How to run a D&D pirate campaign

Designing a Pirate Campaign in D&D

Want to know how to run a D&D pirate campaign? A seafaring adventure with a group of scoundrels and rogues is one of the most iconic settings in fantasy, so it’s no surprise that it’s also a popular choice for tabletop campaigns. However, designing a pirate campaign in D&D can be confusing. With no official sourcebooks and seemingly few rules to draw from, how do you pull off an adventure on the high seas filled with pirates?

A D&D pirate campaign requires more than just a change in scenery, and fitting in the theme requires unique characters, conflicts, and rules. To help you create an adventure on the waves, we’ve put together a guide to designing your own D&D pirate campaign. We’ll also be sharing tips on how to run a D&D pirate campaign, along with some useful tips for making the most of the existing rules in Ghosts of Saltmarsh, the only D&D 5th Edition sourcebook with seafaring and crew management rules.

How to Design a Pirate Campaign in D&D

Before starting your campaign, it's important to consider what you want to achieve. Some key factors to keep in mind when designing a pirate campaign in D&D include:

• If you want an adventure on the high seas filled with pirates, then a seafaring campaign is the way to go. However, if you want your players to be pirates, then they need to be on a boat. That said, if your party includes a seafaring class like the Druid or Sorcerer, then you’re good to go.
• Utilize Ghosts of Saltmarsh, the only D&D 5E sourcebook with seafaring and crew management rules, to run an adventure on the waves. We have a guide to help you make the most of this book to run your D&D pirate campaign.
• Ghosts of Saltmarsh provides stat blocks and unique interactions for six example ships, which you can use as inspiration to develop your own custom ships. However, be aware that the book adds unnecessary morale rules and doesn’t expand enough on ship combat, instead relying on already established D&D 5E combat rules.
• To fully immerse yourself and your players in a Golden Age adventure, consider upgrading the technology by using optional rules from the Dungeon Master’s Guide. This will help maintain the overall feeling of the campaign.
• Factions and organizations in an archipelago setting can create conflicts and plot hooks. Pirates themselves who develop factions will expand the overall story.

How to Run a D&D Pirate Campaign

When running a D&D pirate campaign, include expected elements like buried treasure, ship battles, and cursed artifacts, but also add unique twists and characters to make it your own.

Decide with your players if they want to play evil characters. Playing an evil character in a pirate campaign can lead to some uncomfortable situations, particularly if your players like to commit acts of piracy and plunder. Establish boundaries for your players and let them know what kind of behavior is unacceptable during your campaign.

Once you have your overall story, determine travel time, distance, and random encounters while at sea. Consider crew rations and major events happening behind the scenes to add detail to your campaign.

Save time and add depth to your campaign by using generative tools for ship names, pirate flag designs, and pirate names. Our guide to running a D&D pirate campaign at sea can also provide valuable assistance.

When it comes to random encounters, establish the theme and introduce plot hooks, but ensure that the players benefit from them in some way. The players should feel like they’re winning the encounters.

Now that you know how to design and run a D&D pirate campaign, it’s time to set sail and start plundering. If the sea isn’t your thing, consider trying out a D&D vampire campaign or a D&D Star Wars campaign. There’s no limit to where your imagination can take you.