v35.x.x

Four Suits, Four Abilities

While I really like how four different suits for each playbook made each playbook unique, it made it harder to establish consistency for the players. It’s also the reason why I am sticking with the four Abilities: the faster players get used to what each Suit and Ability represents, the faster the players get comfortable with improvising and getting creative.

It also makes it way easier on the GM: each Suit and Ability have their place, and it is way easier to make judgement calls: a GM does not have to consider the nuance between getting information using “Intimidation” versus “Interrogation”.

This was all established in v34.x.x, but since it lasted into v35.x.x, I guess it’s a permanent thing now!

Backgrounds and Backgrounds

Backgrounds are to figure out, but I think I like where they sit now. The provide a couple of extras that have really specific use cases, but can be used with any combination of Suits and Abilities. They provide way more utility than an Ability, but only in a specific avenue. You’d want to invest in Abilities because you are always guaranteed to use them, but Backgrounds give you a lot more use if you are willing to flounder in other avenues.

I think this gives a nice split, but we’ll see if this lasts into v36.x.x.