Game Mechanics Reference

When to Roll a Die

When a player asks to perform an action, follow this 6-step process:

1. Does this require a die roll? - If they are never or always going to succeed, don’t bother rolling. Just keep the game going. If the odds are somewhere between 1% and 99% chance of success, this is when to roll.
2. What skill is being tested? - Consider what particular skill attribute fits the check. If you are not using skills, skip this step.
3. How hard is success? - Set the Difficulty Class (DC) using the probability table below.
4. Roll the dice - Get the player to roll the 20-sided die.
5. Add modifiers - Add or subtract any modifiers to their raw dice roll. This includes stats and abilities.
6. Describe what happens - Narrate the outcome in fiction.

Skills Reference

Below is a consolidated listing of all sub-skills organised under each core stat.

Strength STR

Represents Power and Force

• Change Management: Implementing new systems, driving organisational transformation.
• Project Delivery: Executing plans, meeting deadlines.
• Forceful Operations: Applying direct force or authority to achieve objectives.

Dexterity DEX

Represents Agility, Reflexes, and Adaptability

• Adaptability: Changing tactics or strategies on the fly as information or circumstances shift.
• Multitasking: Juggling multiple tasks without losing focus or effectiveness.
• Risk Mitigation: Making fast adjustments to mitigate emerging risks.

Constitution CON

Represents Willingness to Endure and Stamina

• Endurance: Sustaining prolonged effort under pressure.
• Crisis Management: Staying calm and deciding effectively in an emergency.
• Workload Endurance: Managing heavy workloads over extended periods.
• Stress Tolerance: Operating effectively under high stress.
• Adversity Handling: Overcoming professional setbacks or failures.
• Long-Term Focus: Keeping energy and focus on long-term projects.

Intelligence INT

Represents Mental Acuity, Information Recall, and Analytical Skill

• Research: Gathering, understanding, and using information effectively.
• Strategic Thinking: Developing long-term plans and grasping complex problems.
• Technical Understanding: Grasping complex technical concepts or systems.
• Problem Solving: Applying logical reasoning.
• Data Analysis: Analysing complex datasets for insights.

Wisdom WIS

Represents Perception, Intuition, and Judgement

• Insight: Reading the underlying intentions or truths behind what is said.
• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential threats or pitfalls in a situation or plan.
• Stakeholder Perception: Reading the unspoken needs or concerns of stakeholders.
• Trend Forecasting: Anticipating industry or market trends.
• Ethical Judgement: Making decisions aligned with ethical standards and corporate social responsibility.

Charisma CHA

Represents Force of Personality, Persuasion, and Leadership

• Influence: Persuading others and winning support for your ideas or initiatives.
• Negotiation: Persuading others in discussions or agreements.
• Leadership: Guiding, inspiring, and managing others.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Building strong relationships with key stakeholders.
• Deception: Shaping the narrative to bend belief in your favour.

Difficulty Class / Probability Table

Probabilistic thinking is a core aim of InsightRPG. Estimating a probability before rolling helps players calibrate their judgement and check their own biases. Committing to a number surfaces hidden assumptions and creates a moment of genuine reflection before the dice decide.

Ask the player: "I'd like you to weigh in as an expert here. What do you think your probability of success is from 0-100, and why?" Convert the estimate to a DC using the table below.

Roll the Dice / Add Modifiers / Describe What Happens

Below is a worked example showing the full mechanic in action.