Welcome to the website for Swashbuckler! Table-top roleplaying game
The Game
Swashbuckler! is a roleplaying game set in a semi-fictional past around the 17th and 18th centuries, in which players take on the characters of daring, swaggering, chandelier-swinging heroes and scoundrels, quick of blade and agile of body, where style and swordplay matter far more than the odds of success. It’s the world of pirates, privateers, musketeers, roundheads, cavaliers, revolutionaries, Jacobites, noble officers, missionaries, buccaneers, bawds, rakes and cutpurses. If you’ve ever wanted to command a crew to fire the broadsides as you rake a galleon with cannonfire, or duel a pirate-king in the docks of Tortuga, or exchange quips and taunts with an English naval officer as he chases you across the seven seas, then this is the game system for you.
Fast Mechanics
Swashbuckler! is easy to pick up and learn, largely based around a familiar d20 mechanic. This system is aimed at creating fast-paced, light-hearted action with a cinematic feel.
Cinematic Feel
NPCs are structured in tiers of detail like the cast of a film, split into supporting cast, bit parts and extras.
As your character progresses, the rules allow you to customise them with abilities to enhance their abilities to create truly epic swashbuckling heroes.
Smooth Play
Combat is simple and fast, making the action playable and allowing you to get on with the action.
Paperwork is minimised whilst still rewarding clever play with advancement for characters.
Everything's Included
Swashbuckler! contains complete rules for character generation, play, character advancement, stats for adversaries and five complete ready-to-play scenarios.
Meet our team
Mike McCahon
Creator & Lead design
Avid roleplayer since 1980 and fan of swashbuckling stories for as long as I can remember. Forever-GM, history nerd and compulsive collector of miniatures.
Sean Wicks
Assistant Design, Editing and Layout
Amateur games designer and editor, introduced to the wonderful world of roleplaying games by my Dad as early as I can remember with the epic stories of his characters, played in games run by Mike. Joined the table with Mike at the age of 12 and never looked back
Layla McCahon
Assistant Design
Raised with the Arthurian mythos for bedtime stories, I became a devoted fantasy nerd at a young age with a love of games both on the table and screen.
Feedback welcome!
Hi! I'd love to hear any questions or feedback you have about Swashbuckler!