Tips and tricks for RPG GMs
The idea of Condition Zones began to take shape with the encounter design principles described by Mike Mearls in “Mastering Iron Heroes” (2005). In that context, the concept supports zone-based combat by showing how an environment can apply steady, meaningful pressure throughout a battle. Mearls also distinguished three categories of battlefield zones: condition zones, event …
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Every great tabletop moment shares one common trait: Time is running out. Drama is born from this urgency. The RPG system Daggerheart recognizes this and bakes it into its core system through countdowns. These countdowns give that pressure form. They provide visible (or sometimes hidden) clocks that tick down as players act. And when they …
Read the full post →“Daggerheart Countdowns and the Art of Ticking Tension”
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 …
Read the full post →“Chaos Rolls and Saves: Letting the Dice Speak”
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 …
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In most modern tabletop RPGs, combat is typically treated as a zero-sum game – one side emerges victorious, while the other is either dead or incapacitated. However, the Dungeon Master’s Guide for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition offers a different approach with its optional morale rules. These rules allow creatures to flee or surrender based …
Read the full post →“Why Morale Systems Matter in Tactical Combat Encounters”