A New Kind of Fighter
The broadside hits before you see the ship. That is the Pirate.
Lourdin RPG's newest premium class does not play by the same rules as Warriors or Rogues. The Pirate lives and dies by Swagger - a volatile combat resource that builds when you are winning and punishes you when you are not. Chain your hits, ride your momentum, and when the moment is right, end the fight with a Boarding Action that hits like a cannon through a hull.
This is a class for players who want their aggression to mean something.
Class Overview
Role: Melee DPS / Momentum Fighter Primary Stats: Charisma + Dexterity (shared primaries) Armor: Medium armor + Shields Weapon Specialty: Swords (Cutlass - 1d8) Tier: Premium
Pirates combine the Dexterity-driven precision of a Rogue with the Charisma-fueled boldness of a Bard. Neither class fully captures what this one does. The Swagger system creates a feedback loop unique to Lourdin RPG: skilled play generates power, mistakes bleed it away.
Starting Equipment
| Item | Type | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Cutlass | Sword (1d8) | Finesse weapon |
| Leather Coat | Medium Armor | AC 14 |
| Buckler | Shield | +1 AC |
| 50 copper | Starting Funds | - |
Starting AC lands at 15 before DEX bonuses, giving Pirates a solid defensive floor before Sea Legs even comes into play.
The Swagger System
Swagger is not mana. It is not a cooldown. It is a momentum resource - a running measure of how well you are doing right now.
How You Gain It
| Action | Swagger Gained |
|---|---|
| Successful weapon attack | +1 |
| Critical hit | +2 |
| Sea Legs dodge triggers | +1 |
| Hit while Dutch Courage is active | +1 |
How You Lose It
| Event | Swagger Lost |
|---|---|
| Miss a weapon attack | -1 |
| Take a hit from an enemy | -2 |
| HP drops below 25% of max | Reset to 0 |
Swagger Cap by Level
| Level Range | Max Swagger |
|---|---|
| 1-11 | 5 |
| 12-19 | 6 |
| 20 | 7 |
The core loop: Good play builds Swagger. Swagger unlocks your best abilities. Mistakes cost Swagger. This means a Pirate who is clicking feels unstoppable, and one who is struggling has to claw their way back up before the big moves come online. It creates genuine tension in every fight.
Combat Log Example - Building Swagger
[Turn 1] Scarlett attacks the Bandit Captain with her Cutlass! Hit! (9 damage) [Swagger: 1]
[Turn 1] Bandit Captain strikes Scarlett! Miss! Sea Legs dodge triggered! [Swagger: 2]
[Turn 2] Scarlett attacks! Critical Hit! (16 damage) [Swagger: 4]
[Turn 2] Scarlett drinks Swig of Rum! Dutch Courage active! [Swagger: 4]
[Turn 3] Scarlett attacks under Dutch Courage! Hit! (11 damage) [Swagger: 5 - MAX!]
[Turn 3] Scarlett unleashes Boarding Action! GUARANTEED HIT! 5x damage! The battle is over.
That is the Pirate experience in six lines.
Abilities
1. Sea Legs (Passive)
Unlock: Level 1 Cost: Free Type: Passive dodge chance
When an enemy lands a melee attack on you, Sea Legs gives you a chance to dodge it entirely. The dodge triggers automatically - no action required.
| Level Range | Dodge Chance |
|---|---|
| 1-7 | 10% |
| 8-17 | 15% |
| 18-20 | 20% |
Every successful Sea Legs dodge also generates +1 Swagger. This means a Pirate who is taking pressure can still build toward their power turn if the dodge gods are kind. It is a defensive ability that feeds the offensive engine.
Combat Log Example:
[Turn 2] Dark Knight attacks Scarlett! Sea Legs triggers - dodge successful! (0 damage) [Swagger: +1]
2. Swig of Rum (Bonus Action)
Unlock: Level 1 Cost: Action (or Bonus Action at Level 10+) Effect: Heal Level x3 HP + Dutch Courage buff
The Pirate's survival tool and setup move. Swig of Rum restores a meaningful chunk of HP and applies the Dutch Courage status effect, which grants:
- +2 Attack Bonus for 2 turns
- -1 AC for 2 turns (you are reckless, not invincible)
- +1 Swagger on every hit while the buff is active
The tradeoff is deliberate. You are betting that the extra attack power generates more Swagger than the AC reduction costs you. In most cases, at a full Swagger stack, it does.
Combat Log Example:
[Turn 3] Scarlett takes a Swig of Rum! Restored 24 HP. Dutch Courage active (2 turns)!
Attack Bonus +2 | AC -1
3. Cutlass Flurry (Main Action)
Unlock: Level 3 Cost: 0 Swagger (costs action) Effect: 3 rapid Cutlass strikes at 50% weapon damage each, 75% hit chance per strike
This is your primary damage dealer between Swagger builds. Three strikes at reduced damage with independent hit rolls - meaning the expected outcome is roughly 2.25 hits per use. When all three land, it is a Swagger goldmine.
| Outcome | Swagger Change |
|---|---|
| All 3 hit | +3 Swagger |
| 2 hit, 1 miss | +1 Swagger (net) |
| 1 hit, 2 miss | -1 Swagger |
| 0 hit | -3 Swagger |
High risk. High Swagger ceiling. Do not spam this when your Swagger is already low.
Combat Log Example:
[Turn 4] Scarlett uses Cutlass Flurry!
Strike 1: Hit! (7 damage) [Swagger: +1]
Strike 2: Hit! (5 damage) [Swagger: +1]
Strike 3: Miss! [Swagger: -1]
Net: +1 Swagger | 12 total damage
4. Riposte (Passive / Reactive)
Unlock: Level 5 Cost: 3 Swagger (triggers automatically) Effect: Counter-attack after taking a melee hit, once per turn
When an enemy hits you in melee and you have at least 3 Swagger, Riposte fires automatically. No decision required. You take the hit, then immediately answer it with a weapon strike.
At Level 15, Riposte triggers twice per turn instead of once.
This ability changes how enemies feel about attacking you. A Pirate at high Swagger becomes dangerous to hit - the counter adds psychological pressure on top of raw damage.
Combat Log Example:
[Turn 5] Orc Warrior smashes Scarlett! 14 damage received.
Riposte triggers! [Swagger: -3] Counter-attack lands! (11 damage)
5. Boarding Action (Main Action - Ultimate)
Unlock: Level 10 Cost: 5 Swagger + resets Swagger to 0 Uses: Once per battle (Twice at Level 20) Effect: Guaranteed hit. 3x weapon damage + DEX modifier. If target HP below 50%: 5x weapon damage instead.
This is why you build Swagger. Boarding Action is the payoff - a guaranteed, unblockable, zone-ignoring strike that hits like a ship running aground.
The execute mechanic (5x damage on targets below half HP) means Boarding Action is most devastating as a finisher, but even at full-health targets the 3x hit is fight-defining.
Swagger resets to 0 after use. You spent it all. Now rebuild.
| Target HP | Damage Multiplier |
|---|---|
| Above 50% | 3x weapon damage + DEX |
| Below 50% | 5x weapon damage + DEX |
Combat Log Example:
[Turn 6] Scarlett spends 5 Swagger - BOARDING ACTION!
Target HP: 31/80 (below 50%) - Execute multiplier!
5x Cutlass strike: 5 x (8 + 4) = 60 damage! Enemy defeated!
[Swagger reset to 0]
Zone Combat Bonuses
Pirates are built for flanking. Their zone bonuses reward positioning that puts enemies in a bad spot.
| Zone | Bonus |
|---|---|
| Vanguard | +1 Melee Damage |
| Flank Left | +1 Swagger on every hit |
| Flank Right | +1 Swagger on every hit |
| Rear | +1 AC |
The Flank zones supercharge Swagger generation - the most valuable bonus in the table. Position early, and your Boarding Action window opens two turns sooner.
Note: Boarding Action ignores zone targeting restrictions entirely. It leaps to any enemy in the encounter.
Combat Strategy Guide
The Standard Line: Build to Five
The optimal Pirate turn sequence when Boarding Action is online:
- Turn 1: Basic attack to open Swagger generation
- Turn 2: Cutlass Flurry - aim for full 3-hit to spike to 3-4 Swagger
- Turn 3: Swig of Rum for Dutch Courage if HP allows, or basic attack
- Turn 4-5: Basic attacks under Dutch Courage, accumulate to 5 Swagger
- Turn 5-6: Boarding Action on the primary target (execute if below 50% HP)
The Riposte Line: Bait the Hit
When facing melee-heavy enemies and you are already at 3+ Swagger:
- Riposte into a Dutch Courage turn means you heal, attack, counter-attack, and accumulate Swagger in a single sequence
- Works best in multiplayer when tank allies have pulled aggro and you are positioned in a Flank zone
The Recovery Line: When Things Go Wrong
Dropped below 25% HP means Swagger reset. Here is how to recover:
- Swig of Rum immediately - restore HP, get Dutch Courage
- Move to Rear zone for the +1 AC
- Basic attack to restart Swagger from 1 under the buff
- Patience - rebuilding takes 2-3 turns before Riposte is live again
Build Recommendations
The Cannon (Pure DPS)
Maximize DEX and CHA. Flank zone always. No patience for defense. You are building to 5 Swagger as fast as physically possible and Boarding Action on the highest-threat target. Pair with a Warrior or Paladin tank who keeps aggro while you work.
Stat Priority: DEX > CHA > CON > everything else
The Duelist (Balanced)
Medium DEX investment, heavier CHA for Swagger-related scaling. More deliberate about when to use Swig of Rum - treat it as a setup turn rather than emergency healing. Riposte is your signature move and you build around situations that trigger it.
Stat Priority: CHA > DEX > CON > everything else
The Opportunist (Multiplayer Specialist)
Position in Flank zones exclusively. Let the party tank draw hits. Your entire job is generating 5 Swagger faster than anyone expects and deleting a priority target with Boarding Action before the enemy can react. Repeat every time it recharges.
Stat Priority: DEX > CHA, invest in speed/initiative gear
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Unmatched burst damage ceiling when Swagger is at max
- Riposte punishes enemies for attacking you
- Sea Legs provides free passive damage mitigation
- Boarding Action ignores zone restrictions - no target is safe
- Dutch Courage makes a strong turn even stronger
- Highly satisfying momentum loop when firing on all cylinders
Weaknesses
- Swagger resets on low HP - taking heavy burst damage derails your power turn
- Cutlass Flurry is risky when Swagger is low
- No ranged options - must close distance
- Boarding Action once per battle means pacing matters
- Learning curve: poor Swagger management makes the class feel weak
Multiplayer Role
In a party, the Pirate fills the melee DPS / finisher slot.
Loot Priority:
- High: Sword-type weapons with bonus to hit or crit
- Medium: Medium armor with DEX scaling
- Low: Heavy armor, shields beyond starting buckler
Party Synergy: Works best with a front-line tank (Warrior, Paladin) who holds aggro while the Pirate builds Swagger from a Flank zone. A Bard's Inspiration can stack beautifully with Dutch Courage for a turn of truly absurd attack bonuses.