Recent content by Breaking Star Games

Was there a concept of Experience Points before D&D in something like wargames? A cursory google seems to point to D&D as the origin. And funny that it's not EP because of Electrum - finally that useless currency has a purpose. Making the abbreviation experience look so much cooler (and like a...

When I think adventure, I think of unusual/novel and thrilling/exciting experiences - it's pretty broad and probably covers many stories. Definitely doesn't require combat, but that is the typical of escalating tensions that come with those thrills. But I am definitely more interested on what...

The real classic is working a ton for a few months then your design interest peters out and any fans you have are left with just a google doc. I've read many of these and found some of the most innovative and creative mechanics (and plenty of reinventing the wheel). I keep running into evidence...

Gamma World 7e is probably the OG 4e inspired game - taking it's mechanics and simplifying them.

Check out the core playsheets for BitD here: Downloads | Blades in the Dark RPG The Threat List is great for helping with Improv and it translates decently to Scum & Villainy.

I love Obligations from Edge of the Empire. I would have loved to see something like that tied to the Scum & Villainy Playbooks. To throw out another that hasn't been mentioned yet, Orbital Blues is another great option, with its own unique take on Obligations with some additional structure...

There is such a huge benefit of episodic sessions when it comes to having players with poor attendance. I think also having a lot of unique villains can allow them to be personalized reflections/foils of the PCs too, which can be better for the overall plot. Cowboy Bebop is my gold standard...

I suppose it varies on how big of a houserule it ends up being as well. Smaller changes mostly for flavor area pretty easy to do and usually aren't big, cascading mechanical changes. But the bigger impact ones are usually "after a few adventures" when you really feel that pain point and...

Both may be in the Space Opera genre, but the actual themes and plot are quite different. Mass Effect makes me think of heroic combat with a magic system (which is actually kind of rare in Sci Fi, Fantasy has the majority here), so that basically leaves Genesys and Starfinder of the ones I know...

There is definitely an interesting discussion around how much an edition should change from its predecessor. D&D has definitely gone through extreme changes in the previous several to 3e, to 4e then to 5e. But throughout all of them, the community still had the older editions to enjoy, so more...

I definitely appreciate the system pulling its weight, so you don't need an amazing GM or player participation in a Writer's Room to make it work. So, though I don't love everything about it, I much prefer Root: The RPG's skill list over Blades in the Dark. It comes with 3 simple complications...

I really like multiple levels focused on generating complications because I think it maximizes player agency. The largest difference between rolls come up with complications vs binary is that by having player action create complications, you focus on that PbtA Play to Find Out rather than the...

Melodrama including some teen drama isn't as interesting for me. I'd rather we just tell a story with real stakes. I certainly don't mind the PCs being a mess of pressure, stress or emotions, but that pressure should feel real like Last Fleet portraying Battlestar Galactica keeping the last...

The biggest reason IMO to use D&D 5e is to get a local table because it's so popular. I have plenty of players to play with, so no reason for me personally. But my 5e books make a great temporary stand for my TV.

Maybe its just from all the TV shows I loved in the 90s and early 2000s, but there is definitely a special place in my heart for episodic with those season(s)-long stories. My profile pic gives a hint but Cowboy Bebop and Firefly are the stellar examples for me. It really does fit nicely with...