Obfuscating Game Mechanics (Episode 103)

On the Shoulders of Dwarves

In today's episode we talk about two very different aspects of information management. I have good news and bad news: the bad news is that most game systems have some really iffy bits that somehow managed to get past the playtest phase or just not suited to your game and that sucks, the good news is that you don’t have to use them. Sometimes a part of the game mechanics does not suit your game. **There are several ways to deal with this issue, you can:** - Remove a mechanic from the system - The GM can obfuscate mechanic from the players - e.g. do all the calculations on their own, like grapple - Saves, to avoid a break in the pacing - Use a simplified version of the rules - Passive perception in D&D - A set amount of damage. - Homebrew your own mechanic for this issue Convention games: intro to system vs running a story-oriented. # Eran’s take (10:45) **Obscuring for clarity** - For reducing cognitive overload - Rules for sailing in 50 Fathoms **Obscuring for tension** - Hit points and other indicators of status - AC, DC of traps City of Mist - statuses are open, custom moves and spectrums are to be revealed What a lovely afternoon # Summary (28:33) One of the best parenting advice I got was to listen to everyone's advice about parenting but remember that 24 hours after your kids have been born you know them better than anyone. I mean that you know your gaming group better them the people that wrote the system or module and if one thing is really problematic - adjust accordingly. This doesn’t mean that you should alter game systems lightly. Game designers work hard on these. * * * # Taking the load off (30:07) **Uri**: My Warpriest is now a cleric, playtesting a new adventure. Getting ready for a new D&D 5e campaign. **Eran**: working on a new version of Menagerie of the Void * * * Email us at [[e-mail]](mailto:[e-mail]) with questions, topic suggestions, and comments, and check out [our Facebook group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/dwarfpodcast). We have a [Patreon page](https://www.patreon.com/dwarfcast), in case you'd like to support us in a monetary fashion. Also, most links to [DriveThruRPG are affiliate](http://drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=29668), which means we get a bit of money if you buy through them, with no added cost to you. Intro and outro based on On the Shoulders of Dwarves by the Cliches Duo. On the Shoulders of Dwarves is shared under [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).