Kobold Press, a popular third-party Dungeons and Dragons publisher, has officially begun playtesting its 5th Edition alternative system. Codenamed Project Black Flag, this new tabletop roleplaying system gives players a new way to play Dungeons and Dragons.During the recent controversy surrounding attempted changes to Dungeons and Dragons' Open Game License, Kobold Press announced Project Black Flag, its spinoff system for 5th Edition. Though Wizards 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 with 5th 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 in 5th Edition, and breaks a character’s species into Lineage and Heritage. Kobold Press also introduced Talents, its version of Feats from Dungeons 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-party Dungeons and Dragons publishers out there. Many of its founding team members were responsible for making Tyranny of Dragons, the first official adventure path for 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons. Since then, it has gone on to publish over a dozen third-party products, including the Tome of Beasts and the Midgard campaign setting books.

Many Dungeons and Dragons fans are excited to see Kobold Press’ playtest for Project Black Flag begin. Fans of 5th Edition are 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 in Dungeons and Dragons, players can’t help but wonder if Kobold Press’s new system will become for 5th Edition what Paizo’s Pathfinder was for 3rd 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 the 5th Edition chassis. They hoped Project Black Flag would be a truly new system, rather than Dungeons and Dragons with a new coat of paint. With Kobold Press moving forward with its creation of a true Dungeons and Dragons substitute, these players might want to check out other upcoming projects like Matt Colville’s new TTRPG system.

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