My Approach to Mechanics

In my view, the essence of roleplaying mechanics lies in their ability to prevent disagreements among players. Without a solid framework or guidelines, storytelling can quickly devolve into chaos, with players contradicting and challenging each other's actions and outcomes. That's why we rely on tools like dice or playing cards to clearly indicate success, failure, and sometimes the degree of each. This structured approach helps maintain harmony and fairness.

Another fundamental purpose of mechanics is to inject unexpected twists and turns into the narrative. A character might fail a crucial task, setting off a new chain of problems, or succeed against the odds, leading to unforeseen and sometimes ironic complications. These unpredictable outcomes add intrigue and keep everyone engaged, eagerly anticipating what might happen next.

I firmly believe that mechanics should promote player agency. I prefer a core mechanic that is simple yet versatile, easily adaptable to various scenarios. This allows players to come up with imaginative solutions to obstacles, enhancing their engagement and enjoyment. I'm a proponent of hero point systems, which provide players with opportunities to mitigate poor outcomes and continue shaping their story actively.

For me, simplicity in mechanics is everything. All of the above needs to be achieved in the most concise, easy-to-grasp manner possible. If players can’t understand the way things work within a few minutes, like after a brief mock scenario to teach the system, it's too complex. Ideally, mechanics should fade into the background, allowing players to focus on developing their characters and advancing the plot. Frequent consultations with manuals or apps and reliance on extensive charts and tables signal a failure in design. While I respect all preferences and styles, my own design philosophy is guided by these principles to enhance the storytelling experience of roleplaying.