Best 5e pirate builds?

[Rfkannen]

I was just hit by a strong urge to play a pirate in my next dnd game. What are some good pirate builds in 5e? How would you make a full pirate party? What makes a good pirate in your opinion?

[Biffoniacus_Furiou]

Sailor background for sure!

What do you want the character to do, other than be a pirate?

Swashbuckler Rogue?

Fathomless Warlock?

Storm Sorcerer?

Land (Coast) Druid?

Tempest Cleric?

Storm Herald Barbarian?

Just about any type of Bard?

[Yakmala]

Swarmkeeper Ranger with a flock of talking parrots.

[CheddarChampion]

For swashbuckling you could be a Rogue: Swashbuckler, expertise in water vehicles, acrobatics, and/or intimidation.

For the sword & pistol look you could be a crossbow expert fighter or rogue.

For a non-traditional pirate you could be a Storm Sorcerer. Pick up weather magic to help your boat get around.

Another non-traditional pirate would be one with a swimming speed, the ability to breathe water (or just stay under for an extended time), and some kind of ranged attack or fire-and-forget magic spells. Flaming Sphere, for example, can be cast and moved around without you resurfacing... so long as you can see it and maintain concentration.

[loki_ragnarock]

Mostly, just use any build and change the nomenclature.

Any buff build is a Yar.

Any debuff build is a Nar.

Any AOE build is a Blunderbuss.

Any healer is a Cutless.

Any melee DPS is a Cutmore.


That sort of thing.

[Rfkannen]

Sailor background for sure!

What do you want the character to do, other than be a pirate?



The urge was just to BE a pirate, but I love the idea of a high charisma pirate king/queen who buys serval pirate ships and rules the sea by the end of the campaign. A leader pirate.

Not sure what they would be doing in combat, but I lean more towards sword than gun. (though both sword AND gun could work, but I prefer melee characters)

Mostly just interested in different pirate builds though!

[GeoffWatson]

How about a Bard?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9z_073Zvmyo

[LudicSavant]

I was just hit by a strong urge to play a pirate in my next dnd game. What are some good pirate builds in 5e? How would you make a full pirate party? What makes a good pirate in your opinion?

Really any class can be a pirate. Running a nautical game right now and we’ve got a Wizard, a Monk, a Warlock, a Druid, and a Barbarian (with the level 6 Eagle ability that lets them see clearly for a mile. Obviously they man the crow’s nest).

[J.C.]

Protector Aasimar Arcana Cleric Pirate Background.

[RedMage125]

The urge was just to BE a pirate, but I love the idea of a high charisma pirate king/queen who buys serval pirate ships and rules the sea by the end of the campaign. A leader pirate.

Not sure what they would be doing in combat, but I lean more towards sword than gun. (though both sword AND gun could work, but I prefer melee characters)

Mostly just interested in different pirate builds though!

As suggested, I think Bard is what you're looking for. Charming, charismatic, and dashing, light armor...able to give benefit to those who follow him.

I did a 3.5e version of that for a buddy a few years ago. Build was Bard/Marshal/Swashbuckler then Dread Pirate PrC.

[GooeyChewie]

I'll echo the bard sentiment. It gives you an excuse to sing pirate-y songs! Like "Pirate King" from The Pirates of Penzance or "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything" from Veggietales or that Wellerman song that's been going around lately.

[Heavenblade]

My favorite is a bladsinger wizard, even though it becomes a "pirate" only at level 8 or so. The build premise is someone eith crossbow expert and warcaster. And then you hold a hand crossbow and a sword, and stab-shoot-cantrip every turn. Also have a parrot/monkey familiar.

[MrStabby]

Dexterity based conquest paladin.

You get the charisma to be a pirate king.

You get the martial prowess to lead from the front.

You can be feared as much as loved, a true dread pirate.

You have the dexterity/acrobatics to be fighting a dual on the rigging.

Depending on stats you could add some levels of swashbuckler to this if you wanted.

[Naanomi]

Eagle-totem Barbarian (vision powers on the open sea)

Artillarist (cannoneer)

Ranger (if ‘coast’ covers the whole ocean?)

Storm-Sorcerer

Druid (moon/be a sea monster? Shepard/summon sea monsters?)

[DevilMcam]

Any class can make a good pirate. Although if you want a party full of pirates, you have to think about who in the party will take what role beforehand. There can only be one Captain.

Examples of Party :
The Captain : Can hold is own in combat and has good charisma.
- Conquast paladin
- Sword bard
- Swashbucler rogue
- warlock of the blade

The man in the Crows nest : has good eyes, and can easily get upthere
- Eagle barb (as already mentionned)
- Ranger and his bird pet
- ranged monk (sharpshooter kensei for example if tasha is in, or shadow)
- tempest cleric

The ship's carpenter
- the quick working thief rogue
- the strange forge cleric (yes forging ships does count for some sea gods)
- the strong bear barb, gotta carry that spare mats arounds lads
- the artificer : the ship does indeed repair itself

the navigator : he knows stuff
- Druid
- Light cleric : lighthouses are temples to the see gods afterall
- wizard
- arcane trickster

the Doc : he treats seasick people, proficiency in medecine is optional.
- the knowy fighter
- any cleric
- divine souls sorcerer
- celestial lock

this are just examples of course, feel free to do what you like.

Drunken master also fits the pirate theme very well

[Kane0]

Dexterity based conquest paladin.


Have done this and can confirm it’s great fun. Even had a little pocket copy of the pirate code as my ‘sacred text’