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Alchemy RPG

Obviously this will vary from table to table, but here are some good places to start! If your game is played in person, most likely you will want to get a set of dice, something to write with, and paper to take notes. If your game is hosted online instead, you will probably need to make accounts on a few sites for things like character sheets, access to the Virtual Tabletop for maps and tokens, and sites like Discord or Zoom for video/voice calls during the session. You won't always need to have the rulebooks to start, but if you want to read through them to make sure you know all the rules, this might also be a good option.

What supplies do I need to play Kids on Bikes?

Kids on Bikes is a Collaborative World Building RPG set in small towns with big mysteries.

Knowing every rule of the game may be helpful to some, but many players will learn the game as they play! If you want to read the rules ahead of time you absolutely can, but if you are a hands-on learner you can also just start playing, and if there is something you don’t understand never be afraid to ask questions, because everyone starts somewhere!

Do I need to know all the rules before I can play Kids on Bikes?

Kids on Bikes uses a full standard dice set, including a D20, D12, D10, D8, D6, and a D4. Players apply 1 die to each of their 6 stats - Brains, Brawn, Fight, Flight, Charm, and Grit. The larger the die, the stronger the character is in that ability.

Kids on Bikes is inspired by movies and TV shows like Stranger Things, The Goonies, Super 8, Monster Squad, and IT.

Players in Kids on Bikes build their characters by choosing their age, a trope, strengths, and flaws. Then, Players assign different dice values to each of the 6 character stats: brawn, brain, fight, flight, charm, and grit. Players roll the appropriate die for a stat to see whether they succeed at a challenging action.

How to Play Kids on Bikes

The premise of Kids on Bikes is a great one! The way you approach building characters and telling stories is a lot of fun. The game hinges a lot on the multi-dice system that it uses, which assigns larger dice to the abilities a character is better at, which can be fun, but I have learned it is not my cup of tea. In addition, there is not a lot of guidance in the rulebooks for the ways a powered character can be used, which is a unique mechanic to the system. All that being said, I think Kids on Bikes is a great system for certain games and tables.

This system is excellent for people new to TTRPGs, storytellers and those that enjoy collaboration. It is one of the more rules light systems that I've played, I find it easy to get into the flow. Rather than focusing on combat and leveling up this system focuses on character development and relationships. Our bonds are what makes us stronger, and likewise your characters are stronger with friends. I like to remind my players that they are main characters, and the Kids on Bikes system allows them to make those main character choices that push the story forward in incredibly interesting ways.

I only played once, and it was a lot of fun. Having pre-made archetypes to choose from make it really simple to get into the game and have a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the mechanic where downtime was when you went home, and had to deal with real life problems.

Kids on Bikes

Kids on Bikes is a Collaborative Storytelling RPG set in small towns with big adventure! 

In Kids on Bikes, you take on the roles of everyday people grappling with strange, terrifying, and very, very powerful forces that they cannot defeat, control, or even fully understand. Kids on Bikes even allows you to create a communally controlled Powered Character to add another dimension of gameplay to your games!

Jump right into the action quick and create your own band of rag-tag mystery solvers today!

Originally created by Jonathan Gilmour, Doug Levandowski

Play Kids on Bikes Explore one-shots, campaigns, and homebrew adventures run by expert GMs across Roll20, Foundry VTT, Discord & more. Find your perfect game on StartPlayingGames!

Play Kids on Bikes Online –  Find a Game Master | StartPlaying

Tropes

Why are you happier fending for yourself? What part of the “cool” kids’ life do you wish you had - just a little bit?

Loner Weirdo

When do you feel appreciated by your kid/kids? What would losing your child/children mean to you?

Overprotective Parent

How does it feel to have others think that you’re “beautiful but terrible”? What do you sacrifice to remain beautiful?

Plastic Beauty

Beyond people wanting to impress you and the social capital that brings, what do you like about being popular? How do you treat the unpopular kids?

Popular Kid

What drove you away from the world at large? What do you miss about being out in the world?

Reclusive Eccentric

Who first got you into Scouting (or more generally, the great outdoors)? Who first got you into Scouting (or more generally, the great outdoors)?

Scout

To what extent do you enjoy the work you do? What would you rather be doing?

Stoic Professional

What would it mean to be one of the popular kids? What would you sacrifice to be one of the cool kids?

Wannabe

How has working to support your family improved you as a person? What have you had to give up for your family?

Young Provider

To what extent do you enjoy the work you do? What would it mean for you if you lost your job?

Blue Collar Worker

Why do you get satisfaction from being good at math (or your other area of expertise)? How does your social isolation manifest itself?

Brilliant Mathlete

Why do you get satisfaction from being good at sports? What does your involvement with sports keep you from doing that you wish you could do?

Brutish Jock

What motivates your bullying? How do you feel when you hurt others?

Bully

What do you think is happening in the town that no one knows about? How far will you go to prove that you’re right?

Conspiracy Theorist

What do you do that always lightens your friends’ moods? What do you do that always lightens your friends’ moods?

Funny Sidekick

What do you think of people who try much harder than you do? What are you willing to go the extra mile for?