Masks: A New Generation is a superhero RPG where young heroes navigate battles, personal struggles, and self-discovery. Available as a free PDF, it offers fillable playbooks, condition cards, and a rich setting in Halcyon City, blending action and emotional depth for players.
1.1 Overview of the Game
Masks: A New Generation is a superhero RPG where teen heroes balance battling villains with personal struggles and identity. Using the Powered by the Apocalypse engine, it emphasizes teamwork, emotional growth, and high-stakes action. Players choose from 10 core playbooks, each representing a unique archetype, and navigate the vibrant, chaotic world of Halcyon City. The game blends epic superheroics with intimate character-driven stories, offering a mix of action and heart. The core rulebook, available as a free PDF, includes tools for both players and GMs to create compelling adventures and dynamic characters.
1.2 Key Features of the Core Rulebook
The core rulebook for Masks: A New Generation offers 10 customizable playbooks, each with unique abilities and roles. It includes basic and advanced moves, condition cards, and GM resources for scenario prep. The book features a full-color interior and is available in softcover or hardcover, with a free PDF download via DriveThruRPG. The rulebook also provides tools for managing team dynamics and creating engaging villains, making it a comprehensive guide for both new and experienced players and Game Masters alike in the vibrant world of Halcyon City.
Core Mechanics and Gameplay
Masks uses the Powered by the Apocalypse engine, focusing on narrative storytelling. Core mechanics include basic and advanced moves, while conditions add complexity to character interactions and challenges.
2.1 The Powered by the Apocalypse (PBTA) Engine
Masks: A New Generation utilizes the Powered by the Apocalypse (PBTA) engine, emphasizing collaborative storytelling and narrative-driven gameplay. Players create moves tailored to their characters, resolving actions through dice rolls. Conditions introduce complications, enriching character development and conflicts. The GM acts as a facilitator, preparing scenarios and adapting to player choices. This system encourages creativity, emotional depth, and dynamic team interactions, making it ideal for superhero narratives focused on personal growth and heroic challenges.
2.2 Basic Moves and Advanced Moves
In Masks: A New Generation, gameplay revolves around Basic Moves like “Save Someone” and “Kick Some Ass,” which handle common heroic actions. Advanced Moves offer specialized abilities tied to character growth, enhancing gameplay depth. Conditions from Basic Moves add complexity, while Advanced Moves provide unique solutions or escalate conflicts. This system balances simplicity with strategic depth, fostering dynamic storytelling and character evolution.
2.3 The Role of Conditions in Gameplay
Conditions in Masks: A New Generation are temporary states that impose -2 penalties on specific actions, adding narrative and mechanical challenges. They arise from Basic Moves or GM discretion, reflecting emotional or physical strain. Conditions like AFRAID, ANGRY, or HOPELESS shape character behavior and story dynamics. The Deck of Conditions provides visual aids, enhancing gameplay. These mechanics ensure characters’ struggles feel meaningful, blending personal growth with superhero action. Conditions are manageable through Moves or teamwork, keeping gameplay balanced and engaging.
Playbooks and Character Creation
Masks offers 10 core playbooks for unique heroes, with customization options for abilities and appearances. Fillable PDF playbooks simplify character creation, making it accessible and efficient.
3.1 The 10 Core Playbooks
The core rulebook features 10 distinct playbooks, each representing a unique superhero archetype. These include the Legacy, the Nova, the Beacon, the Protege, the Guardian, the Janus, the Ace, the Breaker, the Maverick, and the Icon. Each playbook offers tailored moves, abilities, and playstyles, allowing players to craft characters that suit their preferences. The fillable PDF playbooks enhance customization, making character creation intuitive and accessible for both new and experienced players.
3.2 Customizing Your Hero
Customizing your hero in Masks: A New Generation is deeply personal and immersive. Players can tailor their characters’ appearances, backstories, and relationships to create unique identities. The game offers fillable PDF playbooks, allowing for easy adjustments and personalized touches. Heroes can also define their motivations, fears, and goals, adding emotional depth. The system encourages blending playbook moves with personal traits, enabling players to craft characters that stand out while fitting seamlessly into the team dynamic and the vibrant world of Halcyon City.
3.4 Fillable PDF Playbooks for Players
Masks: A New Generation provides fillable PDF playbooks, enabling players to easily customize and organize their characters. These PDFs allow for digital editing, making it simple to track moves, conditions, and progress. Players can input their hero’s details, such as backstory, relationships, and abilities, directly into the document. This feature enhances accessibility and convenience, ensuring that character creation and updates are streamlined. The fillable playbooks are a valuable resource, supported by the game’s community and creators, making character management intuitive and enjoyable for all players.
The Setting: Halcyon City
Halcyon City is a vibrant hub of superhuman madness, rich in history and battles between heroes and villains, shaping the world of Masks: A New Generation.
4.1 History and Significance of Halcyon City
Halcyon City has been the epicenter of superhuman activity for nearly a century, shaped by countless battles between heroes and villains. Its history is deeply intertwined with the emergence of superpowers, making it a symbol of both hope and chaos. The city’s significance lies in its ability to attract powerful beings, creating a dynamic where heroes rise and fall, leaving lasting legacies. This rich history serves as the backdrop for the struggles and triumphs of the young heroes in Masks: A New Generation.
4.2 Key Locations and Landmarks
Halcyon City is filled with iconic locations that shape its vibrant superhero landscape. Downtown serves as a bustling hub of activity, while the Halcyon City Museum showcases the history of its legendary heroes. The waterfront is a hotspot for smuggling and secret dealings, and the towering Clockspire stands as a symbol of the city’s enduring spirit. These landmarks, along with others, create a dynamic backdrop for heroics, villainy, and personal drama, making Halcyon City a living, breathing world for players to explore and protect.
Game Master (GM) Materials
The GM section in Masks offers tools for crafting scenarios, managing team dynamics, and creating compelling villains. It includes tips and resources to enhance storytelling and ensure engaging sessions for all players.
5.1 Preparing Scenarios and Villains
The Masks: A New Generation PDF provides extensive resources for GMs to craft engaging scenarios and villains. It includes frameworks for designing story arcs, balancing action with character development, and creating memorable antagonists. The core rulebook offers tips on tailoring scenarios to the players’ choices and heroes’ identities. Villains are given depth with unique motivations, powers, and backstories to challenge the team dynamically. The PDF also includes sample scenarios and advice on integrating Halcyon City’s rich history and locations into your narratives, ensuring immersive and creative storytelling.
5.2 Managing Team Dynamics
The Masks: A New Generation PDF offers guidance for GMs to manage team dynamics effectively. It includes tools for fostering cooperation, resolving conflicts, and balancing diverse playstyles. The game emphasizes emotional and social challenges, encouraging players to engage with each other’s stories. The core rulebook provides tips on creating shared goals, handling interpersonal tensions, and integrating team moves that reflect collective growth. By focusing on character relationships and shared narratives, GMs can craft a cohesive and engaging experience that highlights the unique bonds within the team.
Supplementary Materials
The Masks: A New Generation PDF is supported by supplementary materials like the Halcyon City Herald Collection and the Deck of Conditions and Influence Cards, enhancing gameplay depth and narrative tools for both players and GMs.
6.1 The Halcyon City Herald Collection
The Halcyon City Herald Collection is a supplementary PDF for Masks: A New Generation, offering rich lore, detailed locations, and NPCs. It expands the game’s setting, providing GMs with tools to create engaging scenarios and immerse players in the city’s vibrant superhero history. This collection enhances the narrative depth of Halcyon City, making it a valuable resource for both new and experienced players. It is available as part of the Masks bundle, adding layers to the game’s dynamic world.
6.2 Deck of Conditions and Influence Cards
The Deck of Conditions and Influence Cards is a PDF supplement for Masks: A New Generation, enhancing gameplay with 5 condition cards that impose -2 penalties on specific actions. These conditions, such as AFRAID or ANGRY, add narrative depth and challenges. Influence cards provide bonuses when targeting specific characters, fostering strategic interactions. This deck is downloadable as part of the game’s materials, offering a tangible way to track in-game effects and dynamics, enriching both player and GM experiences during sessions.
Community and Resources
The Masks community offers extensive resources, including online forums, fan-created content, and downloadable PDFs. Players and GMs share materials, aids, and guides, fostering engagement and creativity.
7.1 Fan-Created Content and Translations
Fans of Masks: A New Generation have created a wealth of content, including fillable PDF playbooks, custom scenarios, and translations. These resources, often shared online, expand gameplay options and accessibility, showcasing the community’s creativity and dedication to the game.
7.2 Online Forums and Discussions
Online forums and discussions about Masks: A New Generation are vibrant, with fans sharing tips, fan-created content, and experiences. Platforms like Reddit and Discord host active communities, where players discuss gameplay, character builds, and strategies. These spaces also provide support for new players and GMs, fostering creativity and collaboration. Discussions often revolve around balancing moves, interpreting conditions, and exploring the game’s narrative potential. The community’s enthusiasm and shared resources make these forums invaluable for enhancing your Masks experience.
