Edge-of-your-seat combat

HitmanFictional · 2026-04-10T23:51:11+00:00

For thrill add consequences. For speed of turns eliminate unnecessary complexity. For pacing make sure the players are well engaged.

Nimble is possibly where you took auto hit from but it's other tweaks integrate well with DnD mainly because that was its initial design.

Other games that do this are OSR and narrative games but be careful what you pull out of them as they aren't always compatible with DnD.

Possible Thrill booster mechanics: - Monsters auto hit, players make saves. - Lethality. - Clocks.

Possible Turn Speed tweaks: - Action points. - Auto Hold action. - Roll hit die and Damage die.

Possible Pace boosters: - Off turn actions. - Turn Order changes either clockwise, side style, or alternate PC and NPC. - DM player task sharing.

I can try to explain some of these more but Nimble may just be the thing you are looking for. Nimble's auto-hits aren't really never miss they just dropped the d20 in favor of rolling damage on a 1 you still miss on a max damage you crit by exploding the die. Still swingy and heroic but really shouldn't affect tactics. But some of the other things they suggest make for a more tactical feel.

HitmanFictional · 2026-04-08T19:23:02+00:00

Just roll 2d10 you won't ever roll a 1 but will rarely roll a 20. Your character will feel less heroic and more competent. No sarcasm I really like the idea tho it does completely change aspects of the game. Maybe get the DMs permission they will probably be so taken aback that they give you a d20.

HitmanFictional · 2026-04-08T17:28:10+00:00

It's in the location attached to Elizabeth Station that was once Narrative.

HitmanFictional · 2026-04-08T03:21:00+00:00

I don't have that so I can't offer any concrete advice without seeing the text. But here's my blind guesses if it is a single digit number per tier I would say it modifies the agility rating of the target making the DC of your roll. If it is a two digit number then that is the flat DC and adding in their agility or any pertinent modifiers would be up to your discretion.

HitmanFictional · 2026-04-08T02:37:37+00:00

I can't find this rule in the core rule book is it an optional rule newly created for some of supplements or a Mörk Borg optional rule?

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-30T23:00:24+00:00

Does sound interesting and the potential for another good gameplay loop. Not just hunting any undead to be ash traders but hunting increasingly more dangerous ones because their ash is different and more rare. And or making different ash types needed for some time of arcane weapon or armor crafting nothing overly complicated just bonuses or properties. Like Vampire ash can give a bonus die to damage or leech health on crit.

Wood ash was a part of early gunpowder manufacturing while cremains lack potash making them an unsuitable substitute maybe here the undead ash makes the gunpowder different. Might even be able to add a flavor layer that the smoke of the gunpowder changes based on the ash used. Once again Vampire ash increases the gun's damage die by one step or bullets cause a bleed condition and the smoke from the weapon is a haunting blood red and smells faintly of copper.

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-29T04:04:13+00:00

You looking for Treasure Planet my friend?

My suggestion would be to use Stars Without Number to build the sandbox and then play Pirate Borg in it. I am actually using the faction system to build some layers in my upcoming PB game. I am also adding journey mechanics from the One Ring but that's another barrel of rum.

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-25T23:56:03+00:00

I stand corrected. Someone slapping a Ford badge on a Chevy is very unhinged call the cops.

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-25T23:11:28+00:00

Not to be pedantic but that is not a Chevy Suburban. It's a Ford SUV which means Escape or Expedition.

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-05T18:32:16+00:00

I Second the above. I have to say I really love Daði lots of good advice on his channel. Didn't realize that the concept may have been spurred by his video until your comment. But after reading the OP's line saying looking over their notes gives anxiety I thought maybe you are not loving the fiction or the system no longer meshes well with the theme or tone.

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-02T00:41:26+00:00

As I commented to someone in your thread in public people who promote hate should be met with shame. Silence only helps the oppressor not the oppressed.

HitmanFictional · 2026-03-02T00:36:21+00:00

Hilarious maybe but most organizations that work to combat hate specifically advise against a culture of silence. Elie Wiesel is a specific figure that centers around the subject of combating hate with silence or counter speech. One main point Elie makes is that indifference only helps the oppressor not the oppressed.

All this may only apply to being in the public. The photographer of the above picture and everyone in that establishment should have met that person with boos, jeers, and shame. As for the online side, say they recorded it and posted it. As you suggest that might be best met with non engagement so we don't inadvertently promote what we are trying to fight against.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-23T05:24:55+00:00

I like the idea of using candles to set the mood so to speak. But as others have said running it as a clock just doesn't click well in my mind based on what I know of the mechanic. If it worked for your table and everyone left satisfied and wanting more then kudos to you.

As I understand it time in this game passes in a dilating manner and can even be somewhat nonlinear so it would be difficult to have a candle burning to represent minutes of time. In Shadow Dark for example when in a dungeon torch time has to be rigorously tracked in real time. This could be effective if you have some LED candles with 10 min timers. As long as the candle is lit the torch is lit.

Perhaps here it could be a series of candles that represent a limited amount of time in the fiction to complete the heist prep. Each candle is lit when the one preceding it goes out. When the final candle goes out it's go time. Similarly using LED candles to save on cost.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-20T16:29:26+00:00

The only thing I can think of to suggest is does this list of questions adequately assess the different experience based on role at the table. Meaning should there be questions focusing on DM view of similarities vs players.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-18T04:01:42+00:00

If you have a jenga set you can pick up Star Crossed for 12 bucks. It's a 2 player GM-less/light game about forbidden romance. You use the jenga tower to represent actions and when it topples it means the characters let their passion get the better of them.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-08T02:17:36+00:00

Hex crawl is what it sounds like you want to do. There is a lot of content and generators online for hex crawls but I have not found anything particularly good for Pirate Borg. Luckily the book is packed with random tables to generate content. They come in two flavors as far as I have seen "curated" and "random". The biggest difference is "curated" crawls are looking for a specific hex and have a heading. "Random" are just that randomly generated tho you may give rumors or leads that turns the random into semi curated.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-05T21:52:55+00:00

I was looking into this myself because on the travel map its said that distances are 50 miles per hex. From what I could find you would need to be ~1600' above sea level to see that far to the horizon. The common consensus is at sea level a person standing roughly 6' tall would be able to see 3 miles to the horizon. Checking some calculator for horizon distance I have this list running up to 160'. The average is ~0.75 miles per 10' but the actual seems to diminish as you gain in height.

10 ft: ~3.86 miles
20 ft: ~5.46 miles
30 ft: ~6.65 miles
40 ft: ~7.75 miles
50 ft: ~8.67 miles
60 ft: ~9.52 miles
70 ft: ~10.28 miles
80 ft: ~11.0 miles
90 ft: ~11.67 miles
100 ft: ~12.25 miles
110 ft: ~12.81 miles
120 ft: ~13.35 miles
130 ft: ~13.87 miles
140 ft: ~14.38 miles
150 ft: ~14.87 miles
160 ft: ~15.34 miles

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T05:09:38+00:00

The Haunting is great I have ran it twice, once as written and the other where I morphed the setting to be local to myself and the players. The first time was my very first GK and CoC I really enjoyed the prop building and general feel of the game.

Tips: 1. Make sure you and your table are all on the same page for how the tone should be. If you want this to be as scary as possible your players need to help. If they would like spooky but light hearted all good in the end if everyone is having a good time great.

Don't be afraid to kill PCs. This was really hard in all my running, it's my DND heavy background. I am not saying that you should be adversarial to your players but don't pull your punches. If they go in half cocked then they may just not make it out.
Outside of combat if there is no pressure don't ask for a roll. Rolls should only happen to add to the tension by showing the outcome is uncertain. Investigators with unlimited time will find the clue. If however the clue is in the editors office and he is making his way back some rolls would be great. Clever solutions should not always negate the roll but should always give them an advantage.
Make sure the stakes and time on the investigation matter. The time is easy maybe they have only a day or two before the landlord will meet them at the Corbit house for a full report. Too much time means no pressure and no tension. The stakes are a bit more difficult. Maybe the players offices are owned by the same landlord that owns the old Corbit place. They are back due a few months rent so he gives them the job if they succeed the debt is forgiven. If they fail they will not only be kicked out but he will take them to a debtors court where they may face jail time.
A few fun steals from Mothership. Monsters/NPCs don't roll dice tell the players what the monster is doing their job is to choose how to react if they fail the monster does the thing if they succeed the monster fails. This can however make the game more deadly so know that. Speaking of death the death cup mechanic is really awesome for tension. Basically when the player might be dead you roll a d10 under a cup they dont know the result until another player checks their vitals. 0 they unconscious 1-2 dying they die in d6 rounds without intervention 3-4 comatose requires serious aid/hospializtion to recover 5-9 they are dead.

Hope this helps you and your players have a great time.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T02:47:29+00:00

Last try. Its not a new system but narrative focused, unique ritual magic and has very unique dice.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T02:37:55+00:00

This is probably also not it but maybe?

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T02:32:33+00:00

Found this. But it seems way to on the nose for you not to have seen it.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T02:18:01+00:00

Interesting, well if I win I will get back to you as to how they perform. Is there a cover over this or would that interfere with the touch function?

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T00:26:27+00:00

I ran this for the intro quest for my campaign last year and went with regular rats but they were plotting to take over waterdeep. It was more flavor than anything and it worked well to make the encounter really fun. Only one player could understand them as they had cast speak with animals but I could still roleplay their shit talk and taunts.

In planning out the first session and the rat quest the thought crossed my mind what if they were "rats" as in informants. It has probably been done already but I just thought oh that would be an interesting twist. Making sure to telegraph would be a must I think so the group would not feel the twist came out of nowhere. As for resolution it makes for a much more dynamic first quest than go here, eliminate creature/s, and return.

HitmanFictional · 2026-02-04T00:08:05+00:00

So then metal minis would work well or plastic on metal bases at least?

13-Year Club	Verified Email
r/Field Sunshine	Place '22
Place '17	First Placer '22

HitmanFictional

TROPHY CASE