So I decided to give Blades in the dark a shot tomorrow night. I read the quick start rules and I think I can do this. What advice would you give to someone running their first game of Blades? What traps should I avoid?
So I decided to give Blades in the dark a shot tomorrow night.
So I decided to give Blades in the dark a shot tomorrow night.
GM with a light touch. Let the players determine scenes via planning, flashbacks, and choosing their own actions. Play to find out what happens. Have fun 🙂
Unless it’s important, don’t bother with a clock.
Ben Jarvis Yeah something I noticed is how easy it could be to fall into the trap of “everything can have a clock” just like “everything can have an aspect” in Fate. It’s not because it can that it should. Good point. I’ll keep that in mind.
Try to narrow down the situation before the roll, set effect, position and especially the action you are choosing.Â
Ben Jarvis But at the same time, do use clocks for things you want to track; they are super handy, and it’s actually fun to have one running.
Nooooo noo clock! Just say no2klok! 😛
Devil’s bargains can get you in trouble if they overlap too much with consequences of a failed roll.
Also, seconding the thing about the clocks.
Resist the urge to plan. Throw them into a situation, imagine the fiction with minimal “stats,” and only pick system tools after the action is rolling (rather than trying to plan them ahead of time.)
For example, don’t try to lay in and stat up an adventure ahead of time; think of a cool setting, and as they pick an approach or ask questions, come up with ideas. When they clash, only then figure out how to apply system tools to resolve success, and go case by case rather than trying to think in “stat blocks” for obstacles. What are they trying RIGHT NOW and what do you need to resolve the outcome?
Stay focused on two things–your favorite things about the setting, and what the players give you. Weave back and forth between those anchors as you improvise!