Core Mechanics: Labels, Influence, and Moves

Beyond Traditional Stats

Forget Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Masks uses a revolutionary approach: instead of measuring what your character can do, it measures what others think they can do - and how much that opinion matters to your character. This isn't just clever design; it's a direct simulation of the teenage experience.

The Social Media Analogy

Traditional RPG stats are like a character sheet resume - objective measures of capability. Masks' Labels are like your social media reputation - they shift based on how others perceive you, and they have real power over how you see yourself. When everyone keeps calling you "the responsible one," you start acting more responsible. When they treat you like a screw-up, it becomes harder to succeed.

Labels: How the World Sees You

Labels are Masks' version of ability scores, but they represent how others perceive your character rather than objective capabilities. Your character has five Labels, each ranging from -2 to +3:

Danger

High: Others see you as threatening, aggressive, or likely to cause harm

Low: Others see you as harmless, gentle, or non-threatening

Examples: Wolverine (+3), Superman (-1)

Freak

High: Others see you as weird, alien, or fundamentally different

Low: Others see you as normal, relatable, or human

Examples: Raven (+2), Spider-Man (-1)

Savior

High: Others see you as heroic, protective, or self-sacrificing

Low: Others see you as selfish or uncaring about others

Examples: Captain America (+3), Deadpool (-2)

Superior

High: Others see you as better, smarter, or more capable

Low: Others see you as inferior or less capable

Examples: Batman (+2), Hawkeye (-1)

Mundane

High: Others see you as normal, human, or down-to-earth

Low: Others see you as extraordinary or larger-than-life

Examples: Peter Parker (+1), Thor (-2)

How Labels Change the Game

Labels aren't just flavor text - they directly affect your dice rolls and create a feedback loop between perception and performance. Here's how it works:

Example: The Perception Spiral

Scenario: Alex (playing a Beacon) tries to hack a computer system.

GM: "That sounds like you're trying to directly engage a threat using Superior. Roll 2d6 + Superior."
Alex: "My Superior is -1, so I'm rolling with a penalty because everyone sees me as less capable."
Result: Alex rolls badly and the hack fails spectacularly, setting off alarms.
Consequence: The team's tech expert says, "Maybe leave the computer stuff to me next time."
Mechanical Effect: Alex's Superior might drop even lower, making future attempts harder.

graph LR A[Others see you as incapable] --> B[Your Superior Label is low] B --> C[You roll with penalties] C --> D[You're more likely to fail] D --> E[Others see more evidence you're incapable] E --> A F[Others see you as capable] --> G[Your Superior Label is high] G --> H[You roll with bonuses] H --> I[You're more likely to succeed] I --> J[Others see more evidence you're capable] J --> F style A fill:#ff6b6b style F fill:#4ecdc4

Influence: Who Matters to You

Influence represents whose opinion actually affects your character. It's not about power or authority - it's about emotional connection. Your worst enemy might have Influence over you if you care what they think, while the most powerful adult might not if you've written them off.

Understanding Influence

High School Parallel

The Principal has authority but might not have Influence - you don't care what they think of you personally.

Your Best Friend has no official authority but huge Influence - their opinion of you matters deeply.

Your Crush might have Influence even if you barely know them - you care how they see you.

Superhero Version

The Mayor wants you to be more careful, but you don't care what they think.

Your Teammate criticizes your recklessness - that hits hard because you respect them.

Your Nemesis calls you weak - it stings because part of you worries they're right.

How Influence Works

When someone with Influence over you tries to shift your Labels, they have a much better chance of success. This creates a powerful dynamic where the people you care about shape who you become.

Basic Moves: The Engine of Play

Moves are triggered actions that create dramatic moments. Unlike traditional RPGs where you declare an action and roll, Masks moves are triggered by narrative circumstances and emotional states.

The Core Basic Moves

Directly Engage a Threat

When: You attack, defend, or face danger head-on

Roll: 2d6 + Danger

Drama: Higher Danger makes you more effective but reinforces the "dangerous" label

Unleash Your Powers

When: You use your abilities in a big, flashy way

Roll: 2d6 + Freak

Drama: Using powers marks you as more "freakish" and different

Defend Someone

When: You protect another person from immediate harm

Roll: 2d6 + Savior

Drama: Being protective reinforces the "savior" role

Assess the Situation

When: You analyze the scene and look for tactical advantages

Roll: 2d6 + Superior

Drama: Taking charge reinforces superiority but can isolate you

Comfort or Support

When: You help someone deal with their problems

Roll: 2d6 + Mundane

Drama: Being human and relatable helps others but might make you seem ordinary

Pierce the Mask

When: You try to figure out someone's true emotions or motivations

Roll: 2d6 + Mundane

Drama: Understanding others requires being human and relatable

Moves in Practice

The genius of Masks' move system is that it forces characters into emotional growth through their mechanical choices:

Example: The Combat Dilemma

Situation: A villain is threatening civilians. Your character wants to stop them.

Your Options:

Directly Engage (Danger): Fight them head-on, but you'll seem more dangerous
Unleash Powers (Freak): Use your abilities, but you'll seem more alien
Defend Someone (Savior): Focus on protecting people, reinforcing your heroic image
Assess the Situation (Superior): Look for a clever solution, but seem calculating

The Drama: Each choice changes how others see you, which changes how you see yourself, which affects future choices.

The Heart of the System: Emotional Moves

The most innovative aspect of Masks is how it handles emotional growth through specific mechanical triggers:

Reject Someone's Influence

When: Someone with Influence tries to tell you who you are, but you resist

Effect: You can shift your own Labels and prove what kind of person you really are

Example: "I don't care what you think - I'm not a monster!"

Accept Someone's Influence

When: You let someone important to you change how you see yourself

Effect: They shift your Labels, but you mark potential and grow

Example: "You're right... I have been acting recklessly."

Take a Powerful Blow

When: You're seriously hurt or emotionally devastated

Effect: You choose how to respond - lash out, withdraw, or learn

Example: After a major failure, do you become angry or more cautious?

How It All Works Together

The beautiful thing about Masks is how Labels, Influence, and Moves create a self-reinforcing cycle of character development:

graph TD A[You make choices based on your current Labels] --> B[Your actions trigger Moves] B --> C[Moves change how others see you] C --> D[Others with Influence can shift your Labels] D --> E[New Labels change your future choices] E --> A F[Meanwhile, relationships deepen] --> G[You gain/lose Influence with others] G --> H[Who can change you shifts over time] H --> D style A fill:#ff6b6b style E fill:#4ecdc4 style F fill:#f39c12

Practice Exercises

Exercise: Reading the Room

For each scenario, identify:

Which Move would be triggered
What Label you'd roll with
How success might change perceptions

Scenario A: You throw yourself between a teammate and an energy blast

Scenario B: You try to calm down a panicking civilian

Scenario C: You study security footage to find the villain's pattern

Scenario D: You blast through a wall with your heat vision

Click for answers

A: Defend Someone (Savior) - Success makes you seem more heroic
B: Comfort or Support (Mundane) - Success makes you seem more human
C: Assess the Situation (Superior) - Success makes you seem smarter
D: Unleash Your Powers (Freak) - Success makes you seem more alien

Exercise: Influence Mapping

Think about a character you created in the previous tutorial. Who would have Influence over them and why?

List 3-5 people whose opinion would matter to your character
For each, explain why their opinion carries weight
Consider: it's not about power, it's about emotional connection

Advanced Mechanical Concepts

Label Extremes

When a Label hits +3 or -2, special things happen. High labels make you very effective but lock you into that identity. Low labels make you ineffective and trigger crisis moments.

Team Moves

Special moves that trigger when the team works together or falls apart. These create bonding moments and group dynamics.

Adult Moves

Adults in Masks have different moves focused on giving orders, offering support, or disappointing the younger generation. They're not meant to be played, but to create meaningful relationships.

Moment of Truth

Each playbook has a special climactic scene where the character faces their core struggle head-on. It's like a character's season finale moment.

For Game Masters: Making the System Sing

Key GM Principles

Ask about Labels: "How does it feel when everyone expects you to be the responsible one?"
Use Influence strategically: Have important NPCs try to shift Labels at dramatic moments
Make failure interesting: Failed moves create opportunities for character growth
Focus on relationships: The action is just the backdrop for emotional drama

Why This System Matters

Masks' mechanical innovations solve several problems that traditional RPGs struggle with:

Character Growth Through Play

Instead of gaining levels, characters evolve through their choices and relationships

Meaningful Social Mechanics

Relationships have mechanical weight and affect gameplay directly

Emotional Realism

The system models how teenagers actually think and grow

Natural Drama

Conflict emerges from character choices rather than external threats