Casting Your Game: WWPHITM?

As most of you reading this probably already know, QAGS has a Word called “Who Would Play Him/Her In The Movie?” While I really doubt we’re the first game to use that kind of descriptor, it surprises me that it’s not suggested in more RPGs. Personally, I define it for nearly every character I play…

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Insert Your Own Initiative Pun Here

Initiative is one of those mechanics that is useful but often causes as many problems as it solves. Aside from the mechanical overhead (extra die rolls and math, keeping up with the count, etc.), it’s often hard to make natural, cinematically appropriate actions (and especially reactions) fit into the context of the system without introducing…

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Realism Vs. Awesomeness

Even though most RPGs are based on other forms of fiction that are filled with crazy stunts and action-packed combat scenes, it can be hard to get players to try the reckless, million-to-one odds stuff. Unlike movie characters who can glibly say “never tell me the odds,” RPG players have the odds right in front…

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Number Crunching

  It’s not a big secret that Leighton and I didn’t do a lot of statistical analysis when we wrote QAGS. After all, the system was originally meant for use in pick-up games when we didn’t have time to spend hours on character creation. We never really intended for it to be a “real” system…

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The Price Isn’t Right

The basic QAGS mechanic is apparently way too simple for most gamers. Even though we tell them that the highest successful roll wins, everybody insists on thinking that the Number they’re rolling against has something to do with how well their character succeeds. A few (mostly those familiar with 2nd Edition AD&D’s non-weapon proficiency system)…

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