The Beat Deck

The Beat Deck is a tool for solo rpg players who want to play campaign style games that balance structure with discovery. It uses a tarot deck and the Save the Cat beat sheet structure to generate details for a player to include in narratively satisfying scenes. Pair with your favorite set of rules and roll tables to create your solo epic.

Gameplay involves shuffling the deck and turning it over. You then search for the first Beat Card - the Fool. The Beat Card represents a question that needs to be answered in the course of the scene. The card to the left represents a detail to include in the beginning of your scene. The card to the right represents a detail to include in the middle or end of your scene. If there is no card to the right or left, there is no detail you must include. 

By resolving the questions in the Beat Cards, players create a full story arc for their characters. By including Detail Card prompts, the stories stay fresh and variable with each playthrough. A great inspiration tool for those who already read tarot and a solid springboard for those who do not - the Beat Deck makes for a great tool in your solo rpg toolbelt!