Game Overview: Welcome to Makasing, A Future Uncolonized
Imagine Earth 700 years after a celestial event shifted history. This Indigenous futurism RPG presents a world where Native nations thrived, developing unique tech alongside deep spiritual beliefs. This "Indigipunk" world feels fresh and detailed. Players take on roles within this society, often centered around the metropolis of Cahokia, facing challenges that emphasize community, exploration, and navigating tradition vs. progress, rather than just typical dungeon crawls.
What Makes the Coyote & Crow RPG Different?
This isn't just D&D or Pathfinder with a new coat of paint. Key differences make the Coyote and Crow TTRPG stand out:
Groundbreaking Setting: A rich world built from the ground up by Native creators, offering an authentic, non-European perspective.
Unique d12 Dice Pool System: You roll pools of d12s (Attribute + Skill). Compared to a single d20, this generally gives more centered results (less extreme randomness) and allows for degrees of success based on how many dice beat the Target Number (TN).
Innovative Critical Mechanics: Rolling 1s is risky – they cancel successes from other dice, and too many cause a Critical Failure. Rolling 12s is great – they always succeed and "explode," giving extra successes or bonus dice rolls. It adds a distinct layer of tension.
Narrative Goal-Based Advancement: Forget XP grinding! Characters advance by achieving Short-Term and Long-Term Goals that you set. Progress is tied directly to your character's story – a big plus for narrative-focused players.
Emphasis on Non-Violent Solutions: The game actively encourages creative problem-solving beyond combat. Challenges often have multiple solution paths (confrontation, social, cleverness). This makes it an interesting non-combat TTRPG option, though combat exists.
Abstract Combat & Movement: Forget complex grids (unless you want to add them). Movement and positioning use broader zones (Short, Medium, Long), keeping the focus on cinematic action rather than tactical minutiae – a change for those used to Pathfinder or classic D&D grids.
Body, Mind, and Soul Health: Three distinct pools track physical health, mental focus (spendable to boost rolls!), and spiritual power/resilience.
How to Play Coyote & Crow: Gameplay and Character Creation
Getting into the Coyote & Crow gameplay involves understanding its unique character creation and core mechanics.
Coyote & Crow Character Creation Highlights
Creating your legend feels robust, letting you define your character through story choices and stats:
Core Choices: Pick an Archetype (like Warrior, Scout, Tinkerer – similar to a class), a spiritual Path (linked to an animal spirit, granting abilities), and define a core Motivation.
Stats & Skills: Allocate points. Remember the key rule: Trained Skills use the higher of two linked Stats; Untrained use the lower Stat – making skill choice meaningful!
Gifts & Burdens: Customize with advantages and disadvantages.
Goals: Set your narrative objectives for advancement.
Core Gameplay Mechanics (The d12 System)
When attempting something risky in Coyote & Crow:
Build Pool: Gather d12s = Skill + Stat (higher if trained, lower if not).
Know TN: Story Guide sets Target Number (usually 8, adjusted for difficulty).
Roll & Count: Each die ≥ TN = 1 success. More successes = better outcome.
Factor 1s & 12s: 1s cancel successes; 12s explode for bonus successes.
Spend Mind/Soul: Optionally spend Mind points to boost a die result after rolling; Soul points power some Abilities.
(RPG for beginners? The free introductory adventure uses a simpler 2d6 system to ease you in, letting your group pool successes. It’s a great starting point before diving into the full d12 dice pool system!)
The system has a moderate level of "crunch" – more rules detail than ultra-light narrative games, but perhaps less complex tactical depth than Pathfinder. It strikes a balance aimed at supporting story through mechanics.
Community Reactions: Praise, Debate, and Player Guidance
Coyote & Crow earned high praise and awards (like the Diana Jones Award and Origins Award ) for its innovation, art, and representation. But it also sparked discussion:
Conflict Styles: Some players used to constant danger/scarcity found the stable city of Cahokia lacked familiar adventure hooks. It requires adjusting to different conflict types (political, social, mystery, and ethical) inherent to this world.
Cultural Guidance: The rulebook asks non-Native players to engage respectfully and avoid appropriating specific real-world identities. This led to debate about player freedom vs. creator intent, a very relevant topic in modern gaming. As someone wanting to learn, this guidance feels important.
System Complexity: Views vary. Some find it elegant; others find certain rules a bit complex or "clunky" compared to streamlined systems.
My Reactions: A Refreshing TTRPG Journey
Playing the intro scenario felt engaging and unique. The mystery of Green Water Lake, the subtle clues, and the reveal of the little people felt less like a typical fantasy quest and more like uncovering a genuine secret rooted in the world's specific lore. The choices felt meaningful, often having Physical, Mental, and Spiritual solutions.
Compared to the tactical puzzles of Pathfinder or classic dungeon crawls of old D&D, Coyote & Crow feels more focused on character interaction, exploration, and navigating complex situations where combat isn't always the answer. The full d12 system, with its exploding crits and canceling failures, promises more nuanced results than a simple pass/fail d20 roll. For newcomers (RPG for beginners), the emphasis on story and abstract movement might feel more intuitive than complex grids. For veterans (RPG for Pathfinder players, RPG for D&D players), it offers a genuinely different mechanical feel and thematic depth. It truly feels like an opportunity to learn and experience a different kind of story.
Final Verdict: Is Coyote & Crow the Right RPG For You?
Coyote & Crow is a landmark TTRPG offering a stunningly realized Indigenous futurism world. Its unique setting, commitment to authentic representation, beautiful art, and innovative d12 system make it stand out.
New Players: The focus on story, cool character concepts, and introductory rules makes it accessible.
Experienced TTRPG Players (Pathfinder, D&D 5e): Offers a refreshing break from standard fantasy with interesting dice mechanics, narrative-driven advancement, and a unique setting, though be prepared for less tactical combat focus.
Old-School Players (AD&D): Presents a modern, narrative-forward design philosophy with a rich, original world far removed from classic fantasy tropes.
It's ideal for groups seeking fresh settings, meaningful representation, and character-driven stories. Engage respectfully with its cultural context and guidelines. If you're ready for a journey into a different kind of future, this Coyote and Crow TTRPG review finds the game offers a rich, rewarding, and thought-provoking experience.
