Momentum and Tension represent when the Player Characters (or the Characters which oppose them) are due a swing in their fortunes.
Limits
At the Beginning of the Game each Player will have 1 Momentum Point. They can have no more than 3 Momentum Points.
The GM meanwhile will have 0 Tension. There is no limit to how much Tension the GM may have.
Gaining Momentum or Tension
On a Partial Success for an Ability Check the Player can choose to grant the GM a Tension Point.
On a Fantastic Success for a Skill Check the Player can choose to grant themselves a Momentum Point.
On a Critical Success for a Skill Check or Attack Check the Player will always gain one Momentum or Tension Point in addition to the Check’s other effects.
On an Attack Check the Player can forgo this Momentum Point to instead make an Extra Attack against the same Target.
Using Momentum or Tension
A Player can spend a Momentum or Tension Point for a number of reasons which provide them some kind of benefit.
The GM can likewise spend a Tension Point for a number of effects which will benefit the Characters in their control.
The uses available to all Players are:
- Replace a Resource
- Use an Aspect or Bond
- Support (Player Only)
- Threat Ability (GM Only)
Once a Player has expended all of their Momentum or Tension Points, they can no longer use features requiring those Resources.
Replace a Resource
A Player or GM can at any time spend Momentum or Tension Points instead of, or in addition to, expending one of their other Resources (Stamina, Drive, Mana and Favour).
Use an Aspect or Bond
A Player can use one of their Characters Aspects or a Bond to improve their odds of Success.
When they make a Check expend a Momentum or Tension Point to either give the Character Advantage on a Check, or if the Check has already been made they can reroll one of the d20s they rolled as part of a Check.
The Aspect, or the Character’s Feelings for the Target of the Bond must be relevant when they expend Momentum in this way.
A Player may use multiple bonds or aspects to improve the odds of Success, spending Momentum or Tension for each one.
Support (Player Only)
A Player can at any time give a Momentum Point to another Player who’s Character can See or Hear their own Character.
Threat Ability (GM Only)
Threats represent Characters and Special Environments and Objects the GM controls. Many of these have special abilities which can be used by expending one or more Tension points.