LINGERING INJURIES - Navigating the Limitations of Current Systems

RPGBOT.Podcast

In the latest RPGBOT.Podcast we dive deep into lingering injuries in TTRPGs, exploring how they enhance character development and gameplay comparing injury systems across D&D 5E, Pathfinder, Star Wars RPG, Vaesen, Warhammer 40k, and more! Whether you're a GM or a player, this episode is packed with ideas for adding depth and consequence to your games.

Episode Summary In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast hosts engage in a reflective and insightful discussion on two key topics. First, they address past comments made about the OSR (Old-School Renaissance) community, acknowledging missteps and celebrating the positive progress within the community. This segment sets the stage for a deep dive into injury systems across various tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs).

The hosts explore how lingering injuries add depth, consequences, and narrative weight to TTRPGs. Drawing comparisons across multiple systems—including D&D 5E, Tales of the Valiant, Pathfinder 1st Edition, Fantasy Flight’s Star Wars RPG, Imperium Maledictum, and Vaesen—the episode offers a comprehensive look at how injuries are implemented, their impact on gameplay, and how to homebrew these mechanics to enhance immersion.

Key Discussion Points

1. Reflecting on the OSR Community
   • Acknowledging and learning from past comments.
   • Highlighting positive strides in inclusivity and creativity within the OSR space.
2. Lingering Injuries in TTRPGs
   • Exploring the narrative and mechanical value of injury systems.
   • Examining how injuries can influence character development and roleplay depth.
   • The importance of tailoring injury mechanics through homebrewing.
3. System Spotlights: Injury Mechanics
   • D&D 5E and Tales of the Valiant
   • Discussing strengths and limitations of injury mechanics in these systems.
   • Suggestions for homebrewed injury rules to increase immersion.
   • Pathfinder 1st Edition
   • Delving into critical hits and the brutal consequences for characters.
   • Evaluating how the system balances risk and reward.
   • Fantasy Flight’s Star Wars RPG
   • Analyzing its unique injury system and comparing it to Pathfinder.
   • Highlighting the narrative flavor of lingering injuries in Star Wars settings.
   • Imperium Maledictum (Warhammer 40k)
   • Examining the grim nature of injuries and high character mortality rates.
   • How injuries contribute to the dark, oppressive atmosphere of Warhammer 40k.
   • Vaesen
   • Exploring how physical and mental injuries are treated equally.
   • Understanding defects and insights as gameplay mechanics.
   • Comparing Vaesen’s system to others and identifying its strengths and weaknesses.
4. Narrative and Gameplay Impact of Injuries
   • How injury systems enhance storytelling and player immersion.
   • Balancing mechanics and narrative to avoid punishing players unfairly.

The hosts reflect on the versatility and potential of injury systems in TTRPGs to create meaningful, memorable gameplay moments. They also emphasize the importance of community dialogue and mutual understanding to foster growth within the tabletop gaming community.

Resources Mentioned

• D&D 5E
• Tales of the Valiant
• Pathfinder 1st Edition
• Fantasy Flight’s Star Wars RPG
• Imperium Maledictum (Warhammer 40k)
• Vaesen

Want to Join in on the Discussion? What injury systems have you used in your games? Join the conversation by sharing your experiences and homebrew rules on social media or our website. Links below.

Links

• Call of Cthulhu (affiliate link)
• Edge of the Empire (affiliate link)
• Genesys (affiliate link)
• Imperium Maledictum (affiliate link)
• Tales of the Valiant Game Master’s Guide (affiliate link)
• RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes
• Variant Rules
• Medicine

Episode Takeaways

1. Thematic and Narrative Depth
   • Lingering injuries can create a more threatening and immersive atmosphere in TTRPGs.
   • Injuries enhance storytelling by introducing consequences that impact character arcs.
   • Injury mechanics can lead to compelling story elements, such as finding a high-level wizard or integrating prosthetics in grim settings like Warhammer 40k.
2. Mechanical Implications of Injuries
   • Injuries should have tangible mechanical impacts beyond reducing hit points, addressing the arbitrariness of HP systems.
   • Systems like Tales of the Valiant and Pathfinder 1 demonstrate how injuries can influence gameplay, from critical hits to debilitating conditions like Con Drain.
   • Intelligence bleed and other mechanics can deeply affect a character's abilities and decision-making.
3. Homebrewing and Session Zero
   • Homebrewing injury systems can add depth and immersion, tailoring gameplay to group preferences.
   • Discussing injury mechanics during session zero ensures clarity and sets expectations for how they’ll impact the campaign.
4. System Highlights and Comparisons
   • Pathfinder 1: The critical hit deck introduces brutal, game-changing effects.
   • Fantasy Flight Star Wars: A unique injury system creates tension, with critical injuries leading to severe consequences.
   • Imperium Maledictum: Highlights character fragility and permanent changes in the Warhammer 40k universe.
   • Vaesen: Balances physical and mental injuries, introducing defects (GM-driven challenges) and insights (player-driven advantages) that affect gameplay.
5. Player Agency and Risk Management
   • Injury systems work best when integrated into core mechanics, balancing risk and reward.
   • Players can strategically leverage mechanics like insights in Vaesen for maximum effect, creating dynamic gameplay moments.
6. Campaign Considerations
   • Starting at higher levels can mitigate the harshness of injuries early in a campaign.
   • Accumulating defects or lingering effects can foster interesting character development and party dynamics.
7. Game Design and Immersion
   • A well-designed injury system enhances both gameplay and immersion, reflecting the stakes of adventuring.
   • Comparative analysis of systems reveals diverse approaches to integrating injury mechanics, showing the breadth of possibilities in RPG design.

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