Age of Umbra [TEST]

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menu_book How to Play Blades in the Dark

Become a master criminal with this comprehensive (and entertaining!) video explaining Blades in the Dark in detail and including an extensive example of play. The core mechanic is the Action Roll, where players roll a pool of d6s, the size of which is determined by their rating in the relevant action, and may be increased by spending resources, using special abilities, or getting help from a fellow scoundrel. Only the highest result counts, and if it's a 1-3, the action goes wrong, and the character faces consequences. If it's a 4 or 5, the character succeeds, but still faces the consequence. On a 6, the character gets what they want and avoids consequences. If they happen to roll multiple 6s, it's a critical success with an additional bonus or edge! If the action was only a part of achieving a larger goal, it might fill in segments of a clock, a track of 4-12 segments that allows visualization of complex obstacles, countdowns to consequences, or an approaching threat, like a patrol of cops, the suspicion of your target, or the alarm being raised from too much noise. Characters have a resource called Stress, which they can spend to push themselves to use bonus dice or special abilities, as well as perform flashbacks, where they can reveal actions they've already taken to prepare for or overcome a challenge they're facing now. They can also use stress to resist consequences. This allows scoundrel player characters to take wild risks, act now and plan later, and laugh in the face of danger! Rather than spend hours making a plan for a job that gets thrown away as soon as things go wrong, Blades in the Dark lets players dive into the action and plan retroactively for the challenges that actually arise. Play in Blades in the Dark comes in phases: free play, where players interact with other PCs and NPCs, gather information, and seek opportunities; the score, where they undertake daring criminal operations; and downtime, where they unwind, indulge their vices, work on long-term projects, and manage the heat on their operation. Players have not only their character to play, but also their crew, the shared criminal enterprise the whole party is a part of. As the crew grows and expands, they'll have to deal with greater threats and take on even more ambitious jobs.