17. stat arrays

We’ve talked about names and looks in Apocalypse World playbooks. Now it’s time to look at Stats. Each playbook offers four arrays of stats from which the player can select one. Here, for example, are the arrays from the Maestro D’s playbook:

Choose one set:
Cool+1 Hard-1 Hot+2 Sharp=0 Weird+1
Cool=0 Hard+1 Hot+2 Sharp+1 Weird-1
Cool-1 Hard+2 Hot+2 Sharp=0 Weird-1
Cool=0 Hard=0 Hot+2 Sharp+1 Weird=0

The command to pick one array continues the theme of choosing from a limited number of options. As with the other lists in the playbook, this limitation is freeing at the same time. It is clear that the authors have done the work to figure out a handful of options that are all well-suited for the playbook. From looking at the Maestro D’s possible arrays, for example, we see that Hot is important to making the character shine, that Cool and Hard can run the gamut, that Sharp doesn’t want to dip below zero, and that Weird is not important, but if you really like it, you can give it a boost. Every option is a good one (which is of course a requirement any time a designer is going to give a player options), but there is enough variety here to let you think about what your Maestro D’ might be like.

If you go through all the playbooks and look at the arrays, you will see that there is a basic mathematical formula behind the numbers. The default construction allots a +3 total with one stat—the character-defining stat—a +2. The exception to that rule is that if two stats are given +2, then the total number of stats (when they are all added together) cannot exceed +2. See the third array option above for an example. The exception to that rule is the Battlebabe and one array on the Driver playbook. The Battlebabe has a Cool+3 in all her arrays, and all but one of her arrays total +4. The one that is +3 is the one that gives her a +2 stat in addition to her high Cool (“Cool+3 Hard-1 Hot+2 Sharp=0 Weird-1”). The one Driver array that is the exception allows two stats at +2 while still granting a total +3 when all the stats are added together: “Cool+2 Hard-2 Hot=0 Sharp+2 Weird+1.” I don’t know if this is the reason, but I suspect that those bonuses are granted because of the low Hard scores associated with those arrays. The Battlebabe is never allowed a starting Hard to be more than 0. And not being Hard in Apocalypse World makes life . . . well, hard.

Now imagine if the Bakers had laid all that out as the rule for creating your stats: Assign numbers to your 5 stats so that no stat exceeds +2 or -2 and that when added up equals +3. Unless you give two stats +2, then the total when added must equal +2. Unless you have a Hard-2, in which case your total can equal +4, etc. It would be a mess, it would be confusing, and it would be paralyzing. I’d be scared to put that character together. So instead, the math is all done for us, balance is assured, and all we have to do is pick an array and go.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of point currency in character creation because I never feel like I can do well at it; I always feel like I’ve ended up with a character that is weak on all fronts. The point of a point currency (as I understand it) is to ensure a certain amount of balance. It forces you to sacrifice one area of your character in order to make another area strong. I like that in principle, but I hate messing with the point. By creating the list of arrays, Vincent and Meguey have done the math for you and hidden the point currency; they gave us the final result of the calculations and let us get right to the playing. Extremely considerate, really.

I spoke yesterday of the lists in Apocalypse World reinforcing the theme of scarcity, and I believe that to be true, but at the same time, what they do is ensure that every choice made is a good choice. The possibilities are hemmed in to guarantee that something interesting comes off the page and into the Shared Imagined Space. Whatever name, look, and stat array you choose, the character is going to be interesting, fun to play, and fun for the other players to watch in action.