features—both are among the highest in the game. Specifically, he provides a massive +21 boost to Dead Waters resistance and +18 each to Sandstorm Seas, Cold Snap Seas, and Tempest Seas. That’s four hazard types covered almost entirely by a single crew slot. The catch? His Kelp Beds and Siren Seas resistances each take a -13 hit. Pair him with a sailor who specializes in those areas, and you’re looking at a near-perfect balance.

Acquiring Wilhelm isn’t easy. You’ll need to track down the Plumpcrab Fishing Guild Vessel outside Punika and fork over a hefty 144,288 Pirate Coins. Yes, that’s an enormous sum—especially after the resource drain of building the Astray. But think of it as a long-term investment. Cheaper alternatives exist, but their stat boosts are laughable in comparison. Once added, Wilhelm becomes the backbone of your survival setup, letting you sail through storms that would cripple a lesser crew.

Legendary Barakas: The Balanced Bargain

Not every sailor has to break the bank. Legendary Barakas is a fantastic mid-tier option for captains who want reliable coverage without draining their resources. His resistances come with some significant negatives—Kelp Beds and Tempest Seas both drop by -2, and Sandstorm Seas resistance plunges by -11. But those downsides are offset beautifully by his Siren Seas resistance of +16, Cold Snap Seas +9, Dead Waters +9, and a neat +1.3 knot speed increase.

What makes Barakas so appealing is accessibility. You can pick him up right from your Stronghold by visiting Gador and spending 7,870 Raid Seals in a Random Sale. Raid Seals are a currency you’ll accumulate naturally while doing various endgame activities, so the opportunity cost is relatively low. He may not be the flashiest crew member, but his well-rounded stat distribution makes him an excellent filler until you can replace him with his Relic counterpart. Plus, that extra speed is nothing to scoff at when every knot counts.

Relic Barakas: The Siren Sea Specialist

When Legendary Barakas reaches his full potential, he transforms into a Siren Seas slayer. The Relic version completely flips the script on his earlier form. Siren Seas resistance skyrockets to a massive +21—enough to almost guarantee you never get stunned by those pesky mermaids again. Cold Snap Seas and Dead Waters both enjoy a +12 boost, and his speed contribution jumps to +1.6 knots. Yes, his Kelp Beds resistance takes a nosedive at -16, but by this point you should have other crew members to cover that weakness.

The price of this upgrade is steep but worth it. Look for the Spearfish Hunting Guild Ship at Punike Port and prepare to hand over 14,428 Sun Coins. Sun Coins are less common than Pirate Coins, so plan accordingly. When you combine Relic Barakas with a sailor who buffs Kelp Beds resistance, the synergy is undeniable. He’s the anchor that keeps your Astray steady in waters that make other captains turn back.

Legendary Blackfang: The Speed Demon’s First Mate

Blackfang is practically synonymous with fast sailing. Her Legendary version already packs the Tailwind passive skill at level 2, which recovers +10 Fast Sailing gauge after sailing a set distance. This effect doesn’t stack, but on a ship as swift as the Astray, the consistent speed bursts are game-changing. On top of that, she directly adds +1.7 knots to your base speed. Her resistances aren’t all stellar—Siren Seas takes a -10 hit—but she compensates with +5 Sandstorm Seas, +5 Cold Snap Seas, and +9 Kelp Beds.

Finding Legendary Blackfang requires a bit of luck. She’s a random reward from Shipwrecks boxes, so you’ll spend time diving wrecks and hoping for the best. The grind is real, but her passive ability alone makes her one of the most sought-after crew members for the Astray. Even with the Siren Seas drawback, pairing her with someone like Relic Barakas eliminates the problem entirely. The result? A ship that catches favorable winds so often you’ll feel like you’re teleporting between continents.

Relic Blackfang: The Pinnacle of Nautical Speed

If Legendary Blackfang is great, her Relic form is god-tier. This is the crew member every Astray captain dreams of. Her passive Tailwind leaps to level 3, granting +15 Fast Sailing recovery per distance threshold. Combine that with a staggering +2.3 knot speed increase—the highest available—and you have a ship that practically flies. Relic Blackfang also buffs Kelp Beds (+11), Sandstorm Seas (+8), and Siren Seas (+7), making her far more defensively capable than her Legendary version. Her only painful negative is a -15 to Dead Waters resistance, but that’s a small price to pay for such overwhelming velocity.

Acquiring her is no joke. She’s a Legendary-tier drop from the same Shipwrecks boxes, meaning you’ll be farming wrecks for a long time unless RNG smiles upon you. Once you finally slot her in, the Astray becomes a different beast entirely. The combination of Relic Blackfang’s speed and Tailwind with a couple of high-resistance sailors creates a vessel that can outrun danger and shrug off what it can’t avoid. Late-game ocean content, including timed sailing co-op missions and island hopping, becomes a breeze.

Building the Ultimate Crew Loadout

Now that you know the best options, how do you arrange them? There’s no single perfect setup because it depends on which hazardous waters annoy you most. However, a popular competitive build is: Relic Blackfang (speed + Tailwind), Relic Wilhelm (Dead Waters/Tempest coverage), and Relic Barakas (Siren Seas/Cold Snap). This trio leaves Kelp Beds resistance a little shaky, but the immense speed often lets you bypass those areas before the debuff becomes fatal. Alternatively, swap Relic Wilhelm for Legendary Blackfang if you prefer even more speed and Kelp Beds resistance, accepting a dip in Dead Waters safety.

As of 2026, Lost Ark’s seafaring meta has settled comfortably around these choices. The player base has thoroughly tested every combination, and the consensus is clear: speed kills. With the right crew, the Astray turns ocean exploration from a chore into a joyride. Invest the time, save those coins, and you’ll wonder how you ever sailed anything else.