Active Exploits
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''Active Exploits'' is a diceless set of role-playing game rules by
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. The core rules (which contain no setting) are distributed for free as a
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file, or for a fee as a printed book. There are a number of published game settings and official game conversions which use these rules. The system is considered innovative, but more in common with
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and
Unisystem ''Unisystem'' is a generic role-playing game system produced by Eden Studios, Inc. It is used in ''All Flesh Must Be Eaten'', the Buffyverse role-playing games, '' CJ Carella's WitchCraft'', '' Conspiracy X (2nd Ed.)'', and several other games ...
, rather than other diceless games such as
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and
Nobilis ''Nobilis'' is a contemporary fantasy tabletop role-playing game created by Jenna K. Moran. Early editions were published under Moran's previous names, Rebecca Sean Borgstrom and R. Sean Borgstrom. The player characters are "Sovereign Powers" ...
The game has options for freeform and
live action role-playing A live action role-playing game (LARP) is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically portray their character (arts), characters.(Tychsen et al. 2006:255) "LARPs can be viewed as forming a distinct category of RPG because of ...
, as well as for converting the game to other systems. Ample conversion rules allow the adaptation of the engine to a number of commercial systems.


Published Settings and Official Conversions

Active Exploit has converted other published RPGs into diceless versions. *'' Sengoku: Chanbara'', a role-playing game based in Feudal Japan. *'' Dreamwalker'', a setting taking place in others' dreams. *'' Blood Island Diceless'', swashbuckling adventures on the high seas. *'' CORPS Diceless'', based on ''
CORPS Corps (; plural ''corps'' ; from French , from the Latin "body") is a term used for several different kinds of organization. A military innovation by Napoleon I, the formation was formally introduced March 1, 1800, when Napoleon ordered Gener ...
'', a conspiracy themed RPG about UFOs, vampires, secret societies, etc. *'' Bloodshadows (3rd Edition)'' core book has Active Exploits conversion rules.


Awards

The game won an Indie RPG award in 2003 for free game of the year and best support.


Modes of Play


Basic Exploits

This is an introductory version of the rules, intended for those who are new to the system or prefer something less involved.


Advanced Exploits

This presents both advanced and optional rules which players can selectively use. Some examples of advanced elements are: *Flairs: These zoom in on character's abilities. *Fields of Expertise: These replace the need for skills by generalizing occupational knowledge. *Convictions: These expand on the basic concept of Principles (in Basic Exploits) by utilizing Revelation and Dementia. *Threads: These define group dynamics and help encourage more character-oriented roleplaying. *Vehicles: Rules for using vehicles, from motorcycles to starships.


Live Exploits

These are guidelines from the Basic and Advanced Exploits sections which are optimized for
live action role-playing A live action role-playing game (LARP) is a form of role-playing game where the participants physically portray their character (arts), characters.(Tychsen et al. 2006:255) "LARPs can be viewed as forming a distinct category of RPG because of ...
.


Adaptive Exploits (Special Edition Softcover only)

A framework for converting characters from other game systems for use with Active Exploits, and adapting other ability/skill-based systems for diceless play.


Other features

Setting Specifics, which add new rules for magic and the occult, and martial arts.


References

{{reflist


External links


Active Exploits

Review on RPG.net
Role-playing game systems Universal role-playing games