So I recently discovered the PbtA game “Troublemakers” by James Mullen

11 thoughts on “So I recently discovered the PbtA game “Troublemakers” by James Mullen”

1. I like Afraid of the Dark: I’m smacking my head and saying “Glowsticks! Of course!” I might go even further and say they effectively never run out, you just always have them.

   Maybe some of the moves could be tied together by stating something you are afraid of? Your phobia becomes a defining characteristic, but you get some advantage from the way you respond to it?

   I’m not sure about Faint: I get where you’re coming from, but I’m not sure how much mileage you’d get from a move that puts you out of action for up to a whole scene. Maybe change it to “When anyone picks on you, you may override their choice of outcome by passing out instead.”?

   I’m Scared Too: that’s cool, I’d like to see that move playing out in the fiction. 🙂

   I wonder if there is a way to connect Cornered Animal with I’m Outta Here? Maybe combine them into one move, e.g. Fight or Flight: Mark experience when you run away; if you stay put, you must pick on whoever or whatever surprised you.

   Thanks for the interest in the hack: it’s what makes it worthwhile doing these things. 🙂

2. Thank you so much for your kind words and feedback!

   Afraid of the Dark: I like the idea that the glow sticks never run out.

   I agree with you on Faint. I wasn’t huge on the way it operated. I think what you suggested is better.

   Combining Cornered Animal and I’m Outta Here seems like a good idea.

   The defining the character by one particular phobia I’m not so big on, since the idea is the character is afraid of everything. Perhaps

    have a move called something like, “Why did it have to be snakes” where the character has a fear of something and when they encounter that fear they must Run Away, but something happens when they do?

   Thank you again for the feedback. I’m updating the playbook now with your suggestions.

3. Awesome: one of the playtesters has seen this playbook and says it’s exactly the kind of character she would like to play for a Stranger Things type of game.

4. That’s awesome, thank you! I’m working on some other playbooks in my spare time too. You’ve been very helpful.

5. I’ve had a thought about the falling out move for the Scaredy Cat too: what about “whichever one of you leaves the group is immediately confronted by a manifestation of their greatest fear.”?

6. James Mullen

   Oh boy that sounds awesome! Done.

7. Now that I see the phobia-styled move written down, I think you’re right: the character works best when they’re just generally afraid of everything and having a specific phobia seems to detract from that. I’m not sure what to suggest instead though :-S

8. Well it’s a work in progress. Hasn’t even been play tested after all. It’s the alpha version as it were. I’ll take a look at it and see if I can come up with something.

   Maybe some move having to do with Duck? It’s hard because that’s not in the book yet, but it could work.

9. Cool: when you’re done, would you mind if I laid them out with the New Kids playbooks? I’d like to be able to offer them as fully playable options for future play/playtesting.

10. I would be honored. To

    help out with that, there might be a placeholder move in the Scardey Cat’s playbook for awhile, until I can come up with  a really good move.

11. I came up with a new move. Not super thrilled with it, but it provides a basis for a potentiality good move.

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