Time Limit as a Stress Inducer: Thoughts?

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Is the NPC doing this or is there any in-game manifestation?

If not then, nope. You the GM should not be a mechanic in your own right.

If there is an actual time facet going on in the game, let the gzmeceorld do what it does.

As soon as **you** become part of the story, it's going in the wrong firection.

This is a game mechanic, not a story mechanic. It's about challenging the players to think fast, not necessarily about adding tension to the story.

 

[mortwatcher]

I carry with myself one of those sand-watch timers, 1 minute I believe. I don't pull it out often, but when I do, they know it's serious and they have to hustle, because the sands of time never stop.

 

[Bawylie]

You absolutely can and should demand immediate action on instantaneous situations. But you should let your players know the consequences of their potential decision and the certain outcome of indecision before you give them the 5 seconds or whatever to decide.

Many combats demand faster action.

That said, tension and stress should ebb and flow. You can’t demand instant action every action. Just like every action can’t be a full parliamentary debate.