Local Rules and Skills

Updated 9/16/2024

While we follow the core rulebook and other official National Dystopia Rising produced content, you may see a few rules and skill calls that are unique to DR:TX as well.

You can find the primary list of new keywords, abilities, and skills on the DR National Lexicon page, including abilities previously listed on our DR:TX custom content page such as Agony, Downsurge, Knockback, Nail, Murder, Rend, and Terror.

temporary local mechanics

You can find our published list of temporary local mechanics and skills in play during upcoming events below. These mechanics may stay in play for multiple events or may be eventually modified, updated, or added to the ongoing local mechanics in time.

LINGERING DAMAGE

Damage Augment. If a Threat hits you with this type of attack called as “Lingering Damage, 1 Minute!”, you will suffer repeated damage over time as the effect continues. This effect inflicts 2 Body damage for each STEP you take while affected by the Lingering Damage. This effect normally lasts for one (1) Minute, but can last longer in certain situations. This effect can be Avoided, and ends upon entering Bleed Out or when the duration elapses. If the victim does not move, they do not take damage. Forced movement, such as from a Knockback effect, still causes damage to the victim.

ongoing local mechanics

You can find our published list of custom local mechanics and skills regularly in play below. These mechanics are in effect for the duration of the 3.0 rule set and will be removed at the launch of DR Live:

armor & Looting

While P. 158 suggests that any obvious and visible item only requires a few seconds of Active Roleplay to take from a helpless opponent, this does NOT apply to Armor or other large worn items. These items must be taken with a full 30-second Search and cannot be simply grabbed. It takes time to cut that Striker’s Coat free.

ARMOR COVERAGE & UNSAFE WEATHER

Due to the EXTREME weather in Texas, we will periodically decide that a game is considered “unsafe” to use the full Armor Coverage rules in the Dystopia Rising: Corebook. This rule will be communicated before the game on Facebook and during our opening Announcements.

Normally, Armor requires an amount of physical coverage equal to the 5% per Armor Point. (10 points of armor is 50%, 15 points of armor is 75%, etc.) up to a maximum of 80% coverage.

  • During these extreme weather games, Armor Coverage requirements will be reduced by ONE HALF to a maximum of 50% armor coverage, regardless of the craft level of item or Armor Points it affords.

  • If you had a set of Basic Armor (10 points), you would only need 25% coverage, etc.

Please make sure you are hydrating and spend less time worrying about heavy armor when it’s a million degrees outside.

Melee damage reduction (MINOR & Major)

Possessed by dangerous threats and some exceptionally armored critters, Damage Reduction reduces the amount of damage taken from melee strikes and weapons. Damage Reduction (Minor) means that the target reduces incoming damage by 5 from a strike, minimum 1, while Damage Reduction (Major) means that the target reduces incoming damage by 10 from a Ranged Attack, minimum 1.

Damage Reduction (Minimal)

Possessed by very rare threats and some exceptional villains, Damage Reduction (Minimal) reduces the amount of damage taken from melee strikes and weapons to virtually nothing. These threats reduce ALL damage to a minimum of 1. These threats will declare “Minimal” when hit with damage, and Bane attacks do normal damage to the target with Damage Reduction (Minimal), but do not double their damage.

EXPOSED

Keyword. This effect is used with the Counterfeit and Forgery Procedure. When a character makes a forged document, they risk exposing to the officials of the San Saba that they can undermine their security. When the character makes the document, they roll a d20 and attempt to roll above their current EXPOSED rating. If they are Exposed, it can set into a series of events that can lead to character consequences and possible punishments in character. This Exposure can be reduced by taking an Action Request or otherwise it fades at a rate of 1 per month, to a minimum of Exposed (1).

“I’m too young to die!”

This is a phrase we encourage our new players to use when they are in a dangerous situation or bleeding out. This clearly communicates to the other players that they are a new player that needs help and encourages good steering to react. When you are bleeding out, including this phrase into your roleplay will help ensure that people are more motivated to steer their behaviors to help.

lit inventory

You may not pull items from your LIT inventory during an event without prior approval from a Gamerunner. If you are interested in having your items written prior to an event, please send an email with your request to Info Email Address. We will have several times during this season where we have set windows to remove items from LIT for your convenience. Per National instruction, we cannot add items to LIT inventory during a live event.

Profession focus achievements (PFA)

In DR:TX, characters may be taught a Profession Focus Achievement (PFA) by another character as if it was a Skill. This process must involve one hour of appropriate roleplay learning the PFA as well as entering a request online. We do not enforce a 6-month policy for PFA acquisition for our local players.

Proficient financial influence (p. 120)

In DR:TX, characters may not use this skill during Check-In. To save time during our pre-game registration process, this skill may instead be used during a normal trip to the Post Office in game.

roleplay burden

Keyword. A character can have one Roleplay Burden at a time. A Roleplay Burden must be fulfilled once per 12s, or else it will turn into a Fracture.  Roleplay Burdens can be soothed or cured as if they were a Fracture but does not count as a Fracture for preventing use of certain Skills.  Players can opt-out of a particular RP behavior at any time but must fulfill any required mechanical cost or effects. Roleplay Burdens expire at the end of an event, unless the player chooses to keep them longer.

Skills at Character creation

While the DR Corebook outlines the Character Creation process on p. 21, during DR:TX events we allow new characters to enter play with their 16 XP spent BEFORE they enter play. While we recommend being able to enjoy the starting roleplay of learning new Skills, we understand that some may prefer a more advanced start that allows them to immediately enter play with their preferred Skills.