Ship NPC Stats

[Cravix]

Im looking to do a partial ship campaign, however the PC's are necessarily part of the ship, more like passengers or bodyguards. Was going to use the UA rules for ship combat but does anybody have any state blocks for important npcs like the captain or the first mate, ECT

[Derpy]

Im looking to do a partial ship campaign, however the PC's are necessarily part of the ship, more like passengers or bodyguards. Was going to use the UA rules for ship combat but does anybody have any state blocks for important npcs like the captain or the first mate, ECT

I don't know how strong you want the captain to be, but there is a bandit/pirate captain in the MM. You could also give that captain the Knight's (also in MM) Leadership ability if you felt the captain was lacking just slightly.

[Teaguethebean]

If you want the captain to be similar to a PC making him as a fighter or even using the ua warrior for his stat black

[Throne12]

There is a Swashbuckler stats in volo's.

[Vogie]

One of the things I've been batting around is the ship-&-crew-as-a-single-character mechanic from Skies of Glass.

Basically, instead of statting out individual crew members, the ship acts as a conglomeration of all the crew. Each crew member would increase one or more of the ship's stats, and add bonuses to the skills. Obviously, those members who will go on landing parties will need normal stats, but as a whole, they'd be part of a conglomerate crew.

A high-strength ship has a high-strength crew, which increases carrying capacity and damage (both cannon and ram).
A high-dexterous ship has a dexterous crew, increasing speed and maneuverability. That could make the ship run stealthily, perform more difficult maneuvers, and quickly hide contraband prior to being boarded
The constitution of the ship is equal to the constitution of the crew members - a rickety, low-con ship will also have a weak-bellied crew, while a decent shipwright will allow the ship to be reinforced and faster repaired. A high-Con crew may also be able to work without rest for longer periods of time
The charisma of the ship is also the morale of the crew... and a low-morale crew may turn against the PCs. It'd also indicate how the
The ship will have the wisdom of the crew, indicating their survival skill, access to non-consumable medicine, and better containment of animals onboard
The ship/crew's Intelligence score impacts their materials, such as access to crafting, and maps, charts & books available onboard, as well as its independence from the PCs.


This would also allow you to add more "group" options to the PCs without worrying about a horde of NPCs/DMPCs.

Hiring a Navigator will give the ship a high survival skill, and when sailing, the party could use that survival instead of their own while sailing.
Rescuing a druid or cleric and having them join the crew, increase the wisdom the ship/crew and could provide proficiency/expertise in Medicine checks, and healing while on board.
Hiring a Wizard would increase the overall intelligence of the crew, and give the PCs a place that get their items identified. A high enough arcana skill may give the ship various abilities, such as ability to shroud itself in fog, cast illusions on itself, create unseen crewmembers, or become completely invisible.
A good captain boosts intelligence and charisma (morale) while a bad one may actually decrease it

[Ninja_Prawn]

I've done a few that might be useful:

Basic sailors and marines (https://nailsofvecna.tumblr.com/post/167899236027/if-youre-running-a-pirate-game-and-need-to-crew-a)
Parrots (https://nailsofvecna.tumblr.com/post/164399040659/large-loud-and-brightly-coloured-parrots-are)
Skeleton crewmen (https://nailsofvecna.tumblr.com/post/168142784162/get-it-like-skeleton-crew-youre-supposed-to) and ship wights (https://nailsofvecna.tumblr.com/post/179512586764/yall-remember-the-skeleton-crewman-right-yeah) to use on a ghost ship

There are more in here (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/264289), but they're not available for free, unfortunately.

[Unoriginal]

Several modules stat most sailors as Bandit NPCs, and most officiers as Bandit Captains.

Thugs, Veterans, Swashbucklers, or really any other NPC statblock (including ones of humanoids like Goblin Boss, Orc, or the like) would fit, though.