Pirate Warband

I bought a box of Empire Militia in order to finish up my Marienburger warband with a few archers and such. Since I had plenty of leftover models I decided that Pirates would have to happen!

So I started working up some warband stuff. Several warband building questions arose:

Is a Swivel Gun rare8 at start? Thus meaning you cannot start with one?
Are Boatswain worth it? I would think so, personally.
What kinds of weapons would people suggest? I am thinking pistol heavy.
Are Pirate Captains really -1 bs and -1 Init compared to mercenary captains? Is that just how they offset the swabbies and other special rules?

So far I made my Mates Young Tom and his father Old Tom each with sword and pistol. The Captain is going to be a Gentleman pirate who I have not thought of a name yet. I am looking at using two arms from a Pistolier set so he has duelling pistols and fluffy sleeves.

I made a Gunner with blunderbuss from the Pistolier box again and a gunner with a Handgun, but I think the handgun looks sufficiently blunderbussy so I may use both as Blunderbusses.

Any advice for Cabin Boys and other things?

BalrogTheBuff wrote:

Is a Swivel Gun rare8 at start? Thus meaning you cannot start with one?

The Swivel Gun can be purchased at start. It is Rare 8 thereafter like most (all?) rare equipment available to other warbands.

BalrogTheBuff wrote:

Are Boatswain worth it? I would think so, personally.

As much as I would like to see rope and hooks as common equipment for all pirate henchmen, I never bother with the boatswains in campaigns. I buy crew because I can add pressed warriors to the group later.

BalrogTheBuff wrote:

What kinds of weapons would people suggest? I am thinking pistol heavy.

Good man. We tend to take as much gunpowder as we can in Sartosan campaigns. A couple of blunderbusses, handguns and lots of pistols of various types. Because we use the weather rules we also have a few bows and crossbows for rainy days.

BalrogTheBuff wrote:

Are Pirate Captains really -1 bs and -1 Init compared to mercenary captains? Is that just how they offset the swabbies and other special rules?

Not the Sartosan warbands. There's an Errata or FAQ somewhere but I don't remember if the Captain is covered or not.

BalrogTheBuff wrote:

advice for Cabin Boys and other things?

We start with clubs and then graduate to pistols and swords for most folks.

Like youngbloods, their low Weapon Skill makes it easier for people to hit them... thus, it makes it easier to parry stuff. For cabin boys, a sword is a must, with an optional buckler.

It might be best to play the strength to the advances. BS? Crossbow. Toughness? Armor. Initiative? Leather whip or boot hook. That way, your cheaper youngbloods aren't wasting money on equipment that doesn't fit them.

Von Kurst wrote:

BalrogTheBuff wrote:

Are Pirate Captains really -1 bs and -1 Init compared to mercenary captains? Is that just how they offset the swabbies and other special rules?

Not the Sartosan warbands. There's an Errata or FAQ somewhere but I don't remember if the Captain is covered or not.

Annual, p. 103: "The Pirate Captain should have an Initiative of 4 and not 3."
Although I also think I have read an (official) answer that said he should have the same profile (which would include BS) as the Mercenary Captain. Do not remember where, however.
But at least Initiative is sorted.

Hehe, I have equipped my captain, and crew for that matter, with as many guns I can and cutlasses for the rest. I go for what I think look cool, feels cool and go BOOM!

I normally never use blackpowder weapons on my other warbands (Pit Fighters, Orcs and Goblins, Marauders, you can see why...) so I need to have some. My Pirates will NOT be built for any winning reasons, but purely for piratey awesomeness. If they win cool, but that is not the point! My only surprise was when i noticed they had Crossbows not handguns for the basic pirate list. I was sad...

My Pirateburgers are pistol heavy. Tis the only way!

Ok so which is correct for the Pirates 7 or 2 gunners? I am not using these in a Sartosa campaign but a Mordheim. And based on the annual it does seem BS3 is accurate... Oh well. So my Captain is an in your face kind of guy.