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Video Preview: Using Progress Clocks in D&D (Patreon)

Published:
2021-12-09 16:00:00
Edited:
2022-02-04 17:01:01
Imported:
2026-06
Tags:

Content

Here's a video preview on using Progress Clocks from Blades in the Dark in your D&D games. Enjoy!

Files

Using Progress Clocks from Blades in the Dark in your D&D Game

Mike offers tips for using progress clocks from Blades in the Dark in your D&D game to quickly improvise complex situations with ease. Blades in the Dark https://bladesinthedark.com/greetings-scoundrel Progress Clocks https://bladesinthedark.com/progress-clocks Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master http://slyflourish.com/returnofthelazydm/ Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/aea22a827290/slyflourishnewsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/slyflourish #dnd #dndtip #lazydm

Comments

Craig

So some clocks would be public knowledge, and some hidden and only known by the DM?

Michael Shea

I'd probably keep them in the open whenever possible.

MonsterVTpilot

What do the clocks look like? is there a visual representation?

Better Late Than Never

Use a note card... give it a name and draw a pie and segment it out and color in the "pieces" as they're completed

James Caron

Anybody thinking about picking up Blades in the Dark, can pick up the pdf for as little as $9.95 on bundleofholding.com. For that you get 3 additional Blades books and 10% goes to charity. Win win. Sale ends 27th December.

Zach Weisser

this is from the blades in the dark rulebook, v,8,2 (sorry for imgur, i can't figure out how to post a picture into this text box) https://imgur.com/a/E5dAZUf some more advice from the book: - When you create a clock, make it about the obstacle, not the method. The clocks for an infiltration should be “Interior Patrols” and “The Tower,” not “Sneak Past the Guards” or “Climb the Tower.” - Complex enemy threats can be broken into several “layers,” each with its own progress clock. For example, the Lampblacks’ HQ might have a “Perimeter Security” clock, an “Interior Guards” clock, and a “Bazso’s Office Security” clock. - Remember that a clock tracks progress. It reflects the fictional situation, so the group can gauge how they’re doing. A clock is like a speedometer in a car. It shows the speed of the vehicle—it doesn’t determine the speed. [italics were on "determine" - zach] explanations of more specific types or categories of clocks follow, which i will itemize here: - danger clocks (alert level of guards) - racing clocks (like ,,, a race) - linked clocked (one clock "unlocks" another) - (time-sensitive) mission clocks - tug-of-war clocks (can be filled and emptied) - long-term project (learning how to communicate with the spirit world) - faction clock ("each faction has a long-term goal") i'd suggest downloading the pdf; it's as much sort of rpg handbook of ideas as it is a rulebook for a specific game

Mark (zellspell)

Mechanics to the clock…how does or what does it tick down? My initial thought is dice roll failure (like failing forward), but how to decide what constitutes a click is what prevents me from feeling comfortable using this tool. My fear is missing an upbeat or downbeat, or not being fair with the use of a clock. Another way to state, how to maintain impartiality, or integrity of clock…so it doesn’t feel like I am punishing the PCs.

Michael Shea

The story in-world pushes the clocks in some cases. The successful actions of the characters may push the others. It depends on the type of clock, really. Sometimes it might be time. Sometimes it might be successes or failures. Generally the clock should overlay some in-world thing. I hate to be vague but "it's up to you"!

Chris Wilson

My party is about to heist Gralhund Villa in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. This is perfect!!!