[RPG] Starting HP in Dungeon World

dungeon-world

In every playbooks in the Stat section they mention your maximum HP being: X + Constitution. Is it Constitution modifier or score?

It seems ambiguous to me.

Best Answer

When the text spells out an ability score, it means the score. When the text refers to the three-letter abbreviation, it means the modifier.

HP uses the Constitution score plus a class-specific value.

Dungeon World, page 17

Ability Scores and Modifiers

Many of the rules discussed in this chapter rely on a player character’s abilities and their modifiers. The abilities are Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. They measure a player character’s raw ability in each of those areas on a scale from 3 to 18, where 18 is the peak of mortal ability.

Each ability has a modifier associated with it that is used when rolling with that ability. These are written as three-letter abbreviations: STR, CON, DEX, INT, WIS, CHA. Modifiers range from -3 to +3. The modifier is always derived from the current ability score.

Related Solutions

[RPG] How do GM Moves in Dungeon World work in practice

In practice, you stick to the moves and use the list, until you internalize it and no longer need to refer to the list, but even them you continue to use it. Just like when playing a Eurogame with a board, you do what the game says, exactly, if you want it to function as advertised.

The GM's moves are multi-purpose. They:

teach GMs new to RPGs how to GM
teach GMs new to Dungeon World what their job is in this game
help experienced GMs out of a rut, if they're in one
when you're stuck for what do do next, provide a pick list to jump-start ideas
remind you that this is how much/little you get to do on your turn to speak
prevent the GM from getting in a rut in the first place by keeping all their move options visible

The list is super-important, because Dungeon World is not your average dungeon crawling RPG, and not using the list of moves usually results in running it as if it's some other game, and then wondering why it's not as great as everyone keeps saying.

In practice, what goes through my mind is either

"Okay, my move. I already know which and have a good idea for this one, so let's do it. Let me pause a minute to work out my narration so it's well integrated with events instead of just slapped down disconnected…"
"Okay, my move. I have no clue! What looks inspiring here, or which have I not used recently…?"
"Okay, so what happens is… Wait. I haven't consulted my moves lately, I'm probably letting habit run my responses, better check the list quick to be sure this is my best move right now," followed by "Yep!" or "Oh hey, that would be much more interesting/fitting/novel."

[RPG] Hidden Moves in Dungeon World

New answer for a renewed question. The old one is here

I'd say that a hidden move is quite against the grain of *World games'idea of moves. It robs the players of their agency in determining their characters' story.

And in your case, the intra-party conflict that may occur if the infiltrator is exposed seems to be more important than whether the infiltrator will be able to commit acts of sabotage and betrayal behind their backs. I'd base the move on that and add another move for the other party members to respond.

Infiltrator

You are an agent of your deity with a secret agenda. When you commit acts of sabotage and betrayal behind your comrades' backs, mark experience, and choose one comrade that doesn't already have it to receive the "Suspicious" move immediately.

Suspicious

You are suspicious of the infiltrator's weird behavior. When the Infiltrator commits acts of sabotage and betrayal behind your back, roll+INT.

On a 10+, you have seen enough, but just need some more evidence. Replace this move with "Deeply Suspicious"

On a 7-9, you noticed something unusual. Take +1 forward to your next "Suspicious" roll, but getting there wasn't easy. Choose one:

You had to get into trouble to get your information and come back with 1d8 damage.

Information is pricey. You had to spend 2d6x20 coin to find some clues.

Lies are everywhere. You wrongly implicate another comrade (The infiltrator will tell you who). You cannot aid or interfere with them until the next time you roll "suspicious"

Deeply suspicious

Replaces Suspicious

Same as "Suspicious" but add these to the list of possible outcomes.

On a 12+ , you have enough evidence to expose and implicate the Infiltrator. Now everyone in the party knows better. You decide the fate of the traitor.

On a 10-11, you collect a solid piece of evidence, slowly building a strong case. Give another comrade the "Suspicious" move if they don't already have it, or replace their "Suspicious" with "Deeply suspicious"

This is based on the assumption that the infiltrator is a well known and trusted member of the party in the beginning. The first act of the infiltrator is essentially free. His or her comrades suspect nothing in the beginning and they trust the infiltrator. But then it gets harder and riskier every time.

And yes, all this can and will eventually leave the fate of the infiltrator in the hands of another player. The question is, when?

Best Answer

Ability Scores and Modifiers

Related Solutions

[RPG] How do GM Moves in Dungeon World work in practice

[RPG] Hidden Moves in Dungeon World

Infiltrator

Suspicious

Deeply suspicious

Related Topic