Pre-orders for the mighty Privateer Frigate Fortuna are almost here — and she ain’t arriving alone on February 16…
Brace yourself for the debut of an all‑new LEGO Pirates faction:
The Unpredictable Privateers!
Yer LEGO Pirate adventures are about to undergo a serious upgrade!
The Unpredictable Privateers
Fortuna introduces the Unpredictable Privateers, a crew capable of aligning with any imperial faction… or pursuing their own interests.
Under the command of Captain Blackwell, well, until his first mate Lieutenant Hazard stages a mutiny and claims the captaincy for herself!
Where have we seen that uniform before?
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 with 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!
The Inspiration
The Unpredictable Privateers were conceived by Privateer Frigate Fortuna designer, , who recounts his inspirations:
Brick Perfection writes:
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);
William Kidd – a real life privateer
Brick Perfection continues:
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.
Bartholomew Roberts (Black Bart)
Brick Perfection continues:
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.
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 commences upon 16 February, 2026 at 8AM and concludes February 23rd, 2026 at 12PM Pacific time.
What Do Yer Think?
Are the Unpredictable Privateers a welcome addition to yer LEGO Pirates collection?
Share yer thoughts on the Unpredictable Privateers in the LEGO Pirates Forum and Classic Pirates Facebook Group.
