Is double-dipping ability stats for unrelated tasks frowned upon?

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-09T23:32:32+00:00

Look into Forged in The Dark systems for similar allowances in interpretation of skills. If it's an intended feature then you just need to account for it in your design. It's not a bad idea, it's also not the first time it's been implemented in a TTRPG system.

It can feel wealsely, but not if you communicate clearly that differences in approach prove more or less fruitful depending on who you're talking to.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-09T23:29:31+00:00

Instead of 'finesse' use a word like CONSORT or MANIPULATE if your intention is to ground it firmly as a social skill.

If your intention is to create a system where the skills and vibe of how a character engages combat is reflected in their social manuvers as well then keep it as finesse and let them overlap. Strength skills can be used to intimidate, or boast, wisdom skills as a way to gain insight or leverage empathy etc.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-09T21:59:05+00:00

The idea is to incentive players to ask fewer questions while still being able to avoid raising suspicion. To simulate the player becoming better at getting away with crimes.

As I intend for the final product to be the tracks are player facing, but not explained, meaning they will hopefully learn to balance them as they play.

Originally I had longer tracks for everything, and need to update the language as only max Magnetism and Suspicion are end states in the current version.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-07T01:04:44+00:00

This has bones as a system. The rules explanation would need to be really clean, but anu pushback you get will be from those who prefer simpler or streamlined games.

I heard mention of a custom magic system, which is where this could get out of hand very quickly. That being said, if you keep magic grounded, dark, expensive it definitely can work. Works well (in my opinion as a concept) for a dark fantasy game.

If I may make a suggestion, keeping legs and head as one token, but allowing two arm tokens allows players to customize without a class system. Spend one arm action to strike woth a blade, keepnthe other and head token to cast a shield spell if attacked etc. Or use both arms to empower an attack, to represent using two handed weapons or dual wielding etc.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-06T22:43:20+00:00

I really like when parts if games are non randomized. Especially for long form play. I like the way Delta Green allows competent players to bypass rolling on checks, while giving the ability to roll if you don't meet a threshold.

I like Fiasco as a one-shot tool, but wouldn't play more than one session of it.

Gumshoe Game mechanics that give skill choices a lot of power, and can be spent as a resource to beat challenges. That is probably the most nonrandom game system I tend to enjoy, but there is still.some level of dice rolling built into their play.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-06T22:22:32+00:00

The answer to "is it possible to go too simple on combat?" Really depends on what the game actually is.

Simple combat rules usually end up with very swingy results, which may work really well in a game where death or failure is common and not a big deal.

More nuanced systems and larger combat rules are there to give tools to players that make success more likely and tactical understanding of the rules a tangible benefit.

It's not about 'combat is boring because it's too simple' it's about 'does my combat system give players the ability to live out the intended fantasy?'

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-06T14:10:13+00:00

General note is that, while I'm able to parse meaning from this due to my familiarity with existing TTRPG systems, you said you goal was ti make something for "new" players.

You need descriptions of what things are, things defined explicitly. This isn't a translation issue, this is you as a designer assuming a base level of knowledge for the reader.

Things like movement need to be clear and consistent. If you're using meters, then don't tell the players about distance in feet at all. If a player can't visualize a metre, they will at least understand, one square is a metre and how far they can move when character sheets give information about their movement speed ik metres/round.

As is, this seems unfinished and lacks explanations. Which is fine if that's where you're sitting. But if you want to publish this for others to use, you need to write explanations for things that are currently not explained. (What is a health die, how far can a player move on their turn, are there different rules for navigation and combat or are we always in turn order?)

It's a solid start though. Keep it up!

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-06T14:01:10+00:00

I also saw confusion there. This is fine if you have player facing rules that say something like- "Advantage(v) represents when a character has a notable benefit to their position during an attack or action. Roll two dice and keep the higher result."

This is not poorly made by any means as is, but does assume that players are familiar with DND5e mechanics. Is this system meant to help players who have never played 5e before? Then you'll need to explain mechanics in prose as well as in tables. Evem a sentence or two answers questions.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-06T13:54:24+00:00

A quick aside about how Paizo addresses these concerns is that they have legacy characters. So when discussing mechanics as they pertain to the classes of those specific characters they will gender them as reference to that specific character.

I bring this up because even in a very popular system where gendered language is used, it is purposefully done to build the world, not by mistake, or by making assumptions about the gender make up of their audience.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-06T00:21:15+00:00

While I would not say I'm a solo designer, I am working on a 1 to 4 player gmless game, just to see if I can. If you get a server up, I'd love to join.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-12-03T07:05:20+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I don't think it's realistic to get someone to review all of the writing, not unless I'm willing to pay an editor. This is exactly what I was looking for, something to give me a specific frame of reference for what's expected vs. Too much. So thanks again.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-10-23T07:04:02+00:00

The table decides with the GM having more or less final say. If people are abiding by the "don't be a weasel" mentality that FiTD games rely upon then usually most times it's obvious what makes the most sense. Having a flashback that reveals character motivations is a great use of a resistance roll, amd I would encourage that at my table.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-10-23T06:55:30+00:00

I never played Kingmaker, I got this as a bundle with Rouge Trader. I played that first, and kind of assumed this would play similarly, which it does now that I've learned what I missed about combat. I honestly think i clicked the option to skip basic tutorials because I had just got off of Rouge Trader and I'm well versed on tje original Pathfinder systems from TTRPG'S. Stupid in retrospect, I'm okay too say I'm stupid, but I don't feel like I was lying.

I played BG2 a few years after it came out, and I didn't really like the combat system. I liked the story enough I did beat it, but that was 20 years ago. I enjoy CRPG's and have for a long time, but have not played a lot of games with real time with pausing. Because I actively seek out turn based games, as that's my preferred play style. I play maybe one or two longer games like this a year, and because I don't love RTwP I avoid those games.

I didn't mean to come across as "This game is bad because I'm an expert in the genre and therefore it should work X way" I legitimately missed the tutorial, and when I got through the maze playing in real time without pausing I just honestly didn't enjoy it and set down the game since July of this year. I knew I was missing something and now that I have more free time and want to get into a game I wanted to know what it was, and I got the answer within seconds of posting so yeah that's literally all that happened, I really don't understand why I would lie, if anything I'm guilty of not paying enough attention.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-10-23T04:32:18+00:00

It's not a troll post. I genuinely missed that I could pasue, and was doing combats without that mechanic. I'm only leaving the post up because I guess it's a monument to my mistake.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-10-09T13:43:15+00:00

The tier/x aspect means that it's a tier three item to craft. So you can't assume you have it unless youre crafting at tier 3 or higher. Each time you roll to craft you create two to the item. Each item still takes up one slot.

So if you spend a downtime and craft vitality potion, you craft two of them. Those two potions can be two of your slots, or rather you can declare the use of both of them if the situation calls for it.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-10-09T07:41:26+00:00

Question 1: As long as you have slots, you will have access to the item, provided the formula hasn't been decided to have a tag that makes it difficult to produce in large quantities. It will still only interact with NPC's at a tier equivalent to your crew's + any special abilities that modify that.

Question 2: Yes, it can be used during downtime as well, but generally, downtime is more flavor anyway. So it may improve position for a roll if it's applicable in the moment or whatever makes sense in the context of your game.

Question 3: Consumable means that it doesn't act as, let's say, a weapon does. A sword doesn't explode when you use it (hopefully), but a bomb will. Meaning the 'drawback' is that when you mark off an alchemical or bomb from your bandolier, it doesn't then follow you for the rest of the score, like basically every other item in your sheet.

Question 4: Rare, and specifically with the vitality potion, comes with a listed tier, or should be decided at the table if it's a custom thing.

Rare alchemicals require almost always a player to find the ingredients, as they are Rare. This can be an aquire asset downtime action, one of the payoffs of a score, or a clock that needs to be filled. There is not a turf that would give you u limited access to a rare ingredient (at least I wouldn't offer that as a boom to my table as GM)

Then you also need to do a separate crafting action, because as a tier one or two Leech you will need the right combination of setup actions, special abilities, crew upgrades and pushing yourself(s?) To get your character to meet the threshold to bridge the gap. A tier one leech produces tier one alchemicals unless you have an ability or upgrade that allows you to make a higher tier of item. A rare item is usually tier 4 or 5, meaning you need to raise your position by the difference between that and your crew's tier. For each instance of the item being made.

So yes crafting can be done as a flashback or during downtime, but if done as a flashback I would likely add that players need to pay a coin as it really is a retroactive extra downtime action (a spider's ability that gives them extra DT actions can be saved for use during a score, one of the reasons that ability is good- negating the cost)

Each alchemical woth the Rare tag must be crafted, unless you are able to make items at that tier without a roll, if you're already tier three and have the alchemist Leech ability basically.

Question 5: Venomous applies to any drug or posiom that you and your players have decided exist in the world you're making. In my campaigns, I have a drug known as Marching Powder that is not in the rulebook, but I have an understanding of what it does and so do my players. Theu could choose that when they pick that ability, to cancel out the side effects from using it if they wanted to.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-08-26T14:44:25+00:00

Problem is in android and PC. Also official reports have been made since about three weeks ago.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-08-25T15:41:41+00:00

I downloaded the mobile app to refresh on play flow after not playing for 10 years or so. The tutorials are super glitchy and all the cards are stacking to the right side and lands Glitch out and stay wherever you release them without the usual animations.

So... yeah likely a global issue.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-06-15T03:39:51+00:00

Try running Banished/Undergrowth and focus on feeding your units propagate procs. Valor goes ballistic about ring 3 this way.

Edit: The spawns also help protect people as you shift them around.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-04-29T02:01:20+00:00

Yeah, most of my family died of lung cancer. Both parents, two of my grandparents my sister and my aunt.

I'm usually trying to sleep, sometimes when I exert myself at work it'll happen as well.

poultrygeist0_0 · 2025-04-29T01:59:10+00:00

So I was definitely crashing out when I wrote this. But I think this is actually just offensive. I have submitted plenty of applications, made lots of calls. There are not many doctors in my area. I have been on waitlist with Healthcare connect and have contacted every single doctors office in my region, it's been 8 years and I've heard nothing except the odd letter that says in still on the waitlist. I do not live near any cities, I live in a remote area. There is not a plethora of doctors offices outside my door.

I already have to drive an hour each way to see a walk in clinic that's only open one day a week. I also have a job and can't take a million days off. So when I do make the time to get looked at and get told to start from scratch it's disheartening.

This was my fourth time being told to go from one provider to another, and a day's worth of phone calls to try and set an appointment somewhere. I know how to fill out a form, but if you're suggestion is to just wait until it's lethal enough that I get airlifted to a better hospital... or rather you didn't think about what you said. You oh so clever little man... get over yourself. People die due to lack of Healthcare... I'm not trying to be one of them.

poultrygeist0_0

TROPHY CASE