How to play Dungeon World

[@stephengilbert8166]

I think this is an excellent example of how to enjoy your hobby YOUR way. I`ve never understood people who look at the rules and make assumptions (even then they`ve never actually played the game themselves) or who look for the faults, as opposed to enjoying a darn good game... when, as all true gamers know, the rules we choose to use are simply the tool we employ to create a game, but the rules (which ever we pick) are merely the guidelines we refer to.. to create a good story. There is nothing wrong with Dungeon World, and any good, immersed gamer can make it as good as he or she wishes, or is capable of doing. I really enjoyed this video.. immensely so. I dont play Dungeon World anymore (though I have played an entire 2 year enjoyable solo campaign using the system). I use my own system nowadays.... but the principle remains, what you are doing is good, fun, and highly enjoyable. Thank you for sharing :-)

[@RottenMechGaming]

Thanks for the kind words. I have not played DW for a while now and must get back to give it another try soon.

[@midshipman8654]

I wish more people did hour ish long example play of ganes like this, really gives you a better “feel” of a game rather than just talking about the “mechanics” and “spirit” of the game. something like this is a nice portamento of things.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Thanks very much for the comment. I really want to do more of this higher effort content because its clear its appreciated by some and I get more hits. I often try and do small bits of content but I really enjoy the effort required to make something that covers the detail like this.

[@midshipman8654]

@@RottenMechGaming Thanks for the response! it does seem like it would take a lot of effort with the editing and sound effects and filming, but i think its great for a more “tactile” and “in action” demonstration of a game thats really hard to find online that really gets to the core of if you want to play it or not without having to translate the verbal system and fluff to in action experience by yourself. I just think its really great. Its one thing to tell, its another thing entirely to show. One that I would love to see is Worlds Without Number, since it seems like an interesting mix of osr and traveller. with 2d6 skills and d20 combat and how stats translate between. (i really like the linear distribution in combat making it swingy and hectic, while more composed skill endeavors have a more consistent bell curve to them, best of both worlds imo). I ran a little bit of a solo game experimenting with it, and found it pretty interesting, but haven’t found much actual play online, mostly just reviews (which are good in their own right). again, great stuff!

[@stephengilbert8166]

I totally agree :-)

[@JeremyRiley]

That was great! Going solo and taking the banter, overtalk and roleplaying out of the walkthrough really helped clarify basic gameplay. Adding the miniatures and fantastic set kept me engaged for the whole hour. Well done.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Thanks for the comment. I must do another video like this soon :)

[@brandykruse]

This play-through wonderfully illustrated the feel of the DW system better that any actual,play I’ve seen!

[@RottenMechGaming]

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the comment.

[@terrybeal2252]

Excellent video. Informative and highly entertaining. 🧙‍♂️

[@RottenMechGaming]

Glad you enjoyed it thanks. I want to do an updated one soon. Have you got any ideas of a topic or aspect of play that would be useful? Thanks

[@terrybeal2252]

​@@RottenMechGaming maybe useful gm advice. Fronts, GM moves, etc...

[@gogonomo5604]

This is so good. Amazing way to help people grasp how the slightly more unusual game works. Good work

[@RottenMechGaming]

orkcol really appreciate the kind words! Thanks.

[@marktownsend2198]

Amazing. I'm going to be running DW in a few weeks for some friends who have never played, and you have cleared up so much and given such inspiration.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Great glad you enjoyed it.

[@Blightdragn]

Lovely painted shredder.

[@mlfetlesjdrenbref1306]

Great play by play video. I had difficulty understanding the rules when reading them since English is not my first language and this video answered a lot of my questions. Thanks!

[@RottenMechGaming]

Glad you like it. Have you run a game yet as a DM or still reading the rules?

[@mlfetlesjdrenbref1306]

@@RottenMechGaming Still reading but almost done, need to convince some players to try it out. :) I love to read classics & new OSRs and other types of Tabletop games. Dungeon World seems to be a fast and easy way to get a weekly fix. Thanks again for the video. Very helpfull.

[@fchrisb804]

Thanks for doing this video! This was really useful for me as I prep my first One-off.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Glad you liked it. I am building up to do another one soon, perhaps with a wilderness theme.

[@fchrisb804]

@@RottenMechGaming Excellent, I would like to see that. As a side question, how do you handle Stealth in DW? Maybe you handled it in your video with Defy Danger/Dex but I was wondering if you have seen or heard of ways of handling that? Thanks Again!

[@MrHengishammer]

This video rocks. Love the old school gauntlet effects too. Very well explained. 😁

[@RottenMechGaming]

Glad you like it and I think you were first to spot the sounds! :)

[@Kuldirongaze1]

Love the Gauntlet sound bytes!

[@RottenMechGaming]

Glad you spotted them, not many do! 😂

[@Zirbip]

This was a great tutorial. I'd like to see some more DW content.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Thanks for the comment. I need to do another one soon, perhaps with some different situations and moves. It has been nearly a year. Where has this last year gone??

[@philliperzaehlspieler4023]

@@RottenMechGaming Please give us an idea of an Encounter in the wilderness. Thanks.

[@RottenMechGaming]

I will. I need a little project and will run a scene perhaps with some exploring and an encounter.

[@arturbb]

Great and helpful video, and really cool minis!

[@RottenMechGaming]

Appreciate the comment thanks.

[@housecaldwell]

I would never have thought to keep the "reconstruct themselves" move in play after they were destroyed. That's really good. They could come back when a player fails a roll later on. The biggest problem I have running DW is thinking of things like that on the fly. It really challenges your imagination.

[@RottenMechGaming]

I agree they often provide lots of options for play and its hard to think of everything. The fact is that you could always just bring another dungeon encounter into the scene. However surprising the players with a reconstructing skeleton would really add to the game.

[@TukerBiel]

Great work, this is a reference for when talk about DW. I still yet another video about this great rpg.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Great thanks for the kind words. I must do another video soon!

[@TukerBiel]

@@RottenMechGaming i Will try do a video like yours, but i Will use tabletop simulator using portuguese language

[@williamkern7931]

Thank you for a straight-to-it no-bullshit How To Play video. I especially appreciate the counting of the rolls because it gives us a rough idea of how often we'll have to consult the rules and start rolling. Great work. You should do lessons on how to do this. Watching groups do their own demos about this same topic is insufferable.

[@RottenMechGaming]

I must come back to it and do another with a step by step for a different type of encounter.

[@markoreilly4433]

Fantastic job!. Thank you

[@RottenMechGaming]

Appreciate the comment, thanks for stopping in.

[@ebadkhan7649]

Curious, what’s the point of keeping track of the Party’s moves?

[@RottenMechGaming]

At the time I felt it might help me track the recording and was also a bit of fun to count the moves. But it’s not really got a purpose.

[@ebadkhan7649]

@@RottenMechGaming thanks for the response. I’m glad you made content about DW. I haven’t heard of it until a few weeks ago and it’s looking very attractive ! Ty!!

[@davidwhisnant2617]

Thanks for the effort. It was helpful.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Thanks

[@philliperzaehlspieler4023]

I need more like this. Please give us more dungeonworld Stuff. Thanks.

[@RottenMechGaming]

I have plans to do a wilderness scene with some thoughts on making the action dramatic and different. Hopefully in the next Month.

[@philliperzaehlspieler4023]

@@RottenMechGaming A small dream would become great and true! Glad to hear that! Have fun!

[@jimbeam5607]

Absolutely outstanding work. Thanks so much for putting such effort into your demo; it was extremely helpful. If I may offer just one bit of criticism: Please roll on a book or something else that will soften the sound of the dice hitting the table. Listening to your gentle voice contrasted with the dice sounds like a breeze punctuated with gunshots (especially wearing headphones). Also: Have you ever done voice-over work? You sound incredibly familiar. Again, thanks for your tremendous demo. Cheers!

[@RottenMechGaming]

Thanks for the comment and yes :) it’s a loud roller. I will switch to a smaller velvet box I have which is much quieter.

[@jimbeam5607]

@@RottenMechGaming You're quite welcome. I look forward to the next installment!

[@grosslittlegoblin1358]

Thank you! It was a great help, after 10 years of DM-ing D&D i got a hard time understanding this system only by the rule book. My only concern with DW is that monsters seem rather passive. What happens if they charge at the players, its still "hack and slash"? Or what if a monster has ranged attacks, is it "defy danger" because the player my try to doge or block the arrow?

[@RottenMechGaming]

If you describe shooting at the players any reaction they describe could result in damage to them from the arrows. They would typically defy danger but could describe different ways. Depends if you simply start by saying “you see several skeletons with bows, drawing and aiming at you” then ask what the players are going to do. If they don’t get a result of 10+ on some described defy danger they are likely to get hit or as a DM you might have another surprise for them, especially if they get a 2-6 as a total result. There are lots of options for you because might have a player fighting a skeleton melee style but if they miss badly on the hack and slash roll 2-6, you could actually say it’s an arrow that hits them from a distance as the consequence of failing or use any other DM move or monster move listed against the player.

[@grosslittlegoblin1358]

@@RottenMechGaming Thank you for your answer, it was really helpfull. So far i like the system, it challenges the DM improv and narrative skills a little further than DnD.

[@CimmerianIron]

Great video dude, keep it up 👍🏽😀

[@RottenMechGaming]

Thanks for stopping by

[@dkbibi]

I think the GM answer for the Spout Lore at 23min30 is a bit weak. On a 10+ he tells something interesting and useful. They already knew this was skeleton footprints form the discern realities so this isn't useful and marginally interesting. It could have been something like : you know that skeletons are relentless fighters and they are always controlled by a powerful sorcerer. The best way to dispatch them is to break the link between their master. On a 7-9 its only interesting but not immediately useful so maybe it could have been that skeletons are created by powerful magic.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Addramyr Palinor excellent point. I must admit I was thinking fast at the time and could have put more thought into it. I like the creativity of linking them to a master. Thanks

[@dkbibi]

@@RottenMechGaming the explanation is top notch though! And the visual helps a lot to both understand and be entertaining! Great job!

[@markojankovic-personal351]

This tutorial is great! Thanks. Your setup is awesome. I really like your shortened character sheets and move summaries. Did you get them somewhere, or would you be willing to make them available? Thanks!

[@RottenMechGaming]

I created them in Adobe Indesign so I could save as PNG and use them as a video overlay in OBS (open broadcast system).

[@markojankovic-personal351]

@@RottenMechGaming That's a great idea. I was actually thinking more about your little laminated character cards at 34:40, those are great!

[@RottenMechGaming]

I forgot about those. Let me see if I can put a blank one in the video description. I will post when I do. Thanks

[@iwantagoodnameplease]

Great runthrough! You mostly focused on hack and slash, I was hoping to see a spell or volley or something in the fights :)

[@RottenMechGaming]

I was planning on doing a wilderness encounter. I will make sure to use volley and magic.

[@snakeappletree2]

What is the tabletop dungeon terrain you are using? It looks great!

[@RottenMechGaming]

It is mostly 4ground who are a British company that do a range of prepainted laser cut MDF terrain that you glue together as a kit.

[@coyotetacticalsolutions]

Tried to understand the game via the book and it’s so confusing. It seems to assume you know things already as a first time player. I still do not understand the things like “+1 going forward” etc

[@RottenMechGaming]

I may dig out my notes again and do something on the +1 going forward. They don't make it easy to understand in the text. Very poor .

[@janebeling5485]

Thanks for this video, I hope there will be a second part soon? Greetings from Germany

[@RottenMechGaming]

Hi Jan thanks for popping in. Yes I am planning an additional encounter or two.

[@MrToastOmnomnom]

I'm glad I watched this, I'd been doing HP wrong this whole time. I thought it was CON mod not the CON score

[@RottenMechGaming]

I am just glad I got something right! Thanks for viewing and the comment. About time I did a second episode.

[@Awesomepedia]

That sheet of moves looks hella handy, is it available online so I can print it? Thanks

[@RottenMechGaming]

I think I created it myself. Let me see if I can share a pdf. I will reply with details tomorrow.

[@RottenMechGaming]

I have added the download link to that quick reference moves page as a PDF link in the video description.

[@Kevlar-78]

So in your example of the barbarian hitting the Skelton and killing it in one blow , they only rolled 7-9. So does the skeleton still do it’s attack before it’s killed ?

[@RottenMechGaming]

Yes I believe I missed that part. The Skeleton could have made a damage roll and then expired. However I think I could have also used the result for another soft move, like another skeleton raising back up from the ground by reforming instead of the damage back against the barbarian. I am checking on Reddit to confirm because its been more than a year since I played and I am a bit rusty! Thanks for listening and taking the time to feedback.

[@RottenMechGaming]

OK well Reddit responded. So many great people in the /dungeonworld reddit group. You are totally correct, I could have hit the Barbarian for the D6 skeleton damage even before they rolled for damage or simultaneously. Simply because there is no timing dictated in the rules. My brain wants I Go, You Go because I have spent years playing like that. In reality as the DM I could do that damage either when it dies or before because RAW say I get to on the 7-9 result no matter what the damage. During this video I moved on quickly without thinking through when the damage hit.

[@Kevlar-78]

@@RottenMechGaming Thanks ! I did see you actually corrected it and did make the attack a little later. Great video ! Thanks for your response sir !

[@basstreble3]

so the fighter can just attack 2 things at once because that's what she described? or is that a fighter ability?

[@RottenMechGaming]

As I understand every character class can hack and slash move against multiple targets that are within range. If I had failed the roll, the monsters would make one damage roll using the highest damage output monster dice plus one for every monster engaged. So the monsters only make one damage roll back with a plus per additional monster past the first.

[@basstreble3]

Ah ok, so there is something mechanically balancing it to an extent - the extra damage they incur from each creature beyond the first

[@RottenMechGaming]

Lawrence yes and I think this sometimes trips up new players because at first it feels like if every monster auto damages you on a 1-6 or even a 7-9 and you had 4 of them stood around your fighter they would quickly be killed if they had 4D8 damage inbound in one group monster move but the rules make it just one monster dice. However it also makes the character feel like a hero because they roll one damage dice and apply it to everything they can describe hitting in reach. Magic missile only targets a single monster, other magic can do more.

[@jimbeam5607]

I had the same question, and found the answer on p 58 of the book under the 'Hack & Slash' option: "If the action that triggers the move could reasonably hurt multiple targets roll once and apply damage to each target (they each get their armor)."

[@housecaldwell]

I had the same question, too! I've run DW before but I missed this rule.

[@JusSomeGuyOnInternet]

why were you keeping track of the moves? is there a mechanic that needs to know that?

[@RottenMechGaming]

The only mechanic that needed it was me, I was tracking the moves for edits in the video. Just to help avoid me losing track. I was also slightly interested to count them from a game perspective, just to see how many moves happen in a session like that.

[@mattm4557]

Why do the enemies do so very little damage compared to the PCs? Can enemies ever attack on their own or do they only attack when you attack them and roll low?

[@RottenMechGaming]

They only attack when a player fails totally or gets a partial success on an move like hack and slash or defy danger. Then they can take a special move if they have one, like the skeletons can rise back from dead. Or they just do damage. With a ghoul they can bite a hand off if you get a total fail. Depends how harsh you want to be as DM with some of the special moves a monster has.

[@mattm4557]

@@RottenMechGaming Thank you for the response, the system looks interesting but it doesn't make sense to me how enemies cannot initiate an attack, so enemies can never ambush or backstab a PC, right? That's weird and takes away tension during the game. Are there any defensive or save rolls in the game?

[@RottenMechGaming]

It is a strange thing to grasp. It’s like as the DM you are required to narrate everything a monster or NPC does up to the point before they would do damage. For example (as a result of a player failing a roll to discern realities) you might say a giant bat swoops off a cathedral roof, snatches a stone statue off a column and makes an approach to drop it on a player from above. Then it’s over to the players to tell you what moves they do to respond. They might defy danger by rolling away, or do a parkour flip across some railings and Chuck a spear up into the bat. They can string a sequence together. If they fail moves either the bat does it’s damage or if it’s a partial fail you could give them a consequence like they break a weapon or even another giant bat turns up. After a few games players get more used to describing what they do and as a DM you get more creative. It’s great for stealth type activity because the player could do a lot sneaking about but it’s their own failed roll that gives the DM or monster a move in response. However, it’s different and tough to adopt only doing stuff with real consequence as a DM when a player fails. In the actual game it starts feeling natural. One tip is to encourage and support players finding the “gas bottle in the mouth of jaws to shoot”. So providing stuff around a scene that lets them get creative for cinematic actions rather than just hack and slash. Dungeonworld let’s a player succeed creative stuff with a roll and it’s more rewarding if players think movie action type ideas. I ran a dreadful game of DW once where I experienced RPG’rs had never heard of the game and had no idea what was happening. It was online and I did not get to explain the rules very well. So worth making sure everyone understands the narrative stuff up front.

[@jimbeam5607]

After running 4 sessions of the game, it seems to me the fighter of the group is ridiculously powerful. He pretty much one-shot-kills most things thrown at him (he's very lucky with rolls, generally) and with 4 armor, very little hurts him. It's frustrating. Now, I"m certainly not trying to kill the characters but precious little is even a challenge with the system, as it is.

[@RottenMechGaming]

Lucky rolling helps! I think my 4 armour is very tough. I don’t feel like it’s a very mechanics combat focused game. It certainly feels like it’s focused more on a grander story type approach than simply fighter bashing. However I can see how it would feel frustrating with a tough fighter. Perhaps something that influences the fighters mind with magic or a weakness to something?

[@jimbeam5607]

@@RottenMechGaming Sincere apologies for my very late reply. Mea Culpa. I did actually realize that tags such as "messy" and "forceful" were extremely effective as well as following the direction "putting the fiction first" since that permitted certain situations (such as said fighter hamstringing a hill giant only to have it fall on him, thus dealing damage every round the fighter was trapped beneath him) to pose a challenge (and humble him quite a bit, if I may say). Greatly appreciate your reply and very much look forward to more videos such as this. All the best to you and yours!

[@kevingooley9628]

Do monsters even get to make an attack, or are they completely reactive? Do they always just stand around waiting for a PC to make a move, ie Hack and Slash, and only get to do damage if the PC rolls low? And, if so, how do you resolve a monster with a ranged weapon?

[@RottenMechGaming]

Kevin Gooley monsters can attack using a move. For shooting they can shoot/throw and if it is a group of shooters they would gain the bonus to damage by adding plus 1 to the highest damage dice for each additional shooter. If a monster makes a move type attack (as detailed on their profile) the player explains how they attempt to avoid it and would typically roll defy danger e.g “I hunker down under my shield to deflect the incoming arrows” then they can make a defy danger to try and avoid the incoming arrow damage. So strictly speaking the monster with bows are still not rolling the attack but they are making the move to fire the bows. It’s resolved by the players reaction to the fiction and typically the defy danger roll they then make.

[@kevingooley9628]

@@RottenMechGaming thank you for your response! After watching your video again, and a couple of others, I see how the game mechanic works withing the game narrative. So if the players can immediately defend themselves from an attack, I would have them roll Hack and Slash, if not, then Defy Danger. If players with shorter weapons, say a sword and arming shield, about 1 meter long, are attacked by enemies with halberds, say 2.5 meters long, and they chose to fight, not flee, would an initial defy danger roll, to close withing the greater reach, then hack and slash, for the close in melee combat, be appropriate?

[@andyhall870]

@@kevingooley9628 I tend to think of it like this... Where the player initiates an attack and they're in a position to do so, "I bellow at the goblin directly in front of me and swing my axe at its misshapen head!" I think hack and slash. In my mind, hack and slash is not a response to danger, or a defence move. Where the player wants to attack but they're not in a position to do so immediately, "I bellow at the cockatrice and charge, swinging my axe!" I'll ask them to defy danger first. They have to close with it without succumbing to its petrifying glare. This lines up with your example above concerning weapons with different reach. You can also allow moves to snowball. Maybe you rolled hack and slash with a pack of goblins, failed your roll and are wrong-footed. Now they're looking to crawl all over you and drag you down with their cruel-looking claws - what do you do? You're going to need to defy danger before you can attack (hack and slash) again. You can also use this opportunity to move the spotlight - what are your fellow adventurers doing while you're being swarmed by goblins?

[@WrightFightConcepts]

What program or app are you using to display the game and character details?

[@RottenMechGaming]

OBS

[@WrightFightConcepts]

Rottenlead What app are you using as the character details?

[@RottenMechGaming]

Just OBS media sources. Aha yes omnigraffle to layout the stats etc. Anything like Visio would also be fine if you are a PC user

[@WrightFightConcepts]

Rottenlead thank you

[@totesMagotes83]

Is it just me or is the framerate really bad on this video?

[@RottenMechGaming]

It’s super low. It was run live into OBS on my old Mac and it was about 1 frame a second! Things have improved since then 😂

[@mandyogilvie686]

418 like

[@Arnsteel634]

So in this system without modifier you have a 50% chance of doing damage and the enemy has a 75% chance of doing damage. At least with regard to back and slash. This doesn’t seem like a good system. I am assuming the monster does damage on a 1-9. No this does not look like a good game

[@jonathanrector]

Just a thought for this. 'Dealing Damage' is one of many moves the GM can use. So true, on a 1-9 'something happens', but it doesn't have to be damage. You can build up the story through misses and actions. Maybe instead of dealing damage, the monsters knock the character down and being to pile on top, perhaps they loose their weapon, perhaps you go even more MICRO, slow time down, and the monster is breathing in the heroes face as the monster and hero scream at each other as the monster is slowly sinking the heroes weapon even closer into the heroes chest. That gives the player a chance for another move before (if) they take damage. Hope this helps :)

[@totesjokin5354]

You’re thinkin too much on the math, friend. DW games are much more narrative/ adventure driven, and the system is all about DANGER! If you’re up against a hulking dangerous foe, do you really expect to slay them without getting dirty?

[@xeltanni8999]

It is a pretty good game, actually. However you are not wrong either at least about the math. The PCs have quite a lot of health (the ones who *should* be getting into hack and slash, anyway) plus armor which negates damage as well. It balances out to the equivalent of very low-level D&D, which was the goal of the game design. My issue with that sort of thing is that I prefer not to min-max and have a well-rounded and versatile character, but in a system where the odds are razor thin like this, that extra +1 from putting your best stat in X instead of trying to be different put it in Y will make a pretty huge difference. CAN you still play a Wizard who is more charming than smart? Or a Thief that likes to use a battle axe? Yes, absolutely. But it is a much more... hmm... I suppose "punishing" is the word I'm looking for here... choice. My group glommed on to the math right away as well when I tried to run them through Masks (which is a different but fairly similar PBTA game) and they didn't like it at all, but we're all old and set in our ways so this kind of narrative style of gameplay rather than really crunchy and binary would take some getting used to. And willingness to try.