Genre Diversion Manual 3E

Go beyond just a diversion with this revised and expanded genreDiversion universal roleplaying rules manual that is more versatile, more dynamic, more heroic, and more exciting.

Ability-Centric Characters

Focus on a character's raw potential rather than his training to get things done. While skill refines a character's accomplishments, raw talent makes them happen.

Create Characters Your Way

Characters can be built using a variety of methods, from random choices to arbitrary or controlled assignments. Custom species and vocations can be created as a framework for characters in a particular setting. New gimmicks can be devised to add special powers, such as for the supernatural and scientific enhancements.

Quick Resolution

Roll dice (two six-sided) only for tough and contested challenges, maintaining a smooth progression of story. Resolve focused situations like combat using a simple scale of difficulty that can be influenced by various factors. Utilize optional elements like experience to gain the advantage or exploits to make the most out of success.

Vehicles and Monsters

Apply the same basic mechanics to vehicles and monsters, from cars and starships to dragons and sea monsters. Engage in chases, dog-fights, and even desperate battles with larger-than-life creatures.

Miniatures and Maps

Miniatures and maps can be used to better visualize combat and vehicle interactions. While this adds a more tactical feel for those who prefer such elements, it is not required.

Unbidden and Forsaken

Dive into the action with a ready-to-use modern setting based on our older Unbidden game.

Compatibility

Convert or interact with characters/elements from genreDiversion i, Iron Gauntlets, Story Engine Classic, and Active Exploits Diceless Roleplaying.

Changes from GDi to GD3 include:

Pursuits

Skills are now known as pursuits and range from incompetencies to masteries (similarly to Active Exploits's skills), providing a bonus/penalty on related tasks and define the effects of most exploits.

Easier Dice Rolling

The margin has been eliminated--simply roll equal to or greater than the difficulty rating to succeed (the ability rating is added to the dice total); difficulty values are now ten greater than their GDi counterparts.

Tougher Characters and Monsters

Characters can use experience to directly affect play. They also possess greater levels of health, allowing them to take more punishment; these added levels can be easily ignored for more gritty games, maintaining the same scale as found in GDi.

Quicker Combat

Difficulty values for contested actions in combat are quick and easy, typically adding an opposing character's ability to a base difficulty. Optional weapon gimmicks can also be utilized for more detail or ignored for super-fast resolution.

Scaling

Not only can characters' abilities be scaled to super proportions, but guidelines are provided for mixing elements of different scales, including sizes and damage.

While this game manual is part of the Story Engine 3E Roleplaying Framework, it has been specifically designed as a universal system that provides easy-to-learn and quick-playing rules.