Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us today as we discuss the main core system of all Dreamscape RPG titles: the Risk Dice!
What Are Risk Dice? Risk Dice are what we at Dreamscape call the pool of communal dice that both players and Directors use to activate abilities and effects from the environment. These dice represent a core tenant of all Dreamscape RPGs. Role-playing games are communal stories told by both directors and players alike. they are a push pool mechanic that fosters communal storytelling.
How is the Risk Dice used? First, Let’s discuss how to use the Risk Dice in all Dreamscape Gaming RPGs. At the beginning of each session, players create a communal pool of dice they will draw upon. The Director sets aside a number of their risk dice in their reserve pool. This communal pool is known as the risk pool. Each RPG follows the same rules for creating the communal Risk pool. Each Game then has rules on how players gain access to these dice, and this is inherently one of the main ways the settings are flavored.
In Grimdark West, these risk dice in the risk pool interact through talents and some traits. These abilities will have players draw several dice from the pool and either hold onto them in their own or other players’ Reserve Pool or use them in action associated with the abilities. Once these dice are used in the roll, after all results are determined, pass them to the Director, who can use them to power their abilities or environmental effects. After using them in such a manner, place the dice back into the communal dice pool, where the players may gain access to them again, thus creating a cycle of give and take.
Why is the Risk Dice essential? The process of gaining, using, and then passing the dice is all part of the communal play process. In this way, players must judge if they wish to use an ability and risk an entity using an ability or an environmental effect from happening. In the same way, it ensures that as the Director uses abilities, the players are empowered to respond. As players use their abilities, the Director is likewise empowered to respond. In this manner, players and Directors contribute to creating engaging and exciting encounters.
We hope to see as many of you as possible at GenCon 2025. Stay tuned to Facebook and the webpage as we approach the mid-May release of the Alpha rules. Spread the Word, and let’s Ride!
Join us next week as we discuss the setting of Grimdark West and its origins.