Now that The LEGO Group has officially unveiled the second wave of One Piece sets based upon the Netflix series, we’d like to ask you, the devoted LEGO Pirate fans whether the One Piece LEGO theme is relevant enough to continue reporting on?
Unlike other licenced themes, like Pirates of the Caribbean,One Piece can be far removed from the LEGO Pirate theme. Some of the One Piece sets aren’t well aligned with our Classic Theme charter, while others ain’t remotely pirate at all!
And unlike the Spiderman cross-over sets, many of the One Piece set lack relevant pirate parts, so it’s almost like reporting on completely unrelated sets.
But before we toss One Piece overboard, we want your say…
How much One Piece should Classic Pirates cover in the future?
Should Classic Pirates keep covering One Piece LEGO sets?
Let’s plunge deeper into the poll options…
Option 1: Yes, All of Them
Business as usual, we’ll keep charting the whole kit and kaboodle!
Classic Pirates will keep bringing yer the latest One Piece news and rumours whether it’s strictly relevant to the LEGO Pirates theme or not.
We’ll still permit fans to discuss their One Piece sets, MOCs and MODs in the LEGO Pirates Forum and Classic Pirates Facebook Group… but Classic-Pirates.com won’t scour the Interwebs for the latest rumours and official news, nor will we blast such spoils across our various communication channels.
Despite the noticeable absence of traditional pirates in the latest sets, an interesting observation was made while viewing the NetflixOne Piece special trailer.
Overall, the trailer has a much greater piratical atmosphere, with its bright blue skies and seemingly tropical setting. But most interestingly it offers a glimpse of a confrontation between 75646 Garp’s Marine Battleship and an unknown vessel.
The tall ship appears rather generic, lacking the trimmings of an elaborate LEGO set, suggesting it’s little more than a hollow simulacrum for pirates.
But does this signal hope for One Piece’s relevance to classic LEGO Pirates?
The Questions & AnswersWebinar for the BrickLink Designer ProgramSeries 11 echoed across the BrickLinkYouTube Channel upon 28 March, 2026.
Packed to the gunwales with insider knowledge, it provides builders the firepower they need to take command of Series 11 and navigate a course through the Review phase like seasoned captains.
If embedded videos be refusin’ to cooperate, just give the button below a tap and watch it straight on YouTube…
Learn about the Submission Guidelines for BrickLink® Designer Program (BDP): Series 11 as Alex, BDP Project Manager, covers updates and common questions. Aspiring fan designers ask questions and get clarification to some of the nuances of various guidelines.
Well, this time they tacked “(BPD)” after “BrickLink® Designer Program” but it’s the same wording as past series.
The biggest thing here is ensure you get your models submitted during this time […] the earlier you submit it the better […] You’ll have more time to work on your models if there are any issues.
So have yer designs ready as soon as Open Submission begins on April 20 and then yer have 9 days before the May 4 deadline to address any problems preventing it from being accepted.
Theme Statistics
6% or 35 of the 594Series 10 submissions were Pirate-themed, while the ever-enduring Medieval/Castle themed constituted 22% or 135 of the 594 total submissions.
Medieval and Castle are starting to cool down a little bit […] but that’s a good thing. We’re starting to see a little bit more diversity there.
Meanwhile, Medieval/Castle has increased to 135 submission in Series 10, up from 130 in Series 9. However, in relation to the total number of submissions, Castle has decreased from 30% to 22%. A noticeable decline.
Comparison: 27 Pirate designs were submitted to Series 9
Pirate was a little under represented in past series.
Aye, during the early days of the BrickLink Designer Program, Pirate builders were somewhat reluctant to participate due to the perception they’d have little success, much attributed to how the program launched back in 2021.
BDPInvitational finalists: Castle, Space, Town… and Western
During the Brick Designer Program’s “invitational” launch, a design from each of the early Classic LEGO Themes was selected as a finalist. Castle, Space and Town builders were granted a reason to invest in the program, while Pirates were pipped at the post by Western.
Earlier in the decade many LEGO Pirate fans felt submitting designs to BrickLink or LEGO Ideas was a futile endeavour because it seemed The LEGO Group had implicitly decided “2020 is your year and we’re not interested until further notice.”
Four LEGO Ideas submissions reached 10K supporters but were rejected
Also around that time, fourPirate-themed submissions achieved 10K supporters on LEGO Ideas but failed review. This only fueled the demoralisation that was already hampering Pirate‑builder enthusiasm during the earlier BrickLink Designer series.
Part Count
During the Series 10 webinar, Alex was preaching the importance of smaller models, less than 2,000 parts. Well builders have taken advisory this onboard!
~25% of Series 10 models fell within the 2,000 to 2,999 part range
There was no 4,000 part sets. There was a few 3,000 part sets […] You can see from the pie chart here, that only 25% of the models submitted in the 2,000 to 3,000 part range, and generally that’s where three of the models [finalists] will be from.
Aye, Pirate-themed designs have indeed succeeded with 4,000 parts, but…
Builders who insist upon exhausting the 4,000 maximum part limit, here’s some sterling advice to increase your prospects of being selected as a Finalist:
If you’re in that 3,300-3,400ish plus range, just know that’s “hard mode“, right. Typically, we will only have one, maybe two models […] in that range. Generally those are taking with the Medieval/Castle or Building themes […] know that you’re going to be competing with those categories […] if you’re not designing in one of those categories you might want to consider lowering the part count.
Finalist Eligibility Frequency
Some BrickLink designers have lamented frustration towards Finalistslucky enough to have multiple designs selected for Crowdfunding.
We want to make sure the program stays open to all designers in a sense, so you’re not just eliminated if you’re a past finalist […] but we also want to make sure we have room for new designers to participate as well.
Well fair enough, but the same designer was selected four times as a Finalist?
Current policy states designers may only be selected as Finalist once per calendar year, however, this resets at the start of the each year.
Finalist eligibility resets on New Years Day
Therefore, it is possible for the same designer to be selected as a Finalist in the lastSeries of the current year, and again in the firstSeries of the following year.
The BrickLink Designer Team may wish to tweak the rules further so designers cannot be selected as a Finalist over two consecutive series, lest the grumbling from the not-so lucky grows ever louder.
If yer using a phone the webinar is best viewed upon YouTube
But Wait… There’s More!
We’re barely breaking the surface – the Series 11 webinar is brimming with even more tips and tactical treasures to help yer conquer the BrickLink Designer Team’s review. So take some shore leave and WATCH IT!
To the rails, crew – for LEGO Pirates are stormin’ ahead in the program, and if we’re to maintain our mighty push, we’ve got to remain sharp, stay loud, and keep drivin’ the wind hard into our sails.
The fourth Pirate-themedBrickLink design be Series 8 finalist, Coconut Cape. Available for Crowdfunding/Pre-Orders commencing upon 9 June 2026 at 8 AM Pacific time.
The BrickLink Designer Team is polishing the final design set and minifigure lineup with its creator BallisticBricks, so we’re not expecting official images to make landfall until May at the earliest.
Could the Imperial Armada return?
Still… with its Spanish influence, we hope the tides may carry the Imperial Armada into a magnificent port of their very own.
Imagine starting yer LEGO Pirates collection in 2026…
How would yer attempt such a endeavour? Given there ain’t a single classic Pirate-themed set upon store shelves… or floating around the pages of LEGO.com.
The secondary market? Nay, vintage sets are now priced well beyond the grasp of many. BrickLink Designer sets? The same…
Classic LEGO Pirate sets are out of reach for many
At best, yer could raid Pick A Brick for what few pirate parts are on offer.
For many, this is the harsh reality of modern times. But, just imagine…
Play set includes Soldier fortress, Indigo island and Pirate raft
What if The LEGO Group officially released a “starter set” that plunged new fans into the depths of the LEGO Pirates theme by offering a variety of factions?
This set consists of 2,630 pieces and 10 minifigures.
It is designed as a playset but you can also use it as a display set. It is a set that tries to represent characteristics of pirate theme as much as possible.
You can separate it into two islands and play it like that if you want.
After years locked in bitter conflict with the Pirates, both the Soldiers and the Indigo Islanders had grown weary of the endless struggle. Within the walls of their mighty fortress, the admirals of imperial army swallowed their pride to admit what had become impossible to ignore…
A nice modernisation of the 6267 Lagoon Lock-up aesthetic
The Islanders, born of these shores, possessed a command of the archipelago’s twisting reefs and hidden channels far beyond anything the Soldiers could ever dream of matching.
Indigo Islanders demonstrate how to cross the hidden channel
So the admirals of the imperial army swallowed their pride and sought an audience with King Kahuka, the Indigo Islander’s sovereign whose word could sway the fate of the Brick Seas.
King Kahuka approaches the Soldier fortress on crocodile
Communication faltered initially, but the moment an admiral drew his blade and revealed the pirate’s hat claimed from a fallen foe, understanding flashed between them like lightning upon the horizon.
Indigo Islander stronghold adjacent the Soliders fort
The Islanders granted the Soldiers permission to raise a fortress beside one of King Kahuka’s own strongholds, and thus the first line of their new alliance rose to guard the great ocean.
AVAST! We’ve run aground!
Meanwhile, a high‑ranked pirate captain drove his beloved ship onto the rocks in a raging storm, and only two of his shipmates crawled from the wreck beside him.
Look out! Raft raiders are launching their assault!
This stubborn wanderer of the sea refused to yield, fashioning a raft from the shattered remains of his ship, while vowing to strike against the new alliance despite his battered, disadvantaged state.
Features
The interior is readily accessible thanks to its dollhouse-style rear, allowing convenient access to the admiral’s office and adjoining bedroom upon the upper level.
A dolls house-style back allows easy access
While the lower level houses the Soldier’s dormitory and galley… or be it an à la carte restaurant with alfresco dining on the peer?
Those cannons will make short work of that raft! 💥
The spacious battlements mount three cannons, ensuring the fortress stands ready against any marauding pirates.
Pirate Raft
The piratical component of the playset is an overt homage to the 1992 set, 6261 Raft Raiders, utilising a brick sail in favour of cloth.
The parts may be modernised, but the spirit of the original set is unmistakable: a raft riding upon barrel pontoons, a mast with ratlines leading up to the crow’s nest, and three three hardened buccaneers pirates clinging on for dear life.
6261 Raft Raiders released 1992
King Kahuka’s New Throne
The heart of the Indigo Islanders’ islet be an elevated throne, ringed by swaying palms and ancient moai standing guard.
The Imperial Armada also make a morbid cameo — or perhaps offer a glimpse of the fate awaiting the imprisoned pirate.
6262 King Kahuka’s Throne released 1994
Minifigures
The set offers 10 alive minifigures and one that didn’t fare so well.
3 Pirates
3 Indigo Islanders
3 Soldiers (blue coats)
1 Kitchen wench
1 Imperial Armada skeleton
About the Builder…
Brick_Wolf be a corsair of the mighty Ottoman Empire… well, in modern times he’s an AFOL based in Türkiye with an interest in Castle and Pirate builds.
Castle Theme Inn
Cargo Ship
Wolf King’s Castle
The bulk of his LEGO builds can be located upon LEGO Ideas, though he’s shared a modest barrel full of MOCs on Flickr as well.
Brick_Wolf hasn’t taken to the social media seas, but he’s been a steady hand aboard the LEGO Pirates Forum where be known as Wolf_King, should yer wish to engage with his highness directly.
Island of the Imperial Soldiers
Don’t miss our article covering Brick Wolf’s opening salvo in the realm of swashbuckling MOCs submitted to LEGO Ideas.
First support this creation on LEGO Ideas then join the Classic Pirates Facebook faction, (that’s our Facebook group) and tell the crew how you’d refine the playset for a truly unforgettable LEGOPirate experience.
Nonetheless, these fan‑forged creations have weathered the trials of BrickLink Designer Team’sReview and are bound for Crowdfunding (Pre-Orders) come February 2027.
The Finalist Designs
Since we’ve followed the Series 10 journey thus far, hoist yer lantern for a closer examination of the designs what succeeded…
BrickLink Designer Program series overlap! The palette for Series 11 was released March 3, while Open Submission occurs between 20 April and 4 May, 2026.
Boys and girls ages 8 and up can play out fun underwater stories with this LEGO® Creator 3 in 1 Fierce Shark with a Treasure Chest (31381) building toy. This impressive sea animal toy set offers kids 3 different building options with the same set of bricks.
An 8+ child giving the Fierce Shark a swoosh test
They can choose to build a posable shark toy that can be displayed on a stand with a treasure chest and crab. They can then rebuild it into an anglerfish on a stand with sea plants or a posable manta ray toy on a stand with a clamshell.
8+ child having playtime fun
Once the building and playtime fun is over, each model can be displayed as room decor on a shelf or desk. This LEGO Creator 3 in 1 set will inspire young imaginations and makes a great gift idea for kids who love sea animals.
8+ child using LEGO Builder App
And with the LEGO Builder app, they can also experience a building adventure. They can zoom in and rotate their sets using 3D building instructions, track their progress and save sets in one place. Please note models cannot be built simultaneously.
Aye, all three models can’t be built simultaneously… unless yer buy THREE sets!
Like Creator 31381, this set allows yer summon a shark with dancing crab, and angler fish, but instead of a manta ray, there be a mini kraken build… or a squid depending upon how yer imagination flows.
Sebastian and Bruce
7805 Creator Shark
The very first Creator shark washed up upon toy store shelves sometime during 2009 wrapped in a polybag.
The Creator shark has evolved over the years
A rather modest build, containing a 46 pieces that resulted in a model which could be confused with a tuna if yer squint ever so slightly. Unlike its modern Creator ancestors, no alternate builds are offered.
40045 Shark
This be more of an honourable mention as it ain’t a Creator set, nor was it released to retail. 40045 Shark was available exclusively to those who registered for the building session at the August 2012 MMMB event.
LEGO 40045 Shark
T’was available in a polybag offering a wee 27 pieces, resulting in a shark not far shy of a micro-build.
31109 Creator 3 in 1 Pirate Ship
The very first and now retired Creator LEGO Pirate Ship included a brick-built shark, which many a fan found insubstantial.
T’will be interesting to observe whether its successor, 31387 Legendary Pirate Ship follows suit and introduces a new shark variation. Or maybe the next brick beastie to breach Creator waters be one LEGO Pirates has never seen; like a whale or dolphin… or what about a lumbering manatee?
Of late, BrickLink Designer Program Manager, Alex Kastelic has been sending word that BDP prefers smaller builds containing less than 2,000 parts.
See, smaller designs can be desirable too
Many designers strive to create the largest and most impressive models possible… but alas! Some fans lack treasure hoards impressive enough to match the expense of purchasing such designs.
But don’t take the Classic Pirates word for it! Instead, pluck the words right out of the seahorse’s mouth (that’s Alex) in the Series 10: Q&A Webinar.
If yer a BrickLink members, yer may support the Series 11LEGO Pirate submissions. Your vote influences the designs selected bythe Brick Designer Team for Crowdfunding.
The BrickLink Designer Team thoroughly reviews the Series 11 submissions and determines which five designs shall progress to Crowdfunding (Pre-orders) phase.
5 Finalists Announced
20 Jun, 2026
The BrickLink Designer Team announces the five Series 11 designs that will be available for Crowdfunding.
In other words, the BrickLink Designer sets you will be able to buy!
Refinement
6 Jul, 2026 —
3 May, 2027
Over the coming months the official LEGOModel Governance and Building Instructions teams work with the finalist designers to prepare their builds for pre-production.
Unfortunately they do not work with graphic designers to prepare classic-style box art for the BrickLink Designer sets.
Crowdfunding
Jun 2027
The exciting part! If yer be a BrickLink member, yer may pre-order up-to 2BrickLink Pirate sets.
Designs that receive more than 3,000 pre-orders will enter production, with maximum of 30,000* of each set will be manufactured.
The refined BrickLink Designer sets will be produced in the official LEGO factory. Yer order will shall fulfilled around 6 months after the conclusion of Crowdfunding.
Final dates and shipping times may shift with the winds.
The four LEGO Pirate designs what have pass review
While Series 9 failed to secure a Pirate-themed finalist, at the time of publishing, four designs from past BrickLink Designer voyages have stood firm against the unyielding trials of the Designer Team’s review.
Coconut Cape Pre-Orders commence 1 June, 2026 at 8 AM Pacific time.
While the final design and minifigures are yet to be announced, the initial design alludes to a Spanish influence – could this be an opportunity for the Imperial Armada to return? Time will tell…
Open Submission for Series 11 is between 20 April and 4 May, 2026 — a mere ten days to submit yer design to the almighty BrickLink deities!
Buyers
So, Crowdfunded LEGO Pirate sets have been making landfall, but does the BrickLink Designer Program deliver satisfying building experiences that evoke the sets of yesteryear?
Or be they pale imitations of the glorious boxes that once lined store shelves?
And what riches await us in 2026? Will yer be ordering Coconut Cape? Or hoping a Series 10 design is offered for Crowdfunding?
The pirate ship pictured is a knock-off brand product that’s currently available on the secondary market.
The Latest Rumour
So let’s plot a course over to the Reddit post by medicus_vulneratum.
Nay, that definitely aint the ship what’s being released
The Origin
What inspired medicus_vulneratum to suddenly post about the alleged LEGO Creator Pirate ship be unknown, but fellow Reddit user, _System_Error_ quickly retrieved the source of the original rumour.
LEGO fans be ever hopeful for new LEGO Pirate ships, so whether there be truth to a rumour, or not, they take to the social media seas as though it were actual news.
The pirate ship pictured in the Reddit post is being currently being manufactured and released under various brand names like HOGOKIDS, ZHEGAO and Nimpark.
Box of ZHEGAO Pirate Ship Mini Building Blocks Model Kit
The set can be found on eBay, Amazon, AliExpress and a variety of independent online merchants.
Cast yer eyes upon them set pictures and yer’ll spy not a single minifig lurkin’ anywhere! Well, if that ain’t a signal this particular tale be smellin’ fishy!
A replacement for the recently decommissioned 31109 Creator 3-in-1 Pirate Ship is rumoured for release during June 2026. Currently known as, 31387 Legendary Pirate Ship, it is speculated to contain 1,074 pieces, with some fans suggesting it will be a re-colour of the first Creator Pirate Ship, despite the lower piece count.
Are you excited for a newLEGO Creator Pirate Ship? Or do you think it’s time for something different like a Soldier or Imperial Guard or Privateer ship?
Can The LEGO Group do better than Nimpark?
BUT, be there any truth AT ALL to this rumour? Or are hopeful fans merely speculating, derived from production ceasing for the first Creator Pirate Ship?
It be no secret that BrickLink Designer sets don’t include all the trimmings of their retail counterparts. So we’ve covered a range of Fortuna enhancements you can incorporate like fabric sails, flags, shooting cannons and a crane…
Classic Pirates covered fabric sail options as one of the potential upgrades for yer Fortuna. Maddadbricks offers us some video content of their installation, along with showcasing the end result.
This ship may be brick-built, but it’s battle-ready. 🏴☠️💥
Privateer Frigate Fortuna is available for pre-order at $349.99 US / €349.99 DE on February 16th, 8 AM PT / 4 PM UTC!
Ever wondered what LEGO minifigures would look like as real people?
bricking747 has been exploring real life interpretations of various LEGO Pirate and Castle minifigs, notably this handshake between Woodhouse and Blackwell.
Admiral Woodhouse and Captain Blackwell reimagined by bricking747
After seeing the post by @classicpirates and @brickperfection celebrating the Frigate Fortuna Release I thought the comparison photo of the two Admirals would look great as ‘real’ characters.
We understand not every one is sold on brick-built cannons and sails… some LEGO Pirate fans long for the fabric and firing projectiles of the classic sets.
Fortunately, we have some options for yer…
Comparison between Fortuna with and without sails
Fabric Sails
Order Pre-made Sails
Fortuna designer, Brick Perfection struck up deal with third-party customizer, BrickStickerShop to produce ready-made fabric sails.
If yer feeling Fortuna’s brick-built cannons ain’t packing a punch in the firepower department, there be a simple modification yer can make to the trusty old projectile launchin’ cannons.
Comparison between firing cannons and Fortuna’s native brick-built cannons
Just Required changing the 2×2 window frames in the gunports to 2x 2 2/3 window frames with arch; I suggest in tan (part 30044 on BrickLink). Plus a few plates.
Also requires brick-built wheels for the carriages of the shooting cannons (the city ones are too high) – lucky those parts are cheap on BrickLink!
Not every feature incorporated into BrickLink Designer submissions progress to the final design. Sometimes BrickLink designs require simplification to reduce their part count and/or complexity.
A 4,087‑piece, 18th‑century privateer warship, available for Pre-Order until 23rd February, 2026 as part of the BrickLink Designer ProgramSeries 7. It is regarded as one of the most historically faithful LEGO frigates ever designed, capturing the look and proportions of a late–Golden Age of Piracy vessel.
The Unpredictable Privateers serve as a wild‑card force in the LEGO Pirates world: a faction of letter‑of‑marque adventurers whose loyalties shift with the winds, allowing them to side with any imperial power—or none at all.
But it’s up to you to print and cut them to specification on yer preferred material, whether that be paper or fabric.
Order Pre-made Sails
But if yer not a crafty bugger, Brick Perfection has teamed up with third-party customizer, BrickStickerShop to offer ready-made sails which ye can order.
Not to hoodwink yer or anything, but we must inform the LEGO SYSTEM box pictured above be just a concept meticulously crafted by dedicated fans…
Credits
As usual, realising the beautiful SYSTEM box mock-up was a collaborative effort between fans who scarified many hours of their spare time to deliver us this result.
As per the official BrickLink Designer Program guidelines, the default production allocation per design is 30,000 sets.
So for five designs that’s a maximum of 150,000 sets which can enter production.
However, the 30,000 limit per design is not set in stone.
So if Pre-Orders for a particular design have little chance of reaching 30,000, its production allocation can be transferred to a different design.
This way, the most popular designs can have their Pre-Order limit increased, providing the combined total of Pre-Orders for all five designs does not exceed 150,000 sets.
What Do Yer Think?
Will you be adding Privateer Frigate Fortuna to yer fleet?
Crowdfunding ends February 23rd,2026 at 12PM Pacific time BUT there be a production limit of 30,000 40,000 sets.
So don’t delay! Those 30,000 2,633 could be gone long before the timer ends!
Rally yer strength and cast yer support for the best selection LEGO Pirate builds the BrickLink Designer Program has to offer before 12 noon upon 20 Feb 2026 PST.
Navigate through the hoard of pirate creations and blast that Love It button like a deck‑mad gunner, lighting off cannon charges!
Through the BrickLink Designer Program, any bold LEGO Pirate fan may chart a course from their own design to an officially produced LEGO set.
The clock be tickin’!
First, the talented builders cast their finest creations into the Open Submission sea. Then the crew—aye, that be all of us LEGO Pirate fans, rally together to vote for the designs we fancy most during Crowd Support (that’s what’s happening now).
All the LEGO Pirate designs what passed review
After that, the BrickLink Designer Team handpicks five worthy creations to refine. Come Crowdfunding, ye may stake yer claim (I.e. Pre-Order a set or two) and have the set shipped straight to yer abode 6 months hence.
If yer require a more detailed explanation, read the Series 10 article.
Now, get supportin’, yer have until 12 noon upon 20 Feb 2026 PST.
Brickperfection’sSeries 7 version of “Privateer Frigate Fortuna” shall be available for Crowdfunding (pre-orders) from 19 February to 30 February, 2026.
Avast! Fortuna does not see fit to fly the Imperial Armada flag!
Does this suggest the Armada has already been driven from the Spanish-kissed shores of Coconut Cape? Or is the Armada lying in wait, with enough might to stand against the Unpredictable Privateers?
Which pirate-themed designs be catchin’ yer eye in Series 10, matey?
Have Yer Voted Yet?
The sands be slippin’ through the hourglass — only until 20 February, 2026 do ye have to lend yer support to every last LEGO Pirate build .
LOVE LOVE LOVE LEGO Pirates!
Don’t be lettin’ this chance slip beneath the waves — send a mighty roar across the seas to the BrickLink Designer Team and let ’em know yer hungry for more LEGO Pirate prizes!
Plenty of famous historical figures sailed under letters of marque, but many blurred the line between pirate and privateer!
Some switched sides depending upon who was lining their coffers while others merely flew the banner of privateer as a disguise.
So let’s explore them scoundrels whose careers strayed beyond honourable seafaring…
910059 Privateer Frigate Fortuna
With the official introduction of privateers to the LEGO Pirate theme thanks to the Privateer Frigate Fortuna, it’s Classic Pirate’s duty to ensure yer posses a solid understanding of how they differ from regular pirates.
If ain’t already done so, acquaint yerself with the Unpredictable Privateers and then continue this voyage of discovery…
What be a Privateer?
A privateer is essentially a government‑approved pirate — a privately owned ship (or its crew) granted legal permission to attack enemy vessels during wartime.
A Letter of Marque issued to French privateer, Captain Antoine Bollo
Privateers operated under a letter of marque, an official license from a sovereign nation or authority that granted them clemency against charges of piracy. The crown or state officially sanctioned their dastardly actions.
East Indiaman Kent battling privateer ship Confiance by Ambroise Louis Garneray
During the Age of Sail twas common for privateers to conceal their affiliate by sailing under flags of neutral countries… and even cloak themselves in deception by forging false names for their ships to mask their true identity.
British privateers attacking a French ship
Privateers didn’t just chase glory — they also hunted pirates with the same ruthless skill they used in sanctioned raiding, turning their swift ships, sharp instincts, and government‑backed firepower into a deadly counter‑pirate force.
How Were Privateers Different from Pirates?
Privateers were permitted to raid, capture, and plunder enemy merchant ships, while keeping a share of the spoils as profit. Unlike pirates, who attacked anyone for personal gain, privateers acted as legal auxiliaries to a nation’s navy.
Sir Francis Drake presents his spoils to Queen Elizabeth I
Dividing the Plunder
So when a privateer seized an enemy ship, the captured wealth was divided according to a set hierarchy:
The government who issued the letter of marque.
The ship’s owners or investors.
The captain received a larger cut for command.
Finally, the remaining spoils were distributed among officers and crew by rank.
Privateers were rogue freelancers who sailed beyond the navy’s rigid chain of command, yet armed with official papers that turned their raids into celebrated acts of war, rather than crimes. Well, unless they lied about their status…
Benjamin Hornigold claimed to be a privateer but lacked a valid commission
They were often hailed as heroes for tormenting foes and later received a monarch’s blessing with rewards of wealth and nobility.
Famous Privateers from History
Here be some of the most widely recognised privateers what officially sailed under a letter of marque…
Francis Drake
Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540–1596) was an English privateer, navigator, and naval commander whose daring exploits helped establish England as a rising maritime power, and a painful thorn in Spain’s side.
Born in Tavistock, Devon, he rose from modest beginnings to become one of the era’s most feared captains, raiding Spanish ports and treasure fleets across the Caribbean — earning the nickname El Draque.
He achieved lasting infamy by circumnavigating the globe between 1577 and 1580 aboard the Golden Hind, becoming the first Englishman to complete such a voyage and receiving a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth I for his success.
Later, as vice admiral, he played a key role in England’s defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Drake perished of dysentery in 1596 while on yet another expedition against Spanish holdings in the Americas.
Henry Morgan
Sir Henry Morgan (c. 1635–1688) was a Welsh privateer who rose to fame as one of the most formidable buccaneers of the 17th‑century!
Henry Morgan portrait – “Piratas de la America“, 1681 by Alexandre Exquemelin
Launching audacious raids throughout the Caribbean on Spanish strongholds such as Portobelo, Maracaibo, and Panama while operating from Port Royal, Jamaica.
Often backed unofficially by the English Crown, Morgan played a pivotal role in undermining Spanish dominance in the region and amassed great wealth.
Build HenryMorgan’s ship – unfortunately not a LEGO set
Despite the brutality of his campaigns, Morgan’s military skill and political usefulness earned him a knighthood and the post of Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica, where he spent his later years until his death in 1688.
Jean Lafitte
Jean Lafitte (c. 1780–c. 1823) was a French-born pirate, privateer, and smuggler who operated across the Gulf of Mexico during the early 19th century, most famously from his base in Barataria Bay near New Orleans.
Alongside his brother Pierre, he built a thriving smuggling network that dealt in contraband goods and enslaved people, while simultaneously cultivating political influence in Louisiana.
Despite being hunted by United States authorities, Lafitte became an unlikely hero during the War of 1812, aiding General Andrew Jackson in the defense of New Orleans and earning a presidential pardon for his service.
Jean Lafitte approaches the Queen East ship. Engraving from “The pirate’s own book”, 1837
After the war, he returned to piracy from Galveston Island before vanishing into the depths of pirate legend… his fate remains unknown but some claim he saved Napoleon Bonaparte.
Kate Sloper
Catherine “Kate” Sloper (c. 1704–c.1712) was an early‑18th‑centuryEnglishwoman who stands out as one of the very few women known to have received a privateering commission in her own name.
Portrait of Catherine Sloper
Operating during the War of the Spanish Succession, she petitioned the Admiralty for the right to outfit a vessel targeting French shipping—a request that was unusually granted, likely due to her financial backing, maritime connections, and the Crown’s appetite for aggressive privateering.
Ink depiction of Catherine Sloper receiving a Letter of Marque
Her name appears in the Admiralty Prize Papers, marking her as a rare example of a woman formally empowered to wage economic warfare at sea. While little survives about her personal life or the operational details of her campaign.
William Kidd
William Kidd (c. 1645–1701), better known as Captain Kidd, was a Scottish sailor who became infamous as both a privateer and pirate during the late 17th century.
Initially commissioned by the English Crown to protect shipping lanes and hunt pirates in the Indian Ocean, Kidd’s mission blurred into piracy when he attacked vessels outside his legal remit, most notably the Quedagh Merchant.
Model of William Kidd’s ship, Adventure Galley – 📸 Hampton Nautical
His actions sparked scandal in England, where he was accused of betraying his commission. Captured and brought to London, Kidd was tried for piracy and murder, found guilty, and hanged in 1701.
His legacy endures in maritime folklore and the romanticized image of a pirate who straddled the line between legitimacy and lawlessness.
Captain William Kidd Burying Treasure by Howard Pyle
Immortalised as the only pirate officially documented to bury treasure. After his capture in 1699, Kidd reportedly inhumed part of his loot, including gold, silver, and jewels, on Gardiners Island off Long Island, New York.
Them What Blurs The Line
This article grew so mighty long twas trimmed to only include privateers with a historical record of receiving a letter of marque.
As for the likes of old Benjamin Hornigold, without a true letter of marque and a mandate from Woodes Rogers to hunt pirates, he didn’t make the cut.
This motley crew behaved like privateers
Biographies were also scribed for the Victual Brothers, Thomas Cochrane, Grace O’Malley, and the Barbossa Brothers, but all had to be excised to reduce length!
Privateer Frigate Fortuna
Don’t miss yer opportunity to own this brand new LEGO Pirates set with extremely limited availability! Only 30,000 will be available.
Crowdfunding for the very first LEGO Pirates themed BrickLink Designer ship, Privateer Frigate Fortuna commence upon 16 February, 2026 at 8AM and concludes February 23rd,2026 at 12PM Pacific time.
The frigate carries flags of two major imperial factions: the Soldiers (blue coats) and Imperial Guards (red coats), along with brand new flags baring the Unpredictable Privateer’s unique insignia.
New flags of the Unpredictable Privateers
But Fortuna’s captain has yet to strike an accord with the Imperial Armada, suggesting Armada ships be still ripe for the plunder!
What is a Privateer?
A privateer was a pirate with a crown’s endorsement — a privately owned ship or crew unleashed to plunder enemy vessels under the guise of the law.
A Letter of Marque and Reprisal issued by United States Congress in 1780
Privateers operated under a letter of marque, an official commission or license from a sovereign nation or authority.
During the Age of Sail it was very common for privateers and even for warships to sail under flags of neutral countries… and to even falsify the ship’s name as a disguise!
Which flag will your Fortuna fly?
Historic figure Thomas Cochrane did so notoriously, and after a disgraceful discharge from the British navy, became a mercenary for other navies around the world. His the real life exploits inspired characters like Horatio Hornblower and Jack Aubrey.
Thomas Cochrane inspired authors like C.S. Forester and Patrick O’Brian
How Were Privateers Different from Pirates?
Privateers were permitted to raid, capture, and plunder enemy ships, keeping a share of the spoils as profit, while the rest was claimed by their sovereign.
Dutch warships fighting against Dunkirk Privateers, Nieuwpoort, 1640
Unlike pirates, who attacked anyone for personal gain, privateers acted as legal auxiliaries to a nation’s navy.
Imagine privateers as the freelance raiders of the sea — outside the navy’s official chain of command, yet fully licensed, and even applauded, for making an enemy’s life miserable.
William Kidd’s career perhaps didn’t end the way he hoped
Still, if a privateer made the enemy miserable enough, they were shut down with the same finality as any pirate, Letter of Marque be damned!
Well, I did get some inspiration from William Kidd who was a privateer sponsored by a consortium of investors to hunt pirates (they’d invested for a share of the booty);
His ship was the frigate ‘Adventure Galley‘ – so named because it had oars on the gun deck as was common in the 1690s. But failing to find any pirates, Kidd turned to piracy himself. He was the only pirate on record to bury a treasure.
Fortuna’s pirate flag design refers to another well-known historical pirate, Bartholomew Roberts – the most successful pirate of his era. His Flagship was named “Royal Fortune” and he captured around 400 vessels.
Though Black Bart never sailed under a letter of marque, his infamy was renown by a fearsome and unmistakable flag.
One of Bartholomew Roberts flags
Brick Perfection continues:
Fortuna is actually named after the Roman expression ‘Fortuna favors the bold‘, but when I remembered that Roberts named his flagships ‘Royal Fortune’ it felt like an obvious match.
The crew and goat hard at work on the lower deck
Brick Perfection continues:
So in terms of lore, the Unpredictable Privateers are funded and supported by any imperial faction to hunt pirates – because there is a shortage of imperial ships in the LEGO portfolio and an abundance of pirate ships.
Minifigures
The Unpredictable Privateers are primarily affiliated with redcoats (Imperial Guards) but deceptively fly the bluecoats (Soldiers) flag.
Brick Perfection writes:
The 10210 Imperial Flagship from 2010 was a Redcoat ship and because the Camilla torsos work much better for Redcoats.
And with a crew of 19 minifigures plus another minifig for the figurehead, there be umpteen display options and countless scenarios for exciting battles at sea.
Officers and marines
Now, there be a Captain (Blackwell) and a First Officer (Lieutenant Hazard) to ensure ship operations run smoothly. You decide who you put in charge.
Artificers and sailors
But the captain will eventually succumb to piracy any way yer slice it. So even if you put the First Officer in charge, there is bound to be a mutiny – and if successful, the captain will seize command and continue a life of piracy anyway!
The animals
In the LEGO world, pirates seem to always triumph in the end – much the opposite of real world history… But that’s because we love our LEGO Pirates and know who the real heroes are!
Look out – the Unpredictable Privateers are almost here!
But ultimately, it’s up to you to determine who yer Unpredictable Privateers align with… who they mercilessly plunder… who claims command of the ship.
Pre-Orders
Crowdfunding commenced 8AM upon 17th February and ends February 23rd,2026 at 12PM Pacific time.
Crowdfunding for the very first LEGO Pirates themed BrickLink Designer ship, Privateer Frigate Fortuna commences upon 16 February, 2026 at 8AM and concludes February 23rd,2026 at 12PM Pacific time.
A common query Classic Pirates receives from enthusiastic LEGO Pirate fans be: Where can I acquire those classic box art backgrounds to put behind me MOCs?
Well today crew, we have made four backgrounds available for yer to download…
An Homage to the Masters
But first we must pay our respects to the legends who’ve inadvertently enthralled generations of fans with their talents. After all, they are the progenitors of these cherished artworks.
Jens Nygaard Knudsen: LEGO Pirates co-creator and designer of the minifigure
Jens Nygaard Knudsen and Niels Milan Pedersen weren’t merely crafting LEGO sets — they were orchestrating the entire experience… from shaping set packaging to arranging a plethora of marketing materials.
Niels Milan Pedersen: LEGO Pirates co-creator – 📸 Blocks Magazine
They injected life into their products through elaborate dioramas and captivating photography that made every LEGO theme feel as though it was an entire world waiting to be explored.
The beautiful artwork of LEGO Pirate set boxes – 📸 bricklicante
Unfortunately, most of us AFOLs lack the time, space and resources to build sprawling dioramas at home, so we must turn to modern technology to expand our horizons… literally and figuratively.
6285 & 10040 Black Seas Barracuda boxes – 📸 Kevin Luo
Ultimately, we accept our efforts lack the same authenticity as those opulent seascapes fashioned near four decades past. Yet we strive to recreate and reinvigorate their allure as closely as our limitations allow.
Classic Pirate Backgrounds
And now for yer building pleasure, we have a modest selection of backgrounds for yer to download…
The very first LEGO Pirate ship, voted most popular LEGO set of all time during the early 2000s, did yer know? This background was created from the version used to present the Barracuda in the official LEGO Pirate articles on LEGO.com.
But yer will need to provide your own software and the skills to use it.
How be yer Photoshop skills?
And when ye share yer edited creation, ’twould be mighty kind if yer could slip in a quick mention for Classic Pirates to steer other fans to where they can fetch the backgrounds for themselves.
If ye be wantin’ yer design to stand out like treasure glittering in the moonlight, slap it atop one of these classic backdrops and watch it roar to life.
Mariusz’s calendars tap into the spring of LEGO nostalgia and put a modern spin on old classics. Covering a range of themes from Pirate to Castle, from Western to Adventurers, from Space and beyond…
