Recently been re-reading a few old detective novels I had lying around.

Recently been re-reading a few old detective novels I had lying around.

Recently been re-reading a few old detective novels I had lying around. Figured it might be fun to write-up my take on an investigator. I threw in a lot of Sherlock, but there is also some Noir, some Columbo, and a dash of Terry Pratchet thrown in.

Very much a work in progress… 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzuG4my2HZ_fbWxFZGVsa3ZVU28/view?usp=sharing

19 thoughts on “Recently been re-reading a few old detective novels I had lying around.”

  1. I’d like to start with how much I love most of these moves. Each of them seems like not only fun to use but also a great chance to roleplay.

    That being said, here’s some quick notes I took down on some of the moves:

    Origins instead of races, definitely

    Stalwart companion, no cost for a new companion? Maybe no EXTRA cost due to the fact that your companions have a reputation for dying.

    Hardboiled and Overcooked? This is not a combat class, much less a tank. Add more multiclass moves in place of this, so that if players really wanted to do this then they could.

    The Drop on Them is an exception to my last comment, because I can see it used as a knock-out blow for minor enemies, and therefore a big help with stealth.

  3. Oh crap, this class is just too perfect! I can even picture characters like The Doctor or L (Ryuzaki/Ryuga) doing this stuff! I agree with Jon Stewart’s critiques, but all in all the class looks nearly perfect. I can’t wait to see the finished version!

  5. It reminds me a bit of my inquisitor class (which I posted before in this group). Feel free to sift through that for inspiration if you want to! This is looking cool and I look forward to seeing your progress.

  6. Love the overall design of this class, I only have one question about it. You have moves that gain you preparation (or hold as I understand it) but nowhere does it say what u spend that prep on… Am I missing something?

  7. Josh Coupe  – preparation can be used to add +1 to any roll, as outlined by the “Bolster” move on pg. 79 of the DW book. I know a lot of player’s neglect this particular move, so its not something I had a huge amount of familiarity with, either. Hopefully that clears it up a bit for you 🙂 

    Anyhow, thanks for taking a look at the class!

  8. Jon Stewart  – thanks for the notes! 

    I think you’re right about “Hard” and “Over” boiled – I was actually thinking an alternative could be along the lines of: “When you’re reduced to 0HP for the first time in a session, recover d4 HP” with perhaps an upgrade for “overboiled.” you’re on the money about the nature of the class, though, and maybe more multiclass options is just the way to go [and should be included, regardless]….but I did want to find a way to provide for the ‘tough’ nature of many fictional detectives.

    I also think you’re right about not using races – I’m actually a big proponent of ‘backgrounds and drives’ as opposed to ‘alignments and races,’ so that will definitely make it in!

    re: Stalwart Companion – I’m on the fence as to whether the player should have to roll “recruit” for a new hireling in this case. If they would have to, I think it defeats the purpose of the move – that’s originally what I meant when I wrote: “no cost.” then again, mayhaps you’re getting at something else?

    But I appreciate the feedback, I definitely want to incorporate that into further builds. If you have any other ideas or thoughts, send ’em my way! 

  10. Alexander Pirard is that the class with the “inquest” mechanic? I just recently found it on the tavern and REALLY, REALLY loved its style!

    I’ll look back through it and see if there’s anything I can crib – and thanks for the kind words – as I mentioned in other responses, I’ll keep adding updates here as I work my way through it, but I am always happy to get the feedback.

  11. Yes, that was it! Although I did see some problems upon revisiting it and I might do some 2.0 version of it in the future. (Specifically, it’s closer to a collection of ideas than a thematically tied together bundle of abilities.) And I think that might be one thing you could mull upon for your investigator as well: most DW classes have one starting move related to combat, one related to social interaction and another one related to exploration or utility, and the advanced moves let you expand the starting move’s theme that you find most interesting.

    Also, you could try to replace backgrounds/races with vices and different ways they let you gain preparation or something like that.

  12. I’ve done a touch of updating and added some new moves:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzuG4my2HZ_faWRxVktyWTM3WmM/view?usp=sharing

    Took some of your advice, Jon Stewart. Still thinking about another 6-10 move, I think the current number might be a touch light. Also wondering if the class needs a move to key ‘discern realities’ off of INT, or if that should be left as is. 

    Will probably take a break from moves to work on the remainder of the playbook next, perhaps some inspiration will come to me. 

    Alexander Pirard – As I go through the backgrounds, I’m going to take your idea to mind – I think there is definately a place for backgrounds/vices to step into an active role here. Thanks for those ideas. I’ll have to take a harder look at the starting and advanced moves and make sure they tie together thematically – at least in such a way that it feels like you are playing some type of investigator throughout. 

    lot’s to mull over!

  14. The Wave Traveling move is really cool, I like it!

    However, the mechanics of ‘It’s Pronounced Learned’ should be more like Bardic Lore.

    Really great work overall! I’d like to try this some day

  15. Another update – Most of it is now in place…I think? Jon Stewart I took your advice and made some changes to ‘Pronounced Learned’ but I actually modeled it after the Barbarian’s outsider move. I like Bardic Lore – quite a lot actually – but I wanted to try something different. would love to know your and everyone else’s thoughts who’s following this evolution. 

    I might re-share with the Tavern proper, if this thing is looking decent =) 

    oh, right – the link:

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzuG4my2HZ_fZGtJeEx0bTdTdk0/view?usp=sharing 

    Thanks again!

Comments are closed.