Horror Cards optional rules

Using skills to cope with stress

In general, incoming Stress is reduced by prior experience of the disturbing stimulus, and by the ability to contextualize it. This can be personalized and regulated using skills.

A character with the Firearms skill would use that as a coping skill against a sniper attack. A pathologist with the Necropsy skill would be less shocked—and more intrigued—seeing a zombie.

Having such a “coping skill” in the game reduces incoming relevant Stress by 1, to a minimum of zero. Multiple coping skills cannot be combined.

Long-term developments

Most horror scenarios take place over the course of a few days. The following rules are recommended for longer-term play.

• Each week's rest and recuperation in safety reduces Stress by 1.
• For each year of normalcy without Stress, a character may check Charm to discard 1 Insanity.