Category: Blades in the Dark: Discussion

Orders of Might/Magnitude in Blades in the Dark?

I really like the Order of Might from Torchbearer/Mouse Guard, which basically constrains what sort of interactions PCs can have with other creatures based on the relative might or epic-ness of the two.

As a loose example, beings far higher than normal humans/elves/dwarves on the scale, like ancient dragons or elder gods can only be interacted with by fleeing. As beings are more comparable in might to the PCs, the PCs can interact with them in additional ways, like driving them off (but not killing), capturing them, eventually killing them, etc.

It’s intriguing because it basically is a dynamic invulnerability that forces players to consider alternative approaches than the classic slay-and-loot default to adventurering.

I’m curious if something like this order of might could enhance or inform Blades in the Dark play. Position already informs what is possible based on relative power of both sides of a conflict. You’re controlled when manipulating gullible masses, but desperate when manipulating immortal masterminds.

Nevertheless, what if an order of might like in Torchbearer enhanced that further. The cutter can fight a crowd of thugs sure, but can he take down a leviathan in a wrestling match? This could especially help with inhuman or supernatural powers. Can you kill a man-sized automaton, capture one? Maybe irrespective of position, a gang of Quality 1 humans can only drive off an equal number of automatons, spirits, or fiends, but can’t even attempt to actually kill them. Maybe that particular fiend can maybe be captured by mortal hands (desperate roll permitted), but not killed (no roll possible)?

Is not even permitting PCs to roll a desperate attempt in a vastly outmatched situation contrary to the spirit of the game? Is this sort of consideration already an assumption in play (due to effect factors that could reduce a “success” to 0 effect)? Could codifying it somewhat with an Order of Might help anything?