PbtA Games: Sell One Well +

[Reynard]

If we're calling Ironsworn PbtA, I would also put Scum & Villainy on this list, as it's derived from Blades in the Dark, which is derived from PbtA.

We have had a couple threads on the subject and all I can say is that in my head PbtA and FitD games are similar but ultimately different systems -- like 5e to PF2 similar but different. But that's because I investigated them simultaneously but separately, rather than going from one to the other.

As to Ironsworn: I don't know if it is PbtA but I really like its core mechanic as presented in Me, Myself and Die season 2. I have not gotten around to trying it, solo or otherwise, but plan on stealing the d6+mod vs 2 separate d10 DCs thing.

 

[Aldarc]

Watching a game being played can be useful for gathering insight into how the system works at the table. I'm not sure how this wouldn't be obvious from the outset.

I agree, but I find some actual plays more useful than others when it comes to learning what the system actually looks like practice. Wading through 30 minutes of character appearance introductions with terrible voices, for example, can be absolutely painful. Or even having to wait about an hour before the system actually comes into play isn't all that helpful IMO.

 

[Xamnam]

I agree, but I find some actual plays more useful than others when it comes to learning what the system actually looks like practice. Wading through 30 minutes of character appearance introductions with terrible voices, for example, can be absolutely painful. Or even having to wait about an hour before the system actually comes into play isn't all that helpful IMO.

Or they're happy to discard the rules when they get in the way of fun/story/comedy/whatever, like TAZ.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Or they're happy to discard the rules when they get in the way of fun/story/comedy/whatever, like TAZ.

I've never gotten the impression that the McElroys know the rules well enough (other than with Lasers & Feelings) to be able to consciously discard them.

 

[Aldarc]

Does anyone have a PbtA actual play they highly recommend? Preferably (for me) either a one shot or short series.

For Monster of the Week, I hear good things about The Crit Show.

 

[niklinna]

Our next campaign is going to be about a trial program of roller-skating cops in Santa Monica in 1977. Like a cross between CHIPS and Roller Boogie with some Barney Miller mixed in.

Spirit of ‘77 is the prefect system for this (also the inspiration). Does that sell or unsell it? I don’t know.

CHiPS had an episode with a roller-skating boardwalk thief.

 

[niklinna]

CHiPS had an episode with a roller-skating boardwalk thief.

Found 'em! They were thick-soled sandals with wheels that popped out, so the thief could be "inconspicuous" and then get away quick!

RARE 70's Vintage Italian Omnia/c Pop Out Wheels Platform - Etsy Canada | Boogie shoes, Roller skates vintage, Platform sandals

Apr 5, 2020 - Rare find!!! Sandal to roller skate transformation! These are the coolest!!! OMNIA-C Italian made Pop Out platform sandals, made popular in the 1970s and used in TV shows Charlies Angels, and CHiPS. Note the tiny knob on the side of the sandal to switch from platform sandals to...

www.pinterest.com

Apparently these were on Charlie's Angels too.

I can't find any clips from that CHiPs episode, but there was a two-parter featuring regular roller skate thieves and this astounding little bit:

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

What on earth? Did they tell them they won't renew their show for another season unless they all showed up for a very awkward roller skating party that would be used on CHiPs?

 

[billd91]

What on earth? Did they tell them they won't renew their show for another season unless they all showed up for a very awkward roller skating party that would be used on CHiPs?

I'm pretty sure they were not all from the same network as CHiPs.

 

[jaycrockett]

Someone needs to tell me if Nancy Kulp is actually rollerskating in this episode or I'll have to be buying it.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm pretty sure they were not all from the same network as CHiPs.

That would be even weirder, since stuff like Battle of the Network Stars was pretty much locked down to single networks back then, as I recall.

 

[Tun Kai Poh]

My recommendation is Night Witches by Jason Morningstar, where you play the pilots of the Soviet 588th Night Bomber Regiment, the only all-woman regiment in WW2 (true story). By night, they flew obsolete biplanes to bomb the invading fascists. By day, they had to survive life in Stalin's Red Army.

The game splits up the cycle of play into day and night, with different focus of play in each. And there's an extensive 33-part campaign based on the historical missions of the 588th.

I wrote a review of it ages ago over here...

RPG Review : Night Witches (2015)

Night Witches is a roleplaying game of Soviet airwomen at war. With clear, instructive writing and design by Jason Morningstar (creator of Fiasco) and striking visual design by Brennen Reece (The Warren), the book does a great job evoking the WW2 Eastern Front milieu and lets players tell...

roleoverplaydead.com

 

[The Shadow]

I just ran across a hilariously stripped-down version of D&D called, tongue-in-cheek, "6E". It's only 11 pages long, and looks quite playable!

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

What on earth? Did they tell them they won't renew their show for another season unless they all showed up for a very awkward roller skating party that would be used on CHiPs?

Looks just exactly like High School in 1977 or so to me...

 

[Aldarc]

To what end? Most AP's I've seen tend to lean more toward entertainment value, without giving much justice to the rules of whatever game is being played

However (and I may have linked this upthread at some point) the upcoming Stonetop game has had some nice youtube APs that also talks about the mechanics as they go

According to Jeremy Strandberg, their Blinding Light campaign is on its 49th play session and ongoing. I think that this is a pretty good sign that PbtA games can do longer-term campaigns.

He also posted another giant post on his blog - Playing Stonetop (and Other PbtA Games) - that I think is worth reading.

 

[Faolyn]

Speaking of Monster of the Week: I find the Investigate a Mystery and Read a Bad Situation results to be... limiting. In that you're limited to the questions it lists and can only ask whatever question you want when you advance the move. Would it make a mess of anything to allow people to ask whatever question they want even pre-advancement? Just in case the players come up with a good question that isn't on the list?

 

[niklinna]

Speaking of Monster of the Week: I find the Investigate a Mystery and Read a Bad Situation results to be... limiting. In that you're limited to the questions it lists and can only ask whatever question you want when you advance the move. Would it make a mess of anything to allow people to ask whatever question they want even pre-advancement? Just in case the players come up with a good question that isn't on the list?

Seems to me the limited # of questions is the key factor, and the questions themselves are best suggestions. Give it a try and see how it goes! But I'd still require the questions to be pretty focused.

 

[Fenris-77]

For Monster of the Week, I hear good things about The Crit Show.

I'm currently watching some actual play of Brindlewood Bay run by the author, Jason Cordova, and it's marvelous.

 

[Aldarc]

Speaking of Monster of the Week: I find the Investigate a Mystery and Read a Bad Situation results to be... limiting. In that you're limited to the questions it lists and can only ask whatever question you want when you advance the move. Would it make a mess of anything to allow people to ask whatever question they want even pre-advancement? Just in case the players come up with a good question that isn't on the list?

Try it out first. Similar Moves exist in other PbtA games, and I have found that these questions suffice and help provide some structure for player questions.

 

[Fenris-77]

Try it out first. Similar Moves exist in other PbtA games, and I have found that these questions suffice and help provide some structure for player questions.

Like any other game, you need to achieve a certain level of Keeper experience before the pieces all fall naturally into place. IMO anyway.