Pirate Borg! First Look

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A first look at the highly impressive rules-light and darkly supernatural RPG, "Pirate Borg" by Free League and Limithron.
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Special thanks to James Arnold Taylor and Gabor Vida

[@Fellfire]

I for one would not mind more pirate stuff, and I don't think I'm alone in this!

[@ruolbu]

A quick little pirate session on the side... I can see that working. Maybe as a spin off of season 3, just happening in the same world, no need to include big callbacks

[@NarTheNecromancer]

Agreed! I hope he's not too discouraged from playing another pirate game on the channel because he's "already done it". I'd love to see another pirate themed season or even a spin off.

[@xionkuriyama5697]

Honestly I just want more of the original style of content again--though he's probably waiting until he finishes Five Parsecs.

[@CamManTheWise]

I think Captain Nikula deserves a season of his own!

[@samakechijowo]

Right, he is an even better choice for this system than Carlos

[@Balmonec]

I second that, I'd love a mini-season adventure of Captain Nikula. Maybe even a prequel - how did Captain Nikula manage to find the original map to the Soul Cage, anyway?

[@DaveThaumavore]

Thanks for this walkthrough. Luke really has put together a beautiful game with this one. Please hit me up if you wanna record a one-shot! You have my cutlass, sir!

[@MeMyselfandDieRPG]

Yaaaar, me matey! Sign me up to the freebootin’ crew of the SS Thaumavore!

[@AdriRaven]

I am absolutely on board with this notion.

[@messi10goat864]

I'd love to game with you, your energy is amazing!

[@romanista77]

Personally, I really liked “Cy-Borg”. Much like “Pirate Borg”, it really nails the genre. Maybe a “Cyberpunk” season of Me, Myself, and Die?

[@animatorFan74]

Cyberpunk season would be amazing.... but he also did just do Blade Runner, so that might scratch that itch?

[@johnfrancis3203]

You're thinking about this all wrong. It's not that you just did a pirate season... it's would you enjoy and would *we* enjoy another pirate season and idk about anyone else but my FAVE season has been the pirate one soooo

[@thehermitthetower1126]

Edburt is my favorite character across all seasons, and I agree season 3 was my favorite so far as well.

[@johnfrancis3203]

@@thehermitthetower1126 Riiiiiight? More pirates! More the pirate cap'n. More Edbert. More Carlos for the people who want that. More ghosts! Tell me it wouldn't be a blast! We could even reunite Simon and Arne...

[@chasestreet8082]

I'm a big crunch guy myself, but I love everything about Mork Borg, Cy_Borg and Pirate Borg! There is just something about these games that make you forget they are totally rules light, because they're just plain fun. After having backed WAY too many RPG Kickstarters (over 200 at this point), I have finally managed to bring my expenditures on that platform to nearly a halt. However, the one system I still continue to back things for is Mork Borg (and the other games based on it). Who knew that there would eventually be a rules light game that I love as much as my crunchy games?

[@artistpoet5253]

Just as a game with lots of rules can be pared down to its essentials, making it 'rules light', a light game can be built upon with any number of homebrew and borrowed rules.

[@kasperv967]

Agreed! I'm a big fan from running Cy_borg as theres enough structure to give me basic guidelines, but I've been able to add tons of homebrew without it feeling oddly tacked on.

[@AceneDean]

@@kasperv967 have you put any of these homebrew rules in a form that is easy to share? I'm very curious.

[@kasperv967]

​@@AceneDean Haha, I'm afraid it's a horrendous mess of hashed together Cy_borg, ICRPG, and Barbarians of the Ruined Earth. Some of the easy slot-ins though to give some inspiration are: 1. Dying (Last heroic stand): On negative HP: Roll D4 to determine rounds until death. Player may still take actions and move, but all rolls are at disadvantage. Another player may attempt to bring them back to 1 hp by testing Knowledge vs DR (10 + how far into the negative they are. -10 or greater = instant death) 2. Weapon Classes: Infantry (small arms): Deal Half damage to vehicles Explosive: Deal regular damage to infantry, double to vehicles (same double as already in the book) Vehicle (heavy caliber machine guns / autocannons): Deal full damage to vehicles, double damage to infantry targets. 3. Monsters / "Magic" / "Scrolls": I just go through OSE / 1e / 2e / anything OSR related really and re-skin whatever looks cool. Scrolls become "nano-boosters", spells follow the same nano power rules of test presence to activate, and monsters get reskinned to mutants or cyber-monstrosities. The imagination is the limit!

[@deezntz70]

This video was basically 12 minutes of you flipping pages and going "YARRR SO COOL!!". lmao, love it.

[@ErictheCleric-RPG]

Life is too short to not play what you’d want to on the channel. I definitely think you should run this on the show and I’m sure we’d all be happy with more pirate gameplay videos especially since this system looks so good! 👍🏼 Maybe a mini series instead of a full season if you’d be so inclined?

[@Imhal13]

Seriously, do it. I think you would LOVE the setting and really just tear into it. How about generating a one shot based on the charts and 2-3 rando PCs. If it samples well in views, continue on.

[@dranorter]

Five Parsecs was going to be a miniseries and ended up longer than he thought. :) Maybe a Carlos one-shot. Which like so many one-shots, might get split in two.

[@thehermitthetower1126]

I dunno, Carlos was a popular character. The end of that campaign is really tooled up for a supernatural pirate adventure.

[@gegegebebebe5087]

Up up and away, to the Featureless Grey Plainwaters for a ship fight introduction. (=

[@Imhal13]

The core rules on how to fight, shoot, heal, use magic and do social or brainy things are on like, 4 -6 pages of this book. Being rules light means you get multiple splat book expansions worth of content in a one book game. There is so much content and as a GM, I have been having so much fun finding out what the hell is going on at the same time as the players. Not having super crunchy rules means I can "chaos surf" the awesome things that can arise. Charts have provided amazingly cool events and encounters in a way that reminds me a lot of Ironsworn. There are very few "hard points" and being able to have everyone at the table explore and discover as a group is wonderful.

[@cybermerlyn2]

I thought I was done buying any more d20 games. Then I read this book. It is concise. Every page is crammed with useful information. With just enough added pirate goodness you get a setting, the Broken Caribbean. So good...

[@lzrdkng]

im not even really that big a fan of pirates but your enthusiasm is making me want to play a pirate game lmfao. I wonder if i can be peter pan...?

[@Imhal13]

I don't know about being Peter Pan but, I will tell you you can play an intelligent animal such as a Parrot or Monkey...or a Chicken. Not an anthro thing. No, a chicken. A truly gifted chicken. "Gain the ability from one random relic & one random ritual. When you are killed, the ghosts of a hundred chickens swarm your assailant, ripping their spiritual soul from their flesh. " So, if you ever thought " I dunno about pirates, but I do fancy being a magical poultry grenade" this is for you.

[@SingularityOrbit]

DUDE. Pirates are an established part of your setting now. Do you really believe for even a second that we aren't all excited by the idea of further seagoing adventures with Simon, Arne, and Edbert? This looks exactly like what I'd expect them to be dealing with if His Tentacular Wizardiness seeks revenge for being denied his freedom.

[@borgy1337]

Limithron (Luke) started out doing naval maps for 5e on his Patreon and after the success, Pirate Borg was born. Currently at 6k backers on KS and Backerkit.

[@alexroman6424]

You could definitely run a mini-series of Pirate Borg, maybe with the overarching 5 Parsecs campaign rules if you want more meat on the bones.

[@MelRiffe]

Ordered a copy on the strength of this review. Thanks, Trevor. ❤

[@waykreid]

Same! About 5 minutes in. Yo ho!

[@emanoelmelo]

"Rules light, flavor heavy" as they say. Many of these new rules light systems are based around a streamlined ruleset to open up space for other stuff, like rich settings, faction systems, compelling carousing rules, etc

[@TheNabcore]

Please do a series on this. I want more pirate stuff xD

[@darjr]

Love it! Running it for Talk Like a Pirate Day!

[@Imhal13]

Same. Good luck fellow Harbormaster!

[@himurogentoku7117]

I love Pirate Borg!

[@toddzircher6168]

Your gushing love for the material is contagious. 🙂

[@samakechijowo]

Hmm... A evil campaign with Carlos as MC using this would be cool. Seeing you this excited over Pirate Borg, I wouldn't mind another pirate themed plays. But it's up to you. EDIT : I saw another comment on this video and I agree with it. Captain Arro Nikula is perfect for Pirate Borg campaign.

[@simontemplar3359]

Season 3 was amazing! After watching that, my players and I decided to add a pirate element to our game. Super cool!

[@Rich_H_1972]

I much prefer Pirate Borg and Cy_Borg over Mork Borg. That latter feels very light and more a triumph of esthetic over any real substance. The other two books (esp. Pirate Borg) are far easier to read and contain more useful information - they actually have some weight to them. Would highly recommend both to people even those, like me, that aren't fans of the game they are based off (Mork Borg).

[@jasonnewell7036]

I agree. Mörk Borg really needs a bunch of the supplemental booklets to feel like a more complete game. Pirate Borg is much more self contained.

[@dranorter]

Thanks for saying so! I'm not a fan of Mork Borg's impossible-to-read approach to graphic design (tho I'm fine with the lite setting).

[@greatwhitedonkey]

Thanks for the great video! I would totally watch a solo Mork/Pirate/Cy Borg specific campaign as a spinoff :D

[@jomiran1000]

I use the Borg books to theme Iron Sworn. Mark Borg for Iron Sworn, CY_BORG for Starforged (I use Delve rules to simulate netrunning), and I plan to mash Pirate Borg with Sundered Isles.

[@dranorter]

Sounds great! Do you play Ironsworn solo or with a group? We tried it GMless once, which mostly worked but didn't really sit right with the whole group.

[@dranorter]

I checked out your vertical videos PSA, amazingly well done!

[@rolconcosas]

Mork Borg and CY_BORG are also great, both on group and solo (I'm currently running a CY_BORG solo campaign with Mythic 2e), would be super cool to see your impressions on them too!

[@jalahjava_]

Man, with all this excitement I really think you'd have some fun running this. I'd personally love to see more pirate stuff from you!

[@xpredatorial]

Seeing how excited you are by this, you should do something with it! Maybe a one-ish shot adventure (couple of episodes) with one of the side characters from season 3. I'm happy to see more pirate stuff and I'm sure most others will be too

[@edwardromero3580]

I love Pirate Borg! It’s one of the best looking games I’ve seen in a long time.And I love your enthusiasm about it. I had the same reaction when my kickstarter copy arrived. SO GREAT!

[@kidneykid]

I would not care if your entire channel was devoted to only pirate stuff I would watch every episode of anything you do with Pirate Borg!

[@Bargletheinfamous]

Hell yes! Waiting for this to show up in my mail

[@omegaomtv]

Rules light is gold, no need for unnecessary complexity. Reduce all fractions to its simplest terms. This game does it perfectly. So does many other freeleague games.

[@omegaomtv]

I might add, I say this too because it makes it easier to gm.

[@kasperv967]

totally! I love the Borg series for how direct and flexible the rules have been in playing.

[@Buzzregog]

It really is amazing - Cy-borg is also pretty spectacular.

[@bloodrunsclear]

I couldn't get my group interested in Cy-Borg or Mark Borg...but PIRATE got mentioned and we were off to the races :)

[@dranorter]

What makes this one exciting is just how excited you are. :)

[@perttiorn8029]

Do it. Do it. Do it! Please, pretty please! I really enjoyed the pirate adventure you did. I do believe, your audience would really enjoy another pirate adventure.

[@brianbutcher3330]

I agree. Another pirate theme would be awesome

[@saynoir]

I have the book too! Love this Mork Borg hack!

[@zindayn]

I love all the different systems I learn about on this channel. I'll never get tired of it.

[@Spacemutiny]

This is awesome! I’m buying this!

[@keithmathews4605]

Today on, "Expand your vocabulary" with Trevor Devall... I gained a fondness for the word ameliorate. This made my day :)

[@grumpyinbrooklyn6347]

This book looks fantastic!

[@metallsnubben]

...I would probably want a bit more "rules sauce" as well but this is looking pretty damn awesome

[@adiosgringo8200]

Now you have me very interested. You have to do another Pirate adventure with these rules. Looks fantastic.

[@Mr_Chori]

So... When is happening this Captain Nikula or Carlos spin off season? Hahaha great video

[@_mawburn]

Pirate Borg is such a great game. I was able to throw together a game in literally minutes without really reading the book first. I played in 1 online con game a few months before, but that was about it. I'm not a big fan of Mork Borg itself, but this game got me on to the whole Borg series of games and I enjoy quite a lot of them!

[@Acmegamer]

Like you Trevor I tend towards crunchier systems but I love Mork Borg based material. Great video. :)

[@user-gp3tx5wf1c]

Please run a campaign and I have an idea for a Captain. He is Captain One-eyed Jack in command of the Barnacle. His eye patch keeps switching from one eye to the other every day (it is a magical eye-patch, allowing him to see things far away).

[@animatorFan74]

Looks so awesome.... would definitely love to try this myself. I might try Mork Borg first and see how that goes. I absolutely love all the artwork and everything... gorgeous book. :) And as you say, so many sic and awesome details... looks so fun. :)

[@davelanciani-dimaensionx]

Any of the "XXX-Borg" may be "rules-lite", but I think it's the FLAVOR that defines these games. The general rules of play are simple, but the rest of the charts and informational guides are what spell out the real "feel" of the game. "Evocative" is the correct word! Mork Borg(please give it a try!!), Cy Borg, and Pirate Borg play the same, but feel very different. And the books themselves are "art books" that you can just look at. It's all about the atmosphere, and these games HAVE IT. Oh, and someone needs to recommend the Sea Shanty's to the "pirate metal" band Alehouse. I'm sure they could do a whole album of those songs!

[@odolowa1]

I was thinking just the other day that pirates are an under represented genre in rpgs

[@peterdickinson4599]

Great game. Got my copy through KS a few months ago. Have only had the chance to run two one-shots. But they were both for groups of players who had never played an RPG before. All seemed to enjoy.

[@Imhal13]

DUDE, rules light or not. PLAY THIS. Embrace the glorious random nature of what the charts give you. I'm three sessions deep and it's amazing. The sandbox adventure included is really great and the naval rules are fantastic as well.

[@AbadonBIack]

Gorgeous book! More pirates is always a yes for me. I'd love to see you try either Pirates in Space or Magic Pirates similar to One Piece.

[@lindaschweiner200]

I would love another pirate series! It was great and I think another would be very welcome! Look how many different versions of dungeon-type shows there are and they're still very popular! Don't limit yourself just because you 'already did that'. Please reconsider it because this looks GREAT!

[@Slydeish]

You could do a Pirates of Dark water themed game with this book where even the ocean is trying to eat you alive and navigating it is hell at times, better have the wind on your back. Pirates of Dark water was my favorite cartoon as a kid though it didn’t last, like all great things. I love your content Trevor!

[@thebeatls09k]

Please more pirate stuff! That was one of my favorite seasons!!

[@jamesharrison142]

I mean it looks awesome...loved the flip-through - I'd be happy seeing a pirate borg-game at some point: but I'm sure whatever you choose will be excellent!

[@wbbartlett]

Trevor's enthusiasm alone has sold this to me! I had written it off as a Mork Borg variant (the aesthetic of which is a big turn off for me). Was good to hear the Black Sails-like S3 theme again too :)

[@duieb]

Hi Trevor. You really inspired me with the pirate theme of season 3. I just started a new campaign with a pirate theme, using Shadow of the Demon Lord rules (you should check it out, it's awesome). I even have captain Nicola as a main NPC😅. When will we get season 4???

[@alternativezen]

I'm always okay with more pirate stuff! If you don't feature it on a series then I will. But would prefer if it was you :P

[@YannMiollan]

Love season 3's theme song at the end

[@williamatkins3465]

I'm fine with another pirate game.

[@KirieTrend]

You know like popular series got a spin-of or gaiden short series... Well... know you have something to solothrough cap'n Nikola with in his own spin-of Or you know... *cough* Carlos for that Rosencrantz and Guildenstern feel Just saying ;) P.S. It's a treat to hear series 3 theme one more time

[@donc7664]

That intro remix of black sails....mmmmm. Pirate Borg is the only thing I ever backed on kickstarter and Its pride of my collection.

[@schemage2210]

i'm getting the feeling that something "borg" seems to be the TTRPG equivalent of "souls-like" video games. Interesting stuff.

[@ramsomwared8915]

I always liked the artwork in the books even if they are not for me due to being too lightweight to my tastes (I use systems like SWADE for almost anything and soon, Scarlet Heroes for the low fantasy sword and sorcery vibes.)

[@user-to3ny1yj7s]

Pirate Borg is amazing! It’s fast but leads to great stories. Well worth trying out!

[@Mandalorian2814]

I've always enjoyed Freeport & I've run 50 Leagues from Savage Worlds. Truly enjoy the plot point. Very flexible and a setting that can grow. I'll gave to check this out.

[@simontemplar3359]

League of free who... 😁 Happy belated Christmas!!

[@liamtaylor4955]

That's a nice book.

[@joshuaward5498]

I mean. Can one play too many pirate games? I don’t feel like there’s a limit. Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[@ohmynoche]

God it looks great

[@ianmoore1220]

mausritter would be interesting to see you try solo, im planning on doing that myself be interesting to see

[@davidtravis1384]

Being rules light actually makes Pirate Borg more fun. It doesn't take twenty games to learn all of the different conditions and rules that you find in rules heavy games. You just sit down, start rolling and you're off to a great game. I felt the same way about Pirate Borg as you do. When I first saw it I thought this is it. This is the kind of game I've been looking for for a long time. It's a great game to play!

[@G-Funk42]

Hey Trevor, if you think you might dig some Mörk Borg clones, you should check out a 'zine-style one called Planet Motherfucker. You'll get a laugh out of reading it, if nothing else. Just as rules-lite as Pirate Borg.

[@quench100]

Have you seen the Dragon Age RPG, Trevor? You might like it. It's got a Warhammery feel to it 😄

[@DeletarTepes]

I had to buy this halfway though the video lol

[@mightyeroc7284]

You need to go back and read Mork Borg, just as awesome as Pirate Borg.

[@MrTurtleThief]

You weren't exaggerating haha, that would've been perfect for season 3! When you turned to sea shanties we had the same reaction lol

[@bizzy5439]

I was also not a fan of Mork Borg as I thought it was a bit pretentious and way too stylized for me. THIS is very fitting for what I'd enjoy 💀

[@wingusryu8289]

I am planning to pick this and Cy_borg up soon. If you are looking for something in this vain in a new genre check out the Western Rpg Frontier Scum

[@ben25890]

"Any good book has a good index" *cries in DCC* Why did they have to put 42 pages of Ads behind the index?

[@estrathmeyer]

You don't have to do a whole season. What if you did a Pirate Borg one shot? :D

[@TortugaDMStudios]

So, what you're saying is you need to do a side project like you did with Blade Runner? Eh?!

[@serene_shepherd]

Show of hands: who’d watch a Pirate Borg S4? Let’s see…ah…well, I guess that’s just about everyone.

[@Eron_the_Relentless]

With its plethora of random tables and rules covering far more scenerios and more generic classes, Pirate Borg outclasses both Mork Borg and Cy Borg. Just looking out for you, I don't think you'll like the others as well as this one.

[@shaneintheuk2026]

The system sounds like something to avoid but a nice setting and useful random tables. I really hope that we get back to solo RPG play throughs soon.

[@chapter7309]

12.09.2023 - "I just did the pirate thing" 20.12.2021 - the pirate thing

[@wileydutkiewicz3569]

It was kickstarted. Check out another borg style book called Ronin. Hell yea! I love this game! And still better than Shadowdark.

[@cupboardgnome5744]

I haven't played yet, but this review really sold it to me! Game is now on order, as well as the card pack 🙂💰🗡️🎲☠️🦜