Action Roll Summary

  • A player or GM calls for a roll. Make an action roll when the character performs a dangerous or troublesome action.
  • The player chooses the action rating to roll. Choose the action that matches what the character is doing in the fiction.
  • The GM establishes the position and effect level of the action. The choice of position and effect is influenced strongly by the player’s choice of action.
  • Add up to two bonus dice. 1) Assistance from a teammate. 2) Push yourself (take 2 stress) or accept a Devil’s Bargain.
  • Roll the dice pool and judge the outcome. The players and GM narrate the action together. The GM has final say over what happens and inflicts consequences as called for by the position and the result of the roll.
  • 1d for each Action rating dot.
  • +1d if you have Assistance.
  • +1d if you Push yourself -or- you accept a Devil’s Bargain.

Controlled

You act on your own terms. You exploit a dominant advantage.

Result Description
Critical You do it with increased effect.
4 You do it.
3 You hesitate. Withdraw and try a different approach, or else do it with a minor consequence: a minor complication occurs, you have reduced effect, you suffer lesser harm, you end up in a risky position.
2 You don’t do it, but you gain a gain a new opportunity.
1 You falter. Press on by seizing a risky opportunity, or withdraw and try a different approach.

Risky

You go head to head. You act under fire. You take a chance.

Result Description
Critical You do it with increased effect.
4 You do it.
3 You do it, but there’s a consequence: you suffer harm, a complication occurs, you have reduced effect, you end up in a desperate position.
2 You don’t do it, but you end up in a controlled position, you gain a new opportunity.
1 Things go badly. You suffer harm, a complication occurs, you end up in a desperate position, you lose this opportunity.

Desperate

You overreach your capabilities. You’re in serious trouble.

Result Description
Critical You do it with increased effect.
4 You do it.
3 You do it, but there’s a consequence: you suffer severe harm, a serious complication occurs, you have reduced effect.
2 You don’t do it, but you end up in a risky position, you gain a new opportunity.
1 It’s the worst outcome. You suffer severe harm, a serious complication occurs, you lose this opportunity for action.