Pirates of the Caribbean is the largest pirate genre franchise in the world. With 5 movies released, the franchise has grossed over $4.5 billion worldwide. And it was the first film franchise to produce two or more movies that grossed over $1 billion each. Beloved by fans worldwide it is one of the most iconic film series of all time. So are the rules to play Pirates of the Caribbean in Oak & Iron? No… But then again yes.
If you have never played Oak & Iron, here is a quick review of the game and a link to the free PDF of the the core rules.
Pirates of the Caribbean is a franchise specifically under the ownership of Disney. As such, Disney owns all intellectual property related to the official movies. That means unless Firelock Games were to purchase a license from Disney and pay royalties to use the name, the hopes of a Pirates of the Caribbean version of Oak & Iron are extremely unlikely.
How to Bring Pirates of the Caribbean to Oak & Iron
While it’s doubtful the game will ever see an official crossover, there is no reason we can’t look at an “unofficial” version that isn’t being done for commercial gain. From a purely speculative and educational analysis standpoint let’s see how the Hollywood legends pair up with the historical units of Oak & Iron.
From a straight rules perspective, there aren’t any changes needed to adjust the game to fit the setting and world created in PotC. But there is a need to create the stats for the key ships of the franchise. There are 5 key ships in the first 5 Pirates of the Caribbean movies. We’ll take a look at the features of each of them in the films and take a look at their size/armaments and abilities to bring them from one imaginary world into another.
HMS Interceptor
The HMS Interceptor is a brig in the British Royal Navy serving under King George II. In the first film, it was under the command of Captain, later Commodore, James Norrington. In dialogue from the film, it is the fastest British ship in the Caribbean and useful in hunting down several pirates in the region.
“Oh, the Dauntless is the power in these waters, true enough, but there’s no ship as can match the Interceptor for speed.”
―Murtogg to Jack Sparrow (“Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl”)
During filming, the HMS Interceptor was portrayed by the Lady Washington, a full scale replica of a historical ship built prior to the US Revolutionary War. Its construction completed in the 1750s, the original Lady Washington started as a single-masted sloop. She was refit as a two-masted brig before her voyage to the Pacific Northwest in 1787.
HMS Interceptor Vessel Details
The following stats are based on the Lady Washington replica ship with the exception of its armament. The armament info comes from studying the film footage to determine the gunport positions on the ship.
- Length on deck: 67′
- Length on the waterline: 72′
- Overall length: 112′
- Draft (Depth): 11′
- Beam (Width): 22′
- Mast height: 89′
- Displacement: 210 tons
- Gross tonnage: 99 tons
- Total sail area: 4,442 square feet
- Rigging: Approx. six miles
- Crew compliment: 12
- Passenger capacity: 45
Armament:
- 16x light cannons
- 6 on each side gun deck
- 2 on each side of the poop deck
- 2x Aft swivel guns
HMS Interceptor as an Oak & Iron Ship
The Interceptor (e.g. Lady Washington) is referred to as a Brig. However, the era in which the ship was constructed is almost 100 years past the time period of Oak & Iron. Her class of Brig is much larger than that of an Oak & Iron Brigantine. Based on the real ship’s hull displacement, length and armament it is much closer in size to a Petite Frégate.
The Petite Frégate model and the Interceptor have a few differences in the sail configuration. Petite Frégate has 3 masts, the rear being a mizzen mast. The Interceptor only has a double mast but also has a large gaff sail extending over its rear deck. The gaff would give the ship additional maneuverability. To reflect this the ship should have the Weatherly upgrades. Based on the armament, it is more heavily gunned than a standard Petite Frégate with 16 guns instead of 12, so it should also take the Additional Guns upgrade.
If you wanted to be more accurate with the sails, you could remove the rear mast from the Petite Frégate and either convert the gaff sail of a Sloop or Brigantine model. Or hobby craft gaff booms on the second mast of the standard miniature.
HMS Interceptor
Stat Recommendation
- Petite Frégate – 11pts
- Additional Guns – 2pts
- Weatherly – 1pt
- TOTAL COST: 14pts
HMS Dauntless
In the movies, the HMS Dauntless was one of the most powerful warships in the British Royal Navy. It was a 100+ gun 1st rate ship of the line under the command of Commodore James Norrington. It is not only one of the Empire’s most powerful warships, it is also agile and fast for a ship of her size.
The historical reality is only seven 1st Rate Ships of Line were ever in the British Royal Navy. Due to their massive expense, crew needs, and supply requirements their stations were typically near coastal regions where they could easily resupply easily. In addition, they were so heavy and their displacement so large they were constantly at risk of swamping in rough waters. As such, none of the real 1st Rate ships ever made the journey from Europe to the Caribbean. In fact, during the movies, the loss of the Dauntless happens not in battle, but during a hurricane.
HMS Dauntless Vessel Details
The inspiration for the HMS Dauntless is the real-life HMS Victory. The Victory is best known for her role as Lord Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. Unfortunately, the Dauntless, is not a real ship and is 100% Hollywood magic. The ship was a series of props on a flat barge and CGI magic (similar to the Endeavor shown below). Her hull features heavy 35lbs cannons: 52 on the larboard and starboard gundecks. In addition, she carries 2 chaser guns in the bow and stern. In a straight-up fight, there isn’t a single ship in the Caribbean that could win in a fight against it.
HMS Dauntless as an Oak & Iron Ship
Being equipped with 108 guns, the Dauntless is on the high end of the heavily armed 1st Rate ships so it should be given the Additional Guns upgrade. Since the ship was able to keep up with the Interceptor regularly, it should take the Swift and Weatherly upgrades.
As for armament, with 108 guns it’s at the high end of a standard 1st rate so it should be equipped with Additional Guns. 1st Rate ships had crews near 850 men strong. Less than a fraction of that is ever shown in the movies, so there is no need to take the Additional Crew upgrade. Several Marines are seen on the ship which may be part of the base crew or you may want to add the Marines ship upgrade.
HMS Dauntless
Stat Recommendation
- 1st Rate Ship – 88pts
- Additional Guns – 2pts
- Swift – 2pts
- Weatherly – 1pt
- TOTAL COST: 93pts
HMS Endeavor
The HMS Endeavour is also 1st Rate Ship of the line. In Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End it was the flagship of Lord Cutler Beckett of the East India Trading Company (EITC). The ship was a special commission and paid for by the EITC to protect the financial interest of their other trading vessel. Lord Beckett declared war against piracy and led an armada of 300 ships from luxury of his personalized ship’s cabin.
HMS Endeavor Vessel Details
Like the HMS Dauntless, its design is similar to that of the real-life HMS Victory. Slightly larger than the Dauntless, it features a larger stern to accommodate an exceptionally large captain’s cabin. The extravagant cabin serves as Lord Becket’s personal quarters and war room to direct his war against piracy.
HMS Endeavor as an Oak & Iron Ship
Being equipped with 110 guns, it should definitely be given the Additional Guns upgrade. Larger than the Dauntless and designed more for fleet operations than small squadron actions it likely does not have the Swift and Weatherly upgrades. During the course of the films, the ship was only seen sailing in relatively straight lines. During its final battle, it made no attempt to outmaneuver the Black Pearl and Flying Dutchman, likely because it wasn’t capable of quick turns.
HMS Endeavor
Stat Recommendation
- 1st Rate Ship – 88pts
- Additional Guns – 2pts
- Stout – 8pts
- TOTAL COST: 98pts
At 110 guns, it’s higher than any historical 1st rate, so it needs to have the Additional Guns upgrade. Like the Dauntless , the films didn’t show a crew fit for a historical ship of that size. In this case, it is likely because paying that many extras on set would be expensive and make for clutter during film shooting. It is also likely because the ship does not exist and was only a small film set built on a barge. Regardless, there is no need to take the Additional Crew upgrade.
The largest ship in the fleet, with a thick hull it should take the Stout upgrade. As you watch its final battle with the ridiculous Hollywood slow-mo splinter effects, this ship took 4-5 impossibly fast Broadsides at point-blank range from the Flying Dutchman and Black Pearl. The shelling must have also scored a Critical Hit triggering the powder magazine to explode on the already Crippled ship taking the ship “Out of Action” (Critical Hits pg 20).
Several Marines are milling about on the ship. They may be part of the base crew or you may want to add the Marines ship upgrade for an extra punch when you get up close and personal.
The Queen Anne’s Revenge
The Queen Anne’s Revenge the flagship for Edward “Blackbeard” Teach already exists in Oak & Iron. It should be noted, the historical version of the ship varies from the film version in a number of ways. Unlike the historical version, the movie ship has an extremely high-backed stern and a very narrow keel. As a result, that engineering would likely make it completely off-balance and unstable. Were it to be a real ship, it would likely unsailable, particularly in a strong crosswind.
The PotC version of Queen Anne’s Revenge in Oak & Iron
The Queen Anne’s Revenge in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales features 30 guns. This lines up with the current Queen Anne’s Revenge in Oak & Iron. As we have little in the film to go on for the crew and sailing performance, the core stats for the ship are likely also acceptable.
Queen Anne’s Revenge
Stat Recommendation
- Queen Anne’s Revenge – 16pts
- Greek Fire (optional) – 3pts
- TOTAL COST: 19pts
One unique feature of the Queen Anne’s Revenge in the film series is a bit fantastical in nature – a bow “flame thrower” weapon. The legend claims Blackbeard was able to acquire the ancient secret of the Byzantine’s Greek fire. Developing a unique device, the ship’s skeletal figurehead uses a sulfurous spray that unleashes an inferno of terror. The fiery power of the Queen Anne’s Revenge is unleashed against mutineers at the start of the quest for the Fountain of Youth. Secondly, it is also part of the attempts to drive away the mermaids in the battle at Whitecap Bay.
Greek Fire Ship Upgrade – 3pts
This upgrade is a single-use weapon. Draw a Broadside path using the ship’s front base side and width. You must roll a Broadside attack without Fatigue penalties against ALL ships (friend or foe) within Pistol range whose base falls in that Broadside path. Beyond duiodamage, if the attack scores a successful hit on a target, the Attack inflicts 2 Fatigue rather than 1. Resolve any Critical Hits as normal.
Fire aboard ships is extremely dangerous, especially when you are also carrying gunpowder. After making the attack, roll 3 Dice, to represent the chance of the flames spraying or drifting back unintentionally. If two or more of the results are 
skulls, a series of smaller reactions triggered an accident that reaches the powder magazine. The ship immediately becomes Crippled. If the ship is already Crippled, it is now Out of Action. When two or more 
sail results are rolled, its own sails have caught fire. Immediately reduce its Sail Setting by 1 (to a minimum of Anchored) to reflect the firefighting efforts and repair/recovery needed. If two or more 
Cutlass results are rolled, flames and oil cause severe burns among the crew inflicting 2 Fatigue.
The Flying Dutchman
The Flying Dutchman is the flagship of the cursed Captain Davy Jones. A supernatural “ghost ship”, she was the most feared ship on the seven seas. She is a gift to Davy Jones by the goddess Calypso to ferry the souls of those who die at sea to the afterlife. After 10 years of servitude, Jones is to be free from his curse and able to go ashore to be with Calypso. Calypso’s deal was a trick. When Jones came ashore she would hide and be nowhere to be found. Heartbroken, Jones carved out his own heart and bound it to the magical item that has come to be known as The Dead Man’s Chest. The cursed chest has the power to control Davy Jones and therefore the Flying Dutchman ship.
Like many of the other ships in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, the Dutchman is a fictional vessel. Its high stern design is similar to a Fluyt or Light Galleon. Its design is based on a massive historical Swedish warship the Vasa. Built in 1628, the Vasa never saw service as it sank in Stockholm’s harbor upon its maiden voyage.
Firelock Games has created its own version of the Flying Dutchman ship as part of a special Halloween event in 2022. The stat card for the ship and a cursed Captain of Davy Jones is available in Oak & Iron. You can view the ship and captain in the article “The Sailor’s Devil” – Davy Jones in Oak & Iron.
Flying Dutchman
Stat Recommendation
- Flying Dutchman – 35pts
- Captain Davy Jones – 0pts
- TOTAL COST: 35pts
The Black Pearl
The most famous ship in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is Black Pearl. A fictional ship crafted with Hollywood magic it doesn’t truly match any vessel of a historical nature. Although a frigate in the movies, she doesn’t line up with any historical frigates in the English, French, Spanish, or Dutch Royal Navies. The Pearl is similar to an East Indiaman and Galleon blended with a 4the Rate Frigate. She is larger than the vast majority of the historical ships in the Caribbean, especially those of a military nature.
The ship carries 32 cannons: 18 on the gun deck and 14 on the upper deck. She allegedly carries 32-pounder cannons (as opposed to the 24-pounder guns on English naval ships of the same tonnage). If that is true, it makes her one of the most heavily armed ships of her size. But, it’s Hollywood so take it with a grain of salt.
Many repeat the rumor that she is the “fastest ship in the Caribbean”. This may be the case as she was able to outrun the English Interceptor and even Davy Jones’ Flying Dutchman.
To view stats for a ship you can use as a proxy for the Black Pearl, check out the “Dark Pearl” Ship for Oak & Iron. It has a custom ship stat card and a special captain card for Oak & Iron.
Black Pearl
Stat Recommendation
- The Dark Pearl – 23pts
- Captain John Finch (optional) – 3pts
- TOTAL COST: 26pts
Additional Content Suggestions:
- A review and analysis of the Flying Dutchman for Oak & Iron
- A review and analysis of the “Dark Pearl” Ship for Oak & Iron
- Davy Jones comes to Oak & Iron in a special release
Product Referral Links
The HMS Interceptor can be represented by a 5th or 4th Rate Frigate in the Men of War expansion pack for Oak & Iron
The Dauntless and Endeavor both require the Ships of the Line expansion pack. If you want them both on the board in the same game, you’ll need two boxes.
The Flying Dutchman could be represented by either a Fluyt or Light Galleon from the Oak & Iron Core Box starter set.
The Queen Anne’s Revenge ship is available in the Blackbeard’s Revenge expansion pack for Oak & Iron
DISCLAIMER: Disney owns all rights to the official ships, characters, and intellectual property for Pirates of the Caribbean and is not affiliated with this website of the Oak & Iron Game. Firelock Games in no way endorses the use of official Disney-owned items in the game of Oak & Iron. Any information provided here is simply for fun and educational purposes or is purely of a speculative nature.
References & Artwork Sources:
- HMS Interceptor https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/HMS_Interceptor
- HMS Dauntless https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/HMS_Dauntless
- HMS Endeavor https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/HMS_Endeavour
- Queen Anne’s Revenge https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Queen_Anne%27s_Revenge
- Greek fire: https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Greek_fire
- Flying Dutchman https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Flying_Dutchman
- Black Pearl https://pirates.fandom.com/wiki/Black_Pearl
- Side view artwork of several ships: https://www.quora.com/Overall-how-historically-accurate-is-Pirates-of-the-Caribbean-with-things-like-clothing-language-ships-tactics-etc
- Article header image background provided by Thekingblader995 on DeviantArt.com
- Lady Washington, the ship that portrayed the HMS Interceptor https://historicalseaport.org/lady-washington-history/