TFT: Bob Hacks Personality

By Bob Portnell

The material presented here is my original creation, intended for use with The Fantasy Trip from Steve Jackson Games (SJ Games). This material is not official and is not endorsed by SJ Games. The Fantasy Trip is a registered trademark of SJ Games. All rights are reserved by SJ Games. This material is used here in accordance with the SJ Games online policy.
“TFT: Bob Hacks…” is an ongoing series of essays about rule changes I would play for play with The Fantasy Trip: Legacy Edition. You could think of them as house rules, except there’s no house.

These are the hacks I would make to the personality rules on page 14.

1. Use 3d6.

2. Apply a normal curve. For any personality aspect, 80% of characters are "normal," varying in one direction or the other on an axis from day to day, but never approaching an extreme that would merit labelling.

This table would replace the information on page 14. Roll 3d6 for each trait, or maybe just pick one or two. (Picking more becomes a distraction to play.)

Scale 3-4 5-6 7-14 15-16 17-18
Appearance Repellent Ugly Normal Good-Looking Handsome/Beautiful
Bravery Coward Fearful Normal Brave Utterly Fearless
Friendliness Solitary Shy Normal Sociable Outgoing
Honesty Corrupt Untrustworthy Normal Trustworthy Total Integrity
Mood Withdrawn Shy Normal Outgoing Extroverted

3. Instead of those traits, use the traits from the scientifically-tested Five Factor Model (often called The Big Five).

This table would replace the information on page 14. Roll 3d6 for each trait, or maybe just pick one or two. (Picking more becomes a distraction to play.)

Scale 3-4 5-6 7-14 15-16 17-18
Agreeableness Antagonistic Suspicious Normal Friendly Everybody's Friend
Conscientiousness Careless Casual Normal Efficient Disciplined
Extraversion Solitary Shy Normal Sociable Outgoing
Neuroticism Weird Twitchy Normal Confident Self-Possessed
Openness Close-Minded Stubborn/Cautious Normal Curious Exploratory

I've drastically oversimplified The Big Five. The reader is encouraged to investigate.

Thus endeth the personality hack.


“TFT: Bob Hacks Personalitye” Copyright 2020, 2023 W. Robert Portnell. All rights reserved.