We’re about halfway through the playtest period for Cinemechanix (but still accepting playtesters, if you want to join us), so now that I’ve gotten some feedback I’m working on the 3rd revision of the rules. I’m doing more re-writing than I thought I would be at this point, but fortunately most of it’s easy stuff:…
Last week, I briefly mentioned how the “hack until it’s out of hit points” standard for combat in RPGs can suck every bit of the excitement and drama out of an action-oriented adventure, and that I’ve been working on ways to get around that in the new version of M-Force. This week I’m going to…
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…
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…
Descriptive combat can be tough, and even the best GMs and players occasionally fall back on “I swing at it.” “You hit it.” If you’re having trouble keeping a fight scene interesting, roll and either introduce the new element, give a player a chance to take the action rolled, or have a bad guy…
The warrior is a character who specializes in battle. Unlike swashbucklers, most warriors prefer to dispatch their enemies with ruthless efficiency and sound tactics rather than with flashy displays of skill. This does not necessarily mean that the warrior is a humorless killing machine, however. Many warriors revel in the thrill and glory of…
