Pirates are firearm-savvy skirmishers and consummate sailors: quick to seize a useful position, land a decisive shot, and vanish behind cover or rigging. Their practical seamanship makes them at home on any vessel, while their subclass shapes whether they rely on uncanny gear, a loyal crew, or a strict code of capture.
A quick shot, a sure course, and always a way out.
Skirmisher; a firearm-using martial who excels at mobility, positioning, and shipboard exploration.
At a glance
Grit
Hit die d10
Dexterity
ConstitutionYou gain proficiency with firearms, navigator’s tools, water vehicles, and light armor, medium armor, and shields. Choose two skills from Acrobatics, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Survival.
You cannot become seasick. While aboard a boat or ship, you gain a +5 bonus to initiative. After 1 minute observing the sky, water, and surroundings at sea, you can determine your current position and heading as accurately as conditions allow; after 5 minutes inspecting a vessel, you discover all nonmagical concealed compartments, tampering, and structural secrets. A firearm you wield cannot misfire, jam, or break through ordinary use.
You gain a pool of Grit points equal to your proficiency bonus, regained when you finish a short or long rest. When you make a firearm attack, you can spend 1 Grit to add 1d6 to its damage, or to take the Disengage action as a bonus action.
Choose a Pirate subclass: Captain, Pirate Mage, or Privateer. Your subclass grants features at levels 3, 6, 10, and 14.
Ability Score Improvement
You can attack twice, instead of once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
You gain your Pirate subclass’s level 6 feature.
Your firearm attacks ignore Half Cover. Also, once on each of your turns when you hit a creature with a firearm, you can move 10 feet without provoking Opportunity Attacks from that creature.
Ability Score Improvement
Your Grit damage die becomes a d8. You can also spend 1 Grit when you fail a Dexterity saving throw to add 1d8 to the roll, potentially turning it into a success.
You gain your Pirate subclass’s level 10 feature.
You can make one attack with a firearm as a bonus action on each of your turns, provided you took the Attack action and attacked with a firearm this turn.
Ability Score Improvement
When you roll Initiative and have no Grit points remaining, you regain 2 Grit points.
You gain your Pirate subclass’s level 14 feature.
Your Grit damage die becomes a d10. In addition, your firearm attacks against a creature within 30 feet of you ignore Half Cover and Three-Quarters Cover.
Ability Score Improvement
When you roll Initiative, you regain 1 expended Grit point. You also have Advantage on ability checks made to resist being moved or knocked Prone while aboard a vessel.
Once on each of your turns when you hit with a firearm, you can deal an extra 1d10 damage to the target.
Ability Score Improvement and Epic Boon
When you roll Initiative, you regain all expended Grit points. Once per turn when you spend Grit, you can use that feature without spending a point.
DexterityConstitutionDexterity
CharismaHit pointsHit Die: d10 per Pirate level. Hit Points at 1st Level: 10 + your Constitution modifier. Hit Points at Higher Levels: (or 6) + your Constitution modifier per Pirate level after 1st.
Armorlight armor, medium armor, shields.
Weaponssimple weapons, martial weapons, and firearms where available.
Toolsnavigator’s tools.
Vehicleswater vehicles.
Skillschoose two from Acrobatics, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, and Survival.
Skill choicesAcrobatics, Athletics, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Survival
ResourceGrit: a pool of points equal to your proficiency bonus, usually regained on a short or long rest. Several high-level features improve its recovery.
MulticlassingPrerequisite: Dexterity 13. When you multiclass into Pirate, you gain proficiency with light armor, one skill from the Pirate skill list, and water vehicles. Firearm proficiency is gained only if your table’s firearm rules grant it through this class’s initial proficiencies.
Turns a sailor’s tools, charms, and contraband into uncanny gear.
Leads by nerve, example, and the promise that nobody gets left behind.
A commissioned hunter who values a living capture over a needless kill.
Pirates are firearm-savvy skirmishers and consummate sailors: quick to seize a useful position, land a decisive shot, and vanish behind cover or rigging.
Their practical seamanship makes them at home on any vessel, while their subclass shapes whether they rely on uncanny gear, a loyal crew, or a strict code of capture.
Play close to cover and use movement to control angles rather than standing still to trade shots.
Spend Grit when a hit matters or when a quick escape keeps you in the fight; your shipboard talents shine in exploration and social scenes as much as combat.
Most Pirates learn by working aboard a vessel: first as deckhands, then as lookouts, gunners, navigators, or boarding fighters.
Formal instruction is rare; a seasoned sailor’s test is simple—can you keep your head, protect your crew, and find the way home when the charts fail?
People often see Pirates as charmingly capable or dangerously unpredictable, depending on their last encounter with a firearm-wielding sailor.
In ports, their navigation and vessel knowledge earn respect; authorities may scrutinize them until their loyalties are clear.
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