Hey everyone, Evan here!

It's been a very busy past few weeks, despite 2 hurricanes here in Florida, I've been able to make tremendous progress with the GM guide, Heroes, and Core Rules books. You can use the same link you received earlier if you backed or preordered, and I'll be sending out a link via backerkit shortly as well.

A BUNCH of new adventure content has been added, the core rules has been streamlined and reads much more smoothly now, and the heroes are much better balanced as well. Still more work to do yet, but we're getting close! Lots of playtesting, proof reading, waiting on some more art and writing, but we're getting close to having a finished game now! Once the files are finalized, the price is going to up to the normal retail price, FYI. Want to give people a fair warning.

For the core rules, the 1.8 draft is testing doing what we did for STR/CON (and a bunch of skills) with WIS and CHA. Combining them into one more useful stat as well as a few other minor tweaks. It's a minor change that has a bunch of quality of life improvements while not affect balance or class flavor, just streamlining the character sheet and eliminating dump stats/trap options. Feedback so far has been positive, and I think this is how it should have been from the very beginning.

Numerous other small tweaks, balance changes, and layout updates as well. Everyone on the Discord server has been just absolutely fantastic, so BIG thank you to the entire community.

I've finally been able to lock down shipping weight and prices with my fulfillment partner, they've told me these prices are inclusive of VAT and other fiddly charges so there should't be any surprises. Whether or not you've already filled out your survey you can confirm the shipping prices look correct (please let me know if anything looks off though). UPS ground in the chart below is for US only, international orders will be handled by my fulfilment partner.

I'm finalizing talks with the printers waiting on one more thing that's coming this week (there's a chance we can print in the EU and have a quicker turn around time). I want to put on your radar that the different printers have VERY different delivery estimates, some estimate just 10-12 weeks, others estimate delivery all they way out to APRIL of next year. Not sure if either one is being overly optimistic or pessimistic but I want you all to know what I know. 

About the bonus map in the boxed set, I'm unsure if the printer can make it to our specs in cloth (more on that soon), at minimum it'll include a paper one but I'm still pushing for cloth. I am also confirming that the softcovers will all be upgraded to hardcover books. The vast majority of people saw this as an upgrade, it'll cost me more but will simplify printing & logistics (and it's higher quality).

If you want to adjust your order with this information please do so, I don't want anyone disappointed. 

As always feel free to DM me on discord or email me directly [email protected] with any questions or issues and I'll do what I can to help.

– Evan @ Nimble co.

Hey everyone, Evan here!

The Backerkit pledge manager and surveys just went out to all of the backers! Expect it in your inbox shortly if you haven't received it already. You'll be able to update your address and change your pledge level, or select different addons if you like.

Note that you MUST fill this out in order to receive your pledge rewards. If you don't receive it, you can access the pledge manager with this link: https://nimble2.backerkit.com/ (I'm working on finalizing the shipping costs, that'll be sorted out soon hopefully)

Even though it didn't make it as a stretch goal, I was able to squeeze one more cool freebie into the Boxed Set: A CLOTH MAP! If you ordered the boxed set, you don't have to do anything, it'll be included for free. I just love setting maps so much, I had to do it! Here's a preview of the draft map:




I'm also considering giving everyone who ordered the softcover books (so they don't feel too left out) a free upgrade to hardcover books. It'll cost me a bit more in production, but I can eat that cost if it means you all get a better end product. To me this is a nice upgrade, but want to get a sense of how everyone else feels. If you ordered the softcover books, would you mind if they were upgraded to hardcovers? I don't expect it to appreciably affect shipping costs in case you're worried about that.

I was able to get one other sneaky little unexpected addon into the pledge manager, some custom Nimble dice! I've been working with a US based dice manufacturing company designing some cool custom dice for the past little while and I think they turned out great (a super cool matter black & gold). I'm super excited about getting my set!

Being completely custom dice, they are a premium product and... a bit pricey! You definitely do NOT need these dice to play. Whatever dice you already have will work just fine. But if you're in a good financial spot and like this sort of premium thing—I was able to negotiate a pretty steep discount with them by not taking any cut of the proceeds (so they're HALF the price of what they normally sell custom dice for). All the proceeds for the dice go straight to them, so go ahead and give them some love if you like the dice as much as I do <3




I've been streaming regularly on discord and youtube with pretty constant updates, and we're making great progress. I say "we" because it really has become a community effort, the people on discord have had so much great feedback the improvements have been coming in really fast. Thank you all for your  support, feedback, questions, and contributions!

Project Progress

I'm working on wrapping up the final bits of content and expect to be done in the next couple weeks. Then more playtesting, the final edits and sending it off to the printer!

Hurricane time for me in FL though, you guys pray for me and the family, it just made landfall!

– Evan @ Nimble co.

Core Rules v1.5 and Heroes v1.5 are out!

BIG changes to the core rules. The entire book has been organized better and more thoughtfully. Many clarifications, and tweaks. A few minor things to add but we are getting very close to the final version. Getting close to being your last chance to weigh in on the rules.

Heroes v1.5

Next Steps: Work on the Oathbreaker is nearly done, I will include it and the Spellblade in the next revision. Final tweaks are being made to the core rules & heroes. Then all attention will be turning to the GM guide. 

Timeline: likely next week will wrap up the Core Rules & Hero drafts. Will release a survey requesting feedback on those before buttoning them down. Following 2-3 weeks after that will be finishing up the GM guide, and playtesting the adventure. 1-2 more weeks in final layout, editing and designing the other misc things (gm screen, cards etc.). Then we’re sending it off to the printer!

As always the schedule can change, I don’t want to rush it, it’ll take as long as it takes. But every day we’re making great progress. I’m having casual fireside chats with the community on Discord pretty regularly, and having lengthy design streams on youtube as well if you’d like to follow the development and contribute.

Thanks again to all who have supported and especially those who have contributed so much great feedback!

–Evan @ nimble co.

See below for the link to the latest beta documents (it's the same link as before).

Since the last update, the GM guide v1 has been released as well as V1.4 heroes! (and MUCH improved, check the same link you have from before, it's been updated. I want to respect your inbox and not email you too much so I won't be creating a new update for every new draft, but keep an eye there every so often for new releases or follow the project on discord for the latest.)

If you don't know, the community and I have been doing live design sessions on discord kicking around ideas, working out the rough edges, it's been great fun hanging out and chatting – some absolutely fantastic ideas have been offered and implemented because of you the community, so thanks!

GM Guide: This is the ALPHA version, it is very much incomplete but shows the direction. More updates coming!

Heroes v1.4 Changelog (these are just some of the highlights, too many changes to track accurately)
Almost all of the classes have been deeply overhauled and improved. I feel like we're 99% of the way there with the heroes book (apart from the final editing and typo checks).

Berserker

The Cheat: 

Commander: 

Hunter BIIIIIGGG changes. Much improved now, too many to list. TLDR, the mechanics are now much more interesting.

Mage BIG tweaks to the 2 subclasses, their tables and how they're triggered. mana pool calculation changed.

Oathsworn
Oath of Refuge, shield counts as your spellcasting focus, tweaked extra armor wording.

I don't really remember all the other changes honestly, it's late.. but there's a bunch check it out!

I finally got some backend stuff sorted out so the pledge manager will be opened up this week so keep an eye out for that.

Thanks,

–Evan @ Nimble co.

P.S. if you're interested in preordering that is live at https://www.nimble5e.com/shop

Hello all! LOTS of work has been put into the beta documents, today I'm releasing v1.3 of the Heroes, Core Rules and character sheet. I hope to release the first draft of the GM guide next week. If you want to jump right to the latest downloads, see all the way at the bottom of this update for the backer only download link.

You all have submitted literally thousands of comments, questions, suggestions and it has already made Nimble a much better project for it. So, thank you!

Below are just a few highlights of the changes made since the previous versions:

Both Books
Formatting, language consistency, and clarity have been improved throughout. Once the major changes are completed I'll be turning my eyes toward typos and final editing so don't worry about typo reports just yet.

Core Rules v1.3
LOTS of changes and updates.
Wording clarifications throughout. Miscellaneous rules added. Character creation moved from heroes book to core rules for ease of use.

There are NO arcane spells any longer. The idea was cool, but fiddly and not flexible enough. They have been exchanged for a new "utility cantrip" system.

Weapon properties updated throughout. Greatmaul/Greateaxe swapped. 2-handed added to many ranged weapons
Weapons tuned a bit better. Ranges now in easier to remember 30 ft. increments, attributes added/removed, etc. (Crossbows now have a Loading property instead of Reload, since crossbows wouldn’t be kept cocked for extended periods). STR requirement increased, Action requirement decreased to compensate.
Throwing hammer range halved & damage increased.
Improvised weapons & unarmed attacks added.

LVL added as a game term for use in damage calculation (similar to KEY, STR, DEX, etc.)

Sleight of Hand skill changed to Finesse. Now more clearly/thematically includes things like tinkering and piloting as well as careful movement of your feet (e.g., climbing a mossy wall, where strength wouldn’t make sense).

Dragonborn trait. Update to KEY+Level. Recharges on a long rest or whenever you gain a wound.

Skills
Maximum number of skill points is 12, at level 1 you get 5 skill points to allocate instead of 6.
Hit Dice clarified.

Speed & distance updated.
Sizes updated.

Content reorganized in a more intuitive way.

Heroes v1.3 (for a more detailed list see the v1.2 announcement on the discord channel)

All classes: Changed how valuable the two KEY stats are. Now it should be an interesting choice for all classes.

Restrictions specifying a particular class level such as “Stormshifter level” in various abilities has been changed to simply “level” I already know that multiclassing will be very good, if a GM wants to allow it, no need for me to try and spoil the fun!

All classes now have a spicy level 20 capstone.

Berserker

Rage clarified. Temp HP changed to 2x DEX instead of STR+DEX

Intensifying fury now affects only STR attacks.

The Cheat
Vicious Opportunist clarified that you must be in melee. You can still sneak attack at range but you’ll have to crit some other way. For the highest reward, you have to be at the highest risk!

Mage
Lose Control overhauled

Shadowmancer

Summon Shadows maximum changed to the lowest of your level or INT for better balance and play at low levels.

Shepherd

Added a note to clarify rushed attacks and companions

Songweaver

Songweaver’s Inspiration now only affects attacks & saves.

Stormshifter

Creature of the Fey moved to a level 7 Circle of Sky & storm feature.

Fearsome Beast Armor changed from WIS to DEX

Zephyr

Share my pain, no longer requires a Discipline Point! it is VERY good now.

That's all for now, back to the mines for me!

– Evan @ Nimble Co.

P.S. For backers who have been asking about changing/increasing their pledge level, the pledge manager will be opened up next week. You'll get an email about it in the next few days letting you know when it's ready. If you wanted to back but couldn't, the preorder store is now up as well, you can get access to the beta documents immediately: https://www.nimble5e.com/shop