Thread by @RunAGame

Thread! Blades in the Dark's Position and Effect are useful for almost *every* RPG from #dnd to #FateCore because you consider not how HARD something is but how RISKY it is and how EFFECTIVE it could be. 1/

Position is the level of danger. In BitD the Positions are Desperate, Risky, and Controlled. Position communicates the possible complications. Desperate=*Real* bad if you fail. Controlled=Pushes you to a riskier position if you fail. Risky=Consequences, but not catastrophic. 2/

Effect is the level of potency. Limited=Make some progress. Standard=Do what you came to do unless it's super ambitious. Great=Impressive effect. 3/

Put in D&D terms, navigating a small bog w/ an explorer's pack = Risky Standard. Navigating a FIRE SWAMP on a half-tamed brontosaur = Desperate but Great effect. Navigating a 50 mile fen donkey loaded with supplies = Controlled Limited effect -- it's slow, but well supplied. 4/

Now how does this HELP? Well you communicate the position and effect to the player while the player is describing their action. It's clear what the consequences of failure and effect of success can look like without specifying exactly what happens until you see the die roll. 5/

I've always said it's best to frame the die roll ahead of time. E.g. "Roll insight to determine that the innkeeper is lying. Roll less than 15 and he realizes you're on to him." But with BitD style Position and Effect, you can frame a roll without being specific! 6/

Another benefit: You can use Position and Effect to push players into more exciting action. If they describe a really cautious action, slap it with Controlled Limited. If they want Standard or Great effect, you can push them to take more risks / use skills they're less good at 7/

CLASSIC 5e example: "Can I use Perception to search for traps?" "Sure, but if you use Investigation, I'll give you Great effect. For Perception, it's only Limited." A different way of saying "perception 'sees new stonework', investigation 'deduces it's a pressure plate'" 8/

Even if you're not explicit about using position and effect, keeping it in your mind when framing checks helps you remember to frame both the risk (position) and benefit (effect) of any die roll outside of tactical combat. 9/9

BONUS tweet #10: If you vary the stakes for failure and benefit of success, you can make most rolls in 5e D&D Medium=DC15 up through level 12 (or higher if nobody in the party has Expertise!) since you're varying risk and reward independent of check DC.