Welcome to the summary of the 5th week of the 2026 Summer of Plunder! The macro competition on the campaign map is tightening up and players and leaders hone in on strategies and counterstrategies and catch up on the course of the war in the Week 5 Map Update post.
In this post we will:
- Check in with our team leaders
- Look at some great looking games submitted this last week
- Review our weekly objectives
- Give away another round of prizes
Commander Reports
First some reports from our team Commanders.
British Commander Update
Greetings,
As this week concludes, we would like to celebrate the Alliance’s holdings. We have narrowed the gap, closing to within a handful of points. We would like to see that gap become nonexistent in the next few weeks with the help of our Dutch and Pirate allies.
We have also gotten our tokens for this year, and they are looking fantastic!
We would also like to acknowledge these fantastic shots! Keep up the butt-kicking!
Photos from Paul P and Ret T
French Commander Update
The arrival of the Week 5 update means we’re officially in the back stretch of this year’s Summer of Plunder. I hope it’s been an enjoyable campaign for everyone so far. Gareth, Admiral Wolnk, and I are amped to make the last half of the campaign just as exciting as the first half. So this update will have a few surprises, but before we get into all that… let’s recap how this round went from a tactical standpoint!
Kirk B (left), rebuilds Quebec, while Dr. D (right), calls on The Man Upstairs to ensure all of our sea routes are safe and well accounted for.
I’m continually grateful for the French community’s willingness to follow leadership’s chosen tactics. Thanks again for following our orders with gusto! After the battering Quebec took in recent weeks, new settlers have arrived to rebuild our brilliant capital. May the furs forever flow from Quebec! This week, we ripped the domination bonus from our foes. We left Albany in tatters and kept the pressure on with a victory on the island of Puerto Rico. Our allies helped us capture smaller ports, which keeps the Caribbean within our grasp. Sea lanes across the Atlantic are open for troop movement, giving us many reinforcement options to work with. Overall, a successful week, but there’s work to be done.
Our enemy has barricaded dear Portobello. They’ve left a wake of destruction in Antigua and Montserrat and can now attack our beloved southern capital of Havana, Cuba from two locations. You can tell that Nassau’s influence has changed the British and the Dutch. It’s up to us to stop the sea-faring hooligans from spreading their black beards and treasure chests across New World shores. Just the smell of Pirates is enough to make the Sun King faint, and now our European neighbors share in the pirate stench! Queen Anne’s War is far from spoken for!
Now, for some prizes. I’m elated with the turnout for last week’s prize drawing, so I decided to draw two names. Congrats to Lukas M and Brad H on winning the Monbars mini! Please send me a message on the Discord with your name and address and I’ll send him out to you!
Bryan H (left) and AnnMarie (right) put up a valiant defense in the Caribbean!
This week we have two Montbars drawings, and one of them is special!
The first drawing is for a regular, unpainted Montbars model. We’re going to do the same thing as we did last week: complete the weekly objective for a chance to win the prize. Here are this week’s objectives:
B&P: Cheat Death with your Commander at least once OR play the Hatfield Raid scenario.
PR: Have each player in the campaign/game roll once on the Plunder of Legend table from Thieves Harbor.
O&I: At least 1 player must use the Transfer Flag action (pg 16) during the game.
Our second drawing will be for a professionally painted Montbars! This one is painted by Joshua Horsley (Theophilus Art), a working miniature painter from my area of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Now, spoiler alert… this won’t be our only professionally painted Montbars giveaway, but we want to use these painted Montbars models in a way that helps us grow this community that we all love. So, the second drawing challenge is to log a teaching game this week. Bring someone new into the fold and teach them about pirate miniature games!
Dutch Commander Update
Geachte Commandanten,
This week the dutch finally faced a truly troublesome foe: bookkeeping woes! With unknown partisans throwing votes at every tasty morsel they thought a good target we had our work cut out for us to get our ships in order as it were. Luckily, we’re the Dutch, so excelling comes naturally to us. Well done as always my noble compatriots!
The week went well. There’s blood in the water and with a bit of verve on our part we can strike them down, fully close the gap! The dice are spinning in the air, my lads, and the time is upon us to snatch them!
For our nondiscord dutch, british, or pirate brethren we have a facebook group to stay abreast of the orders for the week. Please join! Cooperation makes our achieving our cause a guarantee! We would be sitting pretty in Antigua this week had Dutch points went where they were supposed to.
Now for some notable exploits of our brave Dutch fleet.
In all seriousness, thanks again ladies and gentlemen for being the best faction to lead. It’s been a real pleasure. Looking forward to the return of our brave Commander Smalls next week!
Till next time:
Hoog achtend,
C. Maassenn.
Native Americans Commander Update
Good day My braves!
I applaud our raiding parties, and their aggressive actions against our foes. Like the mountain lion, they stalked the invaders before pouncing and destroying them. Like storm god, they struck like lightning. Secure Cape Canaveral, Puerto Rico, and Saint Eustatius. You have honoured your tribes, and pleased the gods with the success of our vengeance.
However it seems the enemy did not sit idly during our assault. It appears they have managed to wrestle control of Antigua and Moteserat out of our hands. This is unfortunate, and we will not stand for this. I know that you will make them pay.
Remember, my braves, through your actions you bring honour to our ancestors.
The Golden Seal
Spainish Commander Update
¡Saludos desde la Habana!
Our navy continues to dominate the seas this week. Our enemies taste Spanish steel wherever our Armadas go. I have received messages from all the Armadas, as they repair and refit, about the operations they have carried out for the glory of Spain. My dispatch ships will sail in the coming hours to bring new missions so keep an eye on the horizon.
Armada de Aragon sailed to Quebec to aid in the regarrisoning of the French stronghold. I’ve been told that our provisions and Soldados have led to a welcome boost to morale for the embattled fortress. Hopefully our alliance will hold out in the north. Armada de Biscay similarly sailed north but to assault Albany by land. Many combined assaults have demoralized the defenders, but they still control the fort. The commander of Biscay has told me that the fort will soon fall but they have held out for longer than I expected.
Armada de Castile was hit by a hurricane sailing to Laguna de Terminos. The tempest took many ships to the bottom, but much of the Armada was saved. Some of the remnants of the fleet, that was able, moved to bombard Portobelo. Armada de Domingo picked up some Stragglers from Castile and linked up with a French fleet to attack the pirate nest at Puerto Rico. The scum was driven out and once again the Spanish flag is above San Felipe del Morro.
Bien hecho, soldados del Rey! Thanks to your efforts, we have deprived our foes of domination across the continent. As peace looms on the horizon in la Florida, prepare to be stationed in distant lands, supporting our brothers in arms, the French and Indios of this land. Celebrate your accomplishments, but do not rest on your laurels! We must continue forward in this campaign, and rest not until the smoke has cleared.
Firmado,
Teniente Alejandro de Reyes y Moncada
Pirates Commander Update
Ahoy, there pirates, and all those wishing to be pirates, what a bloody week it has been!
Following last week’s orders, our fleets answered the call sailing to their assigned targets with glorious precision. We struck Antigua, and defended Curaçao, Nassau, and Puerto Rico, as part of the plan to sweep the eastern Caribbean.
With the help of our allies we drove the enemy from Montserrat and Antigua but failed to claim both islands. At Curaçao, our crews reinforced the island against an enemy attack which never came. The crews stationed there had an easy week of celebration and they really don’t know what happened to those chests of Dutch gold!
Despite our pirate reinforcements, Puerto Rico fell into enemy hands after fierce fighting. St. Eustacius was lost as we did not reinforce the low value island. Such are the changing tides of war, but overall, we are still in a good position and poised to continue gaining ground in the battles next week.
Away from the battlefield, our Monday Pirate Movie Night was well attended as we gathered to enjoy The Pirates of Penzance. Whether the evening will provide inspiration for daring raids or simply remind us to sing louder while boarding enemy ships, it was a fine way to prepare for another week of plunder.
The campaign continues to swing wildly with every broadside fired. We gave up a few low value targets but opened the way to some big points gains next week. We’ve shown that when pirate captains work together, we can seize territory, hold our own against determined enemies, and keep the black flag flying proudly.
Fair winds, pirates. And remember the Caribbean won’t plunder itself so get out there and play some games!
Faction Report
We’re narrowing in on getting all factions played! Spanish, Dutch, Natives, & Pirates have at least one play for each of their respective factions. The English have 1 left (New England Village Garrison), and the French have 2, and the Minor Powers have a handful to knock out.
Unplayed Factions
- Flibustiers de Graff
- French Canadian Privateers (NPBtL)
- New England Village Garrison
- Brandenburg Privateers
- Danish Militia
- Miskito Zambo
- Portuguese Brazilian Tercios & Militia
- Swedish Militia
Most Played Blood & Plunder Factions
The most played factions from the Blood & Plunder options so far are:
- The Flying Gang
- French Buccaneers
- Golden Age Pirates
- British Militia
- British Royal Navy
- Spanish Militia
Most Played Oak & Iron Faction
The French Oak & Iron players are really active!
- 48 French
- 24 English
- 22 Dutch
- 21 Spanish
- 20 Pirates
- 6 Native
Most Played Port Royal Faction
Among the Port Royal Factions, the Jamaican are most popular at 60 recorded plays, followed by the close spread of French (31), Spanish (29), English (28), Dutch (24) and Caribs (12)
Week 5 Objectives
This past week’s objectives were centered around amphibious games.
Attack on Charles Town
We save several groups take on the challenge of the large multiplayer Attack on Charles Town scenario. There were some great looking tables out there!
The Oak & Iron players played out the same historical attack with a scenario from Timber & Sail.
Amphibious Blood & Plunder Games
Amphibious games are some of the most interesting games of Blood & Plunder, but also the least commonly played since it takes a bit more set up and prep. But we saw a lot of them this week!
Port Royal – “I’ve Got it Too!“
“The Fever” was harder to see on the board, but I’m sure the Port Royal players enjoyed a week of Muppet Treasure Island jokes.
Next Week Objective – Cheat Death
This is a new objective that I’m sure will raise some eyebrows: CHEAT DEATH! Let your Commander lead from the front! You can put your Commander into harm’s way, and hopefully accomplish something important, then use a Fortune Point to save him after he is eliminated! Its common to play conservatively with your Commander so hopefully this pushes some players out of their comfort zone!
Blood & Plunder Scenario – Hatfield Raid
This week’s scenario features Chief Gray Lock who can Cheat Death once per game without spending the Fortune Point!
This is a small scenario but has some spicy elements that I hope people enjoy!
If you want to add a little more interest to this scenario, you could explore Jason’s new “Pillage & Plunder” mini ruleset for exploring and looting structures in Blood & Plunder. Just published this week!
Oak & Iron Objective – Transfer Flag
The Oak & Iron objective is to use the Transfer Flag action during a game. Like Cheating Death, this can change things up mid game!
Port Royal Objective – Legendary Plunder
This week’s Port Royal objective is to use some fun Legendary Plunder rules! These are great new items designed by Erich at Thieves Harbor.
Weekly Campaign Prizes!
OK, it’s time to start handing out plunder! This is one of the best parts of the community event and what helps make the event so great. Don’t forget to check out the full list of prizes for the Summer of Plunder campaign.
Weekly Mini Giveaway
This week’s winner for a blister of minis is Montgomery Montague IV who played for the French! Montgomery has a choice of a blister of minis from his home French team, or an Oak & Iron ship, or a customizable Port Royal Mini.
Weekly Terrain Giveaway
This week’s Terrain Giveaway Prize Winner is AnnMarie Carlson, who played for the French!
This week’s terrain prize is the Jacob Whitemore House from Things From the Basement. These are great kits from a great company. Things from the Basement has been a long time supporter of the Blood & Plunder community and sponsor of the Summer of Plunder and The Great Pirate Paint Off. Check out their terrain kits, both for Caribbean and New England styles.
Painted Commander Giveaway
This week’s Painted Commander prize Winner is Adam Horton, who played for the French! Dr. D generously donated a full set of painted minis from this year’s Summer of Plunder Organized Play Kit and this week’s mini is Pieter Stool featured in this week’s Attack on Charles Town scenario
Adam is a great painter and player, running events the Pacific Northwest, recently hosting a fleet battle at Enfilade! Check out his great looking amphibious game this week:
You can see more pics of the Pieter Stool model here.
Weekly Scatter Terrain Giveaway
This week’s Scatter Terrain Giveaway Prize Winner is Colbey Sharp, who played for the Pirates!
A big thanks to Printable Scenery for sponsoring the contest and giving us permission to use their designs. And a thanks to Riley for printing all of these!
Weekly Objective Prizes
Accessory Pack Prize
This week’s Accessory Pack Giveaway Prize Winner is Nate Hopkins who played for the Pirates!
Thanks to Tyler at the Doubloon Lagoon for creating and donating these great accessories for prizes this year. Check out his new deluxe designs for Ship Movement Gauges!
Book Prize – Queen Anne’s War
This week’s Book Prize Winner is ScarlitWidow, who played for the Pirates!
This book is the best historical overview of Queen Anne’s War on the market right now. Great background, well researched, detailed accounts of action, well well illustrated with images and maps. If you’re interested in the era, you can’t go wrong with Queen Anne’s War: The Second Contest for North America, 1702-1713.
Ship Prize Giveaway
This Week’s Ship prize Giveaway is Brooks Hill-Whilton, who played for the Pirates! This week’s ship giveaway is a Resin Sloop from Firelock Games.
The Sloop is one of the best ships in Blood & Plunder. With a large main deck, a deadly broadside of up to 3 pairs of Medium Guns, and wind-defying sails, this ship needs to be in every Blood & Plunder player’s fleet! If you need an excuse to buy one, Firelock Games has a tantalizing Revolutionary War mini giveaway on orders of $100 or more!
Dexter’s Choice
For Week 5, we gave Dexter of The Plunder Den several pictures of what we thought were some of the finest terrain setups we’ve seen thus far! His chosen winner is…Jeremy J, who played for the Dutch! Dexter will be sending you a piece of wonderfully handmade terrain!
New Prizes Added!
We have another set of end-of-campaign prizes added to the roster!
Baron Of Dice Giveaway
Baron of Dice has donated 4 sets of their excellent dice for us to give away during the Summer of Plunder! We have 3 sets of d10’s for Blood & Plunder and Port Royal and 1 set of d8’s for Oak & Iron to give away at the end of the contest. Winners will be randomly drawn from all participants.
You can check out our review of these dice here.
Summer of Plunder on Tabletop Simulator
There was a good number of both Blood & Plunder and Oak & Iron games submitted from Tabletop Simulator this week.
Featured Games
Every week there’s some stand-out games that get submitted. Here are some of our favorites.
Spanish-Dutch Field Battle
This looks deadly without much terrain, but the game looks awesome, especially with those flags flying! These pics were submitted by Jeff N and Nick C.
Fleet Battle
From Kyle H, Daniel W, and Stephen J, this major fleet battle looked like a lot of fun.
Barbados Campaign Game
Ret T has been running an awesome story driven campaign set in Barbados. Look at the great looking scratch built terrain and excellent photos.
Samurai vs Dutch
Paul C used some Native faction rules with some Japanese models for a great looking game.
Amphibious Beach Mat from Deep Cut Studios
Deep Cut’s coastal mat will always make for an awesome looking game! Greg P, Lliam B, Bryan H, Paul C, “Admiral Jean de Pamplemousse,”and Riley F all played games on this beautiful mat this week.
Capture the Surgeon
Julian N and Michael F submitted some Capture the Surgeon scenario games on what looks like a homemade amphibious board. Excellent setup with some of the best painte minis out there!
Attempted Hostage Rescue
With a very cool textured board, this game from Reynor P really caught the eye.
Texan Frozen Empire
The Texas crew had a summit and played a massive game using Dan’s Frozen Empires factions in a big Warehouse Raid scenario he’s put together.
Dr. D’s Great Pirate Shoot Off
Dr. D ran a big Golden Age Pirate event over the weekend. Speaking of, you should explore the new Blood & Plunder event organizational tools on Longshanks that Dr. D has been setting up. Great stuff!
Pictures
One last photo dump! We’ve been getting so many great pics, it’s hard to use them all but we try.
Final Thoughts on Summer of Plunder Week 5
There’s a lot of great gaming going on out there! We’re just “over the hill” into the second half of the campaign. We got some big conventions coming up in USA. Historicon and Adepticon will occur during the last weeks of the campaign and you should make every effort to go if feasible!
Local Communities
If you’re still looking for local players to game with, make sure you’ve added yourself to the”Firelock Games Players” map so people can find you. You can also put a call out for players in your area on the dedicated channel on the Summer of Plunder Discord Server.
Prize Shipping
Prizes are being shipped but we’re a little behind. Dan is shipping some, I’m (Joseph) shipping some, and some are being drop shipped from other sources. But don’t panic yet if you haven’t got your prize because sometime it takes us a bit to get everything packaged up and out the door. But you’re welcome to contact us through the blog or Discord or Facebook if you have any questions of concerns.
Thanks to Firelock Games, and all the volunteers and sponsors that help make this campaign happen!
