New Shadow Scar RPG Mixes Martial Arts, Monsters & Multiverses

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If the idea of playing a interdimensional, demon-battling secret agent ninja sounds even remotely appealing, then you’ll definitely want to check out the new Shadow Scar TTRPG.

Produced by R. Talsorian Games and the brainchild of designer Cody Pondsmith (one of the lead designers on Cyberpunk RED and the The Witcher TTRPG), the game is essentially a love letter to anime, Saturday morning cartoons and 80s action movies. It’s currently crowfunding now on Kickstarter.

So is the Shadow Scar TTRPG worth getting in your kung fu grip? Below, we sneak up on all the details.

What is the Shadow Scar RPG about?

Shadow Scar is a cinematic, anime-inspired tabletop role playing game that blends martial arts, espionage and monster hunting across multiple dimensions. Players take on the role of Agents in the Shadow Scar Agency, a secret order created to battle the monstrous Yokai scattered through the “Mosaic,” a web of interconnected worlds born from the aftermath of a brutal interdimensional war. The worlds in question range from the ancient Japanese inspired ruins of Nakatsukuni, the Victorian steampunk empire of Steel Court, the pulp-noir streets of 5th Street and the lunar sci-fi colonies of Refuge.

Each Agent is a mystically trained shinobi, wielding powerful martial art, mystical abilities and cutting-edge technology. Their mission is to track down Yokai infestations and protect the veil between realities.

Mechanically, Shadow Scar uses a six-sided dice pool system, with players rolling combinations of their core Statistics and Skills to overcome challenges (with success based on how many dice meet or exceed a target number). Stealth and subterfuge are key aspects of play as Agents are expected to complete missions unseen, blending into local cultures while neutralizing supernatural threats.

What are the pledge levels for the Shadow Scar Kickstarter?

The Kickstarter currently has a number of different options for backers:

• Tier 1 ($19 USD): This gets you a PDF copy of the Shadow Scar Core Rulebook which will be available as soon as the Kickstarter finishes.
• Tier 2 ($49 USD): This provides a hardcover copy of the Core Rulebook (which is 292 pages and 8.5″ x 11″ in size) and a PDF version.
• Tier 3 ($79 USD): This option includes a hardcover of the Core Rulebook and the Shadow Scar Starter Set (along with PDFs of both).
  
  There are also retail and complete tiers with multiple copies and all fulfillment is being done through DriveThruRPG. You can also download a free 68-page preview.

Why is the Shadow Scar RPG worth backing?

There are a few reasons why you might to back the project on Kickstarter:

• A Unique Concept: Shadow Scar‘s genre-bending blend of Japanese mythology, espionage, ninjas and multidimensional travel sounds absolutely amazing and the kind of gonzo setting you rarely see in an TTRPG.
• Polished Design: Both Cody Pondsmith and R. Talsorian Games have produced some solid TTRPGs over the years, so the pedigree of the finished product is almost certainly going to be high.
• Stealth as Core Gameplay: Unlike most RPGs, Shadow Scar puts stealth at the heart of the experience, challenging players to infiltrate, outwit and strike from the shadows rather than rely on brute strength.
• Ready for Print: R. Talsorian has alerady said the book is essentially complete and that PDFs will be available literally the day after the Kickstarter ends, which is pretty rare for a TTRPG crowdfunding. The free preview of the game also gives a really great feel for the design, art and lore, so you can see exactly what you’ll be getting as a backer.

Final Thoughts

Shadow Scar sounds like an intriguing concept for a TTRPG in terms mixing together a diverse range of genres and mechanics into a single product. Whether that mix is a satisfying whole, however, remains to be seen.

You can back the Shadow Scar TTRPG campaign now on Kickstarter and download the free preview on DriveThruRPG.