A new one-page RPG: The Expendables vs IT

A little trip into Stephen King's world... or not. Here is a new one-page RPG based on a WHAT IF. Hard day for Pennywise!

When IT starts to be afraid of the dark

I've always been a big fan of horror movies and action mangas. Also with the release of IT chapter 2 of Master Stephen KING, I wanted to ask the following question: What if by accident the mad clown had chosen the wrong city? Rather than attacking defenseless children, he had chosen to terrorize a shonen character? A warrior at the limit of human strength?
In a coherent universe, this warrior could be represented by a norris chuck, a jean-claude or a veteran. That's how the crazy idea of pitching the Expendables against Pennywise came about.

Download on DTRPG The Expendables vs IT PDF

A one-page "disposable" RPG

If you follow my blog, you know that I am a fan of the "disposable tissue" concepts, to be used immediately and discarded. So I had fun preparing a core rule on a single page in the setting of the well-known city of Derry. The players represent members of a special unit sent by the CIA to investigate the disappearances.
The core rules is a LAZERS & FEELINGS hack - that works very well in this kind of game. Players choose their concept, add one or two variables and the game is on!

Spirit of The Expendables vs IT one-page RPG session

The spirit of the game is the most important aspect of The Expendables vs IT one-page RPG. The game must be fast, fun, based on the characters, more than on the script. The players are there to " kick assing"* monsters . The real threat is not the clown, but the characters themselves and the traumas they will have to overcome. Indeed, it is obvious - in this context - that the characters are stronger than Pennywise. The script is above all a pretext to make the characters evolve, to make them overcome their trauma, their addictions, their mental disorders.
We therefore vary between humour, exaggeration of physical prowess and surpassing oneself.

*Yes, my level in English is so impressive that I allow myself to invent new words. :)

Additive rules - The Expendables vs IT one-page RPG FIGHTING STYLES EXTENSION

The one-page rpg format doesn't allow me to express everything I would have liked. It is a good exercise to have to focus on the essentials. But for those who are interested, I had initially planned to build up the combat part to make it stick more to the Shonen spirit. The idea was to add fighting styles, each style having an advantage over the other.

When you have the advantage, you add a D6. When you are disadvantaged, you remove a d6. This rule is not cumulative: in Lazer&Feelings, there is only one character rolling the die.
In the event of an opposition between players, it is possible to imagine that two protagonists roll the dice and compare the number of successes. But in this eventuality, either the advantage for one person or the disadvantage for the other is counted. Not both at the same time.

Example of how the table works
The character of the Stallion is represented by the element of fire. He is stronger than Rocket's character but weak comtre Number who manipulates minds
The character of Jet 27, the fast one, has the advantage over The Granite, the resisting one. I'm not going to get into a justification. Think of the battle between the Mountain and Oberyn Martell (game of thrones). On the other hand, he is weak against Rocket, the weapons handler.
...

In this variant, monsters also have a fighting style:
Zombie, Skeleton: Leaf (Granite)
Werewolf: Fire (Stallion)
Vampire, mental ghost: Water (number)
Bat, physical ghost: Wind (Jet27)
samourai undead: Metal (Rocket)

Last bonus: a mini character sheet!

Arnold style

Blank style

If you liked The Expendables vs IT one-page RPG you can also download my latest rpg Militiaman by Day/Tomb robber by night or check my other rpg ressources.