Powered by the Apocalypse
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| Designer(s) | Vincent Baker |
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| Publisher(s) | Lumpley Games and others |
| Publication date | 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing game |
| Website | http://apocalypse-world.com/ |
Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) is a role-playing game system developed for the 2010 game Apocalypse World and also used for Dungeon World, Monsterhearts and numerous other RPGs. Apocalypse World won the 2010 Indie RPG Awards for Most Innovative Game and Dungeon World won the 2013 ENnie award for Best Rules.
Powered by the Apocalypse games are all centered around resolving what characters do as Moves. All characters have access to a default selection of moves focused on the main subjects of the game. For instance, there is a default attack move in Dungeon World called hack and slash as this is core of the dungeoneering experience, but in Apocalypse World you can only find a move like seize by force as the game focuses on what one would extract from others in a world made of scarcities.
Apocalypse World, Dungeon World, and most other PbtA games are class based with the class selected for the given character giving them access to a number of moves beyond the default. These moves can allow them abilities above and beyond the normal, like the Hypnosis ability of the Monsterhearts Vampire, can give them additional resources, such as the Apocalypse World Driver's "My other car is a Tank," or may simply make them better at moves everyone has access to, like the Apocalypse World Gunlugger's "Insano like Drano."
Some moves resolve automatically, but most involve an element of randomness. A player whose character makes a move rolls two six-sided dice and adds the relevant modifier, which varies by move and game. A result of 10+ is a total success, and the character achieves their goal. On a result of 7-9, the character achieves a partial success, in which they mostly get what they want but also face some consequences or have to make do with a lesser version of their goal. A roll of 6 or less results in a "miss," and the Master of Ceremonies or Game Master makes a move of their own, with negative consequences for the acting character.
Because of the simplicity and the flexibility of the Powered by the Apocalypse engine, and Vincent Baker's encouragement of publishing hacks, there are at least four dozen fan-made hacks that have reached the point of public playtesting. This list only covers the ones actually published.
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