Summary
Actions are broad approaches that players choose when attempting something uncertain or risky. Rather than being triggered by specific fictional situations, actions describe how a character approaches a problem. The chosen action determines the character's effectiveness and shapes the risks involved.
Design Purpose
Actions provide players with flexibility in how they engage with challenges while ensuring that different approaches produce different opportunities and consequences.
Problems Solved
- Allows multiple solutions to the same problem.
- Encourages creative problem solving.
- Reduces dependence on predefined action lists.
- Supports player agency in approaching challenges.
- Creates meaningful distinctions between methods rather than goals.
Core Loop
A player states their objective and describes how their character attempts to achieve it. The player selects the action that best represents that approach. The action is resolved, and the result determines both success and consequences.
Player Decision
How does my character approach this situation, and what risks am I willing to accept?
Narrative Effect
Actions encourage players to think about methods rather than outcomes. Different approaches create different fictional positioning, risks, opportunities, and consequences, making the path to success as important as success itself.
Strengths
- High player agency.
- Supports creative and flexible problem solving.
- Multiple valid approaches to every challenge.
- Encourages negotiation between players and facilitator.
- Easily adapts to diverse situations.
Weaknesses
- Action selection can become an optimization exercise.
- Requires discussion about which action applies.
- Some actions may become more attractive than others.
- Can create overlap between action definitions.
Variations
- Action Ratings
- Skills
- Approaches
- Professions
- Roles
- Domains of Competence
Related Patterns
- Position and Effect
- Fortune Rolls
- Stress
- Devil's Bargains
- Fiction-First Play
- Moves
- Partial Success
- Resistance Rolls
- Action Resolution Interfaces
Examples
Pattern Definition
An Action is a resolution mechanic in which players choose the method their character uses to approach a challenge, and that choice determines how the outcome is resolved.