Author: Michael Sands

And a small but very significant change to big magic.

Now the Keeper can specify “A specific side effect or danger” as one of the requirements.

I’m continuing revisions, currently working through some minor changes and clarifications for the basic moves.

Here’s the new version of Manipulate Someone (it’s not very different):

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This move is used when you want someone to do something for you. You’ll need a good reason for them to do it, and what counts as a good reason depends on what you are asking for and your relationship with them. 

For friends and allies, you might just need to ask. For witnesses to a monster attack, you could tell them you are with the police, or just offer them some cash for answering your questions.

Once you have given them a reason, tell them what you want them to do and roll +Charm. 

For a normal person:

–  If you get 10+, then they’ll do it for the reason you gave them, or—if you asked too much—they’ll tell you what, if anything, it would take for them to do it.

– On a 7-9, they’ll do it, but only if you do something for them right now to show that you mean it.

– On a miss, your approach is completely wrong: you offend or anger the target. 

For another hunter:

– On a 10+ they mark experience and get +1 forward if they do what you ask. 

– On a 7-9, they mark experience if they do what you ask. 

– On a miss, it’s up to that hunter to decide how badly you offend or annoy them. They mark experience if they do not do what you asked. 

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I’ve also changed the advanced Manipulate Someone to just make someone into an ally for the current mystery by default, although they can still be a permanent ally if you do enough for them.

I’ve just finished preparing what I plan to be an introductory mystery in the revised edition. It’s going to be inflicted on my Monday crew tomorrow, and we’ll put the Crooked and Spell-Slinger into the mix too. 

Feels a little strange to be playing Monster of the Week again with this group! We played for ages while the game was being written, but not really since then. The group’s lost one player and gained another since then, and we’ve been playing lots of The One Ring and Torchbearer, interspersed with one shots here and there. With all that, I expect a strange mix of familiarity and novelty.

New Experience Rules

The biggest change in the revised version is going to be a change to the experience rules. Here’s the current shape of them, in case you want to try them out.

* There’s no more highlighting ratings.

* Mark experience whenever you roll and the result is 6 or less.

* At the end of each session, answer the following questions. If you get one or two ‘yes’ answers, mark one experience. If you get three or four ‘yes’ answers, mark two experience.

 – Did we conclude the current mystery?

 – Did we save someone from certain death (or worse)?

 – Did we learn something new and important about the world?

 – Did we learn something new and important about one of the hunters?

If you try the new rules out, please let me know how it goes.

Given that I’m making some updates, I might take a look at the inspirations list. 

If there’s some monster hunter media that you think belongs in the inspiration lists, please let me know!

As Fred says, details are still coming together.

There will be a few small revisions and clarifications, which will be available to those of you who already have a copy.

Originally shared by Fred Hicks

We’re working with Generic Games to produce an Evil Hat print edition of Monster of the Week! More details when we have them, as the deal is young. 🙂

Missing some monster hunters? You can now get all of mine for pay what you want.

http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product/130278/Monster-of-the-Week-Reinforcements