Building BA5eD: A Rules Light D&D 5e System

If you love the structure of Dungeons & Dragons 5e but want something faster, simpler, and easier to teach, BA5eD might be exactly what you are looking for. This developing RPG system takes the best of 5e, trims the unnecessary parts, and keeps the focus on quick gameplay, easy character creation, and fun at the table.

Hey all,

I have been working on our own RPG system for quite a while. It has existed in different forms over the years, but recently it has started to take real shape. Some changes in life have finally given me the time to give it the focus it deserves.

As you may have guessed, being the clever reader you are, the system is rooted in D&D 5e but heavily stripped back in the areas that feel bloated, unnecessary, or intimidating to new players. My goal is to keep what works, remove what does not, and create something that feels fun, fast, and familiar.

Why D&D 5e?

Here is my controversial take: I actually like D&D 5e.

There are other systems I really admire. I love the collaborative dice mechanics of Fantasy Flight Games titles like Star Wars: Edge of the Empire. I love the creativity and style of rules-lite RPGs such as MÖRK BORG and Mothership. But at its core, D&D 5e gets many things right with its design.

Just not everything.

I have been playing RPGs for about two decades now. I’m old enough to technically be a grognard, but I started too late to know what THAC0 is so for the most part should just shut the hell up. I just know what I know, and I like what I like. Most of my RPG lifetime has been spent playing D&D 5e, both as a DM and a player. I have been lucky enough to be part of campaigns that ran for years, and I have created a lot of professional content for 5e while collaborating with others in the space.

When I wanted to introduce my kids to RPGs, I naturally turned to 5e. That was when I started to notice its problems.

Where 5e Falls Short

There are far more complex systems out there, but 5e is still not simple. It is much easier to learn than its older editions, yet in my opinion it still has a high barrier to entry for people new to tabletop games. For younger players or adults who have never rolled dice before, it can be overwhelming.

It is still what most people want to play, and often what I want to run too, but the time commitment and the amount of reading involved can be intimidating for first timers. In a world where attention spans are short and learning time is limited, diving into a large RPG rulebook is tough.

Despite that, 5e has an excellent foundation. The key is trimming away the excess. It is a game built on averages and challenge ratings, which means there is room to keep the same spirit of D&D while simplifying how it plays.

The BA5eD Ethos

BA5eD is built on a few guiding principles that shape every design choice. In future blog posts, I will explore each of these ideas in more detail and share how the system is evolving. For now though, here’s what I’m aiming to do:

Familiarity: For players and DMs who already know D&D 5e, BA5eD should feel instantly recognizable. You will be able to sit down, start playing, and understand what is happening without relearning everything.

Numerical Consistency: BA5eD is being designed so that a BA5eD character can sit at the same table as a D&D 5e character. Your collection of 5e books and adventures should still work perfectly. The difference is that BA5eD will play faster and smoother.

Speed: From reading the rules to building characters to running combat, BA5eD is all about keeping the game moving. It should be easy to learn, quick to play, and engaging for everyone at the table.

Customization Depth: Simplicity does not mean lack of substance. BA5eD introduces new ways for characters to grow and develop over time, using familiar mechanics but opening space for truly unique heroes and stories, and introducing these at a time where it doesn’t feel like learning too much.

What Comes Next?

I will be sharing updates as BA5eD moves from design to playtesting and then into full implementation across our own RPG projects. The first system we’ll be focusing on is Part 1: Foundations, the core building blocks of character creation!

I am incredibly excited to finally share this process with you. I hope you will follow along, join the discussion, and help shape the future of this system. Until then…

Keep rolling those 20s folks!
Alex