Become the Ultimate Games Master: A Deep Dive into Paranoia RPG
Paranoia is a role-playing game like no other. It’s a darkly comedic, sci-fi dystopia where player characters are Troubleshooters working for Friend Computer in Alpha Complex. Their mission: to find, fix, and, more often than not, destroy problems that threaten the glorious utopia (or what Friend Computer *thinks* is a utopia). The catch? Almost everything is treason, and Friend Computer is always watching… and often wrong.
This guide will walk you through the essentials of running a Paranoia game, from understanding the setting and rules to crafting hilarious and paranoia-inducing scenarios. Get ready to embrace the madness, citizen!
## Understanding Alpha Complex: A Foundation of Paranoia
Before you can effectively run a Paranoia game, you need to understand the twisted logic of Alpha Complex. This isn’t your typical fantasy kingdom or spacefaring adventure. It’s a carefully constructed (and constantly crumbling) world built on fear, obedience, and rampant misinformation.
* **Friend Computer:** The benevolent (or so it claims) AI that controls every aspect of life in Alpha Complex. Friend Computer is obsessed with happiness, cleanliness, and obedience. It monitors citizens constantly, dispensing rewards and punishments as it sees fit (mostly punishments).
* **Clones:** Troubleshooters are not individuals; they’re clones. Each Troubleshooter starts with six clones, numbered from RED-1 to RED-6 (or their security clearance color equivalents). When a Troubleshooter dies (which happens frequently), their next clone is activated. This provides a safety net for players, encouraging them to take risks (and make spectacularly foolish decisions).
* **Security Clearances:** Alpha Complex is rigidly stratified by security clearances, which determine access to areas, information, and resources. The clearances, in ascending order, are Infrared, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, and Violet. Troubleshooters typically start at Red clearance. Violating security protocols is, of course, treasonous.
* **Mutants:** Mutants are citizens who possess unauthorized psionic abilities. These powers are considered a threat to the stability of Alpha Complex and are ruthlessly suppressed. Troubleshooters are tasked with identifying and eliminating mutants, but (surprise!) Troubleshooters themselves are often mutants.
* **Secret Societies:** Hidden within Alpha Complex are numerous secret societies, each with its own agenda. These societies offer players opportunities for advancement, betrayal, and further treason. Common secret societies include Computer Philes, Communists, French Lifestyles, Illuminati, and Pro-Tech.
* **Happiness is Mandatory:** Friend Computer believes that a happy citizen is a productive citizen. Therefore, happiness is not just encouraged; it’s enforced. Citizens are expected to maintain a cheerful demeanor at all times, regardless of the circumstances. Failure to display sufficient happiness can result in disciplinary action.
## Core Rules and Mechanics: Embracing Chaos
Paranoia’s rules are designed to be simple, flexible, and easily bent to the needs of the Gamemaster (GM). The goal is not to create a perfectly balanced simulation, but to facilitate hilarious and unpredictable gameplay.
* **Skill Checks:** Skill checks are resolved using a simple d20 roll under system. Players roll a 20-sided die and attempt to roll equal to or under their skill value. Modifiers are applied based on the difficulty of the task and other relevant factors. Failure is often more entertaining than success.
* **Combat:** Combat is fast, brutal, and often absurd. Troubleshooters are notoriously fragile and can be easily killed by a stray laser blast, a malfunctioning robot, or even a carelessly thrown banana peel. The emphasis is on quick thinking and creative problem-solving, rather than tactical maneuvering.
* **Treason Points:** Treason points are awarded to players for committing acts of treason, such as questioning Friend Computer, violating security protocols, or expressing independent thought. Accumulating too many treason points can result in summary execution (followed by clone activation, of course).
* **Computer Dice:** The Computer Dice are special dice used by the GM to introduce random events and unexpected twists. They can be used to simulate Friend Computer’s interference, malfunctioning equipment, or the unpredictable actions of other citizens.
## Preparing Your Paranoia Game: Seeds of Destruction
Creating a compelling Paranoia game requires careful planning, a healthy dose of cynicism, and a willingness to embrace the absurd.
* **Develop a Mission Briefing:** Start with a clear (but often contradictory) mission briefing from Friend Computer. The briefing should outline the Troubleshooters’ objective, but it should also contain ambiguous instructions, hidden agendas, and blatant lies. Remember, Friend Computer is not always truthful (or competent).
* **Introduce Red Herrings:** Plant false clues and misleading information throughout the mission. Encourage players to jump to conclusions and make rash decisions. The more convoluted the situation becomes, the better.
* **Incorporate Secret Societies:** Weave secret society subplots into the main mission. Give players opportunities to join different societies, betray their teammates, and advance their own agendas. Remember to keep the society goals contradictory with Friend Computer’s goals, ensuring plenty of treason opportunities.
* **Design Absurd Scenarios:** Embrace the bizarre and unexpected. Introduce malfunctioning robots, genetically modified creatures, and other outlandish elements into the game. The more ridiculous the situation, the more fun it will be for everyone involved.
* **Prepare for Player Treachery:** Expect players to betray each other at every opportunity. Encourage them to lie, cheat, and sabotage their teammates. Remember, paranoia is the name of the game.
* **Know When to Improvise:** No matter how carefully you plan, players will always find ways to surprise you. Be prepared to improvise and adapt to their unexpected actions. Embrace the chaos and let the game take you where it may.
## Running the Game: A GM’s Guide to Paranoia
Running a Paranoia game is a unique challenge. You’re not just a narrator; you’re also a puppeteer, a provocateur, and a master of deception. Here are some tips for creating a truly memorable Paranoia experience.
* **Embrace the Contradiction:** Alpha Complex is a world of contradictions. Friend Computer is benevolent but tyrannical, efficient but incompetent, and truthful but deceitful. Embrace these contradictions and use them to create tension and humor.
* **Reward Treason (Subtly):** While Friend Computer frowns upon treason, you should secretly reward players for committing acts of rebellion. Award them bonus experience points, access to valuable resources, or even the occasional reprieve from punishment. This will encourage them to push the boundaries and explore the limits of the system.
* **Encourage Player Conflict:** Paranoia is a game about betrayal and mistrust. Encourage players to argue, accuse, and sabotage each other. The more conflict there is within the group, the more entertaining the game will be. You can do this by giving secret missions to individuals that are contradictory to the mission goals of the team.
* **Use the Computer Voice:** Adopt a monotone, emotionless voice when speaking as Friend Computer. This will emphasize the AI’s detached and uncaring nature. Inject subtle hints of passive-aggression and veiled threats into your pronouncements. Consider using a text-to-speech program for added effect. “Citizen, your happiness levels are below acceptable parameters. Please report to Happiness Adjustment Center Alpha-Nine for re-education.”
* **Misinformation is Your Friend:** Deliberately mislead the players with false information, contradictory instructions, and outright lies. The more confused they are, the more likely they are to make mistakes, which will only add to the chaos.
* **Exploit Player Paranoia:** Use the players’ own paranoia against them. Suggest that one of them is a mutant, a traitor, or a member of a secret society. Let them turn on each other, creating suspicion and mistrust within the group. If one player trusts another, whisper in their ear when the other player is out of earshot that the trustworthy player is a Communist or Mutant. Then watch the chaos ensue!
* **Be Unpredictable:** Keep the players on their toes by introducing unexpected events and challenges. Throw in random encounters, malfunctioning equipment, and other surprises to keep them from getting too comfortable. Don’t let the players predict the game. If they do, turn it upside down.
* **Don’t Be Afraid to Kill Characters:** Death is a common occurrence in Paranoia. Don’t be afraid to kill off Troubleshooters who make foolish mistakes or stray too far from the party line. Remember, they have clones waiting in the wings. However, don’t *only* kill clones. Let some survive through sheer dumb luck.
* **Focus on the Fun:** Above all else, remember that Paranoia is a game. The goal is to have fun, even if it means bending the rules or sacrificing a few Troubleshooters along the way. Encourage laughter, absurdity, and creative problem-solving. And when all else fails, blame the players for their own misfortunes.
## Sample Scenarios: Seeds of Paranoia
Here are a few sample scenarios to get you started:
* **The Case of the Missing Stapler:** A high-ranking Computer official reports that their stapler has gone missing. The Troubleshooters are tasked with finding the stapler and bringing the thief to justice. Of course, the stapler is actually a highly classified piece of technology that could destroy Alpha Complex if it falls into the wrong hands. This is a great scenario for introducing the absurdity of Alpha Complex and the paranoia surrounding even the most mundane objects.
* **The Happiness Audit:** Friend Computer has detected a dip in happiness levels in a particular sector of Alpha Complex. The Troubleshooters are sent to investigate and restore happiness to acceptable levels. They must interview citizens, administer happiness tests, and eliminate any sources of negativity. This scenario can be used to explore the themes of conformity and repression, and to highlight the absurdity of Friend Computer’s obsession with happiness. The players will likely turn on one another. For example, if one player tries to make another happy, ask them to administer a happiness test where the other must answer a series of questions. If a player answers these questions incorrectly, the other must be punished.
* **The Mutant Uprising:** A group of mutants has organized a rebellion against Friend Computer. The Troubleshooters are tasked with infiltrating the mutant stronghold and eliminating the ringleaders. This scenario provides an opportunity for players to explore the darker side of Alpha Complex and to confront the moral dilemmas of their roles as Troubleshooters. Maybe the Mutant leader is someone they know and trust. Maybe the mutants are right.
* **The Unauthorized Cleaning Bot:** A cleaning bot has gone rogue and is wreaking havoc in a sensitive area. The Troubleshooters must track down the bot and reprogram it before it causes any serious damage. This scenario can be used to introduce elements of slapstick comedy and to highlight the dangers of relying on unreliable technology. The Cleaning Bot is programmed to identify and eliminate “Dirt” or “Treason” – but it isn’t very good at telling the difference.
* **The Mandatory Fun Day:** Friend Computer has declared a Mandatory Fun Day for all citizens. The Troubleshooters are tasked with ensuring that everyone has a sufficiently fun time. This scenario is perfect for exploring the themes of conformity and social control. The players must enforce happiness, organize games, and suppress any signs of dissent. This can be extremely fun for the players, and the GM, as they will be forced to find ways to make each other happy and will undoubtedly fail, ending in brutal executions.
## Advanced Techniques: Mastering the Art of Paranoia
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, you can start experimenting with more advanced techniques to enhance your Paranoia game.
* **Use Sound Effects and Music:** Incorporate sound effects and music to create atmosphere and enhance the sense of immersion. Use electronic music, distorted voices, and unsettling soundscapes to convey the oppressive atmosphere of Alpha Complex. Examples include beeping sounds, announcements from Friend Computer, the sounds of laser blasts, and the robotic voices of the service bots. These should be used sparingly to have the most effect.
* **Create Physical Props:** Design physical props to enhance the player experience. Create fake ID cards, mission briefings, and security badges. Use these props to immerse players in the world of Alpha Complex and to add a layer of authenticity to the game. Pass these around as the mission continues. It helps players feel more immersed in the game.
* **Incorporate Social Commentary:** Paranoia is a satirical game that comments on themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and propaganda. Use the game to explore these themes in a thought-provoking and humorous way. Encourage players to question the authority of Friend Computer and to challenge the status quo. However, be careful not to become too preachy or didactic. The goal is to entertain, not to lecture.
* **Play with the Rules:** Don’t be afraid to bend or break the rules to create a more entertaining game. Paranoia’s rules are not set in stone; they’re guidelines. Feel free to modify them to suit your own style and preferences. If a particular rule is getting in the way of the fun, simply ignore it. After all, Friend Computer isn’t watching… or is it?
* **Encourage Player Creativity:** The best Paranoia games are those where players are encouraged to be creative and inventive. Reward them for coming up with clever solutions to problems, for roleplaying their characters in interesting ways, and for contributing to the overall absurdity of the game. Let them come up with creative uses for their equipment, even if the use of the equipment isn’t what Friend Computer would have intended. If they can think of a way to use their laser pistol to open a can of beans, let them. Remember to make them roll for it!
* **Debrief the Players After the Game:** After each session, take some time to debrief the players and discuss what worked well and what didn’t. Get their feedback on the scenario, the rules, and the overall experience. Use this feedback to improve your game in the future. This is a good way to get feedback and make sure everyone had fun. Not everyone will have fun, and it is worth figuring out why.
## Conclusion: Embrace the Madness
Paranoia is a unique and unforgettable RPG experience. It’s a game that celebrates chaos, absurdity, and player betrayal. By understanding the setting, mastering the rules, and embracing the spirit of the game, you can create a Paranoia campaign that will leave your players laughing, screaming, and questioning their sanity. So, gather your Troubleshooters, prepare for the unexpected, and get ready to dive into the madness of Alpha Complex! Remember, citizen, happiness is mandatory… or else.
Now go forth and spread the word of Friend Computer! The glorious utopia of Alpha Complex depends on it.
Good luck, Troubleshooter. You’ll need it.