Masks: A New Generation RPG Unveils New Second Edition

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It’s been over ten years since publisher Magpie Games first released Masks: A New Generation, the ENNIE award-winning tabletop RPG of teenaged angst and superhero action.

Now, after more than a decade, Magpie has officially unveiled details for a new Masks Second Edition. The upcoming core rulebook will include new mechanics, character options, GM advice, artwork and lore for the setting of Halcyon City. The project will first land on crowdfunding, but you can sign up for alerts now on Kickstarter or the Magpie website. Below, we unmask all the details on this next generation of a superhero classic.

What is the Masks: A New Generation RPG?

Masks: A New Generation is a tabletop RPG in which players take on the role of teenaged superheroes living in Halcyon City, a metropolis teeming with spandex-clad defenders and villains. Unlike typical superhero RPGs, however, Masks is just as much about navigating the emotional challenges of adolescence as it is about saving the world from evil, and is inspired by comic book franchises like Young Justice, Teen Titans and Young Avengers.

The concept for Masks was originally developed by Brendan Conway; a veteran indie TTRPG designer, who would later go on to become the lead developer on the Avatar Legends and Root RPGs. The core rulebook, however, was officially published by Magpie Games following a highly successful 2016 Kickstarter (notably, Conway has since gone on to become a co-owner of Magpie).

Mechanically, the game is built on the popular Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) engine. Players create their teen superhero characters using one of 10 playbooks (essentially the PbtA version of classes), which are based on different personality characteristics rather than superhero powers. The game also features a stat known as Influence that measures characters’ emotional power over each other and has an impact on gameplay. A grizzled superhero who disapproves of a character, for example, can cause negative impact on certain rolls, while a fellow player who believes in the character can provide in-game benefits. The game also includes Condition Moves (such as Angry, Afraid, Guilty, Hopeless or Insecure) that provide narrative frameworks for NPCs and villains and can be influenced by players.

Notably, Masks won the 2017 Silver ENNIE Award for “Best Family Game/Product” and the 2017 Indie Game Developer Network award for “Best Rules.” The core book has since spawned several sourcebooks, including Secrets of A.E.G.I.S., Halcyon City Herald Collection and Unbound.

What’s new in Masks Second Edition?

While full details on Masks 2E won’t be revealed until the Kickstarter launches, Magpie Games has released some information via a blog post, including:

• New Format and Art: The game is moving from the 6 x 8″ format to a larger 8.5 x 11” hardcover format (which is about the same size as a typical D&D print supplement). It will also include a new layout and artwork.
• Expanded Playbooks: The new 2E core rulebook will include brand-new archetypes alongside refreshed versions of the previous Masks 1E playbooks.
• Revised Mechanics: While the foundational fiction-first PbtA engine remains, Magpie is streamlining and updating the ruleset. It’s not clear, however, if the game will be using any of the new rules from the upcoming Apocalypse World 3rd edition (the game which the Powered by the Apocalypse engine is based on).
• New Halcyon City Lore: Game Masters will have access to new lore, locations, NPCs and threats.

Why we’re excited for Masks 2E

• A Decade of Evolution: The original Masks is widely regarded as one of the best and most impactful PbtA implementations ever created. It’ll be interesting to see how ten years of industry evolution, design experience and player feedback will be implemented.
• Fresh Playbooks and Archetypes: The promise of brand-new archetypes alongside refreshed classics means veteran tables will have entirely new team dynamics to explore.
• A Deeper Halcyon City: Masks’ default setting is one of the most compelling parts of the game, offering unique takes on classic superhero tropes. Evolving the setting with new lore, heroes and villains will likely be a major draw to returning fans.

Final thoughts

Masks: A New Generation is arguably one of the best superhero TTRPGs of all time, in addition to being one of the most innovative Powered by the Apocalypse titles. Yet, it’s also over a decade old, moving from its angsty teenaged years into something a little more mature. As such, it only makes sense that the game will be getting a new edition.

We’ll be keeping a close eye on Masks 2E in the days ahead. In the meantime, you can sign up for alerts now on Kickstarter or the Magpie website.