Local Mechanics

Switch Mods

What is a ‘Switch Mod’?

A ‘Switch Mod’ is a type of mod we will run at DR:GA from time to time where we will take a relatively large group of players (8+) ‘out of town’ to complete one or more objectives. We will divide this group of players up into two equal groups. The first group will complete an objective as their player characters while the second group roleplays for them as either simple non-player characters or as lower tier threats (such as shamblers). Then the two groups will switch places, and the second group will get their turn to complete an objective while the first group roleplays for them as either simple non-player characters or as lower tier threats.

Additional weapons will be provided for use or we may ask that you use your character’s weapons. A space will be provided for you to remove any major costuming and simple costuming will be provided to throw on over any remaining costuming you may be wearing to make your character distinct. 

Why do we do Switch Mods?

There are a couple reasons we do switch mods. Firstly, they give us the opportunity to make sure more players are able to go on plot-critical mods in a way that is still fun and engaging. It also allows us to adjust the threat-to-character ratio in a way that makes mods more challenging  while allowing us to run additional content without unduly taxing the NPCs we have on shift. For larger events, it gives us a way to make sure that players are able to go on more mods overall and to spread out our NPC resources. 

How does a Switch Mod work?

Switch mods will have a specific timed duration that the guide will make both groups aware of before beginning the mod. If a group does not complete their mod’s objective in their allotted time period, they will get a story-boarded ending with non-fatal consequences. 

For example, a switch mod might be planned to last 45 minutes total. Each player group would have 15 minutes to complete their objective. The remaining 15 minutes is built-in time to make the switch in and out of character and to provide descriptions. Player group 1 might not be able to complete their objective in their 15 minutes, so they would get a storyboard ending & find out that they all get to limp back home with a mangled limb. They would then switch to be NPCs for group 2, who might be able to complete their objective in 15 minutes and return to town victorious. 

Some switch mods will be specifically scheduled and hooked by guides over the course of an event like any mod. The guide will let you know if a mod is a switch mod when they are hooking it. For large events (like the Premier event) we will also be scheduling blocks of switch mods where any group of 8 or more players can come to ops and ask to participate in a switch mod. We will announce during opening ceremonies if and when such ad-hoc switch mods will be available during an event. 

Do I have to go on Switch Mods?

You are never required to go on any mod that you don’t want to go on! If you don’t want to participate in a switch mod, you can feel free to nope out when that mod is hooked. Additionally, if you want to participate in half of a switch mod but you’re not willing to monster for the other half, you can request to be part of group 1 and then leave the mod space once the first group has completed (or failed to complete) their objective. Switch mods do not count towards your NPC shift, so we’ll never force you to NPC if you don’t want to do so.

That being said, for large-scale switch mods where we hook a majority of the game, we may not be planning to run many other mods while the switch mod is ongoing. In these cases, the switch mods may be plot-critical and may require this format in order to provide an appropriate sense of danger and player engagement.