You MUST Steal This Mechanic for Your D&D Game!!

[@jameshaley194]

The biggest problem with Obligation that should be pointed out is that characters who take high obligation in return for cool gear tend to get more of the spotlight at the table because a) they have more gear or skills to solve a wider variety of problems b) their backstory is coming up more than anyone else's. It's a cool mechanic in theory but I wouldnt use it for those 2 reasons. (Speaking from experience of a 5 year Edge of the Empire campaign with my high obligation character)

[@denzelpanther240]

WFRP Armor rule: turn a crit into a regular hit and your armor decreases permanently by 1 until repaired

[@jnlsnfamily8747]

Dude I love that. What edition of WFRP is that in?

[@jonathaneverson3673]

The next campaign I run is going to be a more sandboxy open approach set in frontier Q'barra. Heavily inspired by Keith's current Threshold campaign. I am DEFINITALY going to be pitching this in Session Zero to the group along side Escalation Dice, mentioned in the previous "Steal this..." video.

[@R00K07]

I may actually use this to outright replace backgrounds, with some different flavorings.

[@peterswift6522]

Sounds really really interesting. Definitely gonna consider using something like this in my next campaign. Thanks for the info!

[@TheGeekPantheon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@IndustrialQueue]

I love the idea of obligation and it’s been one of my favorite parts of Star Wars RPG that I haven’t been able to play with. 5e approaches the same problem as obligation via the background mechanics. You take a background and get stuff. The background influences your traits, bonds, and flaws, which (bonds especially) are supposed to deal with the same issues. Mechanically, the balance has been baked into this part without the thrust and compulsion that obligation brings. I think pulling from this could be a good approach if balance feels out of whack. I don’t have an specific thoughts on WHAT exactly to do though. I think Eric gave enough options that something should work before having to move to this.

[@Lionrhod212]

I really like this mechanic. We are about to start a 2e (not my favorite system, but it's what the DM wants to run, using the Skills & Powers book) game. I've proposed using skill points on a 1-1 base for Obligation. I'd like to hear more about the TYPES of Obligation. I'm proposing an Obligation for my character to her Druid Grove (based on your suggestion of the "Family" obligation.)

[@Randomdudefromtheinternet]

Ok, but what would be the ideal exchange values for additional obligation? (How much gp or how many magic items is 5 or 10 extra obligation worth?)

[@mcullennz]

I think this is great. Put it on the DMs guild. Even if its pay what you want. Or if you want to get thoughts on it. Put it up on www.reddit.com/r/UnearthedArcana and you can get feedback

[@KloUtley]

I was just talking to one of my players about adding this mechanic to our next campaign. Happy to hear more details about it.

[@davidmc8478]

I wonder if Ideals were supposed to work like this.

[@darrinkatzska8224]

I love that this is something I haven't heard before. I'd be interested in more examples of stuff from Genesys that could be stolen for 5e games.

[@MegaShrut]

I knew I could get something for my table!

[@sam_spaxter]

Love this mechanic. Thanks for diving deeper into it!

[@TheGeekPantheon]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@sam_spaxter]

Thought about another use case as a player. If the DM isn't using the mechanics of this in the game, you can still use bits of it "behind the scenes" to inform your character's behavior and grow their personality over time. Assess on your own if obligations are progressing or regressing, and adjust behavior accordingly. You lose the bonuses and the percentile rolls from the DM, but you give yourself a way to document where you intend to go with the story of your character. This would be best in a narrative focused game. It could work for that narrative loving player in a combat heavy group though.

[@glomdi]

i feel like i'm the only one who thinks adding mechanics to story elements dampens rp lmao

[@TheGeekPantheon]

I think that it is a balancing act. Too many mechanics can stifle rp, but I like Obligation because in my experience it enhances it since it facilitates opportunities to roleplay rather than dictating how to roleplay.

[@gstaff1234]

Like this concept. Great motivator.

[@BrianScottGameNight]

In the future please just state what it is. I did NOT watch past the 2:24 mark.