The challenge roll system is so strange. I roll above a 1, so I "succeed", but I don't "win". If I don't win, I still fail despite having succeeded.
In order to "win" I add my wanderer's stat value to the actual value of the die plus or minus the die value's modifier. So instead of adding a random value ranging from +1 to +6 to stat value, you're actually rolling a 1d6 with faces that say
[Automatic fail], [+2 and Lose 1 HP], [+1], [+3], [+5], [+7]
???
That's for the more storied idea of gameplay, and it's what's inherited from Cyberborne specifically. It's true, just about every roll comes with an effect and there are few ttrpg systems out there with something similar.
However - it's a solo ttrpg. Feel free to play without those modifiers and view that portion in a way that works for you. Yeah, you'll lose the little bump on the 6, but it won't break the game. You can even think of it as "casual mode" so you can focus on the other aspects of gameplay.
I'm a big believer in bending the rules to keep it fun. So do so with my full blessing.
For simplicity, I'm just treating a 1 result as "Automatic failure, lose 1 W Integrity", otherwise add die to stat.
What's the rule for if you have no viable direction to go? I got North or South cards as my first two, meaning I ran straight into the tower/joker without the key item, and then had nowhere to turn. Naturally I just had to fudge and take non-existent route to the east, but surely this has come up in playtest. Is there a rule I can't find, or was this meant to be a dead end game, forcing a start over?
On the subject of dead ends (literally), good heavens this game is so much deadlier than I would've guessed based on the fluffy aesthetic of the art. It seems like playing a run of this game where the heroes make it to the end alive takes something close to a statistical miracle. Is that intended?
Sorry if I'm being a nuisance.
The game echoes the way a western feels from my view. Deserts being brutal and unforgiving, although the itself isn't meant to be that way (just reflect that vibe).
Your question is a good one. If you're stuck - you just backtrack. I thought the idea was inherent to the Carta system but the Sandlands really are a map. If you hit a dead end you go backwards and move in a different direction. If you already resolved an area you don't have to do it again unless it's one that repeats. That's why you can visit the Oasis more than once. As a player you're expected to go back to spots like that and the Clinic.
Thank you for asking, each player illuminates something different about the games they play. It's why I also like ttrpgs and such, since creators can feel free to answer questions like yours. Let me know if you need clarification on anything else, for sure!
