RPGnet review of Fortune Cards

[pemerton]

For those interested in the ongoing discussions of the relationship between mechanics and fiction in an RPG, there is a good review of the new fortune cards over on RPGnet.

The reviewer is critical of Fortune cards for an excessive abstraction of mechanical benefits away from the content of the fiction. I think this is an interesting line of criticism, different from discussions about price, randomisation/collectability, etc.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I think the reviewer is a bit off base.

I mean, the cards relate more to the ongoing fiction of the combat than the powers system does in the first place. Healing surges and hit points and warlords all contribute more to the "it's a game, not a story" than these things do. The highly situational abilities seem to depict the cards as a turn of sudden good luck and guts for the character whose player lays 'em down, and the fact that they are so situational helps keep them thematically appropriate.

There's plenty of criticism to level at 4e in general for a "mechanics > fiction" mindset, but I don't think the fortune cards exacerbate this any more than, I dunno, the idea of an extended rest.

Looks like the reviewer could use a plot twist deck instead, though.

 

[Herremann the Wise]

Hello Everyone,

I think the review was pretty direct and most importantly did not bother with the "D&D turning into MtG trolling" that always seems to happen as if WotC is reaching out of your computer and digging their greedy hands into your pockets.

These cards looked like they could have been fun but the under-powered flavourless effects are going to only provide minimal bumps in play. However, there is one issue with this and that is the overall effect in play. As these cards are designed to be used regularly, maybe all these minor effects add up quite quickly. I think a play review of this might provide a greater light on whether this product has traction.

I have and can recommend the Paizo Plot Twist Cards and they look and are a lot of fun in play adding the right amount of occasional spice to play.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise