The following is a comprehensive chart of the deck capacity for all ship models currently available in the Blood & Plunder miniatures game. These numbers are calculated based on only models being on the decks, no cannons.
- Subsections = Refers to all subsections other than Fighting Tops and Gun Decks
- Fighting Tops = These may require upgrades to add to the ship
Printable PDF of Blood & Plunder Ship Capacities
Here is a free Ship Capacities PDF you can use as a quick reference sheet for deck capacities.
How Do Cannons Effect Deck Capacity?
All capacities presented on this page are based on Models using a standard 20mm base. Cannons come in 3 varieties, but there have been multiple sculpts of each over the years. Each model has a slightly different size. Additionally, the placement of gunports and the spacing between them varies per ship, some limit the number of models more than others. The size of the cannons relative to masts can also affect the maximum number of models you can fit on a deck. As such, it’s impossible to provide a 100% accurate capacity breakdown for every ship and weaponry configuration.
When estimating deck capacity use the following rule of thumb per cannon:
- Light Cannon = 0.5-1 Models
- Medium Cannon = 1-1.5 Models
- Heavy Cannon = 2-2.5 Models
Things to Consider When Determining Deck Capacity
There are certain game rules and standards to consider when determining a deck’s maximum capacity:
- All model bases must lay flat on the deck of the ship without their bases overlapping (Core Rules pg 61). Any flat surface on the ship can hold minis, but you can’t balance models on the gunwales (rails). Some overhang at the edges of tiered decks is legal.
- A Deck is a Structure meaning it has a limit of 2 Units (Core Rules pg 61). Just because there is room, doesn’t mean it’s legal to have 3 units in a deck. This means if you use big ships in small point games decks may seem empty. You must be playing at a point size large enough to allow unit sizes big enough to fill the deck.
For example, the Galleon’s largest deck has a capacity of 35 models. That typically requires a game of at least 400 pts to get to 20 Models per Unit. - A unit cannot occupy more than one section of a Structure at a time unless the unit is involved in a Melee Combat between sections (Core Rules pg 61). This means you cannot spread units across two Decks, but you can spread them across subsections connected to the deck (No Peace Beyond the Line pg 185)
Subsection Rules Affecting Deck Capacity
The rules for subsections on ships are contained in the No Peace Beyond the Line expansion book in the “New Rules” section beginning on pg. 183. Here is a summary of the rules that affect a Deck’s maximum capacity.
- Subsections may contain partial units, as long as the rest of the unit is contained in the Parent Section.
- If a complete, undivided Unit is contained within a Subsection it does not count against the 2 Unit limit of the Parent Section (e.g. a Unit of 4 Models in a Fighting Top). This may let you put 3 or more units on a deck.
- Unless engaged in Melee, a Subsection may only contain 1 Unit.
Additional Content Suggestions
- Get more info, stat cards, and details for every ship in the game in our Ultimate Guide to Blood & Plunder Ships
- Cannon Painting Tutorials:
Product Recommendations
- Shop all of the ships in Blood & Plunder at Firelock Games
- Get a copy of No Peace Beyond the Line for the full rules on subsections
- Firelock Games has re-released all cannons in new HD resin prints (below)
Resin Cannons from Firelock Games
