History of Pirate Ketch

The Pirate Ketch is a heavily modified Fallen Ketch serving as a mobile base for Eramis's pirate crews during Season of Plunder. Guardians access the vessel through the Ketchcrash activity, a 6-player combat experience where they board the ship, navigate its interior, and defeat rotating pirate captains.

Overview

During Season of Plunder (23 August – 6 December 2022), Eramis, awakened from her icy prison, rallied pirate lords of Eliksni legend to recover lost relics of great power. The Pirate Ketch served as her flagship, featuring distinctive pirate-themed aesthetics with light purple and grey coloring and sails displaying pirate crests. The vessel retained standard Fallen ship characteristics but was enhanced with weaponry including accelerator cannons and broadside guns. It was crewed by Fallen and Cabal forces, supported by Brigs, Skiffs, Threshers, and Walkers.

Interior Layout

The Pirate Ketch contains four main operational areas that serve as encounter zones during Ketchcrash:

• Top Deck – exposed section where players align cannon accelerators while fighting incoming enemies
• Captain's Quarters – command center and location of the final boss fight
• Ether Storage – fuel supply storage (one of three possible below-deck paths)
• Treasure Hoard – plundered loot storage monitored by security (one of three possible below-deck paths)
• Maintenance Bay – holds Walkers and weapons (one of three possible below-deck paths)

Ketchcrash Activity

Ketchcrash is the primary method of accessing the Pirate Ketch. Players launch the activity from an icon on the H.E.L.M. map. The activity has two difficulty tiers:

Normal Mode requires 6 players at Power 1520.

Master Mode requires 6 players at Power 1600 and is unlocked after completing "Pirate Hideout: The Brute."

Encounter Structure

Ketchcrash follows a set structure where players progress through the vessel:

1. Top Deck – Defend and align cannon accelerators while fighting enemies
2. Below Deck – Select one of three randomly rotating encounter paths (Ether Storage, Treasure Hoard, or Maintenance Bay)
3. Captain's Quarters – Face the captain with additional enemy support
4. Final Boss – Defeat the rotating captain on the top deck

Three captains rotate through the activity: Aye-I, Ransaaks, and Skiffiks. Bosses rotate daily rather than weekly.

Rewards

Completion of Ketchcrash grants Map Fragments and Savvy reputation. Master difficulty additionally awards Expedition Gear (Uncommon), Expedition Weapons, high-stat Expedition Armor, and Ascendant Alloy (Uncommon drop).

Access Requirements

Players must first complete the "Ahoy and Aweigh" quest to unlock access to Ketchcrash. The quest serves as the seasonal introduction to the activity.

Connection to Seasonal Narrative

The Pirate Ketch and Ketchcrash activity anchored the Season of Plunder's narrative, allowing Guardians to directly confront Eramis and her pirate crew while preventing them from collecting scattered relics belonging to the ancient Disciple Nezarec.