Blackbeard was the most feared and famous pirate of all time. He was extremely intimidating to all he confronted, and for good reason. Imagine four huge pirate ships, heavily armed, with 250 men who look like they just came out of the dungeons of hell, all being led by this imposing 6'5" pirate with a thick coal-black beard who had lit fuses attached to his hair and beard. Smoke, fire, and sparks pouring out from around his face and head, like he was the devil himself. An enemy pirate once wrote "Imagination could not have formed an idea of a fury from hell to look more frightening". In every engagement, intimidation was his greatest weapon. Blackbeard clearly knew the power of his own image and understood that the more frightening he was, the less likely he and his crew would actually have to fight. And it worked, as all his victims surrendered immediately.

Intimidation and fear were not Blackbeard's only strong points. While other pirates were going for low-hanging fruit and taking the easy spoils, Blackbeard was always thinking like a chess player, several moves ahead. He was by far the most strategic pirate of his time. Blackbeard forged a reign of terror, and a legend that has lasted for centuries.