Kobold Press, a popular third-partyDungeons and Dragonspublisher, has officially begun playtesting its5th Editionalternative system. Codenamed Project Black Flag, this new tabletop roleplaying system gives players a new way to playDungeons and Dragons.During the recent controversy surrounding attempted changes toDungeons and Dragons' Open Game License, Kobold Press announced Project Black Flag, its spinoff system for5th Edition. ThoughWizards of the Coast has since given up its attempts to change the OGL, Kobold Press is continuing on with its new system.RELATED:Dungeons and Dragons Competitors Paizo and Kobold Press Continue Plans Despite OGL Controversy EndingThe first playtest document for Project Black Flag showcases some of its basic character-building rules.Project Black Flag is fully compatible with5th Edition, and characters built in one system can be played alongside those from the other. This new system gives players higher ability scores on average than in5th Edition, and breaks a character’s species into Lineage and Heritage. Kobold Press also introduced Talents, its version of Feats fromDungeons and Dragons. Players interested in pursuing the playtest packet can download the PDF for free from Kobold Press’ website.
Kobold Press is one of the most well-known third-partyDungeons and Dragonspublishers out there. Many of its founding team members were responsible for makingTyranny of Dragons, the firstofficial adventure path for5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. Since then, it has gone on to publish over a dozen third-party products, including theTome of Beastsand the Midgard campaign setting books.
ManyDungeons and Dragonsfans are excited to see Kobold Press’ playtest for Project Black Flag begin. Fans of5th Editionare glad to see Project Black Flag is compatible with their favorite TTRPG as it means they can continue using the best content from both games. With Project Black Flag keeping its roots inDungeons and Dragons, players can’t help but wonder if Kobold Press’s new system will become for5th Editionwhat Paizo’sPathfinderwas for3rd Edition.
On the other hand, some players are a little disappointed in what they have seen from Project Black Flag so far. These players would have rather seen Kobold Press break further from the5th Editionchassis. They hoped Project Black Flag would be a truly new system, rather thanDungeons and Dragonswith a new coat of paint. With Kobold Press moving forward with its creation of a trueDungeons and Dragonssubstitute, these players might want to check out otherupcoming projects like Matt Colville’s new TTRPG system.
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