Questions tagged [game-design]
For questions about the design of RPGs themselves. Not for questions about homebrewing subsystems, rules, or house rules questions. More specific tags may apply—click “info” or “learn more…” for a guide.
250
questions
7
votes
5
answers
2k
views
Is there a way knowledge checks can be done without an Intelligence trait?
I've seen people criticize the use of intelligence traits in RPGs- for example, in the Gemini RPG there is no intelligence trait because the authors intended a PC to be "as intelligent as you ...
- 4,067
16
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there any explanation or discussion regarding the change in the Bard class from its AD&D1ed orignal implementation?
If I recall correctly, the Bard in AD&D1ed was a true dual (triple) class character who had to progress as a pure fighter, then a pure thief, and then finally could begin to progress as a bard. In ...
- 391
7
votes
2
answers
783
views
Is there an ideal order of chapters for RPG core books?
I have in my years of playing RPGs seen many possible orders for the chapters in an RPG, and somehow they always feel off to me because some parts are feeling as if they are in the wrong spot. Let me ...
- 45.1k
10
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How can I make weapons of the same playstyle (reliable/risky) in my dice pool system (Feedback Loop) feel distinct mechanically?
I am currently making a sci-fi biopunk TTRPG system. In the system, attack rolls are made by rolling 4d6, then adding together either the 3 highest or the 2 highest rolls, depending on the weapon. If ...
- 101
3
votes
2
answers
316
views
How to design a superhero rpg around a certain power level? [closed]
A common thing in superhero rpgs is that they're designed for all characters to be within a specific power range, mainly for balance purposes and not having to deal with absurd situations like Aunt ...
user85295
5
votes
3
answers
394
views
Advice for designing clocks in PBTA games
I'm creating a PBTA game about mice with swords. The feel I'm going for is "little creatures in a big, dangerous world."
I'd like to use clocks so that the GM can track moon phases and ...
- 61
1
vote
0
answers
91
views
How do I develop a vehicle design system for a tabletop roleplaying game (examples include Traveller, Striker, and Fire Fusion& Steel)? [closed]
How do I develop a crunchy simulationist vehicle design system for a tabletop roleplaying game (examples include Traveller, Striker, and Fire Fusion& Steel)?
How do I develop a vehicle design ...
- 121
7
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Benefits of PC attribute generation methods? (custom RPG)
I'm working on a pen and paper RPG of my own, and have hit a snag on determining stats for beginning player characters (such as Strength, Intelligence, Perception and the like); I'm not sure whether ...
- 4,067
2
votes
0
answers
72
views
What are the design differences between Pathfinder 2E and D&D 5E? [duplicate]
(I do not believe this is a duplicate of What are the major differences in style and system between D&D 5e and Pathfinder 2e? [duplicate] -- despite the similar name, the answer there just ...
- 2,642
5
votes
5
answers
483
views
Does this trigger violate GM principles? Can it be fixed?
I have been working on homebrew class replacements for dungeon-world, and as part of this we have added "class triggers". Class triggers look like the compendium class triggers. However ...
- 4,287
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How do I calculate probability for the dice mechanic in my custom indie ttrpg?
I am currently working on writing an indie TTRPG based on the "press your luck" style games instead of being based around miniature war games.
I am struggling to understand the probabilities ...
- 61
9
votes
6
answers
1k
views
Is it possible for a single system to handle a huge range of different power levels?
I'm thinking about designing a game based on Shonen battle anime, and one of the aspects I'm having difficulty modelling is the range of power scales. The anime I'm referencing (Dragon Ball, Naruto, ...
- 368
7
votes
2
answers
647
views
How do I determine a baseline difficulty when converting a d100 system to a d20 system?
How do I mathematically determine a baseline difficulty number when converting a d100 "roll under" system to a d20 "roll over" system?
The Basic RP system (and variants) uses a ...
- 2,419
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
When I'm making a Powered-by-the-Apocalypse game, how do I pick good questions for moves like Read a Person?
The Apocalypse World RPG has the following move:
When you read a person in a charged interaction, roll +sharp. On a 10+,
hold 3. On a 7–9, hold 1. While you’re interacting with them, spend
your hold ...
- 2,325
8
votes
4
answers
1k
views
How could I lower the rate of critical successes?
I'm trying to create my own RPG, to play with friends. To be honest, I never played published RPGs before, only home-brewed ones, but I don't feel like spending money on a thing that I may never use, ...
- 307