Tag Archives: Harm Systems

Most PbtA players of Reddit prefer conditions 4-to-1 to hit points (63% vs. 16%). A separate poll, on just the Dungeon World subreddit, asked how often GMs dispensed damage with a debility. All but a few do it occasionally, with “sometimes” the most popular answer.

When designing your game, it’s important to understand what your Harm and Recovery System is doing for your game. Both should create drama-filled moments, which means they need to have Costs associated with them: but those Costs not only need to be sensible for the touchstones evoked during play, but also carry a level of interest and intrigue all on their own. 

Powered by the Apocalypse games take diverse approaches to representing injury, stress, and deteriorating health. Unlike traditional RPGs with their focus on hit points, PbtA harm systems often try for other narrative consequences. Thoughts about Harm Clocks, Debilities, Conditions, Stress, Dice Pools, and NPCs.