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Blades in the Dark hero art
John Harper / One Seven Design

Blades in the Dark

"You're a gang of scoundrels in a dark city that never sleeps."

DiceПул d6
Players3–5
Prep~10 min
Foundry VTTCommunity
Complexity
What is this system

An RPG about a criminal gang in a dark industrial city. A revolutionary system: no planning operations in advance — instead, flashbacks during the job. 'Something goes wrong? I ALREADY bribed the guard yesterday.' Between jobs — a downtime phase: healing, training, upgrading your lair.

Setting

Doskvol — a city lit by electric barriers against ghosts. Beyond — dead lands inhabited by spirits. Within — factions controlling districts: from the Bluecoats (police) to the Spirit Wardens. Industrial gothic, demons, and blood on the cobblestones.

What it looks like at the table
You're in the Bluecoats' vault. The lock is beyond your skills. 'Flashback,' says the Lurk. 'Yesterday I bribed the locksmith — he left the door open.' Roll — 4 on the best of two d6. Partial success: the door is open, but the locksmith left a note to his boss. Position: desperate. Effect: standard. The 'Alert' clock fills 2 of 6.
Playstyle
Narrative Social Combat Urban Fantasy
Key mechanics

Flashbacks

Don't plan ahead. When something goes wrong — declare a flashback: 'I already prepared for this yesterday.'

Crew as character

Reputation, territory, allies, enemies. The crew develops alongside the players.

Position and Effect

Every roll: how dangerous + how powerful the result. Two axes — infinite flexibility.

Downtime

Between jobs: healing, training, lair upgrades, long-term projects. A separate mini-game.

What people say
Imagine a Georgian George Clooney walking everybody through an Oceans 11-style heist, revealing bits of the plan as obstacles come up.— Quinns, Shut Up & Sit Down
Blades in the Dark is an extraordinary system – a work of proper genius – and a worthy recipient of the third five star rating we've ever given out for the site.— Michael Heron, Meeple Like Us
Free resources

Written and curated by Kejid — TTRPG player & GM

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