Forged in the Dark

Forged in the Dark is a system of game mechanics for tabletop roleplaying games. Inspired by Powered by the Apocalypse games and first appearing in Blades in the Dark, Forged in the Dark (or FitD) is a d6 dice pool system that emphasizes risk-taking, competent player characters, low-prep collaborative storytelling, and consequential dice rolls. The core mechanic of Forged in the Dark games is rolling a pool of six-sided dice, the size of which is determined by a character's base rating in the action they're taking, and might be increased by spending resources or receiving help. Only the highest result counts; a 1, 2, or 3 on the highest die is a bad outcome, and the rolling player character faces the consequences without getting what they want. A 4 or 5 is a mixed success; the character gets what they want, but the consequences still manifest. A 6 is a complete success; the character gets what they want and avoids consequences. If the roll includes two 6s, it's a critical success, and the character gains an additional bonus or edge. Depending on the game, characters might have a resource, often called stress, which they can spend to boost their die rolls, resist consequences they don't want, and even flash back to reveal how they prepared for a challenge retroactively. Another common element of FitD games is clocks, circular tracks with 4-12 segments that indicate progress, mounting threats, or countdowns. Players might need to roll to fill the six segments of a high-security vault's door to bypass it. The GM might start and tick a four segment clock for the cops to show up as a consequence on an attempt to sneak into a government building. The ticking of a twelve segment clock might indicate the imminent countdown to the completion of a ritual or charging of a superweapon! Clocks are an easy visual way for players and game masters to show time pressure and give anything "hit points," even intangible things like stealth or willpower. FitD games also often center a "crew," the party itself, as the focus of the game. The crew typically has its own character sheet, special abilities and resources it confers upon anyone in the party, and ways to advance just like characters do. Depending on the game, a crew might represent a criminal enterprise, a noble house, an army, a spaceship, or a friend group! As the crew advances, the characters in it grow more notable and can take on greater challenges. Players can even play multiple characters, switching between them as they like, but everyone is part of the crew. Blades in the Dark was the first to pioneer this system, but many others have followed, producing games in several genres. Scum & Villainy for sci-fi and space opera, Girl by Moonlight for magical girl, anime, and superheroes, Band of Blades for gritty military fantasy, Bump in the Dark for monster-hunting mystery, Court of Blades for Renaissance political intrigue, Slugblaster for wacky teenage hijinks, and many, many more! Several games also list inspiration or share features from Blades in the Dark, but don't consider themselves FitD, such as Trophy, Candela Obscura, Grimwild, and Wildsea.

Popular RPGs using Forged in the Dark

Girl By Moonlight

Girl by Moonlight is a game about the tragic struggles and defiant triumphs of a group of magical girls resisting an oppressive society. It explores the heartbreak of denying who you really are, and the transcendent power of relationships and community.

Scum and Villainy

Unwise deals. Blaster fights. High adventure among the stars. Welcome to the world of Scum and Villainy. Scum and Villainy is a Forged in the Dark game about a spaceship crew trying to make ends meet under the iron-fisted rule of the Galactic Hegemony. Work with the members of your crew to thrive despite powerful criminal syndicates, warring noble families, dangerous aliens, and strange mystics. Explore the ruins of lost civilizations for fun and profit. Can your motley crew hold it together long enough to strike it big and insure your fame across the sector?

Blades in the Dark

Play as a daring crew of scoundrels doing crime in a haunted industrial fantasy city in this game of heists, hits, and occult mysteries.

Dungeon Masters using Forged in the Dark

4 years on StartPlaying

1250 games hosted

Average response time: 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Cosplayer
Voice Actor

3 years on StartPlaying

961 games hosted

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

DMs Guild Writer
LGBTQ+
Neurodivergent
Women/Femme Identifying

2 years on StartPlaying

566 games hosted

Average response time: 17 hours

Response rate: 100%

Neurodivergent
Published Writer
Artist
Game Designer

3 years on StartPlaying

530 games hosted

4 years on StartPlaying

327 games hosted

Average response time: 2 hours

Response rate: 100%

LGBTQ+
Queer
Published Writer
Teacher/Educator
Voice Actor

2 years on StartPlaying

320 games hosted

Average response time: Under 1 hour

Response rate: 100%

Disabled
Neurodivergent
Teacher/Educator
Game Designer

2 years on StartPlaying

304 games hosted

LGBTQ+
Hispanic/Latinx
Neurodivergent
Published Writer
Multi-lingual

3 years on StartPlaying

696 games hosted

Frequently asked questions about Forged in the Dark

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