# Frisson tags: #game/rpg/frisson ![[Frisson (cover).jpg]] **Frisson** is a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) designed by Tim Gray that aims to evoke the feeling of classic horror and suspense fiction. Imagine the unsettling chills of M.R. James ghost stories or the eerie investigations of Carnacki the Ghost-Finder. It's a game about atmosphere, creeping dread, and facing the unknown with limited resources and fragile sanity. ## Core Mechanic: Fluency **Frisson** uses a unique dice system which centers around rolling two d10s and comparing them to a character's ability rating. Here's the gist: 1. **Roll two d10s.** 2. **Any die that rolls higher than your ability rating is a "bust."** So, if your "Investigate" ability is 6 and you roll a 3 and an 8, the 8 is a bust. 3. **Your result is the higher of the remaining dice.** In the example above, your result would be 3. 4. **Bonus and opposition dice can be added to the mix.** This allows the GM to introduce situational modifiers and complications. 5. **Players can influence rolls using their character's Background or "Things in their Head."** Backgrounds represent past experiences and knowledge, while "Things in their Head" reflect anxieties, fears, and lingering traumas that can both help and hinder the character. This system creates a sense of uncertainty and vulnerability, reflecting the characters' struggle against the unknown. Success is never guaranteed, and even minor failures can have consequences. ## Editions and Changes **Frisson** has gone through a few revisions: - **First Edition (2014):** Laid the groundwork for the Fluency system and established the game's focus on atmospheric horror. - **Second Edition (2017):** Offered minor tweaks to the rules and presentation, along with an expanded bestiary and adventure seeds. - **Third Edition (2022):** Overhauled the rules section for clarity, reorganized content, and added a "Rules Detail" section for optional complexities. ## References - [**Frisson** - horror-suspense roleplaying - Silver Branch Games - DriveThruRPG](https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/373126/frisson-horror-suspense-roleplaying) - [**Frisson** - Silver Branch Games](https://silverbranch.co.uk/games/frisson/)