Plot Solutions That Empower Players
Great problems deserve great solutions. Learn to design multiple viable approaches that give players meaningful choices and leverage their unique strengths.
Every Type of Solution
From direct action to creative workarounds, design solutions that match your players' strengths
Direct Action Solutions
Straightforward approaches that involve combat, skill challenges, or immediate intervention.
Diplomatic Solutions
Negotiation, persuasion, and relationship-building approaches that resolve conflicts through dialogue.
Investigative Solutions
Research, exploration, and information-gathering approaches that solve problems through knowledge.
Creative Workarounds
Unconventional approaches that sidestep the obvious solution in favor of innovative alternatives.
Resource-Based Solutions
Solutions that require gathering specific items, allies, or capabilities before confronting the problem.
Collaborative Solutions
Multi-party approaches that require cooperation between different factions or groups.
Solution Design Principles
Core principles for creating engaging, balanced solution options
Multiple Valid Paths
Every problem should have multiple viable solutions. Give players meaningful choices in how they approach challenges.
Varying Difficulty
Different solutions should require different resources and have different risk/reward profiles.
Player Strengths
Design solutions that leverage different character abilities and player preferences.
The Power of the "Key" Element
In the Arc Framework, the "Key" isn't just a solution - it's the crucial discovery or revelation that unlocks the path forward
What Makes a Good Key?
- • A specific revelation or discovery - not just "figure it out"
- • Changes everything - shifts how the problem is understood
- • Often a twist - "the daughter isn't really sick"
- • Actionable - gives clear direction for what to do next
- • Earned - requires investigation, roleplay, or clever thinking
Example: The Corrupted Forest
Problem:
Dark magic is corrupting the forest, spreading toward settlements.
Key Discovery:
"The corruption isn't coming from the forest's heart - it's being channeled through the ancient tree roots from a hidden underdark connection."
Why This Works:
This revelation completely changes the approach needed and opens up new solution paths the party never considered.
Multiple Solutions in Action
See how one problem can have many different solution paths
Problem: The Corrupted Forest
An ancient forest is being corrupted by dark magic. The corruption spreads daily, threatening nearby settlements. The source appears to be deep in the forest's heart.
Direct Assault
Fight through corrupted creatures to reach the source and destroy it with force.
Risk: High combat difficulty, potential casualties
Research & Purification
Study the corruption, find ancient purification rituals, gather rare components.
Benefit: Lower risk, potential to save corrupted creatures
Diplomatic Alliance
Unite local druids, rangers, and nature spirits to combine efforts against the corruption.
Reward: Powerful allies, ongoing relationships
Magical Redirection
Use the corruption's own energy against itself by creating a magical feedback loop.
Requirement: High arcane knowledge, specific components
Strategic Containment
Create magical barriers to contain the corruption while evacuating threatened areas.
Trade-off: Saves lives but loses the forest
Time Travel Solution
Use ancient magic to go back and prevent the corruption from starting.
Consequence: Unpredictable timeline changes
Master Solution Design
Learn our comprehensive approach to creating multiple viable solutions for every campaign problem. Give your players meaningful choices that matter.
Ready to Create Better Solutions?
Design engaging problem-solving experiences that give players meaningful choices and leverage their unique strengths.