This week, I'm setting aside the background and lore of the world of Rock of Ages and go back to the basics: The Core Rules!

Rock of Ages is using a hack of GROK?!, a TTRPG by Lester Burton (which I strongly suggest by the way!). The core mechanics are the same as in GROK?! let me explain...

You have three stats: Physical, Mental, Social

While I have to admit that these categories are pretty broad, there is a way to make them more specific with Traits. These are keywords or phrases that can make an Attribute more specific (implicitely or explicitely). For example, if you use, "Bodybuilder" when jotting down your Background Trait (or Appearance), it implies that while your Rockstar might not be swift, he is certainly strong!

Each Attribute is indicated with a dice value (ranging from D4 to D12) and when attempting an Action, you declare what you are trying to accomplish, roll the appropriate die and check the result on the following table:

According to the result, the Tour Manager (Game Master) uses this to change its narrative.

Players can then use Effort (to add an extra die to the result) at the cost of an additional complication and the die roll can also be modified by Advantages and Disadvantages.

These allow additional dice to be rolled BUT only the best result is picked (Advantage) or worst result (Disadvantage).

This is the absolute core rule that is the basis for the entire game.

This brings me to battles...

In Rock of Ages, there are two types of battles: Normal Battles and Battles of the Bands

Normal Battles are resolved pretty much the same way as mentioned above. Rockstar declares his intentions, rolls the appropriate die (whether Attribute or Gear die value) and applies the result. Unless specified otherwise, a result of YES means 1 point of damage applied while YES, AND means 2 points of damage applied.

Battles of the Bands, on the other hand is an in-game minigame where two bands competes against each other to gain fame and followers. Each band has an Applaud-O-Meter that they have to fill before the other band. Specific Actions will allow one band to sabotage the performance of the other band in order to prevent them from filling their Applaud-O-Meter.

Winning band generally gains new followers and possibly, more fame...

In Rock of Ages, there are no XP system in the strict sense of the term. Instead, both Rockstars and the Band itself gain Milestones. Milestones are determined by the Tour Manager and allows a Rockstar to gain more Gear Slots, gain/change a trait, gain more health etc.

A Band reaching a new Milestone, might get a contract, book a big gig, get contacted by a new record label, gain more fame/wealth and so on.

There is so much more I could say about Rock of Ages but I would get away from the core and this is what this DevLog was about: The Core Rules of the game.

As usual, if you have any questions or comment, feel free to do so here!