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SaGa-Inspired Difficulty Scaling for Ironsworn

The document introduces a SaGa-inspired scaling difficulty mechanic for the Ironsworn game, where enemy capabilities increase as player characters progress. It establishes a Difficulty Number (DN) that decreases with player actions, influencing the abilities of randomly generated enemies based on their comparison to the DN. This mechanic aims to maintain a dynamic and balanced gameplay experience by ensuring that challenges evolve alongside character growth.

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44 views2 pages

SaGa-Inspired Difficulty Scaling for Ironsworn

The document introduces a SaGa-inspired scaling difficulty mechanic for the Ironsworn game, where enemy capabilities increase as player characters progress. It establishes a Difficulty Number (DN) that decreases with player actions, influencing the abilities of randomly generated enemies based on their comparison to the DN. This mechanic aims to maintain a dynamic and balanced gameplay experience by ensuring that challenges evolve alongside character growth.

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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SaGa Style Scaling Difficulty Mechanic for Ironsworn

Overview: Introduce a scaling difficulty mechanic inspired by the SaGa series to


ensure that as characters grow stronger, they face increasingly challenging foes.
This mechanic ties enemy capabilities to the player's progression, maintaining a
dynamic and balanced gameplay experience.

Mechanic:

Tracking Progression:

Start with a Difficulty Number (DN) set to 100.

Introduce a Monster Level (ML), which starts at 1.

Triggering Difficulty Increase:

Whenever a character buys a rarity or asset with XP, or equips a new Spark
for the first time, decrease the DN by 1.

Determining Enemy Abilities:

When rolling for randomly generated enemies or denizens, compare the number
rolled to generate them with the current DN.

If the number rolled is higher than the DN, the enemy gains a number of
monstrous abilities equal to the ML (e.g., from the Delve Oracle).

Enemies below the DN have a number of monstrous abilities equal to the ML


minus one.

Resetting the Difficulty Number:

The DN ticks down from 100 to 1. During this period, any enemy whose number
rolled is higher than the DN gains 1 monstrous ability.

When the DN reaches 1, reset it to 100 and increase the ML by 1.

Example:

Starting Point:

DN is set to 100, and ML is set to 1.

Character Progression:

A character buys a new asset with XP, reducing the DN to 99.

Later, the character equips a new Spark for the first time, reducing the DN
to 98.

Encountering Enemies:

When rolling for randomly generated enemies, compare the number rolled to
generate them (e.g., a roll of 99).

Since the number rolled (99) is higher than the DN (98), the enemy gains 1
monstrous ability.
Resetting DN and Increasing ML:

The DN reaches 1 after multiple purchases or equip actions. During this


period, enemies with numbers higher than the DN gain 1 monstrous ability.

Reset the DN to 100 and increase the ML to 2.

Enemies below the DN have a number of monstrous abilities equal to the ML


minus one. Enemies at or above the DN have a number of monstrous abilities equal to
the ML.

Balancing Considerations:

Enemy Abilities:

Use the Delve Oracle or a similar resource to determine the monstrous


abilities that enemies gain.

Ensure that these abilities add interesting challenges without making


encounters unfair.

Progression Impact:

The mechanic scales with player progression, ensuring that the game remains
challenging and engaging.

Balance the rate at which DN decreases to match your campaign's pace.

Adaptability: This scaling difficulty mechanic can be adapted to other TTRPG


systems that feature level-based enemies or similar progression mechanics. The core
principle of tying enemy capabilities to player growth can be applied to maintain a
challenging and balanced experience.

Integrate this SaGa-inspired scaling difficulty mechanic into your Ironsworn


campaign to keep your adventurers on their toes as they grow stronger! ????

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