Chaos Rolls and Saves: Letting the Dice Speak

There are moments in every tabletop game where none of the usual mechanics seem to fit. The character isn’t using a skill, there’s no obvious saving throw, and no stat governs the outcome. Still, the question looms: what happens next? This is where Chaos Rolls come into play – a mechanic used, for example, in …

Fear Without Losing Agency: Insights from The Burning Wheel

Fear is a powerful narrative tool in tabletop RPGs, capable of driving dramatic moments and deep character development. However, when poorly implemented, fear checks can strip players of agency, violating a fundamental expectation that players control their characters’ actions. This loss of control can create frustration and disconnect from the game. The Burning Wheel by …

Mastering Player-Facing Mechanics for an Engaging RPG Experience

In the world of tabletop role-playing games, mechanics are the backbone of every session, shaping interactions and defining outcomes. Among the many innovations in game design, player-facing mechanics stand out as a transformative concept. By shifting the focus of mechanical interactions to the players, these systems enhance engagement, streamline gameplay, and empower players to take …