Pirate base class?

[RigaMortus]

Was there ever a Pirate base class printed in any WotC book or Dragon Magazine? I could have sworn there was once. Perhaps the issue where they stated Ninja's and Pirate were arch enemies, and they listed a base class Ninja...

If there is a base class pirate, can anyone post the stats and stuff they get every level. At the very least, tell me what issue or book it can be found in?

 

[RigaMortus]

I guess that is a no

 

[The Souljourner]

Pirate PrC I've seen, but no base class. Seems like being a pirate is mostly a flavor thing... I mean, what class abilities would a pirate get that would be different from a rogue or fighter?

-The Souljourner

 

[Pax]

Just use Fighter for the burly types, or Swashbuckler Rogue for the agile types.

2E had a pirate kit for rogues, maybe that's what you're thinking of?

 

[RigaMortus]

No, I am pretty sure it was in the Dragon issue that had a Ninja as a base class. If it is not in that issue, then I must have imagined it.

I guess I could always go for the Dread Pirate from the 3.0 splat book (Song and Silence?)...

 

[silverblade]

The mariner base class from the Dragonlance Age of Mortals book is very piratey. It's 3.5 so no converting. Just change the name.

 

[Khayman]

Nothing core... the only thing that comes close is in 3.0, in Sword & Fist p.55. Not a class, just an advancement track for a fighter with a list of recommended skills & feats for piratey-type characters.

You could use that as a model for a Fighter variant along the lines of the Thug (Unearthed Arcana p.51). By swapping some skills you get this:

Class skills: As Fighter, plus Balance, Profession (sailor), Spot, Use Rope.
Skill Points: Increase to 4 + Int per level.
Weapon & Armour Proficiencies: Proficient with all simple & martial weapons, and with light armour only.
Bonus feats: The variant does not gain the bonus fighter feat at 1st level (to offset the increased skill points) but gets them normally at higher levels. [You could have the Pirate pull from a modified list of bonus feats, based on those in the S&F track.]

Otherwise identical to Fighter.
I'd also switch the good save from Fortitude to Reflex, but that's personal preference.

 

[Ripper-nk]

(official material)

Pirate-like Prestige Classes:

Corsair - Dragon 321
Dread Pirate - Song and Silence
Duelist - Dungeon Master Guide 3.5

Pirate-like Base Classe:

Swashbuckler - Complete Fighter

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

Agreed. The Dragonlance version is rather nifty (albeit, maybe a little front-loaded for those inclinded to take just 1st level )

 

[RedCliff]

There was a fighter variant called the Corsair in Dragon #310. Maybe that's the class you were thinking of.