Pugmire is a fantasy game that has gone to the dogs. Not just dogs, but also cats, rats, badgers and lizards as well. Set in a far future world that has reverted to the tropes of medieval fantasy, you play characters that are on a quest to become a "good dog."
Produced by Onyx Path Publishing and created by long time RPG designer and developer Eddy Webb, Pugmire uses a customization of the 5th edition OGL rules that will be familiar to anyone who has played Dungeons and Dragons. Some of the customizations that Webb has made to the rules:
Character creation has been simplified, and the player has a choice of seven breeds, six callings and a background. Breeds and callings are similar to traditional race and class options but have a wider impact on the game. As characters levels up, ability scores can be increased, or they can learn new tricks or enhance old tricks. As breeds, callings and backgrounds all have separate lists of available tricks; they continue to be equally important to character development.
The narrative explanation of the rules coupled with the brightly coloured art gives the setting a definite sense of whimsy. There is an emphasis on trust, companionship and loyalty throughout the rule book's narrative and the overall atmosphere is closer to Redwall than to Watership Down.
This lighthearted feel is reinforced by the fact that the main antagonists facing our anthropomorphised heroes are the demonic "The Unseen," who are literally invisible. Hiding the game's main adversary from sight could lead to a campaign of creeping fear and possession. But when you add in the whimsy of adventuring dogs, it tends to downplay the elements of violence and death during combat encounters.
Far from being a negative, the cheerful ambience and slightly simplified mechanics makes Pugmire ideal as an introductory game for younger players. The OGL system retains its depth while the subtle rule changes make the game more streamlined. The atmosphere of the game is scalable, allowing for a lighthearted romp for children or a potentially terrifying campaign of possession and unseen danger that will satisfy more experienced players.
contributed by John McCloy
Produced by Onyx Path Publishing and created by long time RPG designer and developer Eddy Webb, Pugmire uses a customization of the 5th edition OGL rules that will be familiar to anyone who has played Dungeons and Dragons. Some of the customizations that Webb has made to the rules:
- Characters roll for initiative. The highest scoring player then picks who will take a turn after his. This second step is repeated, with each player choosing who will go next.
- Stamina dice are similar to hit dice but have a far wider range of uses. These include restoring used spell slots and mitigating a failed death save.
- Fortune functions like inspiration, but instead of being allotted individually there is a communal fortune bowl. Drawing from the bowl requires the consent of the entire party and allows the player to reroll one dice and take the best result.
- Critical hits in combat are called triumphs and allow the player to roll double their damage dice. There is also a critical fail mechanic called a botch. Botches either impose disadvantage on the player's next attack roll or gives an enemy advantage.
Character creation has been simplified, and the player has a choice of seven breeds, six callings and a background. Breeds and callings are similar to traditional race and class options but have a wider impact on the game. As characters levels up, ability scores can be increased, or they can learn new tricks or enhance old tricks. As breeds, callings and backgrounds all have separate lists of available tricks; they continue to be equally important to character development.
The narrative explanation of the rules coupled with the brightly coloured art gives the setting a definite sense of whimsy. There is an emphasis on trust, companionship and loyalty throughout the rule book's narrative and the overall atmosphere is closer to Redwall than to Watership Down.
This lighthearted feel is reinforced by the fact that the main antagonists facing our anthropomorphised heroes are the demonic "The Unseen," who are literally invisible. Hiding the game's main adversary from sight could lead to a campaign of creeping fear and possession. But when you add in the whimsy of adventuring dogs, it tends to downplay the elements of violence and death during combat encounters.
Far from being a negative, the cheerful ambience and slightly simplified mechanics makes Pugmire ideal as an introductory game for younger players. The OGL system retains its depth while the subtle rule changes make the game more streamlined. The atmosphere of the game is scalable, allowing for a lighthearted romp for children or a potentially terrifying campaign of possession and unseen danger that will satisfy more experienced players.
contributed by John McCloy
