There’s an errata document on the way for Blood & Plunder and Firelock Games has let us share a preview of it with players!
Why Errata?
Errata is an annoying part of games, but it’s necessary to keep a game in a healthy state. Blood & Plunder has comparatively little errata over the years and that has been great! The current active errata 1.3 on the core rulebook is over 5 years old. The “Revised Rule Book” and soft cover rule book in the 2-player start set came out almost 2 years ago and it incorporated (almost) all that old errata. After two years game life with increased tournament activity and all the new material in the Raise the Black expansion, it’s time for some additional corrections, clean up and balance tweaks to enhance the Blood & Plunder experience going forward into the next couple years!
What is this Errata Covering?
This errata is only focused the Core Rule Book, specifically the “Revised Edition” rulebook. While all the expansion books will be looked at over the next year, this upcoming document will only look at the core rules as found in either the hardback Revised Edition rulebook, or the same material found in the softcover rulebook in the 2 player starter set.
This errata will apply to the older printings of the core rules as well, but all page and chapter numbers will be formatted specifically for the Revised Edition printing (light colored cover).
If you’re using an older printing of the core rulebook, that’s fine and still workable as long as you know the previous errata document well. But if you still have the original rulebook from the 2016 Kickstarter, it might be a good time to upgrade so this errata will be easy to process and apply!
When is the Errata Coming Out?
Soon! And not even “Soon™”! This errata document is scheduled to be published next week (before US Thanksgiving holiday).
What is is the Errata Changing?
The document isn’t huge and some of it is just tidying up or clarifying. But there is one or two major items that might be a surprise! Get ready for a couple changes! Here are some vague teasers for what’s coming:
Shoot Saves in the Open
This is probably the largest change. Right now every unit saves on a 9+ while in the open. That will no longer be the case after this errata. This will change up the meta on land and open up some new tactical opportunities!
Firepots
Firepots have been overpowered since the advent of cheap and easy access to them through the 3pt Pirate unit. They are receiving a substantial change, focusing more on terrorizing and disrupting the unit that is being attacked instead of actually starting a major “structural fire”. This change has been needed since the great fiery spectacle that was the 2024 Adepticon Sea Tournament.
Swivel Guns
Swivel Guns are getting nerfed! Sort of. On several Blood & Plunder ships, they can be used as primary attack weapons, being very efficient and firing very quickly. While they aren’t losing any power per se, their arc of fire is being altered so they won’t provide the same density of fire. This is a big one!
Sweeps
Just a little change here. It takes a lot of effort to row a large ship quickly, and this change will reflect that reality without nerfing this fun tactic too much.
Special Rules
There’s a small list of Special Rules for units and commanders that are getting slight alterations. Some are moving up in power so they come into play more, and some are getting scaled back for the health of the game.
Special Rules getting slight alterations include:
- Motivated
- Delay Tactics
- Tough
- Skirmishers
A couple more are receiving slight clarifications, but the rules above are getting the largest changes.
Including Characters in Your Force
This is a tiny adjustment and won’t even be noticed by most people, but it will eliminate that certain topic people love to quibble about online! IYKYK
Field Guns Recosted
Field Guns are not “overly powerful” in Blood & Plunder. But they have been costed at a level that discourages use. They are getting a cost cut that should bring them more into line with their power level.
Ship Collisions Adjustment
Just some small changes here since original wording wasn’t very precise. But worth reading this errata carefully.
Chainshot & Grapeshot Purchased as a Package Deal
More cheaper, more funner.
Scenario Adjustments
The Core Rulebook scenarios have never had any adjustments since day 1! And they have seen a lot of tournament play since then and this errata will introduce a couple adjustments that will either balance the scenario a bit, or make scenarios more dynamic and harder for “unsportsmanlike” players to avoid actually playing the game. Scenarios to get adjustments include Land Raid, Sea Control the Field and Sea Encounter.
Strike Point Clarification
This is mostly just cleanup and clarification.
Other Topics
There are a few more sections touched on, including tweaks on stinkpots, addressing gameplay issues like “double charging,” and “hot swapping” artillery. Point cost tweaks for Legendary Commanders that were introduced in the No Peace Beyond the Line errata are also included.
What About an Updated FAQ?
Yes, an updated FAQ is coming, but will be a couple weeks behind the Errata document. It will retain much of the old FAQ entries, update a few and add some new clarifications on newer material from Raise the Black.
Final Thoughts
A new errata is always a bit of a pain to digest and apply, but it means the game creators are still heavily invested in the game, listening to the community, and devoted to keeping the game in a good place for all players! There’s always a bit of a growing pain time period around errata release but if the game designers have done a good job, it’s always worth it!
You will be able to download the upcoming errata in the Downloads section of the Firelock Games website sometime in November.
If you’re a community leader or help run your local group, you can be helpful in raising awareness and application of the new errata! This is a great release date because it gives players plenty of time to explore the rules adjustments before convention season kicks off in earnest again with Adepticon in March.
The unit and character cards are in the process of being reprinted as well and they will reflect these new rules adjustments when applicable.
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