Skulduggery vs. Fiasco

Whizbang Dustyboots

Gnometown Hero
I don't own either of these, but I love me some Coen Brothers and Tarantino films.

Am I correct in thinking these operate in largely the same thematic area, but with Skulduggery being a more traditional RPG and Fiasco being closer to a board game?

Does anyone have experience with both of these?
 

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I don't own either of these, but I love me some Coen Brothers and Tarantino films.

Am I correct in thinking these operate in largely the same thematic area, but with Skulduggery being a more traditional RPG and Fiasco being closer to a board game?

Does anyone have experience with both of these?
I only have played Fiasco. I wouldn't say its like a board game at all. Its got a few mechanics based on dice rolls, but its largely improv. It's a slim rulebook and pretty easy to dive into. I recommend it.
 

Only Fiasco.

But I can say it doesn't play like a board game. It's more like a LARP.

You start by choosing a (or writing your own) scenario. Might be Murder on the Orient Express, might be Fargo. This gives you the general feel for the setting and long lists of scenario-appropriate things. Things in it's broadest sense. Lists include relationships, wants, hatreds, loves, potential macguffuins, tools, places, etc.

Rather than having free range of all the things your group rolls a bunch of dice and chooses things by spending the dice rolled. (You want item 6 from list 4 you have spend two dice - a 4 and a 6. If 6 wasn't rolled or is all spent, too bad, you can't choose that thing, find something else.) The other constraint on item choice is you must have a relationship with the two players seated on either side of you at the table. You can choose other players' relationships if you want; and other players can choose yours.

Once set up you start playing scenes. Each player takes a turn playing their scene. They may choose either to set their own scene or award dice. This starts getting into the section of rules that takes more explaining. Best if you read them yourself. But basically being awarded more dice means you have more chance of an interesting outcome at the end of the game.

It's your scene, do what you want. The chosen items are all there as suggestions to what you can do. You can include other players in your scene (and most times one probably would but hey, what do I know?) Other players can insert things into your scene but it is recommended that this be kept low key; don't steal someone else's scene.

At the end of a scene dice are awarded (either by the group or the active player, as previously decided.) Play moves to next player. Each player does 4 scenes. You may want time limits. At the end you roll the dice you have been awarded to find your outcome.

It's recommended for 3-5 players. I've played in groups of 8-9. And I will say that that's too many. With that many the game takes forever and not everyone gets a chance to make their character stand out/contribute.

It really helps move things along if someone is willing to play the real arsehole. Yes, all the characters should have their flaws. But having a real hissable stinker just makes the game flow better. (In my groups this is frequently me. :cool:)
 

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