Pirate101 is KingsIsle Entertainment's pirate MMO, released on October 15, 2012, as a sister game to Wizard101 set in the same universe, the Spiral. You play a young pirate hunting for the pieces of a map to El Dorado while racing Kane, the leader of the Armada. The official game is still running: players can subscribe or play free and buy access to chapters with Crowns, and KingsIsle has continued work on the story.

Because the official game is alive, Pirate101 has nothing like the private-server tradition of older MMOs, and fan-run servers, where they exist, are small projects. Players who look for one usually want everything unlocked without paying, a particular version of the game, or a community of their own. This guide covers what to check.

A Captain and a Crew

You pick one of five classes - Buccaneer, Privateer, Witchdoctor, Musketeer or Swashbuckler - and then build a crew around yourself. Companions are the heart of the game: you recruit them along the story, they fight beside you, and how you train and field them matters as much as your own pirate. Battles are turn-based and play out like a board game, with positioning and the order of attacks deciding fights.

Between battles you sail your ship through the skies from island to island, and naval encounters add a second kind of fight. Doubloon powers give you extra options in battle, PvP arenas pit crews against each other, and housing, pets and trading round out the long game. The humor and the story's characters are a big part of why fans stay.

What to Look For in a Pirate101 Private Server

Which Worlds Actually Work

Pirate101's story runs across many worlds and chapters. A fan server may only have the early ones working, or have gaps in quests and dungeons. Ask how far the story goes before you plan a long voyage.

Combat and Companion Accuracy

The strategy depends on companions behaving correctly: their abilities, promotions and how they act in battle. Test a few fights with your class and crew, and see whether movement, attacks and special powers all work as they should.

Ships and Side Systems

Sailing, ship battles, housing and pets are a big part of the game. Check that they work, not only the ground combat.

Crowns and Shop Policy

Officially, Crowns and membership pay for access to chapters and items. A fan server should be clear about what, if anything, it sells. Be cautious with servers that sell power, since PvP and group play need a level field.

Population and Events

PvP arenas, group dungeons and trading all need other pirates around. Check how many players are online at your hours, which time zone the community lives in, and whether the team runs events that bring crews together.

Chat Safety and Moderation

Like Wizard101, Pirate101 has always drawn a young audience. On a fan-run server, look for active moderators, a chat filter, clear rules and a way to report players. If a child will be playing, this matters more than any feature.

Getting Started

Treat any unofficial client with care: download it only from the project's own site, and use a password you do not use anywhere else. Pick a class whose style you like, recruit the companions that complement it, and test the worlds you care about early. If a server earns your time, vote for it. The ranking below lists the Pirate101 servers players vote for here, and it starts again every month.