Against the Odds
A downloadable game
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This is not another fantasy game about “killing monsters”.
This is a game about heroes and villains, it's true, but these heroes don't kill. Or at least they don't if they want to remain heroes.
Come and try to make a fantasy world a better place!
This playtest version of Against the Odds includes everything you may need to run a fantasy campaign (or ten!), including:
- Only 4 Stats (and their modifiers) are used for almost all moves in the game. That's it!
- No more hit points! Instead, your PC absorbs harm with fatigue and (emotional) conditions
- 12 playbooks (referred in the game as Callings), which include a wide variety of archetypes from fantasy fiction
- Many different ways to do magic, from the Mystic using their Faith to call upon their Numen, to the Sorcerer trying to avoid a meltdown due to too much Overload, and the Witch getting further and further in Debt with their malicious Master, just to name a few
- Every heroic character has a resource they produce and/or manage which, in turn, they use to accomplish amazing deeds
- A corruption trigger and corruption moves tailored to each Calling
- A heroic sacrifice mechanic that allows you to author your character’s end in epic fashion
- All the core and extra moves necessary to play, including epic moves that you can unlock once you become an experienced heroic character!
- Guidance on easily setting up an adventure with all the players' cooperation and participation
- Rules on how to create and run NPCs
- And so much more!
If you play/GM this game, I’d really appreciate it if you could take the time to answer a feedback survey. Your answers are invaluable to make this the best possible game!
Cover art and design by the amazing Juanin
Status | Prototype |
Category | Physical game |
Rating | Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars (3 total ratings) |
Author | Helena Real |
Tags | Dark Fantasy, epic, Fantasy, PbtA, Tabletop role-playing game |
Download
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Click download now to get access to the following files:
Against the Odds Quickstart (v.1.2) - Live Version
External
Against the Odds Quickstart (v.1.2).pdf 2.2 MB
Character Keeper 1.2
External
Digital GM Screen 1.2
External
Adventure/Campaign Tracker 1.2
External
Against the Odds Quickstart (v.1.2) - Play Materials [Printer-friendly].zip 1.9 MB
Development log
- 1.2 Is Here!Jul 29, 2024
- Version 1.1 is here!Jun 26, 2024
Comments
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I’m reading through this game and very much enjoying the romance heroic fantasy you’ve created. I really like the removal of HP, the corruption track, and the Heroic Sacrifice. As I read through, I may make more comments in this thread…
Figure Someone Out: I like this move applied to NPCs but for PCvPC “they must answer honestly” steals some player agency. What about allowing a choice and providing mechanical bonus if they cooperate? For example: if they refuse or lie, they mark Fatigue or Corruption.
Hmm… I hadn’t thought about that. I’ll think about it for 1.2 or even some independent A-B testing 😉
That’s awesome! It makes me happy that you seem to be really liking it. I’ll appreciate any comments! ☺ 🖤
I LOVE the heroic sacrifice mechanic! Everything I want and need from a dramatic storytelling game. Can't wait to test this out some time!
Thanks so much for commenting! I’m glad you liked the Heroic Sacrifice and I hope you get to play the whole game soon! 😁 🖤
I really really like this. The moves and playbooks are very straightforward and everything just oozes drama and hard choices. So heroic and dramatic! I hope I'll be able to get it to the table soon, because it just reads so *intense*. If I do, I'll make sure to get my players to answer the survey.
By the way, I like the playbooks a lot, but I'm kinda inspired to try my hand at making some custom ones, if you don't mind?
Great job!!! Thanks for sharing it!
Aw!🥺🖤 Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really happy you liked the game, because it seems you’re the perfect player for it! 😁
As to create custom playbooks, please do! And link them here if you feel like it 😉 I’d love to write many more playbooks (and even supplements) for AtO, but that’s in future. And even then: I love to see what other people come up with!
Thanks again and I hope you and your players have a great time playing when you do!
I really like what you've done here. Hopefully at some point you'll be able to create some at-the-table reference materials?
Thank you so much for your kind words!
That’s my plan. Sadly I don’t know how to do layout but, if there’s enough interest, I’m willing to pay someone to create some beautiful (and useful, of course) play materials 😉
Even something simple would be great. :)
I'm still learning to try to do real layout too. If I ever get done with all my own projects, I'd be happy to help out. x.x
Hi there! In the last update (1.2) I finally added some printer-friendly play materials! I hope these are useful to you :)
Hi! I'd be more than happy to help! Hit me up on discord/e-mail if you'd like! :)
https://writey.carrd.co/
Hi! The colour you chose for the page links make them nearly unreadable.
Oh, you’re right! My web browser deceived me. I’ll change it right away. Thanks for commenting about it! ☺