Black Flag Kobold Press' Black Flag System Reference Document Released

The System Reference Document--called the Black Flag Reference Document or BFRD--for Kobold Press' Black Flag roleplaying game system--launched as a reaction to the Open Gaming License crisis caused by Wizards of the Coast in 2022/2023--has been released under the Open RPG Creative (ORC) License, a viral share-alike license designed to replace the Open Gaming License.

A System Reference Document is a tool for third party developers, and contains the rules text that those creators are permitted to use, along with examples of how certain rules elements--such as subclasses--work.

The document includes lineages, heritages, classes, spells, monsters, and more.

The BFRD is the second major third-party 'alternate 5E' SRD to be released, following the Level Up: Advanced 5E SRD (A5ESRD) from EN Publishing.

Wizards of the Coast announced this week that the 2024 core rules of Dungeon & Dragons would be added to their own System Reference Document in 2025.

 

[Morrus]

It's really not off-topic... You suggested that an SRD'd product wouldn't sell because it's free.
A5e's core books are entirely in an SRD. Most of their other stuff is making its way into SRD. People still buy the system, even though it's available for free.

Can vouch.

 

[SlyFlourish]

I think, it works, because people still buy your books because they really like your forum and want to support you.
And of course the game is great.

Also they're fantastic books with great design and a ton of features that aren't in the SRDs like monster knowledge checks, complementary monster groups, treasure parcels and more. And that's just the Monstrous Menagerie.

 

[Shardstone]

After reading the actuale Tales of the Valiant book, most of the book is in the SRD. All the subclasses I think are in the SRD except maybe 1 or 2 total.

 

[Chaltab]

After reading the actual Tales of the Valiant book, most of the book is in the SRD. All the subclasses I think are in the SRD except maybe 1 or 2 total.

Most of it is there, but there's still a lot missing. The SRD does not have Wild Fury Barb, Victory Bard, Light Cleric, Leaf Druid, Spellblade Fighter, Spellwright Mechanist, Flickering Dark Monk, Justice Pally, Pack Master Ranger, Enforcer Rogue, Chaos Sorc, Reaper Warlock, and Cantrip Spammer Wizard.

Thirteen subclasses, one for each class, were excluded from the SRD. Also the actual rules for Wild Shape.

 

[mamba]

Thirteen subclasses, one for each class, were excluded from the SRD. Also the actual rules for Wild Shape.

not having all subclasses makes sense to me, not having Wild Shape rules feels a bit weird though. Those feel like something that should be in an SRD

 

[Chaltab]

not having all subclasses makes sense to me, not having Wild Shape rules feels a bit weird though. Those feel like something that should be in an SRD

Indeed, especially if you're trying to write a subclass that modifies those rules or grants Wildshape to another class.