// OVERVIEW //
FLATLINERS is set in a dystopian future where advanced technology has led to a massive divide between the wealthy elite and the impoverished masses. Players would take on the roles of "Flatliners", who are skilled criminals, hackers, and outcasts who operate in the shadows of the towering neon-lit skyscrapers of Vanta City.
The game features a mix of high-tech and low-life, with players using advanced cybernetic augmentations and powerful computer programs to take on dangerous missions for shadowy corporations, powerful crime syndicates, and whoever the f*** is paying them. The game also has a heavy emphasis on roleplaying, with players navigating the gritty, neon-lit streets of the city, dealing with the seedy underbelly of the futuristic metropolis, and making choices that would affect the outcome of the game. The game includes a character advancement system that allows players to upgrade themselves and acquire new perks and skills as they progress throughout the campaign.
The best part? It's absolutely free to play.
The game features a mix of high-tech and low-life, with players using advanced cybernetic augmentations and powerful computer programs to take on dangerous missions for shadowy corporations, powerful crime syndicates, and whoever the f*** is paying them. The game also has a heavy emphasis on roleplaying, with players navigating the gritty, neon-lit streets of the city, dealing with the seedy underbelly of the futuristic metropolis, and making choices that would affect the outcome of the game. The game includes a character advancement system that allows players to upgrade themselves and acquire new perks and skills as they progress throughout the campaign.
The best part? It's absolutely free to play.
// OKAY, BUT HOW DO I PLAY? //
- Character creation: Each player creates a character, including their backstory, skills, and cybernetic enhancements. The GM can provide additional guidelines and rules for character creation and advancement, such as the starting health and amount of points/proficiency for new characters.
- Setting the scene: The GM sets the scene for the game and provides a brief overview of the current situation and mission. The players then decide on how they want to approach the mission, and the GM sets the scene accordingly.
- Roleplaying: Players take turns describing the actions of their characters and interacting with NPCs. The GM controls the NPCs, and the players must use their skills, intelligence, and teamwork to overcome challenges and complete their mission.
- Rolling dice: FLATLINERS has a set of rules and mechanics, usually based on rolling different sided dice, that determine the outcome of actions and encounters. Players roll dice to determine the outcome of different actions, such as combat, hacking, and persuasion. Risk dice also play an important factor, and can be shotgun'd to vastly improve chances. However, use them wisely as they are finite and can backfire.
- Resolving conflicts: When an encounter or conflict arises, the GM and players use the rules and mechanics to determine the outcome. This includes determining the difficulty of the task, and then rolling the appropriate dice to determine success or failure.
- Experience and advancement: Players can acquire perk points and Debt for completing tasks and overcoming challenges. The perk points and money can be used to improve their characters' abilities and acquire new skills and cybernetic enhancements as they progress through the game.
- Repeat steps 2-6 until the campaign is completed.
// WHAT YOU’LL NEED //
What you’ll need is a group of friends, as well as the resources that are available on this website, free of charge.
// PLAYERS //
When you play FLATLINERS, you take on the role of an Flatliner: a getaway driver, a mad scientist, a corporate assassin, or an A.I. detective trapped in cyberspace. There are currently 16 playable classes. More information on the player classes can be found here.
First, get your hands on a character sheet. You can choose to fill it out digitally, or print it out.
Your first step is to imagine and create a character of your own. Your character is a combination of game statistics, roleplaying hooks, and your imagination. You also invent the personality, appearance, and backstory of your character. Once completed, your character serves as your representative in the game. As a visual aid, Hero Forge is a very powerful online tool (it's free!).
You can find out further resources and information for players in the FLATLINERS Manual.
First, get your hands on a character sheet. You can choose to fill it out digitally, or print it out.
Your first step is to imagine and create a character of your own. Your character is a combination of game statistics, roleplaying hooks, and your imagination. You also invent the personality, appearance, and backstory of your character. Once completed, your character serves as your representative in the game. As a visual aid, Hero Forge is a very powerful online tool (it's free!).
You can find out further resources and information for players in the FLATLINERS Manual.
// GAME MASTERS //
One person takes on the role of the Game Master, the game’s lead storyteller and referee. The Game Master is in charge of the campaign, while the characters navigate the campaign's hazards and decide where to explore.
The GM might describe the entrance to Haven, and the players decide what they want their characters to do. Will they boldly walk up to the armed mercenaries at the entrance, or try to sneak around them? Circle around the neighborhood looking for another entrance? Or scout the area with a drone?
The GM determines the results of the adventurers’ actions and narrates what the characters experience. Because the DM can improvise to react to anything the players attempt, FLATLINERS is infinitely flexible, and each adventure can be exciting, unexpected, or completely f*****.
The GM might describe the entrance to Haven, and the players decide what they want their characters to do. Will they boldly walk up to the armed mercenaries at the entrance, or try to sneak around them? Circle around the neighborhood looking for another entrance? Or scout the area with a drone?
The GM determines the results of the adventurers’ actions and narrates what the characters experience. Because the DM can improvise to react to anything the players attempt, FLATLINERS is infinitely flexible, and each adventure can be exciting, unexpected, or completely f*****.
// TIPS AND TRICKS //
If it's your first time playing any TTRPG, it may be a bit awkward. However, that awkwardness quickly goes away as long as you have a cooperative group of friends that are all on-board.
For many of us, FLATLINERS was also our first TTRPG.
When making an action, be as descriptive as you can. Use adjectives and descriptors that help paint a picture of what you're trying to do. For instance, if you're running from behind cover to another barricade, instead of saying "Oh yeah, I'm running from A to B", say "I'm going to duck and weave through gunfire to the other piece of cover". With a little bit of creativity and clever wordplay, the game can truly come to life.
For many of us, FLATLINERS was also our first TTRPG.
When making an action, be as descriptive as you can. Use adjectives and descriptors that help paint a picture of what you're trying to do. For instance, if you're running from behind cover to another barricade, instead of saying "Oh yeah, I'm running from A to B", say "I'm going to duck and weave through gunfire to the other piece of cover". With a little bit of creativity and clever wordplay, the game can truly come to life.
This guide was made possible by plagiarizing the D&D guide and a copious amount of ChatGPT. You can also watch this how-to video.