What is
Hand of Rigor
It is a narrative tabletop RPG built around a card-centric system with the tension of the dice. Hand of Rigor combines the tactical element of a card game with the freedom of an RPG, where every item, skill, equipment, and feat are cards you carry with you.
In Hand of Rigor, characters are not defined by fixed paths, but by the cards you choose to hold, rebuilding who you are as the story unfolds. Create dangerous and exciting combinations to solve problems and advance the narrative together with the Game Master.
But every choice has weight. Manage your deck carefully, or you may find yourself cornered with limited options. Hand of Rigor challenges players to make the most of what they have in their hand. When everything is on the line, which card will you play?
How
to play
In Hand of Rigor, each player creates a character by choosing from six available vocations. These vocations define a character deck that contains all abilities, stats, and options in play. Players may also combine two different vocations, mixing cards from each to create distinct and flexible character builds.
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During play, cards from your deck are used to resolve the challenges presented by the Game Master. In combat, the system becomes more restrictive and tactical: your deck is shuffled, and you may only play cards from your hand. Players must carefully manage stamina, movement, stress, and madness in order to survive dangerous encounters.
Choose your vocation
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Martial
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Cunning
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Primal
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Arcane
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Divine
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Occult
Ready to play?
Hand of Rigor is still a work in progress. It has rough edges, incomplete ideas, and systems that are actively being tested, but each update tightens the rules and improves the overall experience.
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You can get a print-and-play playtest version of Hand of Rigor right now on DriveThruRPG. Every purchase directly supports development. The game will continue to grow, expand, and improve over time.
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If you want to support the project and take part in shaping its future, this is the best way to do it.
The Author
Hi, I'm Gabe, nice to see you here
I’m a graphic designer with seven years of experience in the industry, working across print and digital, from agencies to startups. While I enjoyed the work, it never fully scratched the itch. I always wanted to create games and illustrate worlds of my own.
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For the past three years, that focus has been Hand of Rigor. It’s more than just another TTRPG to me. It’s a long-running passion project and, at times, a full-blown obsession. I’m excited to finally share it with you.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope you enjoy the game.
