Unleash Your Inner Wizard: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing Magick and Monsters

Magick and Monsters (often abbreviated as M&M) is a captivating tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) that blends classic fantasy tropes with a flexible and engaging system. Unlike some of its more rigid counterparts, M&M emphasizes storytelling and character-driven narratives, allowing for a wide range of playstyles and creative interpretations. Whether you’re a seasoned role-player or a newcomer to the world of tabletop gaming, this comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to embark on your own magical adventures.

What is Magick and Monsters?

At its core, M&M is a game about creating characters and exploring a world filled with magic, mythical creatures, and endless possibilities. Players take on the roles of adventurers, each with unique skills, backgrounds, and motivations. Together, they navigate the challenges and mysteries presented by the Game Master (GM), who acts as the narrator and facilitator of the game world. The game emphasizes cooperative storytelling, where the actions and choices of the players shape the narrative, leading to memorable and unpredictable outcomes.

One of the game’s strengths lies in its accessibility. It doesn’t rely on complex rules and calculations, making it easier for new players to pick up and enjoy. Instead, it focuses on intuitive mechanics and encourages creativity and improvisation. This allows for a more fluid and organic gaming experience, where players are empowered to contribute to the story in meaningful ways.

Getting Started: What You’ll Need

Before diving into the world of Magick and Monsters, you’ll need to gather a few essential items:

• The Magick and Monsters Rulebook: This is the foundation of the game and contains all the necessary rules, guidelines, and world information. While some online resources and community content may be available, the rulebook is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the system.
• Dice: M&M primarily uses a set of polyhedral dice, including a d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20. These dice are used to resolve actions, determine outcomes, and add an element of chance to the game. A standard 7-piece polyhedral dice set will be sufficient.
• Character Sheets: These forms provide a structured way to record your character’s abilities, statistics, equipment, and background. You can find printable character sheets in the rulebook or online. Many editable and customizable options also exist.
• Pencils and Erasers: You’ll need these for filling out character sheets and making notes during the game.
• A Group of Players: Magick and Monsters is best played with a group of friends. A typical group consists of 3-5 players and one Game Master (GM).
• Optional Accessories: While not essential, things like miniatures, terrain, and pre-written adventures can enhance the gaming experience. These are entirely optional and can be added as you become more comfortable with the game.

Understanding the Core Mechanics

Before you start creating characters, it’s important to understand the core mechanics that drive the game:

Attributes

Characters in M&M possess six core attributes that define their inherent capabilities. These attributes are:

• Strength: Measures physical power and the ability to lift, carry, and break objects. It’s crucial for melee attacks and physical feats of strength.
• Agility: Reflects speed, reflexes, and coordination. It’s used for dodging attacks, performing acrobatic maneuvers, and stealth.
• Constitution: Indicates stamina, resilience, and overall health. It influences the number of hit points a character possesses.
• Intelligence: Measures reasoning, memory, and knowledge. It affects the character’s ability to learn new skills, recall information, and solve puzzles.
• Willpower: Represents mental fortitude, resistance to mind control, and emotional stability. It helps characters resist fear, intimidation, and magic.
• Charisma: Influences personality, leadership, and the ability to persuade others. It’s used when interacting with NPCs, negotiating, and giving inspiring speeches.

Each attribute is represented by a numerical value, typically between 1 and 18, with 10 being the average human score. Higher values represent greater inherent ability.

Skills

Skills represent specific areas of expertise that a character has developed through training or experience. These skills are linked to the core attributes and used when attempting specific actions in the game world. Examples of skills include:

• Athletics (Strength): Climbing, swimming, and other physical feats.
• Acrobatics (Agility): Balancing, tumbling, and performing intricate movements.
• Stealth (Agility): Hiding, sneaking, and moving silently.
• Perception (Intelligence): Notice hidden objects, detect ambushes, and assess situations.
• Arcana (Intelligence): Understanding and manipulating magic.
• Persuasion (Charisma): Influencing opinions, negotiating, and charming others.

When a character attempts an action, they roll a d20, add the appropriate attribute modifier and skill modifier (if any) and compare it to a target number (set by the GM) to determine success.

The D20 System

The core of the M&M resolution mechanic is the d20 system. Whenever a character attempts an action, the player rolls a twenty-sided die (d20). The result is then modified by adding the relevant attribute modifier (and skill modifier if appropriate) to determine the total. This total is compared to a Difficulty Class (DC) set by the Game Master. If the total meets or exceeds the DC, the action is successful. If the total is lower than the DC, the action fails.

A roll of 1 is always considered a critical failure and a roll of 20 is always considered a critical success. Critical successes may have enhanced effects, while critical failures may have negative consequences determined by the GM. For instance, a critical success with a melee attack may deal extra damage or inflict a negative condition, while a critical failure might cause a character to stumble or lose their weapon.

Advantage and Disadvantage

Magick and Monsters incorporates the concepts of advantage and disadvantage to reflect circumstances that may aid or hinder a character’s actions. When a character has advantage, they roll two d20s and take the higher result. When a character has disadvantage, they also roll two d20s but take the lower result. These mechanics add an extra layer of nuance to the game and allow the GM to reward or penalize players based on the narrative situation.

Combat

Combat in M&M is a structured series of actions and reactions, where players take turns to attack opponents, defend themselves, and utilize their skills. The sequence of combat actions is determined by initiative. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Initiative: At the beginning of each combat encounter, all participants roll initiative. Typically, this involves rolling a d20 and adding the Agility modifier. The participants act in order from the highest initiative roll to the lowest.
2. Turns: During their turn, a player can perform a variety of actions, typically one main action, one minor action and moving a certain distance. These actions might include making an attack, casting a spell, taking cover, or utilizing a special ability.
3. Attack Rolls: When attacking, the player rolls a d20, adds their relevant attribute modifier (usually strength for melee or dexterity for ranged attacks) and any proficiency bonus they may have. This total is compared to the defender’s Armor Class (AC). If the attack roll meets or exceeds the AC, the attack hits and damage is rolled.
4. Damage Rolls: If an attack is successful, the player rolls damage using the specified dice for their weapon or spell. This damage is deducted from the defender’s hit points.
5. Defending: A character’s armor and natural defenses provide AC, which makes it harder for them to be hit. Some character options also provide other defensive options, like shields or defensive spells.
6. Ending the Encounter: Combat continues until one side is defeated, retreats, or surrenders.

Magic

Magic is a significant aspect of the M&M world and allows spellcasters to perform extraordinary feats. Mages select spells from various schools of magic. The process of spellcasting usually involves rolling a d20 and adding the relevant attribute and skill modifiers, comparing it against a difficulty class. Spell effects and their associated DC’s are described in the spell descriptions.

There are many different schools of magic, each with their own theme and purpose, including:

• Abjuration: Protective spells and counterspells
• Conjuration: Summoning and creating objects and creatures
• Divination: Spells of perception, and seeing the future
• Enchantment: Spells of manipulation and mind control
• Evocation: Spells of direct damage and elemental manipulation
• Illusion: Spells to deceive and trick the senses
• Necromancy: Spells of death, undeath, and life energy manipulation.
• Transmutation: Spells that change forms and objects

Magic can be powerful, but it often requires specific materials or energy sources. It’s also important to manage your magical resources, as spellcasters have limits on how many spells they can cast per day or encounter.

Creating Your Character

Character creation is a fun and rewarding part of M&M. It’s where you bring your imagination to life and develop a unique character with a compelling backstory. Here are the general steps to guide you through the character creation process:

1. Concept and Background: The first step is to conceive your character’s identity. What kind of person are they? What are their motivations and goals? Do they have a tragic past? Consider their background, race, class, and alignment. How did they become an adventurer? Think about their appearance, personality, and any unique quirks or traits.
2. Choose a Race: M&M offers a variety of races, each with unique traits, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. Examples include humans, elves, dwarves, gnomes, halflings, orcs, goblins, and other fantastical races. Each race has its own set of modifiers to their base attributes, so this will impact some of your character’s core stats.
3. Select a Class: Classes are a representation of your character’s professional focus and skills. Examples include warriors, rogues, mages, clerics, rangers, and bards. Each class has a unique set of skills, abilities, and progression paths. Your class will determine your starting equipment, proficiencies, and some of your primary skill choices.
4. Determine Attributes: There are a variety of methods for determining attributes, but a common method is rolling 4d6 and dropping the lowest result, which you would do 6 times. Assign these scores to the various attributes based on your character concept. Alternatively you might roll for each stat in order.
5. Choose Skills: Based on your character’s class and background, select a number of skills to become proficient in. These skills will enhance your character’s abilities and influence their role in the party. When your character is proficient in a skill, you add an additional proficiency modifier to your skill rolls. This modifier will increase as you level up.
6. Background: Choose a background for your character from the selection offered. This will provide additional skills, equipment and other character customizations. This step also provides roleplaying hooks to allow you to better connect to your character.
7. Equipment: Determine your starting equipment based on your class and background. This may include weapons, armor, adventuring gear, and other useful items.
8. Alignment: Choose a basic alignment from the lawful-chaotic, and good-evil axes. Your alignment should reflect your general moral and ethical views.
9. Personalization: Add the finishing touches to your character by creating a name, determining their appearance, and crafting a compelling backstory. This will make your character more engaging and memorable.

The Game Master’s Role

The Game Master (GM) is the heart of the M&M experience. They are responsible for:

• Worldbuilding: Creating and maintaining the game world, including locations, cultures, and history.
• Narrating: Describing the game world and the actions of non-player characters (NPCs).
• Presenting Challenges: Creating encounters, puzzles, and obstacles for the players to overcome.
• Interpreting Rules: Applying the game rules consistently and fairly, while allowing for flexibility and creativity.
• Playing NPCs: Breathing life into the NPCs, giving them motivations, personalities, and roles to play in the story.
• Facilitating the Story: Guiding the narrative, reacting to player choices, and ensuring that everyone is engaged and having fun.

A good GM is a storyteller, a facilitator, and a referee all rolled into one. They are creative, patient, and adaptable, able to improvise and react to the unpredictable actions of the players. They also need to be good communicators, keeping everyone engaged and ensuring the story flows smoothly.

Tips for Playing Magick and Monsters

Here are some helpful tips to make your M&M experience more enjoyable:

• Embrace the Storytelling: M&M is about collaborative storytelling. Don’t be afraid to get into character, make decisions that align with your character’s motivations, and contribute to the overall narrative.
• Be Creative and Improvise: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. M&M encourages creativity, improvisation, and innovative problem-solving.
• Work as a Team: Magick and Monsters is a cooperative game. Work with your fellow players, coordinate your actions, and support each other in overcoming challenges.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Fail: Failure is part of the game and can lead to interesting plot twists and character development. Don’t be discouraged by a bad roll; embrace the challenge and learn from your mistakes.
• Have Fun: The most important aspect of any game is to have fun. Relax, be open to new experiences, and enjoy the ride.
• Communicate with your GM: Make sure you understand the rules, and the world that is being played in. Ask the GM about specific details or situations you are unsure about. The GM is there to help.
• Respect the other players: The game is a cooperative experience, and everyone needs to feel engaged and respected. Be mindful of others, and work as a team.
• Take notes: In more complex campaigns it is useful to take notes on significant events, encounters, and locations. This will aid your immersion in the game and be a useful resource for future games.

Advanced Tips for Game Masters

For Game Masters looking to enhance their M&M campaigns, here are some advanced tips:

• Worldbuilding is Key: Invest time in creating a compelling world with a rich history, interesting cultures, and believable conflicts. Don’t just focus on dungeons and monsters; create a world that feels alive and dynamic.
• Develop Compelling NPCs: Your NPCs are the lifeblood of your game. Give them motivations, goals, flaws, and secrets. Make them memorable and engaging, and don’t be afraid to have them interact with the players in unexpected ways.
• Tailor Challenges to the Players: Design challenges that suit your players’ strengths and weaknesses. Don’t just throw random encounters at them; create scenarios that are relevant to their characters and the overall story.
• Embrace Player Agency: Allow the players to influence the story and world through their choices. Don’t railroad them into a predetermined plot; let them explore, experiment, and make their mark on the game.
• Improvise and Adapt: No game plan survives contact with the players. Be prepared to improvise and adapt to their unpredictable choices. Embrace the chaos and find creative ways to incorporate their actions into the narrative.
• Use a Variety of Tools: Don’t just rely on combat encounters. Utilize puzzles, riddles, social interactions, and exploration to keep your players engaged.
• Create Factional Conflict: Introduce NPCs that have conflicting objectives and agendas. This provides great story and role-playing opportunities.
• Reward Creative Solutions: Encourage and reward player creativity. If a player comes up with a novel and effective solution to a problem, let them succeed and make it feel meaningful.

Where to Find More Information

If you want to delve deeper into the world of Magick and Monsters, here are some resources you may find useful:

• The Official M&M Website: Check the official website for rule clarifications, errata, and community resources.
• Online Forums and Communities: Join online forums and communities dedicated to M&M to connect with other players, share your experiences, and seek advice.
• Online Gaming Platforms: Platforms like Roll20 and Fantasy Grounds provide online tools and resources for playing M&M remotely.
• YouTube Channels and Podcasts: Numerous YouTube channels and podcasts offer tutorials, game playthroughs, and discussions about M&M.

Conclusion

Magick and Monsters is a fantastic TTRPG that offers a flexible and engaging gaming experience for players of all levels. By understanding the core mechanics, creating compelling characters, and working together as a team, you can embark on unforgettable adventures in a world of magic, monsters, and endless possibilities. So gather your friends, roll some dice, and unleash your inner wizard! Have fun and let the games begin!