QUICK START
New to Masks & Machines? This guide will get you playing in minutes. Learn the basics, pick a character, and jump into the action.
HOW TO PLAY
ATTRIBUTES & DICE
Your character has 12 attributes rated 1-4. Each level maps to a die:
SKILL CHECKS
When you attempt something risky, roll your Attribute die + Skill die and try to beat the difficulty number set by the GM.
Tech (d10) + Knowledge (d8) vs Difficulty 12
COMBAT
Combat is turn-based. Initiative = Agility + d10 roll. On your turn you can Move, Attack, or use a Signature Ability.
Damage: (Attack - Defense) ÷ 2 + power bonus.
Critical: Max roll = 1.5× damage!
BUILD YOUR RUNNER
Characters are built from components:
- • Archetypes — your role/class (1-5)
- • Powers — attacks & abilities (0-10)
- • Talents — passive bonuses (0-5)
- • Combat Suit — your armor (0-1)
- • Weaknesses — flaws for flavor (0-4)
- • Signature Abilities — ultimates (0-2)
JOIN A CAMPAIGN
Get an invite code from a GM, join their campaign, select your character, and you're ready to play. Sessions happen live with chat, dice rolling, and GM narration.
TOOLS ON THIS SITE
Everything you need to play is here:
- • Dice Roller — roll any dice
- • Characters — browse & create
- • Battles — combat tracker
- • Campaigns — group play
- • Rules — full reference
ARCHETYPES
Choose your role in the sprawl.
Alchemist
Speedster
Shapechanger
Mechanist
Weapon Master
Lightbringer
PREMADE CHARACTERS
Don't want to build from scratch? Pick one of these and start playing immediately.
Byte
Cyberspawn
Advanced sentient AI in dog form.
Echo Nova
Corporate Experiment
Sound manipulator wields sonic energy.
Warp Shifter
Metahuman
Shapeshifting entity that forms weapons and tools.
Titan Vanguard
Failed Prototype
Armored powerhouse with exoskeleton.
READY TO PLAY?
Create your runner, join a campaign, and dive into the neon-lit sprawl.