Fudge Thought of the Day 2024-08-16

What would happen if I played TSR's Marvel Super Heroes using Fudge dice? I wouldn't change the rules in any other way because the game is a masterpiece of rules crafting. I would just use Fudge dice with the Marvel Super Heroes equivalent of the trait ladder. I'll try almost anything to avoid having to use a universal table or a combat matrix to resolve things, so I'll give it a go and report back later.

[Edit: I have decided to abandon this experiment. It is not reconcilable with Fudge without a major overhaul of the system. It simply isn't Marvel Super Heroes without the Universal Table and the Battle Effects Table.]

Fudge Dice Rollers at Grey Ghost Press

There are "New FUDGE Dice Rollers" at the Grey Ghost Press, Inc. site, and they might be the first to accurately capture how Fudge dice are supposed to work in relation to trait levels. I am particularly pleased with the standard version, although I'd prefer it if the ladder either dropped "Legendary" or added "Abysmal." I think the standard version ought to have just the original seven trait levels or the original seven plus both of the optional trait levels to avoid confusion, but it's still a great improvement over most other online Fudge dice rollers.

E-Mail-Friendly Fudge Dice Roller

Sometimes I like to do a Google search for "FudgeRPG" and see if there is anything new (or anything at all written by me) in the results. Today, I discovered an online Fudge dice roller for use in online games (presumably play-by-e-mail). The PBE Games: Fudge Dice Roller enables one to set the base level, apply a modifier, and include a description for up to five rolls in one e-mail. I haven't played Fudge online (yet), but this seems to be a useful tool.

Random Potion Description Generator

Sometimes it is expedient to use a random table to generate treasure that may be found by player characters in the course of their adventures. What these tables often lack, however, are descriptions, which are left to the GM to invent if he or she is so inclined. The following tables are designed to help GMs concoct spur-of-the-moment descriptions of one particular type of treasure: potions.

Roll on as many or few of the tables as desired to create a description for any magical potion. If, like me, you are not an advocate of the philosophy that all enchanted and/or cursed items are identical unless used, worn, or consumed, then you might find it useful to make a note of any descriptions generated. Then, whenever the item is encountered again, the player characters will be able to recognize what it is likely to be. Note that any description does not necessarily indicate what all potions of that variety are like, but what that particular recipe is like. Healing potions from different regions or different schools of healing craft may be very different from one another yet have the same curative properties. Potions with very different effects may also have have similar descriptions. Careful adventurers who catalogue the descriptions and effects of various potions should be rewarded for their efforts by a faithful consistency in representing previously encountered potion recipes.

These tables are not all-encompassing. Although it is possible to generate a wide variety of descriptions using them, the GM is advised to add extra details to complete the potion description. For instance, a randomly generated potion might be described as transparent, syrupy, sweet, and hot, with a hint of clover. Another potion could be opaque, syrupy, sweet, and cool, with a silvery blue color and tasting faintly of raspberries. Any two different potions may have one or more qualities in common (including extra details), but none will have all of them in common. If they do, then they are of the same recipe, and thus possess the same properties.

These tables are for use with Fudge dice, but a d6 [or, indeed, a d3 or d5 as appropriate] may be substituted.

Table A
1dF	Result
+	Transparent
0	Translucent
-	Opaque

Table B
1dF	Result
+	Effervescent
0	Watery
-	Syrupy

Table C
1dF	Result
+	Sweet
0	Salty
-	Bitter

Table D
2dF	Result
+2	Hot
+1	Warm
0	Tepid
-1	Cool
-2	Cold

Bonus potion: The potion of aquatic existence is translucent, effervescent, salty, cold, green in color, luminescent in the dark, and similar to broccoli in flavor. It grants the drinker the ability to exist comfortably underwater for seven days. The beneficiary of this enchantment is able to breathe underwater, survive the pressures of the greatest depths, and withstand the coldest waters with no harm whatsoever.

These tables are meant to generate descriptions for previously determined potions, but the potion above is an example of generating the description first and inventing a potion based on the results. The extra details were added once I decided on the nature of the potion.

[Originally posted in Fudgery.net/fudgerylog on 27 May 2011.]

Fudge Thought of the Day 2020-11-30

Sometimes I wonder if Fudge might benefit from "swingier" results than are typically afforded by 4dF. I know some consider heavily centered rolls to be preferable, but I consider it somewhat less than exciting. Using 3dF or 2dF increases the randomness, but also reduces the range of possible results. Still, if it smooths the curve a bit, it might be worth trying.

Random Weather Generator via Fudge Dice

Determine the day's weather based on the climate of the region by rolling 4dF (or 3dF to avoid extreme weather results).

Temperature

+4 Abnormally hotter than usual
+3 Much hotter than usual
+2 Hotter than usual
+1 Marginally warmer than usual
0 Average temperature for this time of year
−1 Marginally cooler than usual
−2 Colder than usual
−3 Much colder than usual
−4 Abnormally colder than usual

Precipitation

+4 100% chance of precipitation and disaster conditions
+3 100% chance of precipitation
+2 Significantly higher chance of precipitation
+1 Slightly higher chance of precipitation
0 Average chance of precipitation for this time of year
−1 Slightly lower chance of precipitation
−2 Significantly lower chance of precipitation
−3 0% chance of precipitation
−4 0% chance of precipitation; 100% chance of other phenomena

Wind Speed

+4 Disasterously high wind speed
+3 Dangerously high wind speed
+2 Significantly higher wind speed
+1 Slightly higher wind speed
0 Average wind speed for this time of year
−1 Slightly lower wind speed
−2 Significantly lower wind speed
−3 Calm
−4 Extended calm

Fudge Dice Alternative: Fudge Disks

One of the most popular aspects of Fudge is its resolution system, which famously employs an adjective-based trait ladder and Fudge dice. Fudge dice are not always easily obtainable, however, so what are the alternatives?* The rules offer several methods using more conventional dice, but they lack the charm and efficiency of Fudge dice. The challenge as I see it is to invent a method that preserves the simplicity and elegance of Fudge dice using something more commonly available.

The solution I hit upon is Poker chips. Simply designate a different color for each Fudge die face, such as blue for plus, white for blank, and red for minus; place one chip of each color in as many bags as the number of Fudge dice to be "rolled" (e.g. one chip of each color in four bags to simulate a 4dF roll); and draw one chip from each bag blindly. The chips drawn represent your roll. Return the chips to their respective bags and mix well before drawing again.

For example, if I were to draw two blue chips, a white chip, and a red chip, it would read as + + 0 -, which would be a result of +1.

If you prefer, use wooden nickels or Scrabble tiles instead. You can draw or paint the plus and minus symbols on them, thus eliminating the need to remember which color represents which symbol. (You could also draw the symbols on small adhesive labels and affix them to the tiles if you want to preserve them for your Scrabble game.)

For reference, we'll call them Fudge disks.

Even if you own Fudge dice, Fudge disks can be a fun and handy alternative. They could be used when rolling dice is awkward (as when hiking or riding in a vehicle) or too distracting to others (as in a waiting room or a restaurant). They could even contribute to the atmosphere of certain gaming genres. I shall leave it to your imagination to determine their best use.

* If you can't find Fudge dice at your favorite local game shop, they can be ordered direct from Grey Ghost Press, Inc. You can also advise your game shop that they can be ordered through Impressions Advertising.

[Edit: Corrected on 2018-08-22. Fudge disks are perhaps not as handy as I first envisioned in the single bag version, but they might still be fun to use occasionally.]