I was wondering if anyone has come up with a list of different moves for different animals using the shapeshift move? I am new to GMing DW so I was hoping for some help with those since I have a person in the group looking at being a druid.
I was wondering if anyone has come up with a list of different moves for different animals using the shapeshift move?
I was wondering if anyone has come up with a list of different moves for different animals using the shapeshift move?
Two things:
☆Does it describe what the animal does or logically may do?
☆Is it awesome?
Then make a ruling based on those two answers. The problem is that the more moves you prepare the more you will restrict the flow of fiction.
Example
The group is attacked by a giant spider. The druid shapeshifts into a giant wasp, stings it and lays an egg in its abdomen.
Would you allow it? One GM I asked answered, “It is OP. I will allow the druid to shapeshift into a normal wasp”.
Well it happened at my table and even though it ended the battle there and then I allowed it because it was AWESOME.
Now my question to you is: Would you have written this beforehand?
Giant wasp
Instinct: To paralyze giant spiders and lay eggs in their abdomens.
I guess not…
Developing things on the fly (no pun intended) is one of the joys of DW.
During char gen, I ask The Druid questions what animal forms they are familiar with and what those animals do. Most can think of three or four and maybe three or four moves for each. That will cover at least a first session. By the time that is getting boring, somebody at the table will have asked, “Hey can you turn into an X?” The answer is “I don’t see why not, what does an X do?” And you take it from there.
Wynand Louw Agreed, I like to have a general idea of what animals the Druid considers his realm, as the playbook indicates, but what they do is always better on the fly. Also, it doesn’t hurt to ask what their intention is for changing into said animal. After all, if they change into a huge bear, I don’t think making a move that they can eat lots of honey from a bee’s nest without enduring much pain is very useful… or is it?
Boom! Here’s the super killer cool guy rules of thumb:
1)Make A Move That Gives The Player What They Want
They turn into a bear in a fight? Write a move that wrecks shit. They want to scout as a bird? Give them a move to learn stuff.
2)Make A Move That Makes Sense
Theyre a bear that kills folks now? Okay what else does a bear do… Defend people? Climb trees? They’re a sparrow now who people ignore? What else do sparrows do… Fly? Steal stuff?
3)Give It A Twist, Yo!
Now Have Fun! Mix it up! Punk your player! Hint at what you want to see! See how creative they are! They’re a bear that kills and climbs? Well what do they do with the move Barrel Through An Obstacle? They’re a sparrow that flies and people ignore? How about Play Follow The Leader With A Flock?