Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts
Part of the Blades in the Dark + Deep Cuts Bundle: https://itch.io/s/136981/blades-in-the-dark-deep-cuts-bundle
Part of the OneSeven Games Bundle: https://itch.io/s/137262/oneseven-games-bundle
Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts is a 120-page expansion for the Blades in the Dark roleplaying game — containing a treasure trove of lore, setting material, and alternative mechanics I've developed over the years for use in Blades campaigns.
The first part expands on the setting of the game, including:
- 27 factions, providing new lore and crew opportunities
- Over 100 heritage and background packages to flesh out the characters and the setting even more
- 13 new innovations in technology to reflect ongoing industrial-age advances, including new rare and restricted technology for nefarious Scoundrels to get their hands on
Also included is a new concept I'm calling a "catalyst" — which is a world-shaking event that expands and alters the setting of the game, providing new avenues for intrigue and adventure, as well as opportunities and scores for every crew type.
The second part contains 6 modular rules systems, including:
- More flexible and impactful Harm & Trauma rules
- A modified Advancement system to customize the rate at which characters progress
- Diceless Downtime, with modified Vice, Healing, Crew Development, and other systems, as well as a system for Debt
- A modified Load system that's more tied to the fiction while remaining simple and easy to use
- A new Action system, which overhauls and streamlines the action resolution mechanics to empower players even more and speed up the process of play.
The whole book is packed with tons of lore, gameable details, plug-and-play systems, GM tools, crew opportunities, and new artwork to take your Blades in the Dark games to the next level.
Purchase
In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $12 USD. You will get access to the following files:
Download demo
Development log
- Blades in the Dark: Deep Cuts v1.1 released!17 days ago
Comments
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v1.1
with Patron revert, Assassins claims contain only three Turfs total(counting Hagfish Farm). Intentional?
Compartment does not mitigate heavy items penalty. Intentional?
Ghost vice changes in sheet is not applied to p.114.
Is the changed wording for Harm rules supposed to mean a third level 2 Harm becomes a level 4 if level 3 Harm is also full, but level 1 becoming a level 2 does not cascade further?
Will there ever be a chance of a physical release of Deep Cuts? Blades is probably my favorite TTRPG bar none and id love to have the updated content on my shelf next to the core book.
Re-reading 1.1, I was wondering how the Threat Roll outcomes are supposed to interact with Effect / level of threat. Eg: I’ve been assuming that Standard means that you “adjust” the fronted threat by two notches on a 6 (so L2 harm would be avoided; but L4 harm would be reduced to L2/injury). Is this contrary to intent? Should the scoundrel be able to get significant outcomes on a 6 even if you’ve dialed the Threat up, or is this where we bring the standard Effect boosting rules into play in the conversation?
The Threat Roll resolves the consequences of the threat, not the Scoundrel's own effect. The Scoundrel has whatever effect that's been established, regardless of the Threat Roll outcome (unless you include the threat of failure).
So, On a 6, you avoid the threat. That means it has no effect on you.
On a 4/5, the consequence is reduced. So in your example, level 4 Harm would be reduced to level 3.
Ok. So if the threat is that “the billhooks are Unreasonable (narrative T4) in their demands - not only is it an absurd quantity of coin but more” and the player faces that with say Sway they’ve talked their way around it on a 6. So if you wanted to structure a more demanding challenge to something like the players wanting the Billhooks to run interference for a smuggling operation or something; you might go “ok, with your going in position they won’t back your play - at best they’ll just let you way as you move through their territory (effect) and they’ll be Unreasonable about the bribe they require for even that (threat).”
Yep, that's right.
Thanks very much!
Small error: You forgot to apply the changed wording of Alchemist and Artificer to Strange Methods
I can't thank you enough, John. You've helped my friends and I create so many amazing stories over the years. Just picking up Deep Cuts now 'cause I was running a different system and was worried once I read this I'd lose interest in the other one! Looking forward to it!
I've updated the (free) Blades in the Dark Lite VTT to incorporate all the changes from the Fresh Deep Cuts v1.1. The VTT remains the most configurable and GM-friendly option out there, and now it's fully aligned with the latest rules refinements.
Deep Cuts + Vanilla Flexibility: Pick which rule modules you want to use vanilla rules for and which to use Deep Cuts rules for. The character sheets update automatically! Everything adapts to your preferences - playbooks, crew sheets, abilities, and more.
Printable or Digital Character Sheets: Once you've picked which modules you want Vanilla and which Deep Cuts, you'll have your choice of digital or printable character sheets that reflect those choices.
https://roezmv.itch.io/blades-in-the-dark-deep-cuts-lite-vtt-by-roezmv
v1.1 Lots of good changes here, from typo fixes to layout and general flow changes. The big standouts for me are the redesigned character sheets and the changes to teamwork. Reducing the numerous teamwork options to now just functioning like a devil's bargain is a good change for the sake of simplicity. While I enjoyed the nuances of the different versions of "teamwork" I found players often forgot an option existed or how it worked, while also getting frustrated they all could not "assist" someone. This new module addresses these issues nicely and I'm excited to start running games with it.
I still would be interested in finding out why the spark runner rig received such heavy penalties though. (costs load; and coin; and reputation with a specific faction; and takes up a veteran ability on your character sheet; and requires a roll to even use without it glitching out) The item doesn't seem particularly broken game play wise since the shadows crew already had this ability with Ghost Echoes, which only costs the crew upgrade to acquire. Is there a reason why the spark runner rig was listed this way? As is, without house ruling it's cost down, I can't see my players ever wanting to acquire one.
Yo! Just checking in because some scoundrel spilled a beer on my GM binder that has all my blades notes. I need to reprint a lot of the stuff that I keep in there for running games, including some deep cuts cheat sheets and whatnot. Curious if the rumored update is close at hand or a ways off, since I'd rather wait to print everything if the update is happening soon. Totally understand that these things take time! I just was looking down the barrel of printing a bunch of pages for game prep and thought "Hey, maybe I should ask if that update is nigh."
Various life things have delayed the release, but I'm really trying to get it done and posted this week.
Thanks John! Appreciate the update! I've loved adding the deep cuts rules to my game, which I already enjoyed a great deal. You made a great thing!
Glad to hear it! Thanks.
We all hope you and yours are OK. Life comes first.
I updated my free googlesheet character keeper to let you pick which rule modules you want to use vanilla rules for and which to use Deep Cuts rules for. The character sheets update automatically!
Other features you may like:
https://roezmv.itch.io/blades-in-the-dark-deep-cuts-lite-vtt-by-roezmv
More of a good thing at a very fair price. No-brainer for my group to get it.
do we have an approximate schedule on update, or is it still TBD?
Unsolicited feedback: the new Edge mechanic shares the same name as the "Edge" from a cohort's "Edge & Flaw", which might create some confusion.
Hi, I was reading Deep Cuts, I noticed the Hull playbook now has 9 drain instead of 10. I didn't see it listed in the changes at the end of Deep Cuts so I was wondering if this was a mistake or undocumented change?
I love this and I had started planning a campaign of BitD with some friends online prior to this releasing and had set up on Roll20 with the compendium there. Is there any chance of seeing the Deep Cuts sheet implemented there and the Deep Cuts rules added to the compendium (or made available as a separate purchase in Roll20)?
Is there any update on when the next update to the Deep Cuts is gonna happen? Originally it sounded like it's gonna happen during the week before Christmas. I understand that it got delayed, but it's start of February now. Would be nice to know at least some semblance of when it will happen, or maybe how much work is still required before it happens.
Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to rush, just the unknown is bit uncomfortable, and I would appreciate some kind of knowledge regarding the next version.
Otherwise, the changes sound interesting and I can't wait to try some of them out.
Hi John!
My group is having a lot of fun with this supplement! The changes to Harm, Trauma and Crew Tier Increases have been especially positive. One question regarding Crew Upgrade Cost for Upgrading gangs to Elite - the booklet states it costs 10 coin, but the crew sheet states 6, which is correct?
Thanks again for this fantastic game!
Dear John,
I really like Deep Cuts, there is a lot of great stuff smoothing out a lot of the edges (pun intended) BitD had.
But I have one little request, or more of a question; why didn't the Hounds Vengeful get a rework?
Since I opened the book for the first time I was in love with your work. But Vengeful ... always bothered me.
Shouldn't the general XP triggers cover what is the descreption of that ability? Am I the only one thinking that it is weird to add a trait to your PCs personality by taking a special ability?
Of cource, I can homebrew it by myself, but after all that great modules in Deep Cuts I'm so curious why Vengeful hasn't been changed at all.
With the greatest respect.
Hi! The bookmarks don't seem to be working (I tried on multiple browsers and SumatraPDF which always worked fine for all other PDFs), is there a plan to fix them it's really useful for digital play.
Thank you :)
That'll be fixed in the next update.
Thank you very much for the quick response! :D Love your work!
Does the material in Deepcuts also fall under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) that the regular Forged in the Dark SRD falls under, or is that integration forthcoming?
Potential minor page reference issue, in the additional threats section on pg 91, it suggests that we can find examples of additional threats on 108, I think that’s supposed to be 106.
Requesting clarification. Deep Cuts p 80 stats that Cohort Recovery is "First, each cohort heals one level of Harm." But I don't see any further clarification. Vanilla blades states "If circumstances are amenable for recovery, each cohort removes one level of harm (or two levels of harm instead, if a PC spends a downtime activity helping them recuperate)."
So it looks like Deep Cuts clarifies when during downtime the recovery takes place. I assume that the "or two levels of harm..." still applies. Does that sound right?
How are Engagement Rolls impacted by the new rules? The desperate outcome can be converted pretty easily. Controlled position on the other hand does not require a roll anymore and the PCs can do their thing savely, but that does sound like the critical result from the core rules. Where is the difference between a 6 and multiple 6es while applying Deep Cuts? I suppose that a 6 is now a risky position, but with lower threat value. Or am I on the wrong way?
Looking for advice. My players like to spend time in free play talking to npcs, scoping for a new heist, etc, etc. But sometimes they like to do risky things, and spend stress to accomplish them.. But it starts to feel a bit bad when they overdo it cause you only get downtime to recover after a hiest.
How do i handle the pcs getting up to trouble during freeplay before the hiest.
I'm not an expert but dependes on how much trouble, if it's a simple resolution just make Action Rolls, if it's a big/complex problem you can just impromptu start a heist from there.
For how long does it last, when you decide to tough out harm? A scene, the whole score?
Another question: On p. 92 under Gaining Edge it says you gain 1 Edge when you roll two or more 6s, but it's not clear from the context if this is on action rolls, when pushing yourself, both of those, or on other rolls as well.
My guess it's at least action rolls, but it's unclear if it should also apply to rolls to push yourself and/or other rolls.
It's just for Threat Rolls. I'll clarify that in the update. Thanks!
Looking forward to the update!
I'm working my way through the systems and incorporating them into my Star Wars hack. This smooths over so may of the things that have been nagging at me before!
I will probably have more questions later, but for now:
The Usual Suspects entanglement gives Heat equal to 3 minus the highest result of a fortune roll, presumably of 0-3 dice. This seems like it will very often result in 0 Heat, and even with 0d you're unlikely to get more than 1 Heat. Is this intentional?
Super excited about this! Will the rules changes be usable in FitD games?
Yep! There's text to that effect in the next update of the PDF (coming soon).
The People's Champion! That's awesome man, appreciate your work.
The change with indulging vice seems weird to me. Previously it was build in a way to encourage using stress, where not it was good to have at least 6 stress to indulge vice safely and players had to balance it. But this new version does the complete opposite. It encourages not using stress and keeping it cleared at all time. It disencourages living on the edge.
Plus another thing are the consequences. Why is it suddenly just by rolling. Previously player got to choose what consequence they are gonna suffer, but now not any more. Instead they get random or be lost. Feels again like step away from original.
Just wanted to state my suprise at these changes. Probably not gonna use this rule and instead either use the old one or make it that overindulgance triggers instead when it is less then 6 or similar value.
Vampire sheet does not contain explanations of the vice mechanics, unlike Ghost or Hull.
Hull: Plating feature is special armor and not heavy?
Several Crew sheets have their Claims connectivity changed. Though, I assume this is intentional?
Bravos: Insight(training) is marked as starting upgrade in addition to Prowess(training) and Cohort Thugs.
Shadows: XP Trigger does not list "Robbery".
How does Crafting work with the new Downtime module? Acquire action? I'm assuming Invention process works mostly the same, it's an LTP anyways.
It's the same. I have ideas for a new version, but the original is good for now.
so I gotta still roll the dice for that one? I mean, I'm fine with that.
by the way what does "+1 Quality" mean for "when you invent" in the crafting abilities?
Hi John, many thanks for this, great work. One question on my mind: there are examples of dealing with multiple Threats (nice idea) and one example of failure as a Threat (which surprised me because it took what I might have called a Controlled Position in Blades and made it Desperate). But there are no examples of combining failure with other Threats. I appreciate that option could be overused, but it seems more interesting than (for example) setting a base Effect of zero when facing a dangerous challenge. If you have any guidance about that, I'd love to hear it. Thanks!
PS I bought this on DriveThru instead, no idea why. I'll come here next time!
Yep, you can combine the threat of failure with other threats.
Like, if you're facing an Iruvian swordmaster, and you want to disengage and Prowl up a drainpipe to run away across the rooftops, you might have two threats: "Stabbed through the neck (Harm 4)" and "Failure: You don't escape. They block your way."
I'll include an example like this in the next update.
Thanks John, good to hear!
Are the sheets document contained in the product meant to be public like base Blades sheets available on the bladesinthedark.com site?
That is to say, am I allowed to distribute translated version publicly or should it be at the same protection level as the rulebook?
Yes, they're meant to be public.
You can put it in demo to keep it in same store page but public accessible
Any updates on the Roll20 sheets? ^^'
As a developer who has meddled with Roll20 and as a fan of using Roll20 for Blades, this is a huge endeavor. I'm not holding my breath. I expect it won't happen. I will be working around it. I'm about to play tonight. Is there anything that is super hard to do in Roll20?
I built a google sheets based solution, feel free to use: https://roezmv.itch.io/blades-in-the-dark-deep-cuts-lite-vtt-by-roezmv
Any updates on the update??
It's a bit delayed... but hopefully I'll have it ready by the weekend.
Awesome! Thanks for the reply John. Looking forward to it! You do amazing work! Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
Still delayed ... will get back to it after xmas. :)
Thanks for the update John.
Hi and thank you for years of fun - I'm likely buying a round of this expansion* for our whole Shadows crew andI adopting many modules. Just bought another physical book for my wife for Christmas.
One thing I didn't quite know for sure that's caused some bickering at our table - does the Shadows Pack Rats ability (OG: +1d to acquire an asset in downtime, DC: +1 free asset acquisition each downtime) only work for items or gear?
I took it to be a single Acquire Asset mechanic that could also result in the new version giving a free Physicker or some such each downtime, but this has been peculiarly controversial.
Hi John, love the expansion. I'm personally looking to use pretty much all of the modules as they seem like a great refinement on the whole system. However, I was wandering when is the next pdf update planned to release ? It's probably hard work to implement all the precision and corrections that people have pointed out, so I'm just wandering when we can expect it. Thank you for this awesome system.
(I'm giving +1 to blank playbook sheets specifically because it would make my life much easier, thanks !)
I'm hoping to have the PDF updated by next week.
Kool ! Thank you so much !
Any thoughts of a BiTD or now a Deep Cuts GM screen?
p.29 Captain Haig in clocks, Captain Volker in the text.
p.63 "click clock below"
p.106-107 NPC names:
unable to find "Master Krockett", "Lord Moran" anywhere else on the Blades or Deep Cuts
"Cmdr. Clellan" missing 'd' at the end
Thanks! Should be "Lord Mora" and "Master Krocket".
Can a PC help another PC with an extra die and additionally add 1+ dice per Edge at the same time?
How does Crafting work with the new Downtime module?
My guess:
For a new invention, its basically a set of long term projects, so use the new long term project rules. At the end when you go to manufacture it, treat it like the new Acquire Activity and you start with a version at your crew's Tier. If you need more than that, pay the Coin cost to get a higher-Tier item.
For a modification of an existing item, I'm guessing it is:
First determine the target Tier, which is based on the Tier of the Item being modified...
‣ Requires Tier +1: Simple, useful modification
Then treat it like an Acquire roll again.‣ Requires Tier +2: Significant modification
‣ Requires Tier +3: Arcane, spark-craft, or alchemical modification
My ideas were bad, e-aksenov's had much clearer suggestions:
Part 1: Design
A long term project, usually 8 segments, based on STUDY. It is either to Invent a new design or to Learn an existing one
If Inventing a New Design:
‣ GM Asks: What type of creation is it (Mundane, Alchemical, Arcane, Spark-Craft) and what does it do? (Player answers.)
‣ Player Asks: What’s the minimum quality level for this item? (GM answers, using Magnitude as guideline.)
‣ GM Asks: What rare, strange, or adverse aspect of this formula or design has kept it in obscurity, out of common usage? (Player answers.)
‣ Player Asks: What drawbacks does this item have, if any? (GM answers.)
If Learning an Existing Design:
‣ Common Creations (p. 226): Do not require special formulas or designs to learn.
Part 2: Creating the Item requires 1 downtime activity + a Crafting roll
Dice pool:
‣ 1d for each Tinker action dot.
‣ +1 quality per coin spent.
‣ +1 quality for Workshop crew upgrade.
Result:
‣ 1-3: Quality level is Tier -1.
‣ 4/5: Quality level is equal to Tier.
‣ 6: Quality level is Tier +1.
‣ Critical: Quality level is Tier +2.
Modifying an Existing Item: Requires 1 downtime activity + a Crafting roll, no designing or learning needed
Minimum Tier = item's current Tier +
‣ +1: Simple, useful modification
‣ +2: Significant modification
‣ +3: Arcane, spark-craft, or alchemical modification
Drawbacks: GM may assign 1-2 Drawbacks to a creation