Black Flag Playtest 2: Magic, Luck, Fighter, Wizards!

Kobold Press has released the 2nd playtest package for its Project Black Flag, which showcases magic, the luck system, and the fighter and wizard classes.

Black Flag is the codename for Kobold Press' open source 5E 'replacement' game.

 

[darjr]

I need to schedule a playtest run.

 

[Weiley31]

I can't find a general link either. The download came via email for me.

 

[darjr]

Link is now live.

Playtest Packet #2 is here for Project Black Flag! - Kobold Press

Project Black Flag Playtest Packet #2 is here! Download Playtest Packet #2, Playtest it in your 5E D&D home game!. Then give us playtest feedback by Monday April 3!

koboldpress.com

 

[Marc Radle]

Playtest Packet #2 Is Here For Project Black Flag!​

By Kobold Press / March 17, 2023 / Announcements, Black Flag
Thanks to every one of you who signed up for Project Black Flag playtesting. Your feedback from Playtest Packet #1 was invaluable, and we’re back with a bigger packet this time, with some new ideas we want your input on. Playtest Packet #2 is now available!
Everyone who signed up through our playtest form has already been sent downloads and playtest feedback links via email. It’s already happened! If you signed up, check your inbox and/or spam folder.
Did you miss the signup? It’s OK! Click the big blue button to download it now!

DOWNLOAD PLAYTEST PACKET 2: MAGIC, LUCK, AND CLASSES

Start Playtesting Magic, the Luck System, and Fighter & Wizard classes!​

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Just glanced at it, but there's an interesting tweak to find familiar, which is a ritual-only spell called conjure familiar that more closely resembles the 2014 find familiar than the 1D&D version does.

There's also two fighter subclasses, one of which uses spells, and two wizard subclasses, including a cantrip specialist (which I think is from a previous Kobold Press book) and one a battle mage. The cantrip specialist looks underpowered at first glance, but maybe someone can explain how they can keep up with other wizards.

 

[Weiley31]

a cantrip specialist (which I think is from a previous Kobold Press book)

From the book Tome of Heroes.

 

[James Gasik]

The Cantrip wizard is a bit on the weak side; it gets more cantrip damage and can poach cantrips from other lists, but it's really the Wizard version of the Champion, lol.

 

[darjr]

The luck mechanic seems very DCC and I think I like it. Also I like the sidebars talking about the behind the scenes.

 

[Marc Radle]

Please by all means submit your comments using the Playtest Feedback link in the PDF!!

 

[Weiley31]

I had a feeling the Black Flag Fighter was going to have some kind of "Second Wind" improvement/variant.

Ruins of Symbaroum 5E Player's Guide did something similar with their Fighter(renamed the Warrior) with a 1st level Feature that was a variant version as well.

Battle Wind: When hit by an attack roll, you can use your reaction to gain temporary hit points equal to 2d4+your Con Modifier. You immediately gain the temporary hit points and can apply damage from the triggering attack to them.

The regular Second Wind, while getting the principle behind it, is so/so depending on how you roll. Last Stand at least feels like I could get more HP back compared to the initial Second Wind. ESPECIALLY if you take the one Black Flag feat where your Hit Die is permanently raised by one step. Overall, I say this is a pretty nice step in a direction on adding to the Fighter's tanky nature. And basing the usage on your Prof score is a good idea.

Luck is very interesting. Both with the cap and the differing point cost. And the fact that there is the strong "Use before you lose it" incentive with going over the max and going from 5 to 1 in luck depending on how the D4 favors you. Plus I wonder how Advantage/Disadvantage feels about this? Luck has the possibility to turn a five point difference Dis roll into a success. AKA: "Pushing your Luck."

Also: I REALLY like the sound of Spell Rings.

 

[James Gasik]

Please by all means submit your comments using the Playtest Feedback link in the PDF!!

I'd like to, but you told us not to comment about Luck until we use it in play, lol.

 

[Weiley31]

The Cantrip wizard is a bit on the weak side; it gets more cantrip damage and can poach cantrips from other lists, but it's really the Wizard version of the Champion, lol.

I'm surprised WoTC/OneDND didn't ALREADY do a Magic User version of the Martial Champion.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

The Cantrip wizard is a bit on the weak side; it gets more cantrip damage and can poach cantrips from other lists, but it's really the Wizard version of the Champion, lol.

Since we haven't seen the whole list of cantrips in this projected book or the Tome of Heroes, it's possible there are some cantrips that would make these mechanics more impressive.

And since specialist schools are a feat in Black Flag, one could presumably double-dip and be a cantrip specialist evoker and squeeze our more oomph that way. (I don't recall what the specialist feat does. Ignore this if it just makes it easier to learn new spells or something.)

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Also, one of the biggest benefits of getting away from WotC being the only source of core books is if we can finally bury 5E and D&D using the word "level" to mean at least three different concepts. Spell "circles" is a big win for clarity.

 

[James Gasik]

Since we haven't seen the whole list of cantrips in this projected book or the Tome of Heroes, it's possible there are some cantrips that would make these mechanics more impressive.

And since specialist schools are a feat in Black Flag, one could presumably double-dip and be a cantrip specialist evoker and squeeze our more oomph that way.

Oh yeah, I was just commenting on how the version in Tome of Heroes compares to other options. Cantrip Master isn't very fiddly and does exactly what it says it does, great if you don't want to track fiddly options like being a Ley Line Wizard. Or my favorite, the Familiar Master, which requires Druid-level scouring of Monster books to find the best Familiar forms for your P̶o̶k̶e̶m̶o̶n̶ ̶T̶r̶a̶i̶n̶e̶r̶ Wizard.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Oh yeah, I was just commenting on how the version in Tome of Heroes compares to other options. Cantrip Master isn't very fiddly and does exactly what it says it does, great if you don't want to track fiddly options like being a Ley Line Wizard. Or my favorite, the Familiar Master, which requires Druid-level scouring of Monster books to find the best Familiar forms for your P̶o̶k̶e̶m̶o̶n̶ ̶T̶r̶a̶i̶n̶e̶r̶ Wizard.

Every class needs a simple and straightforward choice, IMO.

 

[James Gasik]

Every class needs a simple and straightforward choice, IMO.

Perhaps, but I don't like how those choices end up being underpowered as a result.

 

[deganawida]

Looking good!

 

[Weiley31]

The luck mechanic seems very DCC and I think I like it. Also I like the sidebars talking about the behind the scenes.

Burn dat luck!