Index Card RPG
Master EditionBest For
Groups who love D&D's d20 feel but want something faster, lighter, and more improvisational. Excellent for high-energy dungeon crawls with minimal prep.
Core Mechanic
Roll d20 + stat vs. a single Target Number for the whole scene. On a hit, roll an Effort die (d4–d12 by type) to chip away at a task's Hearts (10 HP each). Timer dice count down each round to create urgency.
Roll a d20 plus a stat against one target number for the whole scene, then an Effort die to chip away at a task. The single-target simplicity keeps play fast and punchy. Hearts abstract progress.
- Free to tryQuickstartA free starter you can actually play
- Get it nowSold newIn print or as a legal PDF
- –IndexNo back-of-book index or page-keyed reference tables
- ✓GM guidanceA chapter on how to run the game
- ✓Examples of playRules shown in action at the table
- ✓Quick referenceCheat sheet or summary tables
- –Cross-referencesRules rarely point to each other by page
3 of 5 book tools found in the core book
Highlights
Very fast play, extensive GM tools, five genre settings included, highly hackable, timer dice create real tension
Considerations
DIY philosophy can overwhelm new GMs, loot-as-progression feels punishing if gear is lost
Rules license 3rd Party License
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