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Apocalypse World

2nd Edition
The original fiction-first RPG — the apocalypse is beautiful and violent
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post-apocalyptic
NarrativeRules-LightCollaborativeImprovisationLow-PrepDramaTheater of the MindRoleplay-HeavyPlaybook-Driven
Languages: English
Dice2d6
System FamilyPbtA
Cost$$
LicenseCC BY 4.0 (Powered by the Apocalypse)
Publisherlumpley games
Year2016
Complexity Low
Accessibility Medium
Community Medium

Core Mechanic

Roll 2d6 + stat. 6−: MC makes a hard move, 7–9: succeed with cost or complication, 10+: full success. Playbook moves trigger from the fiction. The MC follows Agendas and Principles instead of plotting.

Best For

Groups who want raw, character-driven post-apocalyptic drama where the fiction leads and the MC never plans ahead.

Highlights

Genre-defining design that launched the entire PbtA movement, playbooks with built-in dramatic hooks, MC framework provides detailed GM guidance, highly hackable

Considerations

Can feel directionless without strong character flags, 2nd edition layout is dense and hard to reference, move trigger ambiguity requires frequent MC judgment calls, harm mechanics can cascade quickly