Greetings Wanderers!
So after a healthy wait (aka I got busy with work and forgot to write this earlier) lets take a second and talk about Approaches and what they actually are in the Hydra System.
Aproaches in Theory
Just like any TTRPG, the Hydra System is based upon choice and allowing players to handle any situation how they see fit. What Ive personally noticed in a lot of games, unfortunately, is many times most situations boil down to the same few skills constantly repeating. With the use of Approaches, I aimed to allow players more freedom.
When confronted with a situation, players have the chance to choose how they wish to interact with the encounter. They choose to use one of their Attributes (Brawn, Finesse, Mind, Resolve, or Swagger) and construct their dice pool.
“Wait… how is that different from any other game? You can always choose different skills?”
AHA! YOU'VE ACTIVATED MY TRAP CARD
THIS IS ABOUT TAGS TOO!
Tags: Why They Matter
Now that I've effectively hit you with the ol’ Razzle Dazzle, lets briefly talk about Tags and why they are so important to Approaches.
During character creation, you should remember from our talk about what the Hydra System is, you are given two opportunities to create Tags. Once when you choose your Background and once when you choose your Archetype you are given the opportunity to create 3 Tags each time.
“But wait, how do I actually *create* a tag? Are there rules for that?”
Good question! I can explain it in a short way and a long way. The short way is simply:
“Wow… so helpful…”
Oh relax… I'll explain it. The first step is to ask yourself a few questions about the character you are trying to make. Questions like, “What did my character actually do to gain this Background?” or “How does my character exhibit being the Archetype I chose?” are amazing starting points for Tag creation.
Tags are the way to take the “fluff” of character backstory and not only put them into action as actual mechanics, but to “truly” customize how they look. 100 people could design 100 versions of the same Background and Archetype combination and they can all be radically differnt from each other simply by creating custom tags.
Tags in Action
Lets look at sample character featured in the Steel Horizons Player's Guide.
“Oh god… another product plug…”
LISTEN, I HATE CAPITALISM TOO BUT I LIKE EYES ON MY STUFF!
So lets check in with a player, we call her Katie, and see how she created one of her tags.
Boom! One tag in the books and now also helps our player customize their character even more.
“That's great and all, but what do Tags actually *do*? And how does this relate back to Approaches?”
Ok, lets bring it all together!
Going back to our example of players deciding how to deal with an potential situation, the players have chosen their Approaches and now begin their rolls with the corresponding dice pools. Rolls are tallied and unfortunately some of the players rolled a few Failures.
But wait! Tags to the rescue!
By calling upon tags that are applicable (the main reason for customizing tags to go with Approaches) now those players may reroll their lowest die in the pool and have another chace at success!
So, with a well constructed combination of Approaches and Tags, players can build a character that plays exactly to the playstyle they wish. Players have the freedom to dictate how *they* wish to interact with the world instead of pigeonholed into a finite group of premade skills.
I hope this helps shed more light on the Hydra System and gives more understanding! Be sure to stay tuned for even more updates coming soon.
As always, keep wandering!
-Mike