Mobile Dungeon Task Force - Stats, Maxes and Caps

The latest version of MDTF playtest features a stat system that combines Into the Odd and Vagabond // Pulp Fantasy RPG. Here's how it works:

You have three stats: Endurance (END), Reflex (REF) and Character (CHA). Each stat has a MAX value between 2 and 7.

On your character sheet each stat has a value, a MAX value and CAP value. Your MAX is the canonical value of the stat and doesn't affect play in any way. Your CAP value is the maximum value the stat can have DURING play. Your CAPs return to their MAX values when your rest.

So when you play, your stats might look like this:

• END 4 / 7  (MAX 7)
• REF 3 / 5  (MAX 5)
• CHA 6 / 6  (MAX 6)

Your END acts as your health, so when you take damage you reduce your END score. 

END 4 / 7 -> END 2 / 7

Your REF and CHA are resources you can use to do certain special actions.

REF 3 / 5 -> REF 2 / 5 (to make a special aimed shot with a firearm)

Here's where things get interesting. If you take more damage than you have remaining in your END stat you must reduce a CAP for the excess damage. Lets say you take 5 damage.

END 2 / 7 -> END 0 / 7

Now you have to reduce the CAP of either END, REF or CHA by the excess amount (here it would be 3 points). You choose CHA.

CHA 6 / 6  -> CHA 3 / 3

Your CAP was lowered, so your score goes down too. Because you didn't spend these points before they are now lost.

The Box Version

This post was prompted by a friend of mine coming up with a brilliant representation of this system. Imagine each of your stats as a box. The number of boxes represents the MAX of the stat.

• END ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐
• REF ☐☐☐☐☐
• CHA ☐☐☐☐☐☐

During play your boxes might look like this after taking 3 damage and spending 2 REF points:

• END ☐☐☐☐☑☑☑
• REF ☐☐☐☑☑
• CHA ☐☐☐☐☐☐

Now you take 8 damage. You fill in your END boxes, and cross off the remainder from any of the stats.

• END ☑☑☑☑☑☑☒
• REF ☐☐☐☒☒
• CHA ☐☐☐☐☐☒

You've chosen to reduce your maximum healt by one and reduce your CHA by one but also used the already spent REF points without losing any remaining points. Now the combat is over and you heal your health back.

• END ☐☐☐☐☐☐☒
• REF ☐☐☐☒☒
• CHA ☐☐☐☐☐☒

So when do you die? When your END pool is fully crossed off.

The benefit of this idea is that it forces you to use your points. Sure you can save your REF and CHA points for a bad day but if you ever take more damage than you can handle, and rest assured you certainly will, some of those saved points will be lost.

The game is not currently available anywhere but you can follow me on Bluesky or Itch to be the first to know when a playable version is out. Cheers!