Author: David Schirduan

Paragraph Blades Review:

“1) Focus on Flashbacks. One of the key tenants of Blades is that you jump right into the action. Even on a complicated heist, your group only works out the most basic details: “We go in the back while you attack the front.” Then the heist begins. If players ever bump into an obstacle that they didn’t expect, they can have a short flashback detailing how they planned ahead for this. “Oh no, the door is locked? Well good thing we knew to pack climbing gear 5 hours earlier.” This keeps the game fast and loose.

2) Gangs and Turf. In addition to character sheets, your gang also has a sheet. The players can perform jobs, pay bribes, or intimidate other gangs to spread their influence. As your gang levels up you can tackle bigger and bigger jobs. Maybe one day you’ll run this godforsaken place!

The flashbacks and the focus on expanding the gang prevents players from spending the entire session making a plan that will fall apart. It cribs a lot of great ideas from board games by keeping players engaged mechanically and in the fiction. I absolutely adore it, and since Dungeon World, this has become my new darling.”

http://schirduans.com/david/2014/04/rpg-micro-review-mega-list.html#PlayedBlades_in_the_Dark

http://schirduans.com/david/2014/04/rpg-micro-review-mega-list.html#PlayedBlades_in_the_Dark

What is the best actual play for learning the game? I know there was one run March 2015, but I know the rules have changed a lot since then…