The drums of war beat louder as Week 2 of the Summer of Plunder comes to a close. Battle lines have shifted once more, and the campaign’s fury is in full swing. What began as scattered skirmishes has escalated into full-scale conflict, with alliances tested and rivalries ignited.
Across the globe, players have doubled down on their commitment, executing daring attacks, staging cunning defenses, and pushing deeper into contested territory. The latest map reflects these bold maneuvers with multiple new locations claimed. The stakes are rising, and so is the tension.
Table of contents
- Week 2 Campaign Announcements
- Comparison of Summer of Plunder by Year
- Week 2 Objectives – “Lady Fortune”
- Week 2 Campaign Map Level Combat Results
- Campaign Map Update At the End of Week 2
- Current Location Ownership by Nation
- Raid Actions During Week 2
- Trade Actions During Week 2
- Current Standings at the End of Week 2
- Summer of Plunder Week 3 Weekly Objectives
- Conclusion for the Week 2 Campaign Update
- Additional Recommended Reading
The Week 2 combat results are in, marking a critical turning point in the war. Let’s break down how this week’s key clashes unfolded and what they mean for the weeks to come.
Week 2 Campaign Announcements
Before we get going, we have two quick announcements:
#1 Bonus Prize Event – Coming Soon™
We have a bonus prize event that will be launching later this week. This will be a 2-week entry window to win a Dutch-style house from TimberandSail.com based on a historical site on the island of Bonaire. Details on how to enter will be posted in a separate article/Discord/Facebook/Reddit announcement.
#2: Commander Action Rules Change
If you missed the update on Discord, we’ve made a minor update to the Commander action option:
Last year, Commanders could freely use three actions, often leading to an all-offense campaign for some Nations that overrode player votes. While this year’s initial draft aimed to fix that, we now feel it overcorrected, so we’re making an adjustment. Commanders will now be allowed one Attack and one Defend per week, providing more flexibility and ensuring a balanced approach to territory control. All other actions remain unchanged.
Previous:,
ATTACK/DEFEND (limit once per Week): Select a single Location to Attack or Defend. This adds one point to the combat resolution for the week.
New:
ATTACK (limit once per Week): Select a single Location to Attack. This adds one point of offense to the combat resolution for the week. DEFEND (limit once per Week): Select a single Location to Defend. This adds one point of defense to the combat resolution for the week.
Comparison of Summer of Plunder by Year
This week, we saw a slight dip in the number of games from last year, but with it being Father’s Day weekend in the US and such a hard charge on Week 1, it may have affected participation slightly.
We are still well on track to break 3000 games by the end of the campaign!
Week 2 Objectives – “Lady Fortune”
This week’s theme is “Lady Fortune“. All 3 game systems presented objectives related to using Fortune tokens to duel with fate..
- BLOOD & PLUNDER: Spend more than 3 Fortune Points in a game or play the Men of Fortune scenario from the Organized Play Kit.
- OAK & IRON: Play a game with 5 Fortune instead of 3 and spend it all before the end of the game
- PORT ROYAL: Play the Valuable Ingots Scenario. Each turn, give each company 2 additional fortune points.
We saw photos from a large number of games that played the Men of Fortune Scenario. The Fortune tokens in the Organized Play Kit were highly sought after.
| Game System | # of Games Played to Date |
|---|---|
| Blood & Plunder | 400 |
| Oak & Iron | 45 |
| Port Royal | 133 |
Week 2 Campaign Map Level Combat Results
There were a LOT of attacks this week, and just a few successful defenses.
Campaign Map Combat Results
Here are the outcomes for the week:
- Aruba = The English launched a quick strike against the Dutch in Aruba. Despite Dutch resistance, the English outmaneuvered them, securing control of the island at a two-to-one advantage. With Aruba firmly in their grasp, the English strengthened their foothold in the Caribbean [Dutch 1 : English 2]
- Bonaire = Bonaire became a battleground as Dutch, Pirate, and Spanish forces clashed for dominance. The Pirates, with superior numbers, launched aggressive raids, attempting to uproot the Dutch defenders. Meanwhile, the Spanish entered the fray, further complicating the fight. Though the Pirates pressed hard, their attacks were met with stubborn resistance. In the end, the Pirates managed to eek out a tenuous victory. But will they hold for long? [Dutch 1 : Pirates 3 : Spanish 2]
- Campeche = While battles flared across the Caribbean, Native war parties advanced into Campeche unopposed. The once-active Spanish outposts stood eerily silent—gates ajar, fires cold, and no sentries in sight. Signs of hasty flight and illness lingered in the air. Whatever drove the Spanish out did so completely. Without a shot fired, the Natives claimed the abandoned region, swiftly securing key ground before another power could move in. [Natives 3 : Unaligned 1]
- Cartegena = Native forces launched a bold assault on the Spanish port of Cartagena. Striking from jungle and shore, they pressed hard—but the defenders stood firm. Well-prepared Spanish troops repelled the attack after fierce skirmishing. For now, Cartagena remains under Spanish control. [Natives 2 : Spanish 3]
- Charleston, SC = Spanish push to seize Charleston from Native control, hoping to establish a defensive buffe against the northern frontier. Fierce fighting erupted in the forests and marshes surrounding the settlement, with neither side able to gain the upper hand. After moderate losses on both sides, the Spanish withdrew, leaving the region under the control of the Natives [Natives 1 : Spanish 1]
- Fort Noorhooka = Native warriors advanced on Fort Norhooka and disorganized civilian garrison militia offered minimal resistance. The Natives took control of the region with swift efficiency. [Natives 3 : Unaligned 1]
- Martinique = In a bold and coordinated offensive, English forces launched a determined assault on the French-held island of Martinique. The defenders put up resistance, but were ultimately overwhelmed by the disciplined advance and superior positioning of the English troops. After a series of sharp engagements, the French were driven from the island, and the English banner now flies over Martinique. [English 4 : French 2]
- Natchez = French forces launched a determined assault to challenge English control of Natchez. Their swift and coordinated attack caught the defenders off guard, forcing the English to withdraw. With Natchez now under French control, the contest for the region grows more intense. [English 1 : French 4]
- New York = After losing New York to the French, English loyalists begun to stirring unrest among the city’s inhabitants. Coordinating an insurrection, citizens struck at key French supply positions from within, sowing confusion and weakening the occupiers’ hold. Capitalizing on the chaos, English forces moved quickly to retake control, restoring their claim to this vital port and strengthening their position in the region. [English 4 : French 1]
- Norridgewock = Expanding their reach into the frontier, French settlers and traders have founded a formal trading post at Norridgewock. Positioned to control key routes and foster alliances with local tribes, the new colony promises to become a vital hub for commerce and influence in the region. [French 4 : Unaligned 1]
- Panama = With righteous resolve, Spanish forces marched on Panama to reclaim the region lost to Native insurgents. The response was swift and decisive—driving out the resistance and restoring order to the vital territory. With banners raised and prayers offered, Spain reestablished control over the land they hold as a sacred trust from Heaven. [Natives 1 : Spanish 4]
- Petit Goave = Striking with characteristic fury, the pirates wrested control of Petit-Goâve from the French. The town’s coffers proved deep and its liquor stores plentiful, making it a tempting prize. With sails full and spirits high, the buccaneers now move to establish a more permanent foothold—an ideal haven from which to launch future raids, carried on the tradewinds of opportunity. [French 1 : Pirates 3]
- Port Royal = French and Dutch forces clashed fiercely over control of Port Royal in Acadia. The Dutch pressed hard, but the French defenders held their ground in a brutal stalemate. Though neither side gained a clear upper hand, the French maintained their hold through sheer resilience, keeping Port Royal under their banner. [Dutch 2 : French 3]
- Saint Eustatius = In a swift assault, the Pirates stormed the Dutch-held island of Saint Eustatius. Caught unprepared, the Dutch defenders were quickly overrun as the buccaneers poured ashore with blades drawn and muskets roaring. Outnumbering the Zeelanders 4 to 1, the pirates claimed the island as their own- expanding their foothold for mayhem in the Caribbean. [Dutch 1 : Pirates 4]
- St Augustine, FL = A Dutch storming party led by Admiral Doerr himself made a daring strike at St. Augustine. Taking advantage of their weakened defenses and seeking to exploit the turmoil of the previous attacks, their efforts were enough to secure the region. The city no longer remains in Spanish hands. The Dutch may have claimed victory—but tehy will need to keep a watchful eye on the horizon. [Dutch 3 : Spanish 1]
- Tortuga = Scottish privateers, backed by a Dutch letter of marque, tore into the Pirates near Tortuga with ruthless force. Though outnumbered, they fought with sheer brutality, boarding ships with savage precision and breaking Pirate resistance in brutal melees. The Pirates, expecting victory due to their strength in numbers, found themselves outmatched by the tenacity of the Scots who crushed their defenses despite the odds. [Dutch 3 : Pirates 1]
Campaign Map Update At the End of Week 2
And there is the updated map!
Current Location Ownership by Nation
There has been some shuffling of terrain locations and half of the Unaligned locations have been grabbed.
- The Dutch lost 2 territories but gained one.
- The English regained New York and added Aruba and Martinique. The Natchez fell to the Fench.
- France lost New York and Martinique to the British, but gained the Natchez region.
- The Natives. Panama was reclaimed by Spain. They picked up Campeche and Fort Noorhooka to fill the game and stayed at 6 territories.
- The Pirates lost Tortuga, but gained Bonaire and Saint Eustatius from the Dutch
- The Spanish reclaimed Panama, but unfortunately lost St Augustine, leaving them tied with the Dutch at 3 Territories.
- Vera Cruz remains the last bastion of the Unaligned
Raid Actions During Week 2
With the change to allow Commanders to do an Attack and a Defense we saw a decline in the desire to Raid. The incentives for success on the surface are a little underwhelming at first glance. But it should be kept in mind that it not only bolsters your Nation, it pulls the nation your Raid down a little. This can make it a viable “crab bucket” option to help rein in the leaders of the pack.
Raid Results for Week 2
In Week 1, 5 of the 6 Nations conducted Raids. Shockingly, in Week 2, only the Spanish chose to Raid.
| Nation | Target Nation | Location | Outcome | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Dutch | none | – | – |
 | English | none | – | – |
 | French | none | – | – |
 | Natives | none | – | |
 | Pirates | none | – | – |
 | Spanish | Natives | Charleston, SC | Roll 9 = +1 Spanish -1 Natives |
- The Spanish raided the Natives
Raid Outcome Table
| Roll | Outcome |
|---|---|
| 0 or less* | -2 from the Attacker +2 Defender |
| 1 | -1 from the Attacker +1 Defender |
| 2-3 | No Change |
| 4-9 | +1 Attacker, -1 Defender |
| 10 | +2 Attacker, -2 Defender |
Trade Actions During Week 2
Trade again continued as a mainstay activity for nearly every nation. The partnerships were maintained in 3 perfectly paired trades for Week 2:
- Dutch – English
- French – Spanish
- Natives – Pirates
This means all 6 Nations will again gained 2 Victory Points each.
The trade alliances have continued, but there may be some smoke on the horizon that disrupts these tenuous relationships. How long will they continue?
Current Standings at the End of Week 2
The Natives have maintained their lead, staying ahead of the Pirates by 1 point, with the French nipping at their heels, only a single point behind the Pirates. The Dutch and Spanish are off to a bit of a slow start, with both weeks falling below the national average. But the more terrain a nation conquers, the harder it is to maintain, so it is still anyone’s game.
Summer of Plunder Week 3 Weekly Objectives
Week 3 is one of the two weeks where the objectives vary by the nation you wish to play for, as they are chosen by each of the National Commanders.
Objectives by Nation
| Logo | Nation | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch | “Head Hunter”: Kill the enemy Commander |
| English | “Blood on the Homefront”: Play a game of any point size using the New England Village Garrison. (Note: you can use any mini to proxy as civilian villagers) |
| French | Use the Marksmen special rule. |
| Natives | “The Old Ways are Best”: Create a force without using firearms – only bows and melee weapons, consider the power of Poison Arrows. |
| Pirates | “Show us your ARRR! Face” – Include a photo of yourself playing your game of choice to be entered into a random drawing for a prize. Costume is encouraged, but not required. |
| Spanish | Battle Cry of the Iberian Peninsula: Inspire your forces by using a Mission Priest and yell, “Santiago!” Make Your Voices Heard – Record a video of yourself yelling Santiago! while playing in a game store, amongst your friends/opponents. Send the recording (with your name) to jshivak@gmail.com, and we will splice them together as a chorus of victorious Spaniards! |
It may take a little extra coordination with your groups to make sure you have a suitable sceanrio. The English and the Natives both require land games. Our local group has opted to play RAZE from No Peace Beyond the Line as it’s a scenario that works with all possible National Objectives.
Conclusion for the Week 2 Campaign Update
We apologize for the delayed reporting this week. There were a number of contributing factors, that we are attempting to mitigate. Thanks for your patience with our volunteer staff (mostly just me)! We will continue to improve as best we can.
The community continues to shine—your stunning game photos, gripping narratives, and sharp strategic breakdowns breathe life into every clash and conquest. These contributions don’t just tell the story; they become the story.
As the campaign charges forward, we eagerly await the next wave of snapshots and reports. A heartfelt thank you to every player and sponsor—your passion and support are what keep the sails full and the fire burning
Until next week, happy plundering!
Article by Jason Klotz
