Solid 4-Stars. Liked it well enough, but didn't love it. In fact, it doesn't feel like a bad product at all, it just feels like it's missing some things that maybe weren't foreseen in this draft. It feels incomplete, but definitely not bad. Very much hoping to be able to 5-Star it soon.
What I loved: Having Ravnica without Planeswalkers was a huge disappointment. The fact that the publisher took it upon themself to fix that is AWESOME! Also, overall, the balance is spot on. Final point in the "good things" column, having the MtG colors adds a way for spells to be classified besides by schools (evocation, necromancy, etc).
What's missing: In the actual description of the background's unique feature (Planeswalker Spark), it describes receiving miraculous power (there's more, but I'm not giving out spoilers). I assume this is the point where you choose which color or colors you are aligned with. This is not plainly stated anywhere in the background. The background also does not address the option of choosing 2 colors instead of just 1 (it is stated in the introductory page of the "New Background" section, but not in the background itself). It also doesn't plainly state that the "miraculous power" granted by your spark is simply the "aligned" section of the chosen colors. Essentially, this product is completely usable for anyone capable of and comfortable with drawing on inferences. Not remotely bad, the user just has to assume a bit.
Would be nice, but didn't affect rating: This background gives bonuses to every class/subclass that has the spellcasting feature: however, it can't be applied to non-caster's. Non-caster characters gain almost nothing from this background. As of this edition of the product, we won't see any barbarian planeswalker's. Fighter, monk, and rogue planeswalkers are only possible with very specific subclasses (1 subclass for each of the aforementioned classes). I would love to someday see an update to this product that allows for non-caster planeswalkers (e.g. a Champion Fighter whose spark manifests by pumping his muscles full of planar magic, granting some sort of combat bonus. Still planeswalker magic, just not spells).
I have never reviewed anything on here before, so I'm not entirely sure what protocol is in regards to the following: if the creator is at all interested, and if DM's Guild allows it, I am willing to be more specific with the feedback provided and to provide suggested edits via some form of direct communication. They are not provided in this review in an effort to respect the property of the author.
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