CHAOS APOCALYPSE

Chao’s Custom TTRPG Ruleset

Inspirations

• Knave
• MORK BORG
• EZD6
• Grave

Abilities

• Strength (melee combat, lifting, crushing, grappling)
• Dexterity (balancing, swimming, running)
• Presence (ranged combat, magic, perception)
• Toughness (resistances, health)
• Charisma (anything involving social interaction)

I like how in Knave, Wisdom is used for ranged weapons, to avoid Dexterity from being too overpowered. 
However, this didn't really make sense, intuitively speaking, so instead, I use Presence. 

I mostly structured the abilities around Mork Borg abilities, but with the addition of Charisma. 
This allows for more nuance rather than using Presence for that, too.

Character Creation

Roll 3d6 for each ability, take lowest. Do this 6 times, then distribute the stats to your abilities.

This is your bonus, your defense is always your bonus+10.

I like randomization in character creation but the lack of choice bothers me.
Randomization + distribution seems like a pretty good middle ground.

Your Hit Points is equal to your Toughness+3.

Difficulty Tests

To succeed a difficulty test, roll D20 + your ability bonus with a result equal to or greater than the difficulty rating.

Difficulty rating should start at 15 for most tasks that are worth rolling for, give or take.

If you’re advantaged, roll 2D20 and pick the higher number.

If you’re disadvantaged, roll 2D20 and pick the lower number.

I really like the system of using multiple dice based on advantage.
EZD6 and Knave both use it!

Crits and Fumbles

A nat 20 (crit) means a “yes, and…”

Similarly, a nat 1 (fumble) means a “no, and…”

Omens

Every character replenishes 3 Omens with a day’s rest.

Omens can be used to:

• Reroll a dice roll (Yours or someone else’s)
• Deal maximum damage with 1 attack
• Lower damage dealt to you by d6

I like Omens and Karma in Mork Borg and EZD6 respectively, they add a layer of strategy.
However, Omens have a few too many uses to keep track of in Mork Borg, so I simplified it.
I dislike keeping track of Karma increase in EZD6, so I made it a set replenished number.

Combat

Roll d6, 1-3 means players start first, 4-6 means enemies start first.

Attacks occur by doing a Strength difficulty test against the opponent’s Armor defense. If successful, do the appropriate weapon damage.

I don't factor in Dexterity mainly because Dex + Armor checks tend to slow things down.
Also, screw realism. (unless it's unintuitive, which this isn't, at least for me)

Crits and Fumbles

On a nat 20 (crit), do an additional die of damage.

On a nat 1 (fumble), your weapon is damaged. If already damaged, it becomes broken and rendered unusable.

Half the weapon’s value is required to repair it.

I prefer Grave's system of simplifying weapon damage over Knave's.

Mork Borg is a lot more unforgiving - a fumble means the weapon is immediately unusuable.