what does everyone think about this idea
rather than full playbooks, you have “archetypes”. these archetypes come with stat adjustments( but give you a floating +1, ala monsterhearts) and a single move they get (see appendix A for details). and then you pick a few moves from a “Move Bank”.
Three benefits i see from this. First, you could have a standardized character sheet (no more printing out a dozen playbooks for 3 players). Second it leaves a lot of customizability, even at creation. and third it enforces the unofficial rule to not take a classes “thing” (take at will brain atonement or seeing souls, don’t take deep brain scan or hypnotic if theres a skinner or brainer in the game)
Appendix A:
Examples of Archetypes
The Wanton (+1 determined, -1 sane)
Need: When you are desperate, cornered, or otherwise in immediate danger, roll +Determined, on a 10+, you get to what you need (allies, a weapon, a place of temporary safety). On a 7-9, you can choose to or not, but if you do, someone else will be exposed to danger or consequences. On a miss, you and someone else are exposed to danger or consequences
The Traitor (+1 Sane, -1 Determined)
Farewell kiss: at any time, you may elect to shed a negative condition or wound, and give it to a willing, or unknowing ally through physical contact
The Liar (+1 scared, +1 Sane, -1 determined, -1 pure)
Now you see me: When you shift your position quickly to avoid harm, roll +Scared. On a 10+, you are out of the way, and have the enemy at a disadvantage. On a 7-9, you get out of the way, just barely. Take 1 forward. On a 6 miss, you’re flat on your ass and vulnerable to your attacker.
The Warren essentially does this, and it’s one of the best PBTA games.
The Warren? I’ll admit, I’ve never heard of it. What’s it’s premise?
Sounds like Uncharted Worlds
Yeah, this sounds most like the Warren (you’re rabbits and the world is out to get you, a la Watership Down), but also like Uncharted Worlds (Traveller-esque space opera, with Origins and two Careers coming together to make your Archetype).
Which is to say, yeah, the idea definitely works.
Premise of The Warren is basically Watership Down. Playing in a dangerous and political rabbit society.
Class Warfare for DW has a roll-your-own system of playbooks.
Sure, yeah, totally works. I wrote a deck of cards that was basically this, each card gives you +1 to a stat and has a move on it. Draw 3 random cards and you have an instant character for a 1-shot game of Dungeon World. Never got the layout for it done though.
Johnstone Metzger I’d love to see this idea, or at least steal it.
Peter J It was pretty simple, like putting the text of Bend Bars, Lift Gates on a card, along with a +1 STR, and then colouring the border to represent Warrior, Magician, Rogue, or Cleric. If 2 or 3 of your 3 starting moves are the same “class,” that’s your HP and damage die, if all 3 are different, it’s d6 and whatever I did for HP.
Somebody else was doing the layout and real life got in the way, so it’s possible we’ll pick it up again later this year or whatever.