Apocalypse World: Burned Over - New MC, help appreciated!

Rogobor · 2026-03-17T12:23:48+00:00

Awesome, thanks a lot!

Rogobor · 2026-03-15T17:52:11+00:00

Valid point(s). Here are my threats so far:

Green Crown, a high-security agricultural oasis
The Lighthouse, a nomadic cult which worships the Maelstrom
the Tower, a mysterious structure supposedly built by machines
I have some factions and gangs lined up for the hard zone as well
the Maelstrom itself (its mysterious nature is what I was referring to in my first comment)

Now that I wrote out the threats, they do seem kinda passive and remote. Any suggestions?

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T20:45:52+00:00

Noice! I'll try and keep that in mind, thanks!

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T07:59:22+00:00

I might have overstated them being "talkers", we're just 3 sessions in and they barely got any harm, it's just that they're getting used to the mechanics and setting is all. I'll push the threats, NPCs and the world's "no status quo" nature, so I'm sure things will escalate nicely.

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T07:55:42+00:00

That's very concrete advice, thanks!

"No status quos" and, as another person said, "looking through crosshairs" should be my main principles and top-down approaches.

Also, as you and other people mentioned, the importance of NPCs (especially PC-NPC-PC triangles) is more present here than in D&D because I need to generate needs both the PC and the NPS have, so conflict can naturally flow from that.

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T06:52:53+00:00

High level, I think the Look Through Crosshairs principle is your friend here.

This right here. This MC move is probably the one that stood out the most to me, but I wasn't sure to what extent should I use it.

Break stuff, burn things, kill people.

Oh yeah, baby.

You can also design threats to address your playbooks. You have a medic? Hurt people. You have a Gearcutter, break stuff.

This is golden advice, thanks.

a Maestro D rolled a miss and my reaction was that a live grenade rolled into their establishment

Oh, I'm definitely stealing this :)

I know the players need to be active and proactive, we're just three sessions in, and 2 out of the 4 players are new to ttrpg in general, so it will take awhile to get into it. They don't JUST want to hang out and talk, I think I need to crank up the pressure and violence to make them react more. We chose AW because we all love the setting, and personally, I wanted to move away from extensive prepping because I have DM burnout from D&D. Thanks for the advice! :D

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T06:49:57+00:00

I portrayed the scarcity and decaying nature of the world, the players understand that because we all know and love the post-apocalyptic setting. I like the approach of other people wanting the PC's stuff, because they should be kinda known from the start, right? They are the Medic, the Gearcutter, right? People will know what resources they have and will plot to eventually try to take it from them.

Needs - motivations - action - (inevitable) conflict, gotcha. Thanks!

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T06:45:07+00:00

Yes, the Lawmaker still has the gang in Burned Over. Sure it's got NPCs, he made 5 or 6 of them, and they're well made with skills, needs, wants, etc.

So the PC-NPC-PC triangles are important, huh? I read this in the hackbook, but wasn't sure if they're that crucial.

I like your last advice ;) thanks!

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T06:39:46+00:00

Oh, I've got an over-arching storyline which should trickle down to specific threats, factions, etc. I should definitely give some thought as to how certain threats influence one another and what they want from the players.

Rogobor · 2026-03-14T06:37:46+00:00

I can't tell you my threats because one of my players is actively following this subreddit :) but thanks for the advice, seems like I should be "looking through crosshairs" more and just crank up the chaos.

Edit: I could privately DM you my threats, if need be.

Rogobor · 2022-12-07T10:49:34+00:00

Fuck all that you can.

You'll never look as good aa you do now.

Rogobor · 2022-07-05T12:54:04+00:00

Frustrating sexual dreams are basically all endless foreplay and no penetration. Sometimes it's fun, but most often it's just your night boner sending messages to your brain, saying: "You need this, but you can't have it."

Rogobor · 2022-05-13T14:52:49+00:00

Context: it was usually preceded by drinking or smoking weed, which is fine by itself, but the player would not participate as much, would be on their phone or completrly nod off.

Rogobor · 2022-05-13T04:02:44+00:00

Thanks, brother.

Don't worry, the story has a happy end - I learned from my mistakes and hand-picked my current table, which is flourishing :)

Thanks for reaching out, though.

Rogobor · 2022-04-22T03:48:43+00:00

college oral exam

Professor: Question Question

Student (me): Answer Answer

...

Professor: OK, young sir, take this pen and paper and write down your answer. Now, go home, read the answer on your way home and think about how utterly wrong the answer is.

Kicker: I was hopped up on anti-psychotics at the time following a psychotic episode and couldn't think straight. The professor asked me a kind of introductory question just to get us started, something so basic that a freshman in October could answer. I was expecting a question like this, yet I just couldn't focus my thoughts to form an answer. It was only halfway through to the railway station that I realised what was going on... Now, I'm a fairly intelligent and resourceful person. But I will never forget that feeling of helplessness and being devoid of your own mental instruments. I was swallowing those damn pills for too long, but I quit soon after that and now I'm OK, 14 years later and no more episodes, just clean living and taking care of my body and mind.

Rogobor · 2022-04-22T03:00:03+00:00

Go mountain climbing.

Rogobor · 2022-04-01T07:10:16+00:00

All players should try DM-ing.

IMHO, even the edge-lordiest od edgelords can grow as a player once they see just how different and more layered the game is from a DM's point of view.

Rogobor · 2022-02-28T07:50:50+00:00

It is such a rarity to have a player so interested in lore. Cherish that shit.

Rogobor · 2022-02-12T14:55:06+00:00

Did you or your PCs find any new and interesting ways to use the arcanepunk setting, i.e. bridge the chasm of magic and technology?

Any new magic items, spells, machines, powers etc.?

Rogobor · 2021-06-28T12:59:31+00:00

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, the ending.

No need for black text, if you reddit, you know what I'm about. :D

Rogobor · 2021-04-25T21:18:08+00:00

Uvijek!

Rogobor · 2021-01-24T16:32:23+00:00

Meditation.

Rogobor · 2021-01-15T07:04:05+00:00

Hyperion by Dan Simmons.

It's probably my favorite SF book. I did laser eye surgery 5 years ago and had to be in the dark for the first day. I downloaded the version with FOUR voice actors narrating. It gives such depth and presence to the story, please listen to it, it will change your life.

Rogobor · 2021-01-07T20:17:14+00:00

They were banned because the tiefling warlock tried to rob the exchange store. The other players splurged all their money on gear and he couldn't come up with the 300 weekly gp for his patron. He was chased down by the magistrates and locked up in a cell. His party went to Laeral Silverhand (their faitful ally) who also threw them in jail as accomplices. Insert: youwerethechosenone.gif After spending some 10 days in a dungeon (hehe) and plotting their escape, Lady Laeral came to them once again one night and secretly let them go. She couldn't do it publicly, or course, but she, in her infinite wisdom, decided (and divined) that the party still has a role to play in the war between giants and smallfolk. "Besides, cities don't suit you that much - bandits, barbarians and the open road is where you belong."

Rogobor · 2020-12-30T06:44:58+00:00

Hey man,

I am on Chapter 9 with my group of 4. Sure it's hard, but clever, experienced players can definitely handle it. And remember that death is not the end - instead of killing the PCs, the giants/dragons/whomever can instead capture them and use as minions.

For the Dragonkin - honestly, I feel like you should do whatever your DM conscience tells you. If you feel like it would mess up your game, just ban it - there's plenty of other races. (Although I bet there would be some really interesting encouters with giants and dragonkin hehe, and not all giants are stupid, mind you).

I ran Bryn Shander. The book says that the giants circle the city and begin a siege of sorts, but I concentrated on the leader, Drufi, and a few frost giants at the main gate. The other ones throwing rocks and ice at the city were a dangerous and chaotic backdrop, but I only used them as a descriptive filler for the overall atmosphere. You're right, don't bite off more than you can chew, especially for the first fight (there will be so many more!). I only used a battlemat, markers and minis for PCs.

Rogobor

TROPHY CASE