What Would a Pirate Do?
- Thread starter Camelot
- Start date
Nifft
Penguin Herder
Doug McCrae
Legend
1. Have a reputation as a ruthless stone cold killer.
2. Never get into fights.
2. Never get into fights.
Works for the Dread Pirate Roberts, right?
Somehow, I'm guessing that if one's profession is stealing cargo at cannon-point on the high seas, armed conflict will occasionally come up
after recently rewatching Pirates of Dark Water (early 90s cartoon series from Hana Barbara) I can say that (at least everyone in that series) does pretty much everything on that list.
It's all about what is there at the moment -- do they have a huge number of allies, if so, they try and overwhlem. otherwise, they try and get to a spot where they can't get cornered, and use any environmental feature to their advantage, and any "low blows" are not off limits if have the opening...and so on.
It's all about what is there at the moment -- do they have a huge number of allies, if so, they try and overwhlem. otherwise, they try and get to a spot where they can't get cornered, and use any environmental feature to their advantage, and any "low blows" are not off limits if have the opening...and so on.
Celebrim
Legend
I'm going to have to disagree with Umbran on this.
The bread and butter of a pirate tactics are concentration of force and closing to knife fighting range. At any range shy of point blank, the pirate force is at a disadvantage against its likely foes.
a) Cannon: The pirate is unlikely to be particularly skilled with a cannon, especially compared to navy gunners. Their ships are also likely to be lightly built civilian craft unable to resist cannon fire. If the target is at a distance, and shows sign of putting up a determined cannonade, then the fight is not in the pirates favor. Besides which, powder and shot are expensive. If it becomes a cannon fight, the pirates will probably break off the attack. If the British navy closes, it will likely continue cannon fire until the opposing vessels resistance appears to be breaking. Pirates will immediately begin a boarding action.
b) Muskets, Pikes and Bill Hooks: If the pirates can board the ship, the defenders next best recourse is a determined pike wall supported by musket fire. The pirates are not disciplined military. They are not drilled in formation tactics. They are not fighting for a cause. They are mercenaries. Faced with a determined defense where its clear that casualties must be endured in order to break the wall of defenders, the pirates will probably retreat and look for easier prey in better situations.
c) Knives, axes, and cutlesses: It's at this point that the pirates gain the upper hand. If they can turn the fight into a chaotic melee, things will likely go very well for them. Merchants carry as little crew as the ship will allow because crew is a cost. Pirates carry a much crew as the ship will hold because crew is a resource. They probably outnumber their foes. They also have alot of practice with chest to chest fighting. It's at this range that the pirates numbers and ferocity will be most telling, and the foe most likely to surrender and hope they are ransomed (or in the case of crew, allowed to throw in with the pirates until at least the next port).
The skilled pirate captain will therefore arrange to ambush ships as they come around points of land, or else to attack by cover of darkness. He will attempt to board as quickly as possible and overwhelm the defenders. He will encourage his men to charge quickly and grapple their foes to negate any advantage they might have in superior organization, training, or weapons. He will prefer to fight any of his foes at at most arm's length, using a short bladed weapon and usually a large number of preloaded pistols which he will only fire at point blank range. He will cultivate a reputation for ferocity and a distinctive appearance, but simultaneously a reputation for courtly behavior and generousity to his captives. This is the most likely to result in people simply surrendering rather than fighting to the death. Unlike in the movies, a reputation for never taking prisoners is the death of a pirates career.
This is the admirable strategy for the pirate admiral.
The bread and butter of a pirate tactics are concentration of force and closing to knife fighting range. At any range shy of point blank, the pirate force is at a disadvantage against its likely foes.
a) Cannon: The pirate is unlikely to be particularly skilled with a cannon, especially compared to navy gunners. Their ships are also likely to be lightly built civilian craft unable to resist cannon fire. If the target is at a distance, and shows sign of putting up a determined cannonade, then the fight is not in the pirates favor. Besides which, powder and shot are expensive. If it becomes a cannon fight, the pirates will probably break off the attack. If the British navy closes, it will likely continue cannon fire until the opposing vessels resistance appears to be breaking. Pirates will immediately begin a boarding action.
b) Muskets, Pikes and Bill Hooks: If the pirates can board the ship, the defenders next best recourse is a determined pike wall supported by musket fire. The pirates are not disciplined military. They are not drilled in formation tactics. They are not fighting for a cause. They are mercenaries. Faced with a determined defense where its clear that casualties must be endured in order to break the wall of defenders, the pirates will probably retreat and look for easier prey in better situations.
c) Knives, axes, and cutlesses: It's at this point that the pirates gain the upper hand. If they can turn the fight into a chaotic melee, things will likely go very well for them. Merchants carry as little crew as the ship will allow because crew is a cost. Pirates carry a much crew as the ship will hold because crew is a resource. They probably outnumber their foes. They also have alot of practice with chest to chest fighting. It's at this range that the pirates numbers and ferocity will be most telling, and the foe most likely to surrender and hope they are ransomed (or in the case of crew, allowed to throw in with the pirates until at least the next port).
The skilled pirate captain will therefore arrange to ambush ships as they come around points of land, or else to attack by cover of darkness. He will attempt to board as quickly as possible and overwhelm the defenders. He will encourage his men to charge quickly and grapple their foes to negate any advantage they might have in superior organization, training, or weapons. He will prefer to fight any of his foes at at most arm's length, using a short bladed weapon and usually a large number of preloaded pistols which he will only fire at point blank range. He will cultivate a reputation for ferocity and a distinctive appearance, but simultaneously a reputation for courtly behavior and generousity to his captives. This is the most likely to result in people simply surrendering rather than fighting to the death. Unlike in the movies, a reputation for never taking prisoners is the death of a pirates career.
This is the admirable strategy for the pirate admiral.
I went with gain an unfair advantage, because this is what anyone, ANYONE, that has ever been in combat tries to do. Pirates had to fight all the time, because not everyone would just roll over and give them their cargo. This makes them veterans. If you are in a life and death fight, whether it is for money, for country or for whatever, you try to do whatever you can to live and whatever you can to kill the other guy, simple as that.
The whole idea of unfair combat is pretty amusing. If you can ambush and kill your opponent, then you do so, whether you are a king or a pirate, living is a GOOD thing. The less you risk, the better chance you have of living, who cares what is fair?
The whole idea of unfair combat is pretty amusing. If you can ambush and kill your opponent, then you do so, whether you are a king or a pirate, living is a GOOD thing. The less you risk, the better chance you have of living, who cares what is fair?
Philosopher
First Post
It depends on the pirates. What are the circumstances that led them to piracy? Are they outlaws, deserters, privateers?
During the Golden Age of Piracy, many (not all) pirates were deserters of the navy, so they would have had that training. Pirates would also sometimes press needed specialists into service. They would also seize naval vessels whenever they were able.
Also keep in mind that privateers (those issued a letter of marque by a king to commit acts of piracy against the ships of other nations) could be quite well outfitted. Their targets would see no difference between them and other pirates. In fact, many privateers would turn to piracy once their letters of marque expired.
Not always true. Again, during the Golden Age of Piracy, some (certainly not all) pirates saw themselves as patriots, rebelling against injustice. Life on a naval ship during this period was very harsh, you weren't always paid, the captain took a much bigger share of captured booty, etc. Even life as a pirate was better (and that was still pretty harsh). Some pirates during this period were opposed to the Hanoverian kings and supported the Stuarts.
Pirates are far from a monolithic group.
During the Golden Age of Piracy, many (not all) pirates were deserters of the navy, so they would have had that training. Pirates would also sometimes press needed specialists into service. They would also seize naval vessels whenever they were able.
Also keep in mind that privateers (those issued a letter of marque by a king to commit acts of piracy against the ships of other nations) could be quite well outfitted. Their targets would see no difference between them and other pirates. In fact, many privateers would turn to piracy once their letters of marque expired.
Not always true. Again, during the Golden Age of Piracy, some (certainly not all) pirates saw themselves as patriots, rebelling against injustice. Life on a naval ship during this period was very harsh, you weren't always paid, the captain took a much bigger share of captured booty, etc. Even life as a pirate was better (and that was still pretty harsh). Some pirates during this period were opposed to the Hanoverian kings and supported the Stuarts.
Pirates are far from a monolithic group.
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