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Ink & Mayhem

What Changes from Core

How this universe departs from the core rules.

Replaces

Swapped out entirely

The core rule is gone. Use this instead.

Type replaces Background

Applies to
Character creation
Replaces
Core Background
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Character Creation

Shtick replaces Career

Applies to
Character creation
Replaces
Core Career
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Character Creation

Elasticity replaces Wounds

Applies to
All physical damage
Replaces
Core Wound Points
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Elasticity

Elasticity damage never permanent; recovers at scene end

Applies to
Recovery
Replaces
Core Wound recovery
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Recovery

No Critical Injuries

Applies to
Critical Injury table
Replaces
Core Critical Injuries
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Recovery

Wiped Out replaces Wound Incapacitation

Applies to
At 0 Elasticity
Replaces
Core Incapacitation
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Wiped Out

Gag Tokens rename Fortune Points

Applies to
All Fortune uses
Replaces
Core Fortune
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Gag Tokens & Chaos

Chaos Points rename Peril Points

Applies to
All Peril uses
Replaces
Core Peril
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Gag Tokens & Chaos
Modifies

Changed from core

The core rule still applies, with these differences.

80 starting XP

Applies to
Character creation
Replaces
Core starting XP
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Character Creation

Skill Renames

Brawl, Coordination, Resilience, Drive

Applies to
All skill checks
Replaces
Core Skill List
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Skills

Leadership/Resilience use Willpower

Applies to
Those two skills
Replaces
Core skill characteristics
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Skills

Rattled

Strain incapacitation, may still speak but cannot take Actions, Maneuvers, or activate Bits

Applies to
Strain incapacitation
Replaces
Core Strain incapacitation
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Strain

Session Strain reset

reduce by half (not full rest rule)

Applies to
Session-end Strain
Replaces
Core short-rest rule
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Session/Season/Studio Loop

Vehicle Hull Points do not trigger Elasticity damage to occupants

Applies to
Vehicle combat
Replaces
Core vehicle damage
Defined in
Chapter Seven Rides and Vehicles: Vehicle Combat

Vehicles return next scene at full Hull

not permanently destroyed

Applies to
Vehicles
Replaces
Conceit #7
Defined in
Chapter Seven Rides and Vehicles: How Vehicles Work
Adds

New to this universe

Rules with no core equivalent.

Four Cartoon Skills added

Gag-Craft, Pratfall, Fourth-Wall, Performance

Applies to
Skill list
Replaces
Core Skill List
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Skills

Automatic Successes ruling

Applies to
All checks
Replaces
Core dice resolution
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Automatic Successes

Perfect Cartoon Moment replaces Critical Injury

Applies to
Weapons with Crit value
Replaces
Core Critical Injuries
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Recovery

Mid-scene Elasticity recovery

1 Gag Token = 3 Elasticity, once per scene

Applies to
Recovery
Replaces
Core Fortune use
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Recovery

Pop Back Early

Gag Token to return at top of next round at 1 Elasticity

Applies to
Wiped Out
Replaces
Core Fortune use
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Gag Tokens & Chaos

Generated Chaos Points

some Bits/abilities add directly to GM pool

Applies to
Story Point economy
Replaces
Core Peril
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Gag Tokens & Chaos

Invoke Cartoon Logic

Chaos Point for cartoon event

Applies to
GM spend
Replaces
Core Peril spend
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Gag Tokens & Chaos

Failure does not stop the action

always something happens

Applies to
Check resolution narration
Replaces
Core check narration
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Symbol Interpretation

Shtick System

In-Shtick +1 Boon, Against-Shtick Trial→Crisis

Applies to
All checks
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Shtick System

Shtick Lock

cannot change during a Season

Applies to
Shtick
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Shtick System

Bit Repertoire

3 starting, max 6, 10 XP/slot, 5 XP/Bit

Applies to
Advancement
Replaces
Core XP spending
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Bit Repertoire

XP ratio

+2 XP in-shtick session, +1 XP neutral/against

Applies to
Session XP
Replaces
Core session XP
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Shtick System

Rule of Funny

Applies to
Narration/rulings
Replaces
Core Rule 3 (Conceit #3)
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Cartoon Physics

Hammerspace

once per scene free, additional uses cost Gag Token or Hard Intellect/Gag-Craft

Applies to
Props
Replaces
Conceit #1
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Cartoon Physics

Gravity Waits

delayed fall until realization

Applies to
Falling
Replaces
Conceit #1
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Cartoon Physics

Disguises Work

Hard Savvy/Perception + 1 Bane to see through

Applies to
Disguises
Replaces
Conceit #1
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Cartoon Physics

Signs & Labels Are Physical

Applies to
Props/environment
Replaces
Conceit #1
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Cartoon Physics

Portable/Pocket Holes/Drawn Doors

Action + Gag Token, scene-duration

Applies to
Props
Replaces
Conceit #1
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Cartoon Physics

Fourth Wall Awareness

default unaware, toon becomes Aware via Bit or Chaos Point

Applies to
Fourth Wall
Replaces
Conceit #6
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: The Fourth Wall

Addressing the Audience

Action, Easy Fourth-Wall check, +1 Boon next check, once per scene

Applies to
Fourth Wall
Replaces
Conceit #6
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: The Fourth Wall

Walking Through the Fourth Wall

Action + Gag Token, Hard Fourth-Wall check, once per session

Applies to
Fourth Wall
Replaces
Conceit #6
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: The Fourth Wall

Audience Reaction

scene-scale −5 to +5 tracker; +3 grants Boon to all PCs; −3 adds Bane

Applies to
Performance scenes
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: The Fourth Wall

Audience Favor

Season-scale tick; drives Billing at Season finale

Applies to
Season economy
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: The Fourth Wall

Bonds

−3 to +3 strength; shift max ±1 per scene, ±3 per session

Applies to
Relationships
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Relationships

Positive Bond

+1 Boon on checks serving/protecting Bonded character

Applies to
Relationship mechanics
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Relationships

Negative Bond

+1 Boon on checks opposing/embarrassing Bonded character

Applies to
Relationship mechanics
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Relationships

Session/Season/Studio Loop

three nested time scales

Applies to
Campaign structure
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Session/Season/Studio Loop

Session Reset

Elasticity, environmental damage, Minion pools, Bits refresh; Strain reduced by half

Applies to
Session end
Replaces
Core session end
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Session/Season/Studio Loop

On-Set vs. Off-Set modes

cartoon physics muted off-set

Applies to
Scene framing
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Session/Season/Studio Loop

Cartoon Chase Rules

Lead Track −3 to +4, opposed checks, traps

Applies to
Structured play
Replaces
Core structured play
Defined in
Chapter Seven Rides and Vehicles: Cartoon Chase Rules

Billing

Top Billed/Featured/Supporting/In the Back; shifts at Season finale only

Applies to
Campaign structure
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Ten Campaign Tools: Billing

Prop Credits (PC) as currency; 500 PC starting credit; ~50 PC per session

Applies to
Equipment economy
Replaces
Core equipment
Defined in
Chapter Six Equipment and Gear: Prop Credits

Rarity 1–10

1–3 stocked, 4–6 requisition check, 7–8 Hard check, 9–10 GM-controlled

Applies to
Equipment access
Replaces
Core equipment
Defined in
Chapter Six Equipment and Gear: Rarity

The Tab

running debt to Prop Department

Applies to
Equipment economy
Replaces
—
Defined in
Chapter Six Equipment and Gear: The Tab

Non-Toon adversaries

real Wounds, muted cartoon physics, no Bits, no Audience Reaction response

Applies to
Adversaries
Replaces
Core adversary rules
Defined in
Chapter Nine Adversaries and Threats: Non-Toon Adversaries

Item qualities

Cartoony X, Slapstick, Coverage: X, Flight-Ready (setting-unique)

Applies to
Equipment
Replaces
Core item qualities
Defined in
Chapter Six Equipment and Gear: Item Qualities

Roof location

Fourth-Wall checks one step easier

Applies to
Fourth Wall at specific location
Replaces
Fourth Wall subsystem
Defined in
Chapter Ten Campaign Tools: Locations

Pratfall damage reduction

unique interaction with Elasticity

Applies to
Hazard damage
Replaces
Elasticity system
Defined in
Chapter Four Skills: Pratfall
Defines

Pinned down

Values this universe fixes where core leaves them open.

Derived Attributes

Elasticity = 10+MIG, Strain = 10+WIL

Applies to
Character stats
Replaces
Core derived values
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Derived Attributes

Perfect Cartoon Moment threshold = Crit + 2 Boons

Breakthrough = 3 Boons

Applies to
PCM resolution
Replaces
Core Breakthrough
Defined in
Chapter Eight Universe Rules: Recovery