SPACER
SPACER
Playsets are a common and large group of sets in the Pyrates toyline. Although technically many sets can be considered "playsets" such as the Skull sets, I have categorized these ones as different. Due to there not being any overall gimmick like the lootbags or skull sets. And also, because these sets are often special in some way. Either in scale or importance in the lore.
There are many different playsets of many different kinds in the Pyrates series. They number the greatest out of any of the other categories of sets.
Playsets are vast and diverse with no real overarching theme like other sets have.
The Pyrates toyline had eight different playsets of varying sizes and scale. They released in every wave of the toyline's life as well. This makes them the only category of set to do so!
Pyrates Cove is a playset that was released in wave 1 of the original Pyrates toyline. The set is quite large and has a lot to play with! Its honestly one of my favorites. The set comes with six figures (three Sea Marauders, two skeletons, and one Privateer), a monkey, an octopus, a longboat, and some other accessories. It contains 125 pieces total and is set #3674. The set also released in a fancy collectors tin, rather than a cardboard box.
The main set is comprised of three distinct islands. The islands are arranged in a line, with one on the left, one in the center, and one on the right. The island on the left has a small fort built upon it, suspended off the ground by pillars and rocks. It features a trapdoor that characters can fall through. As well as a harpoon on the beach.
The left island is connected to the right island via a rope bridge. The right island has a platform built upon it, but largely consists of a large mountainous rockface. The top of the mountain features a makeshift lighthouse with a roaring bonfire to guide ships to the harbor. The right island also features a dock that extends out into the sea.
The platform on the right island also has a chain that hangs from it. Said chain can be used to hang figures by their armpits as a form of torture.
The center island doesn't have much built upon it. It lies inbetween the right and left islands, and is situated under the ropebridge. It has a tree upon it, but largely nothing else.
The island is dotted with foliage and animals. Trees stick out from every corner as well as budding bushes. Such as the scorpions that lurk in the grass or the octopus that prowls its bay.
The set also features a skeleton longboat. Its made from a ghostly blue hull that resembles Dread Eye's Phantom and has a white sail featuring The Skeleton Crew's insignia upon it.
Pyrate's Cove features six micro action figures. Three Sea Marauders, two Skeletons, and one lone Privateer.
The Sea Marauders included in this set are:
Captain Sabrehook is one of the three co-captains of The Sea Marauders faction. He shares the same molds as Captain Cutlass. With a jacket, pants, and beard with a ring in it. However, Captain Sabrehook features different colors. His jacket is gray, his pants are blue, and his beard is black instead of brown. Though he still has a hookhand just like Captain Cutlass does. Sabrehook wields a cutlass with a black hilt in this set.
Cutthroat Craven is the second Sea Marauder in this set. He shares a headmold with Shifty Merchant and Topmast Tremblay. Though he wears a white shirt with brown pants. A lot of images for this set make it look like Cutthroat Craven is a person of color, but his actual figure is not. I don't know if this is a result of weird lighting while taking the photos, or is a prototype version of the character. He wields a black pistol.
Keelhaul Jettyport is the last to join The Sea Marauders faction in this set. He dons a tan undershirt, black vest, and black pants with brown boots. He has red hair with a black strap tied around his head. He shares a headmold with characters like Spar Foreman and Murk Mariner. In this set he wields a black spear, which is actually a super rare variant of the more common Skeleton Spear.
The Skeletons included in this set are:
Fear Kreeper is your standard Skeleton. There isn't much that's interesting about him. He's shirtless and has no hat. But at least he has the decency to wear pants, unlike some of the Skeletons. In this set he wields a Skeleton Sickle.
Rattlebones is a little more interesting than his cohort in this set. Although Rattlebones likes to run around naked, he at least has the decency to wear a cool strap around his head to make him look more distinct. Rattlebones' strap is a dark red color that looks quite nice. He also wears light gray boots. He wields a Skeleton Sword in this set.
Only one Privateer is included in this set. Poor bastard. He's in for a tough time.
Silverback Surrez is an older Privateer. As seen by his wicked gray facial hair! He's also a person of color. Like one of.... What? Two? In the entire toyline? He wears the standard Privateer attire in this set and wields a cutlass with an orange hilt.
"A daring PRIVATEER spy infiltrates the harbor base of the SEA MARAUDERS, but just as he attempts to escape with some treasure a SKELETON CREW dispatch arrives to reclaim their original bounty!"
-From Pyrate's Cove instruction manual
Pyrate's Cove is an area located to the South of the Pyrate's Map. The location is a cove nestled on the mainland and features a harbor base that belongs to the allied forces of The Sea Marauders.
Pyrate's Cove originally belonged to Captain Sabrehook and his crew. They came to these seas before Captain Cutlass' men did and established this area as their base. The small harbor was built into the rocky shores of this cove. What it lacks in defenses, it makes up for in how well hidden and hard to reach it is.
The cove is unreachable by larger vessels. This is due to the shallow and rocky coasts that line the waters nearby. Any larger ship would be run aground on the shoals. Meaning anyone that wishes to reach the island must do so by rowboat. Making sieges much, much harder.
Captain Sabrehook used this area as his base of operations for a few years. He and his crew would launch their raids and treasure hunts from this location, then return back for rest and repairs.
Pyrate's Cove was host to a few fights throughout its time as Sabrehook's base. The most important was the battle between him and Captain Cutlass. As it was that battle that led to the truce, and eventual team up, of the two captains.
After Sabrehook joined The Sea Marauders, Pyrate's Cove became the base for the allied crews. Now hosting Sabrehook's crew, Cutlass' crew, and eventually Quell's crew as well.
Another small skirmish occured on the beaches of Pyrate's Cove as well. After the Battle At Skull Haven, The Sea Marauders were beaten and tired. Sabrehook in particular had been injured greviously by the Skeleton known as King Midas. So, while Cutlass and his crew continued to search for clues to the treasure, Captain Sabrehook retreated to Pyrate's Cove to rest.
The Sea Marauders had recently come into information on the whereabouts of The Lord Pyrate's tomb. They now knew that he was buried on a mountain found on Treasure Island.
While Sabrehook and a few of his crewmamtes were resting at Pyrate's Cove, other forces were plotting their next move.
The Privateer spymaster known as Silverback Surrez had snuck his way into Pyrate's Cove. He had suspicions that The Sea Marauders knew more than they did, and his hunch was right. After sneaking through the Cove he found Sabrehook's logbook. Which detailed the information they had learned about Treasure Island.
Silverback would've escaped completely unnoticed, were it not for the poor timing of his arrival.
A battalion of SKeletons had tailed Captain Sabrehook back to this location after the Battle At Skull Haven. They were hellbent on finishing the job and avenging those that he killed in battle.
The Skeletons, led by Rattlebones, stormed Pyrate's Cove. Due to their uncanny ability to walk on the sea floor, they were able to approach the island unhindered and unnoticed.
The Skeletons lay waste to the Island, attacking and making quick work of Sabrehook's injured crew.
In a strange twist of fate, Captain Sabrehook and Silberback Surrez ended up working together to fend off the Skeletons. Neither liked the idea of it, and neither one liked the other, but they both knew they would need to work together if they wished to survive the onslaught.
The Sea Marauders and Surrez were able to drive back the invading force and barely survive it. Though, Silverback Surrez was not stupid. He knew the moment the Skeletons were out of the picture, he'd be next.
So, once the numbers of Skeletons began to dwindle, Silverback Surrez made his escape. He stole one of the Skeleton's longboats and made his escape from the harbor... Or at least, attempted to.
One might call Surrez the unluckiest man in the world. For as he was making his escape, his longboat was attacked by a rogue octopus that made its home in Pyrate's Cove. The octopus attacked and sank his longboat. Surrez escaped, but only barely. But most importantly, the Privateers now knew the location of The Lord Pyrate's Tomb....
Smuggler's Fort was the first playset that ever released for Pyrates. This set released all the way back in the very first sets for Wave 1 of the original line. Smuggler's Fort came out right alongside Captain Cutlass' Stormstalker,Dread Eye's Phantom,Maroon Gally, Mutiny Isle, Coffer Trap,, Buried Bounty, Pieces of Eight, and Hidden Loot.
Smuggler's Fort is set #3676 and released with 60 pieces and three figures. The set was also one of the few chosen for the 2.0 reboot of Pyrates, where it is set #90517.
Smuggler's Fort is largely comprised of 6 arched rock pieces. These pieces stack together to create a rather convincing mountain facade. At the top of the mountain sits a small fort. The fort features two windows, a trap door for dropping loot or figures, and a large crow's nest that sticks out from the side.
The set features a shark to prowl the waters, a red Privateers flag, and a chest full of gold. The set also includes a firing cannon and a rowboat with oars.
Smuggler's Fort includes three figures. One Sea Marauder, one Privateer, and one Skeleton Crew member.
The Privateer included in this set is Lockpick Cabot. A bald Privateer with a brown beard and goatee. He's completely identical to Braggart T. Doyle from Maroon Gally. In this set he wields a brown pistol.
The Sea Marauder is Blackteeth McBaine. A vicious Sea Marauder with a black beard and mustache, tricorn hat, brown jacket, and black pants. He shares a mold with Marcus Mutiny and Scotty Spitshine. He's also identical to Tom Blackforest. Although McBaine came first, so its Blackforest that should get points off for being the copycat. In this set he wields a cutlass with a black hilt.
The final figure is a member of the Skeleton Crew named Maritrocious. Probably the most interesting figure in the set, Maritrocious wears dark green pants, brown boots, and wears a brown strap around his head. He wields a Skeleton Spear as well.
The abandoned SMUGGLER'S FORT is the fourth marker of the area known as SKULL HAVEN. A place that holds the key to the hidden treasure of the LORD OF THE PYRATES.
From the Smuggler's Fort instruction Manual
Smuggler's Fort is an abandoned fortress on the Southwest side of Treasure Island. Smuggler's Fort is the fourth major landmark of the area known as Skull Haven, along with Maroon Gally, Coffer Trap, and Mutiny Isle.
However, where as those other three islands were used as defenses, Smuggler's Fort had a different purpose. Though its original builder is unknown, the island was used by the Lord Pyrate during his hayday as a base of operations.
Smuggler's Fort was commonly used by the Lord Pyrate to smuggle and store goods from around the seas. The island was built upon a tall sea mountain, giving it natural vantage over the waters around it. The mast and crow's nest that the structure features allows for even better lookout opportunities as well.
This history is what drove many eyes to it. Captain Cutlass and his Sea Marauders came here specifically in search of the Lord Pyrate's treasure. Mistakenly, they had thought the treasure to be hidden here, at Smuggler's Fort.
This mistake is what would lead to one of the biggest battles in the history of the Hunt for The Lord Pyrate's Treasure.
The Sea Marauders arrived at Skull Haven expecting to find Skull Haven unoccupied. But, to their dismay, they found the proud flag of The Privateers already waving high above it. The Sea Marauders began an assault on the Privateers that were stationed in the area. The Privateers were horribly outnumbered, but they controlled the island's defenses and used it to their advantage.
And just when the battle couldn't get any worse, the ferocious Skeleton Crew arrived on the scene. They had come to chase away The Sea Marauders from Skull Haven. What followed was an intense and bloody battle. One that raged for several days and grew to encompass not just Smuggler's Fort, but all of Skull Haven and the waters around Treasure Island.
This battle, later to be known as "The Battle At Skull Haven" would go down in history. And all it started here, at Smuggler's Fort.
After the fighting died down, the waters around Skull Haven were left bloodsoaked and quiet. Smuggler's Fort had been ransacked and raided, but she remained standing. Smuggler's Fort would remain in the hands of The Privateers until Admiral Bluebeard's death. After which, the Fort became the home base for the Triumvirate Treason gang, led by Charlie Carruthers.
Smuggler's Fort would see infrequent battles from here on out, but nothing quite as historic as the Battle At Skull Haven. Although, Smuggler's Fort remained an important meeting location for The Triumvirate Treason and The Buccaneers during their shaky alliance.
A prototype image of Smuggler's Fort can be seen here. This early promotional image shows a version of Smuggler's Fort that is much different from what we would end up recieving.
The walls around the Fort itself are different. The rocky walls that surround the trap door are not present in that form in the original. They give it a much thicker, sturdier feel.
The crow's nest is also different in this version. Its much, much shorter. And as you can see, The Privateer flag is just a blank red flag in this version.
Blackteeth McBaine features a different colored torso. Rather than the brown jacket and white shirt, he wears a red jacket and blue shirt. I personally think this torso looks great and wish we had gotten it released. You can also see that Cabot is wielding a yellow pistol of all things. Which we never got either.
Smuggler's Fort was the only playset to recieve a 2.0 reboot. The set in this version has been changed drastically from its predecessor. Its probably one of the sets that changed the most between its original version and its 2.0 version. Beaten by only maybe Captain Cutlass' Stormstalker 2.0. The set is #90517. It featured 69 pieces and three micro action figures.
The biggest change is the actual structure of the island. Smuggler's Fort is no longer a tall mountain, but is instead a much more squat island. Its been changed to be more horizontal than vertical.
The Fort itself stays largely the same. With the two walls, the trapdoor, the crow's nest, etc. However, its cannon is now white. Interestingly enough.
Instead of a shark, the set now features the crocodile from Fort Defiance.
Lockpick Cabot now sports a blue jacket like he's part of the Triumvirate Treason or something. Blackteeth McBaine remains the same.
Meanwhile, Maritrocious looks like he's been replaced completely. Its hard to tell in such a low quality image, but it looks like he's been replaced with.... Lockjaw? Maybe?
Shark Escape is a playset that released in Wave 2 of the original Pyrates toyline. Though, honestly, I'm not sure if I should really classify it as a playset. Part of me wants to classify it as a ship.... But that would require me to change the boxes and layouts of the website. Soooooo we'll just leave it here! Savvy?
Shark Escape is set #3692 and has 65 pieces, two figures, a white monkey, and a GIANT demonic shark!
It released in this really fun box that looks like it has a bite taken out of it. Pretty fun stuff.
The set itself is a really interesting raft build. It has a central mast, with a burned and cut up sail from The Stormstalker. The set features an oar in the back to be used as a rudder for steering, as well as a tarp that sits over the bench to provide shade for the sailors. There's also a large harpoon gun mounted at the front of the vessel. Not sure where this shipwrecked castaways managed to find that....
Shark Escape has a really fun playfeature. The hull of the raft can split in two. Simulating it being broken apart by the shark! There's a board piece that snaps in to hold the two pieces together. Once the shark bites and removes it... Its all over!
The other half of the set is, of course, the giant demon shark. The shark is easily three times the size of any other shark from the Pyrates' series. Its a dark blue color with blood red eyes. The shark comes in three pieces. The main body and then its two pectoral fins which snap into place.
The shark also sports a couple of play features himself too. The shark's dorsal fin can be pressed down to make its jaw open and close. There's also a cut in the shark's side, where the Sea Marauders' harpoon or spear can stab into.
The instruction manual for this set also has a fun bonus. At the end of the manual, it features a little comic about the set. Its quite fun and cute. I wish more sets featured these!
This set only comes with two figures. Both of them are from The Sea Marauders faction.
The first is Jonathan Juryrig. A Sea Marauder in a light blue coat (the same coat as the Privateers actually. I wonder if there's a connection). As well as maroon colored pants. He shares a head mold with figures such as Braggart T. Doyle, Scabby Buckbeard, Lockpick Cabot, and Silverback Surrez. Though Jonathan has a blond beard and sports an eyepatch over his left eye.
Jonathan wields a very cool, handmade spear. The spear itself is actually VERY big, and is exclusive to this set. Jonathan is the only man to wield it!
The second figure is Oliver Lugsail. He wears blue pants, black boots, and a dark gray shirt with a brown vest. He shares a head mold with figures like Spar Foreman, Musket Munroe, Murk Mariner, and a few others. He wields a standard cutlass with a black hilt.
After the crushing defeat that the Sea Marauders and Privateers faced at the Isle of No Return, many were left stranded on that very island with no way to escape. This was the fate that befell the survivors of Captain Quell's envoy group. Captain Quell was sent with a small team to head into the island and retrieve the Letter of Marque from Captain Dread Eye's secret fort. They were accompanied by Captain Brine and a battalion of Buccnaeers. However, Brine and his buccnaeers turned on Quell's group.
Most of Quell's team were killed in the ensuing slaughter. The only survivors were Captain Quell and his vice captain, Hully O'Brien. As well as Jonathan Juryrig, Captain Cutlass' most trusted advisor. And Oliver Lugsail, a lineman from Captain Sabrehook's crew. Captain Quell himself was gravely wounded after his fight with Captain Brine.
After laying low and waiting for The Skeletons and Buccaneers to leave, the four survivors got to work on finding a way off the island.
They scoured the beaches and salvaged parts from the now Sunken Avenger as well as parts that were blown off of The Stormstalker. They were able to find enough parts to build a make shift raft. It was decided that the raft would be piloted by Jonathan Juryrig and Oliver Lugsail. They would sail back to Pyrate's Cove and try to find the surviving Sea Marauders to ask for help. Captain Quell was deemed unfit to sail due to his injuries, and Hully O'Brien would remain with him to keep him safe.
Jonathan and Oliver set sail for Pyrate's Cove at once. Unfortunately, just as the two of them were passing by Coffer Trap and making their way into the cove, they were attacked by a giant demon shark. The sea monster thrashed and destroyed their raft. Oliver Lugsail was lost in the attack, devoured by the shark. While Jonathan was left adrift at sea. By some miracle, he ended up washing ashore on Coffer Trap. Though he was now marooned with no way out....
The Privateers' Lighthouse is a playset that released in wave 3 of the original Pyrates toyline. The set includes 115 pieces, three figures, and a serpent! Its set #3618.
The Privateers' Lighthouse is a very important playset in the Pyrates line. Arguably, the most important. This set was the center piece of the entire third wave of Pyrates. Most sets include slides that can be used in tandem with it, its seen in the background of all the sets boxart, and its the focal point of this chapter of the story.
The set itself is very cool. The lighthouse sits atop a rocky shore, with a sort of cage area beneath it, along with a small dock. The lighthouse building consists of a small house area, and then the tower itself. A top the housing portion is a bronze cannon next to a flagpole waving The Privateers' Flag.
A cage door can be opened beneath the rocky port (incident). The serpent can live down here, or you can store the rowboat that comes with the set down there.
The main draw of this set is the fact that the lighthouse actually works. Its really cool.
By pressing the button on the front of the lighthouse, you can get it to glow with light. The light beams up through the focusing lens at the top, and can be directed via the mirror that hangs from the lighthouse roof. The roof of the lighthouse also has a wind up motor in it. This allows the light on the lightouse to spin around like the real deal!
The focusing lens also has a spot for inserting slides into it. The set itself comes with two slides. But additional ones also come with Longboat Lookout, Coastal Patrol, and Trophy Traitors
This set features two slides. One depicting the Pyrates' Logo skull and the other depicting the sea serpent that comes in the set.
In terms of accessories, the set also includes a rowboat with unique coloration and a cannon. Also with unique coloration.
And then of course, there's the sea serpent. One of the major draws of the set, the sea serpent is a red, draconic, snake like creature. Its body is posable so it can be swimming or sitting up. Its jaw also opens and closes. Not as interesting as the demon shark from Shark Escape, but still definetly a cool monster nonetheless! More things for your Pyrates to fight! And it also gives the set a unique flavor.
The set only comes with three figures. A little disapointing, but it does come with the sea serpent to make up for that. The set features two Privateers and one Buccaneer.
The first Privateer we have is Carl Carbunkles. For those of you that have watched the Pyrates stop motion series, you know that this dude is the GOAT. He wears the standard Privateer attire and shares a headmold with Provost Parrell and Bartholomew Jackson. Although Carbunkles' hat is rimmed with red. He wields a standard cutlass with a black hilt.
The second Privateer is Finn Hookswell. Again, standard Privateer attire. I can only write that sentence so many times before I drive myself insane. He shares a head mold with Sam Shacklebolt. Its a rather unique and rare head mold that didn't get used too often. Making Hookswell a pretty notable Privateer. He also wields a black pistol, which isn't too common for The Privies. Noramlly they have brown pistols.
The last figure is the Buccaneer named Gaptooth Gorvinsky. He wears a tan shirt with leather holsters on them. He also wears brown pants. His head is a very common mold. Its shared with many Pyrates such as Dawson Doubloon, Pascal Scallywag, Blackboots Burton, Burt Bounty, etc. Gorvinsky wears a black bandana and wields a crossbow.
"As ferocious waves break along the coast, PRIVATEERS defend their lighthouse hideaway from a siege by the SEA MARAUDERS, the SKELETON CREW, and the LOST SOULS seeking the LORD PYRATE's treasure."
-From the manual of The Privateers' Lighthouse
In the southeast corner of the Pyrates' Map there lay an unexplored piece of land.... At least, unexplored to them. Unknown to the Pyrates that plundered these seas, an abandoned lighthouse lay dormant on those rocky shores. No one could've guessed at the time just how important this lighthouse would turn out to be.
Following the catastrophe that occured at the Isle of No Return, The Privateers were left in shambles. The Avenger was sank, Admiral Bluebeard was dead, and so were many of their crewmates. The remnants of The Privateers were left stranded on the Isle of No Return, with no hope of escape.
The Privateers elected Carl Carbunkles as their new leader, as Carbunkles was Bluebeard's right hand man. As well as the person Bluebeard entrusted with the spyglass.
The Privateers were able to raid the Skeleton Stronghold under the cover of night and steal the Letter of Marque. And with it, they learned how to utilize the spyglass.
After building a small boat, the remnants of The Privateers escaped and followed the path laid out for them by the spyglass. Which led them to the abandoned lighthouse on the edge of the map.
The Privateers set up their new base of operations here. They were back in action. A lead on the treasure and a stronghold to boot.
But unfortunately, discord had been sewn into the ranks of The Privateers. Charlie Carruthers, a royal soldier that worked with The Privateers, did not think Carbunkles to be a suitable lead for The Privateers. Carruthers attempted to lead a mutiny against him, but found himself with a stark lack of supporters. Only two other men, Stevedore Springfield and Bartholomew Jackson, agreed with his ideals. And this was likely because all three were close friends.
The three men defected from The Privateers. They stole a boat and made their getaway from the lighthouse, donning the new name "The Triumvirate Treason".
The Triumvirate Treason sold themselves out to the first crew they happened upon. Which just so happened to be The Buccaneers.
Admiral Scathe welcomed the three men with open arms, especially due to their information about the lighthouse. Admiral Scathe wasted no time in immediately mounting an assault on The Privateers Lighthouse.
The Buccaneers lay siege to The Lighthouse. The Privateers were barely able to defend themselves against their fiercesome onslaught. But just when all seemed bleak, favors turned for the Privateers.
The ruckus on the waves caused something lurking deep beneat the lighthouse to stir awake. An ancient creature that had long since called the bay of the lighthouse its home. Its natural protector, a great Sea Serpent.
The Leviathan threw the whole battle into chaos. The Buccaneers had to focus their efforts on fighting back the serpent. Which gave The Privateers enough time to gather themselves and retaliate.
Between the Leviathan and The Privateers, the Buccaneers were outmatched and had to fall back.
The Privateers now knew they were on a ticking clock. It wouldn't be long before their Lighthouse was sieged. So they began to work to understand the secret of the mysterious lighthouse.
During this point, The Sea Marauders sent a spy to infiltrate the lighthouse and learn its secrets as well. Nicholas Nautilus managed to sneak his way inside and learn of the secret at the same time as The Privateers....
A few nights later, the Privateers were able to properly get the lighthouse working. And it was then that their path forward was revealed.
The lighthouse's beam illuminated a portion of the mainland in the distance. A dangerous and treacherous area known only as.... Lost Fortune.
Everyone began their moves for this island. All Pyrates could feel it in their bones.
This was it.
A prototype of the Privateers' Lighthouse was shown off at New York Toyfair 2005. As you can see, the main structure of the set is pretty much identical to how it would release. Just with some recolored parts and placeholder figures. We can also see an interesting green serpent here, rather than the red one. Fun fact, this serpent actually did end up releasing. It came out as part of a Dragons' set! So it is technically possible to get it for collections!
Fort Defiance is one of the last playsets released for the Pyrates toyline. It released in the final batch of Wave 3 sets. As such, its incredibly difficult to find. Fort Defiance is one of the absolute rarest Pyrates sets there is. Right up there with Razorscales, Pyrates Lost Fortune, and Crew Collection.
The set is set #3649 and features 105 pieces, three figures, and an alligator.
Fort Defiance is a playset built to resemble a cliffside fortress. The main structure of the set is several wooden platforms and docks built around rocky cliff faces. The set has a very striking dark blue theme to it. Blue stairs, blue roof, blue cannon.... The Buccaneers in this set all wear dark blue and they even recolored the flag to be dark blue.... Its a good color scheme, don't get me wrong. I just find it a little odd since Adrmiral Scathe's Predator, the Buccaneers' primary set, is mainly red themed. I have to say I like the dark blue for The Buccaneers a lot better though.
Compared to other playsets, Fort Defiance doesn't have a lot going on in terms of play features or details. There's a firing canon, a collapsing flagpole, and a trapdoor that leads beneath the platforms. And truthfully, that's about it. For as rare as this playset is, there's not much going on when compared to something like Pyrates Cove, Battle For Treasure Island, or The Privateer's Lighthouse.
The set features a cute little raft build. Its a dandy little build that adds a little something extra to the set. It also features some uniquely printed barrel pieces, a chest of gold, and a rare blue variant of the Buccaneers' flag. The alligator it features in this set is also pretty rare. It only appeared in one other set, that being the 2.0 remake of Smuggler's Fort. At first I thought it didn't even look like a Mega Bloks piece, but then I realized the sharks and octopuses from wave 1 were about the same. So my mind changed on the matter. I quite like it now and wish I had one in my collection. I had a chance to snatch one up and missed it. A big regret now.
Fort Defiance features three exclusive figures. Two Buccaneers and one Privateer. All three of these characters have pretty rare molds in one way or another. Its quite the cool line up of figures.
First we have Peter Portside. A Buccaneer wearing a dark blue version of the standard Captain's body. Along with gray pants and black boots. He shares a head with characters such as Provost Parrel, Carl Carbunkles, and Bartholomew Jackson. He wields a black pistol.
The second Buccaneer is named Gary Gangrene. He sports a pretty rare torso. A white shirt beneath a dark blue vest. He wears black pants and has a very standard head mold. Its shared by many a character. To name just a few we have: Burt Bounty, Blackboots Burton, Gaptooth Gorvinsky, and Pascal Scallywag. He wields a tomahawk as a weapon. A very, very unique one. Only one other character in the entire toyline wields this weapon, that being Vincent Vanjammer in the Crew Collection set.
The last figure is a Privateer named Theodore Twosails. And he's quite possibly one of the most unique Privateers there is. Behind only Admiral Bluebeard himself, I'd argue. First of all, he sports the same torso as Admiral Bluebeard. That being the captain's coat body. Though the gold undershirt has been replaced by a white one. This already sets him apart, but even beyond that, Twosails sports a pegleg and a hookhand. The poor bastard! And as if that wasn't enough, Theodore Twosails uses a unique variant of the headmold from characters like Shifty Merchant, Nicholas Nautilus, and Jib Hornswaggler. Its the same head, however he also sports an eyepatch. Poor Theodore Twosails here has seen his fair share of damage.
And, somehow, we're still not done talking about the ways that this figure is unique. Theodore Twosails wields a very unique item for a weapon. A specialized harpoon piece. This piece isn't used in any other Pyrates set. Maybe it appears in like. Dragons or something idk. But in terms of Pyrates, Theodore Twosails is the only character to wield this weapon. What a fucking chad bruh.
If Theodore Twosails has 1,000,000 fans, I am one of them.
If Theodore Twosails has 10 fans, I am one of them.
If Theodore Twosails has 1 fan, it is me.
If Theodore Twosails has 0 fans, then I am already gone.
Carved into the sheer cliffs of rocky shoreline stands the fortified base of the BUCCANEERS - a stronghold with enough cannon firepower to repel an armada.
-From the Fort Defiance Instruction Manual
Fort Defiance is the primary home base of the Buccaneers. A heavily fortified fortress built into a rocky cliffside. The exact location of Fort Defiance is unknown, as its location is kept a tight secret by all who join The Buccaneers.
What is known, is that Fort Defiance is the most heavily fortified base in these waters. The amount of firepower and defense Fort Defiance holds vastly dwarfs Pyrate's Cove and The Privateers' Lighthouse.
The fort's construction was ordered by Admiral Scathe, The Buccaneers' founder. They utilized old caves and tunnels that existed on the cliffside, refurbishing them and transforming it into their stronghold.
It is said that Fort Defiance has enough firepower to destroy even an armada. And that's to say nothing about the fort's natural defenses. The rock walls act as great defenses, as well as the sharp rocks that litter the bay around it. The fort's waters are also patrolled by feral alligators, just waiting to snap up unlucky Pyrates that fall into their jaws.
Fort Defiance is a rare example of a Pyrates set having an alt model and a combo model. Featured at the very end of the instruction manual are these two extras. An alt build, as well as a combo model that involves the Privateers' Lighthouse. The combo with the Privateers' Lighthouse is especially cool and awesome. Though I don't think I've ever seen anyone actually put it together before.
I really hesitate to classify Razorscales as a playset. It really doesn't feel like one to me. To me, this almost feels like it would've been its own seperate category had Pyrates gone on long enough. "Creature" sets. Sets that are, basically, just a big old monster and maybe like a figure and accessory. These types of sets were more common in the Dragons toyline, I believe. But for Pyrates this was the only one we really got. So rather than giving it its own dedicated page (because I honestly don't have much to say here) I just decided to declare it a playset. Even when it isn't.
Razorscales is set #3664 and released in the very tail end of Pyrates. It released in that final drop of Wave 3 sets. Alongside Crew Collection, Lost Fortune, and Fort Defiance. The only four sets missing from the Pyrates Map. It includes 10 pieces, one figure plus accessory, a giant monster, and a boat.
The set is mostly just its titular character. The beast known as Razorscales. Razorscales is a massive six legged Monster. It resembles a cross between a spider, a crab, and a scorpion. It has six legs, two large pincers, a stinger tail, fangs, and several eyes.
Razorscales claws can snap open and shut as well as its mouth. It's legs don't have much posablility, but its claws and tail do.
The set also includes a little boat. Surprisingly, not a rowboat however. Its a strange little canoe boat. Not the most common vessel to see in this series.
The set also features one micro action figure. A Sea Marauder by the name of Rom Ramshackle. Rom Ramshackle wears a tan body with brown pants. An outfit he actually shares with Gaptooth Gorvinsky to a T. He shares his head mold with characters like Luke Longshore and William Blackeye. He sports a black beard with an eyepatch over his right eye.
He wields a strange pike as a weapon.Its actually a decorative item from the Mega Bloks Dragons' sets being repurposed as a weapon. You can even see it has an attachment point at the end where it can be placed and stood up straight as a spike.
When the PRIVATEERS' LIGHTHOUSE is illuminated, the angered sea beast emerges from the depths to send hapless PYRATES to their doom...
-From the back of the Razorscales box
The lighting of the old lighthouse was a symbol seen all across the sea. Its light illuminating the shadows once more and informing everyone of the treasure's true location.
The lighthouse even began to attract new faces.... Rom Ramshackle was one such man.
Rom Ramshackle had been living in exhile on the forbidden island known as Lost Fortune.... Rom Ramshackle was running from his past. He knew that if anyone ever learned of his true identity then he would never be able to rest easy again.
The fact of the matter.... Was that he was the son of The Lord of The Pyrates.
Rom had hidden himself away on Lost Fortune to avoid being hunted down, but as the lighthouse was illuminated, he decided it was time to leave. Ramshackle knew that the lighthouse would lead people to Lost Fortune, and he wanted to be gone by the time they arrived.
Rom Ramshackle packed up what few belongings he had and loaded himself into a small canoe, one that he bartered from the local Castaway tribe. He shoved off and began to sail down the coast of the mainland.
The lighthouse had done more than just summon Pyrates and reveal the treasure however.... It had also awakened sleeping beasts.
The titanic monster known as Razorscales had been angered by the light and struck out at any who came near. Rom Ramshackle ended up getting caught in the beast's rampage.
Rom Ramshackle fought Razorscales as best he could, and was ultimately able to drive the beast away. But in doing so, his boat was destroyed. Rom Ramshackle was left adrift at sea. Until he was found and picked up by the most unlikely of crews....
Rom Ramshackle had been found by his father's old shipmates.... None other than The Skeleton Crew.
