Whether it’s a nail-biting chess match with an android or a high-stakes wrestling competition with a Klingon warrior, competitive events and games have often taken center stage in Star Trek storylines. These friendly (or sometimes not-so-friendly) contests offer a chance for crew members to showcase their skills, test their mettle, and engage in bonding experiences.
As a game master or player of the Star Trek Adventures role-playing game (RPG), you might wonder how to translate these events into a game setting. The key is to combine existing game mechanics with a little bit of creativity. In this blog, we’ll delve into how to incorporate competitive events into your Star Trek Adventures RPG.
Game Mechanics and Competitive Events
In Star Trek Adventures, character actions are typically resolved through Task rolls, which involve rolling a certain number of twenty-sided dice (d20) and trying to get results under the character’s attribute plus discipline score. Complications or successes are dictated by these rolls and their interpretation.
To incorporate competitive events, this fundamental mechanic can be used with a bit of creative tweaking. The level of the attribute and discipline used can vary depending on the type of event. For example, a wrestling match might involve Fitness + Security, while a chess match could involve Reason + Science or Insight + Command. In a tennis match, a combination of Fitness + Security for physical prowess, and Insight + Command for strategic play, could be employed.
Creating Tension in Contests
To increase tension and highlight the competitive aspect, consider introducing Extended Tasks or Contest Tasks. In an Extended Task, you might set a Work Track and Magnitude that represent your opponent’s stamina or strategy in a chess match, or physical resistance in a wrestling match. The player’s Task rolls then represent their attempts to wear down their opponent.
In a Contest Task, both the player and the NPC (Non-Player Character) make Task rolls. The character with more successes wins the contest, but in the event of a tie, consider the character with the higher discipline score as the winner.
Complications and Advantages
In any competition, unpredictable elements can add an extra layer of excitement and strategy. In the Star Trek Adventures RPG, this can be represented by Complications and Advantages.
For instance, a slippery floor might be a Complication in a wrestling match, while a deep understanding of an opponent’s playing style could be an Advantage in a chess game. These factors can give bonus successes, extra dice, or other benefits and hindrances, bringing the dynamics of real-life competition into the game.
Roleplay and Storytelling
Finally, remember that competitions aren’t just about the game mechanics. They’re also opportunities for roleplay and storytelling. Use these events to showcase your character’s personality, develop relationships, and add depth to your character’s background.
Remember Worf’s love for Klingon martial arts or Data’s curiosity for human games? These character traits not only made competitions interesting but also added depth to their personalities. The same can apply to your characters in your Star Trek Adventures RPG.
Final Thoughts:
Incorporating competitive events into your Star Trek Adventures RPG can provide a fun and engaging twist to your spacefaring adventures. Using the game’s core mechanics creatively can simulate the tension, unpredictability, and excitement of various competitions, enriching your role-playing experience and deepening your characters’ stories. Game on!
TM & © 2023 CBS Studios Inc. © 2023 Paramount Pictures Corp. STAR TREK and related marks and logos are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.