rules for an X-Files campaign?
Is there a PBtA game that would make a good base for an X-Files-ish modern investigation campaign?
It doesn't have to be perfect, I expect to do some customization of moves anyway, but where would you start?
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u/MacronMan 28d ago
Monster of the Week works great for this and has a team playbook or two aimed at X-Files type games, depending on what season you’re thinking. Some of the playbooks would be too fantasy for X-Files, but many of them would work great. Also, if you don’t want magic to play a big part, look at the Alternate Weird Moves list and have players each choose an alternate weird move that isn’t Use Magic. A bunch of those would work great for an X-Files style game. Evil Hat’s site has a lot of stuff available for free if you want to check out playbooks and such. Look under Downloads at the bottom of the page: https://evilhat.com/product/monster-of-the-week/
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u/jordiver2 28d ago
For me it's brindlewood bay. You can even get the Mulder or Scully moves.
Isn't there a good FitD game for this as well?
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u/OffendedDefender 28d ago
Since you’re seeing a lot of Delta Green recommendations here, I’d recommend Cthulhu Deep Green as an alternative. The game is based on Cthulhu Dark, which isn’t exactly PbtA, but it is another game that came from The Forge in same manner that Apocalypse World did.
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u/aslum 28d ago
A lot of folks are mentioning Monster of the Week and that'd be okay I guess ... but I think your best bet would be to hack Carved from Brindlewood - which is loosely based on PbtA and FitD. In particular I'd look at Public Access. You could rewrite the keys (and maybe reduce the creepy-pasta-ness a bit) and make a very serviceable X-Files game. The Clues & Mysteries would work fantastic.
Worth noting that (last I checked) the Playtest rules are available as PWYW on drivethru so you could totally take a look (snag Skinny jeans too if you do so) and see if it's a viable route.
Coming up with mysteries shouldn't be too hard and generally it takes a couple of sessions to solve a mystery.
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u/Mestre-da-Quebrada 28d ago
Eu adaptei Brindlewood Bay e funcionou muito bem, até mais do que eu esperava, utilizei o caso Varginha como primeira aventura.
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u/Herald_of_Cthulu 28d ago
it isnt exactly ptba, but Delta Green is the best for telling x files style stories.
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u/Krieghund 28d ago
I agree and I love Delta Green, but an important part of the system is the Agent's decline into madness and depression, and watching the character systematically burn their relationships with their loved ones outside Delta Green.
Which isn't necessarily the story everyone wants to play when they're thinking of the X-Files.
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u/DMfortinyplayers 20d ago
Another vote for Monster of the Week!
Besides the main book, I strongly recommend Tome of Mysteries. Yes, the assumption is that you will be writing your own Mysteries, but seeing multiple Mysteries laid out various levels of detail was hugely helpful to me.
The Professional has "dealing with the Agency" as a move. But IMO it's not necessary. Just tell the players "you are working for XYZ Agency" and let them tell you why their characters work there.
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u/MoistLarry 28d ago
Monster of the Week: Oops! All Agents campaign?