: These work automatically . If a character has the relevant ability (e.g., Forensic Accounting, Cop Talk) and is in a scene with a "core clue," they find it without rolling dice.
The , designed by Robin D. Laws, is a tabletop roleplaying game engine specifically engineered for investigative scenarios . Its core philosophy is that investigative games should not be about finding clues—which can grind to a halt if a player fails a dice roll—but about interpreting them. Core Mechanics
The system is used across various genres and settings, primarily published by Pelgrane Press :
: Players can "spend" points from an ability's pool to gain "special" clues—extra information that isn't required to solve the case but provides significant advantages or deeper narrative flavor.
: These require rolling a single six-sided die (d6) against a difficulty number, typically 4.
: Players can spend points from their general ability pools before rolling to add a +1 bonus per point spent to their result. Popular GUMSHOE Games
The system divides character capabilities into two distinct categories to ensure the story always moves forward:
: Used for action-oriented tasks where the outcome is uncertain, such as combat, athletic feats, or driving.
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