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name: balance-guide description: Guide for balancing new Heart Rush content including talents, races, bloodmarks, and progression. Use when creating or modifying game mechanics to ensure they fit the existing power curve. allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob

Heart Rush Balance Guide

This skill provides guidelines for balancing new content for the Heart Rush TTRPG.

General Philosophy

Heart Rush is "fail-forward" and gritty.

• Power is Earned: Characters start weak and become legendary.
• Resource Management: Abilities often cost resources (Actions, Rush Points, Daily Uses).
• Niche Protection: Talents should enable specific playstyles without invalidating others.

Ability Definitions (Core Knowledge)

All content (Talents, Racial Abilities, Bloodmarks) relies on these standard definitions.

Ability Structure

Ability Name
Ability tags (Frequency, Timing, Prerequisites).
Rules text describing the effect.

Frequency Tags (Cost/Limit)

The first tag determines power budget.

Timing Tags

Timing affects utility in combat.

Writing Rules Text

Ensure text covers:

1. Trigger/Action Cost (Action, Sidestep, Free?)
2. Range & Target (Self, 30ft, Allies?)
3. Effect (Specific mechanics, e.g., "Gain A2")
4. Duration (Instant, End of round, 1 min)
5. Conditions (Saving throws?)

Specific Content Guides

For detailed costs and progression rules, refer to:

• Talents: TALENT_BALANCE.md - XP Costs, Combat/Noncombat/Elemental specifics.
• Races: RACE_BALANCE.md - Vitals, aspects, and racial abilities.
• Bloodmarks: BLOODMARK_BALANCE.md - Progression and ability types.
• Progression: PROGRESSION_BALANCE.md - XP economy and Heart Die milestones.