French Call to Arms!
Liberté, égalité, fraternité
In Summer of Plunder, the French have long been known for going big and being the talk of the New World. We’re going big once again, offering a prized Bark to one B&P player and one Galleon to one O&I player that helps us seize victory! As the French, we’re all about expanding alliances and player bases, so the French player with the most teaching games will also receive an award that commands the respect you’ve earned. We’ll be offering other prizes all campaign long, which we will announce in the weeks to come. As for being the talk of the New World, I’ll let our 2nd in Command, Gareth Worthy tell you why with your help the French will be #1 this year:
See you on the seas and in the Discord!
French Commander – Kyle Arpke
Kyle Arpke hails from the shores of Milwaukee’s great Lake Michigan (hey, we make great cheese, so there’s some French crossover, amirite?). A filmmaker and wildlife photojournalist, Kyle loves the stories created by an epic miniatures game session. He hopes that under his and Gareth’s French leadership players will have fun tales to share during this season’s Summer of Plunder!
French Second-in-Command – Gareth
Gareth lives just outside of Edmonton, Alberta. After serving 14 years in the infantry he now is a power engineer (fancy name for boils water and then uses the steam for various things). Gareth mostly plays B&P with his daughter, while his son rolls dice for her, and an old army buddy. Having played for the English last year flying the HBC flag, this year as l’intendant de la Nouvelle-France (second in command) he intends to work with Kyle Arpke making France a fun and immersive experience, and hopefully learn some more history along the way. Gareth believes this is France’s year for victory.
Vive le Roi! Vive la France!
French Commander Cards
Custom printed Commander Cards are being created for all commanders in the Summer of Plunder. These cards are fully legal for standard Blood & Plunder games, being fancied up version of the “Standard French Commanders” present in Raise the Black. These are one of the many prizes you may be eligible to win during this year’s Summer of Plunder!
French Special Objectives
During the 3rd and 9th (final) week of the Summer of Plunder campaign, each Nation has their own private objectives, set by the Commanders. For the French players this year, the special national objectives are:
- Week 3 French Objective: Superior Marksmanship
- Blood & Plunder – use the Marksmen Special Rule.
- Port Royal – score a hit shooting with a Boucanier.
- Oak & Iron – take the Additional Guns upgrade on every ship in your fleet
- Second French Objective: Superior Strategy
- Blood & Plunder – use a Commander with the Careful Planning Special Rule
- Port Royal – use as many Officers as crew in a game.
- Oak & Iron – use an Admiral with the ‘Clever’ ability
Additional Recommended REading
- The French Nation and Factions Overview
- 2025 Summer of Plunder Rules and Info
- Summer of Plunder 2025 Discord
- 2025 Summer of Plunder Prize List