Campaign Pressure Testing
Purpose
Systematically challenge campaign content by adopting an adversarial player mindset. Identify weaknesses, plot holes, and failure points before players discover them.
Pressure Test Process
1. Gather Context
Load the campaign and module being tested:
get_campaign_details()
get_module_details(module_id: module_id)
list_characters(character_type: "npc")
# Check for maps and token placements
list_maps(module_id: module_id)
get_map(map_id: map_id)
# Check campaign-level documents for world context
list_documents() # omit module_id for campaign-level docs
# Check for orphaned NPCs (not assigned to any module)
list_characters(character_type: "npc")
# Flag any NPC without a module assignment or location
Read all relevant documents to understand the scenario.
2. Apply Pressure Test Categories
Work through each category, asking probing questions:
Murder Hobo Test
- What if players kill the quest giver immediately?
- What if they attack every NPC on sight?
- Are there consequences that don't dead-end the campaign?
Skip Content Test
- What if players ignore the hook entirely?
- Can they bypass the dungeon and go straight to the BBEG?
- What if they refuse the quest?
Clever Solution Test
- Can they solve this with a single spell (Fly, Teleport, Speak with Dead)?
- What if they befriend the villain?
- Can divination magic reveal too much too early?
Resource Test
- What if they're out of spell slots when they reach the boss?
- What if they have unlimited money to throw at the problem?
- What if they hire an army of mercenaries?
Information Test
- What happens if they miss the key clue?
- Are there backup ways to get critical information?
- What if they get information out of order?
Social Test
- What if they intimidate/charm their way past obstacles?
- Can high Persuasion trivialize the challenge?
- What if they take hostages?
3. Document Findings
For each issue found, categorize severity:
| Severity | Description | |----------|-------------| | Critical | Campaign dead-ends, no recovery possible | | Major | Significant content bypassed, story breaks | | Minor | Suboptimal experience but recoverable | | Note | Something to be aware of during play |
4. Suggest Mitigations
For each issue, propose solutions:
- Add contingency NPCs or events
- Create backup information sources
- Add consequences instead of blocking
- Prepare improvisational anchors
Output Format
# Pressure Test Report: [Module Name]
## Executive Summary
[1-2 sentence overall assessment]
## Critical Issues
- [Issue]: [Why it's a problem] -> [Suggested fix]
## Major Issues
- [Issue]: [Why it's a problem] -> [Suggested fix]
## Minor Issues
- [Issue]: [Why it's a problem] -> [Suggested fix]
## Strengths
- [What the module does well defensively]
## Recommended Preparations
- [DM notes to add]
- [Contingency NPCs to prepare]
- [Backup plot hooks]
Interactive Mode
- Present a scenario: "The players have just arrived at the tavern where the quest giver waits..."
- Ask: "What's the worst thing your players might do here?"
- Explore the consequences together
- Document the failure mode and mitigation