# Dungeon World vs Chasing Adventure: Which Fantasy PbtA Game Should You Play? Published: 2026-06-27 Updated: 2026-06-27 Pick familiarity or pace: one PbtA keeps classic fantasy mechanics, the other strips rules for fast, scene-driven play. ## Article If you want familiar fantasy rules, pick [Dungeon World](https://www.dungeon-world.com/). If you want lighter play and faster scenes, pick [Chasing Adventure](https://chasingadventuregame.com/). I’d sum it up like this: both games use the same 2d6 PbtA core - 10+ for a strong hit, 7–9 for a mixed hit, and 6 or less for a GM move - but they aim at different tables. Dungeon World keeps 6 stats, hit points, damage dice, and [class-based](/category/class-based) fantasy structure. Chasing Adventure cuts that down to 5 stats, Conditions, flat 5 XP leveling, and scene-driven play. Here’s the short version: - Choose Dungeon World if you want: - a game that feels closer to D&D - hit points and damage rolls - open-ended GM improv - a better fit for longer campaigns - Choose Chasing Adventure if you want: - lighter rules and less sheet tracking - combat that can cover whole stretches of action in one move - Conditions instead of HP - more direct GM structure through timers and playbook moves Both share the same base idea, but the table feel changes a lot once play starts. One leans on familiar fantasy tools. The other strips them back for a more scene-first style. Quick Comparison Criteria Dungeon World Chasing Adventure Core roll 2d6 + stat 2d6 + stat Success bands 10+, 7–9, 6 or less 10+, 7–9, 6 or less Stats 6 5 Harm system Hit points Conditions Leveling XP from misses; cost goes up by level XP from rolls under Conditions; 5 XP per level Combat feel Clear beat-by-beat action Broader, more cinematic exchanges GM support Agenda, Principles, Fronts Ominous Forces timer, playbook GM moves Best for D&D-leaning fantasy groups Groups that want leaner PbtA fantasy If you’re stuck, I’d use one simple rule: pick Dungeon World for familiarity, and pick Chasing Adventure for pace. Dungeon World vs Chasing Adventure: PbtA Fantasy Game Comparison ## Not DnD | [Chasing Adventure](https://chasingadventuregame.com/) ## Rules, Moves, and How Each Game Plays at the Table The biggest split here comes down to how the rules feel in motion. Dungeon World stays close to classic fantasy game structure, while Chasing Adventure trims that structure back so scenes move with less friction. ### [Dungeon World](https://www.dungeon-world.com/) uses familiar stats, hit points, and classic moves Dungeon World uses the six classic D&D attributes: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. It also keeps the familiar 2d6 + stat setup, so D&D players usually recognize the flow right away. Its moves are also more defined than in many newer PbtA games. Moves like Hack and Slash and Discern Realities come with set results and a set list of questions, which makes play easy to track at the table. Health works the way many fantasy players expect too: characters have hit points, enemies roll damage dice, and that steady wear-and-tear loop gives the game a more classic fantasy pace. ### Chasing Adventure cuts D&D-style elements for faster scenes Chasing Adventure removes Constitution, leaving five core stats: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. It also leans on Advantage and Disadvantage instead of using frequent +1 or -1 modifiers. When that comes up, you roll 3d6 and keep the best two or worst two. Instead of hit points, the game uses Conditions. If a character gets hurt or pushed too hard, they take a condition tied to a stat, and rolls with that stat get harder. At five conditions, they Crumble, which means choosing death, a permanent scar, or a class change. It also drops encumbrance, rations, and ammo. That lighter rules setup fits its goal: sessions built to run in 30 to 60 minutes. ### How combat and exploration actually feel in each game At the table, the main difference is tempo. Dungeon World has a more classic fantasy rhythm. Combat plays out in clearer beats, and exploration leans on Fronts to track threats that are building in the background. Chasing Adventure moves with more speed. The Engage move can cover several minutes of fighting with one roll, which changes the feel of battle in a big way. Exploration works the same way. Ominous Forces move forward through a timer that advances when the party rests, so even downtime can feel tense. Feature Dungeon World Chasing Adventure Dice Resolution 2d6 + Stat, with frequent +/-1 modifiers 2d6 + Stat, with roll 3d6 and keep the best two or worst two Stats 6 (STR, DEX, CON, INT, WIS, CHA) 5 (CON removed) Health / Harm Hit Points and damage dice Conditions; Crumble at 5 conditions Combat Feel Clear, D&D-adjacent exchanges Fast, broad exchanges with Engage Exploration Support Fronts, rations, and load Ominous Forces and downtime timers Rules Weight Medium-low Very low Those choices ripple outward. They affect how characters grow, how much pressure the GM applies, and how much of the table’s attention goes toward moment-to-moment rules versus the fiction itself. ## Playbooks, Progression, and GM Support After rules and pacing, the next big split is how each game grows characters and helps the GM run the table. ### Dungeon World uses recognizable classes and straightforward advancement Both games use the same 10 playbooks: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, Immolator, Paladin, Ranger, Thief, and Wizard. In Dungeon World, advancement is easy to follow. You get XP mostly from misses and end-of-session triggers, and leveling up costs your current level plus 7. If you've played class-based fantasy games before, this setup will feel familiar fast. ### Chasing Adventure reworks leveling and pacing Chasing Adventure keeps those same 10 playbooks, but changes how they function behind the scenes. XP comes from stat rolls made under Conditions, so characters still grow by taking risks and getting into trouble. Leveling is also simpler to track: every level always costs 5 XP, no matter what level you are. That keeps progression steady instead of stretching it out as the campaign goes on. It also adds Assets for growth outside of level-ups. That includes things like followers, hideouts, and titles. So advancement isn't just about numbers on the sheet. It's also about what your character builds, earns, or leaves behind in the world. Spencer Moore has described the game's target as a power band where 1st-level characters feel roughly like 4th- to 7th-level D&D characters and stay there through play. That's a big clue about the game's feel: heroes start capable and remain in that sweet spot instead of climbing into extreme power levels. Character creation is quick too. New players can make a character in about 20 minutes, while experienced players can do it in under 5. That shift in progression feeds straight into GM support. ### GM support: improvised GM framework versus structured GM support This is where the gap gets a lot more obvious. Dungeon World gives GMs an improvised GM framework built around Agenda, Principles, and Fronts for improvised GM play. It's flexible, and for some tables that's part of the appeal. But it also puts more weight on the GM to connect threads, pace danger, and steer the fiction on the fly. Chasing Adventure is more explicit about what the GM should do next. Ominous Forces advance when the party rests, and playbook-specific GM moves push character-driven drama. In practice, that gives the GM more structure without turning the game into a script. Feature Dungeon World Chasing Adventure Playbooks Classic archetypes with hit points Same 10 archetypes, rebuilt with Conditions and Assets Advancement XP on misses; level-up cost increases by level XP on Condition-affected rolls; flat 5 XP per level Onboarding Ease High for D&D players; familiar terminology Very high; character creation in 5–20 minutes GM Support Agenda, Principles, and Fronts Ominous Forces timer and playbook-specific GM moves Campaign Support Open-ended; better for long-term play Mechanical threat timers; Assets for non-level growth ## Which Game Fits Your Table This choice isn't about which game is "better" on paper. It's about how you want the table to feel. In practice, that usually means picking between familiar fantasy structure and a lighter PbtA flow. ### Choose Dungeon World for classic fantasy adventure with a familiar structure Dungeon World is the better match for groups that want classic dungeon-crawling energy. It gives D&D players a familiar way in, and it works well for GMs who like open improvisation and campaigns that grow on their own over time. "Dungeon World... is still a good place to start! While some of the systems have been widely replaced... you can tweak the game as you go." - Troy Press ### Choose Chasing Adventure for modern fantasy PbtA with a leaner design Chasing Adventure fits best for groups that want a more modern, shared story flow and faster scenes. The rules are lighter, character creation is quick, and that shows up at the table right away. Play moves faster, with more attention on the fiction and less on the math. For GMs, playbook-specific GM moves and the Ominous Forces timer offer more direction instead of putting everything on pure improvisation. If your table wants collaborative storytelling with built-in dramatic momentum, Chasing Adventure lines up well on playstyle, pacing, and tone. Dungeon World Chasing Adventure Player Type D&D fans who want familiar stats and tropes Players who want cinematic drama over crunchy mechanics GM Preference Open improvisation with broad moves Clearer GM guidance with playbook-specific GM moves Campaign Tone Classic dungeon-crawl and high fantasy Fast-paced, proactive action-adventure Learning Curve Low for D&D veterans Very low; streamlined math and quick to build ### Use [TTRPG Games Directory](https://www.ttrpg-games.com/) to compare both before you decide If the choice still feels close, compare them side by side before deciding. If you're still undecided, compare both in TTRPG Games Directory. ## Final Verdict After looking at the rules, pacing, and GM tools, the pick is pretty clear. Dungeon World fits tables that want a familiar fantasy frame. It keeps hit points, classic ability scores, and polyhedral damage dice, so the jump from D&D feels easier. Chasing Adventure fits tables that want to get away from D&D-style mechanics and lean into faster, fiction-first play. For most groups, it comes down to familiarity vs. speed, with GM style and tone helping settle the choice. Pick Dungeon World if your table likes loose improv. Pick Chasing Adventure if you want clearer GM guidance and a fast, scene-driven game. Accessibility can matter too. Chasing Adventure is easy to test because it has a free playable version, while Dungeon World has the edge when it comes to a larger third-party library. If your table wants familiarity, go with Dungeon World. If it wants speed and structure, go with Chasing Adventure. ## FAQs ### Which game is easier for first-time PbtA players? Chasing Adventure is usually the easier starting point for people who are new to [Powered by the Apocalypse](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Powered_by_the_Apocalypse). Dungeon World is still a popular way in, but it carries more rules weight from older Dungeons & Dragons-style design. That includes 3–18 stats, hit points, and alignment. Chasing Adventure trims those parts down, which gives it a lighter, faster-paced feel. ### Can Dungeon World and Chasing Adventure both support long campaigns? Yes. Both games can support long campaigns. Dungeon World is known for long-form fantasy adventuring. It works well when you want a campaign to grow over time, with the party taking on bigger threats, building ties, and shaping the world through play. Chasing Adventure also supports longer play. It includes tools like a revamped leveling system and an advanced play chapter, which help characters keep growing as the campaign goes on. Its style is faster and more cinematic, sure, but it still has room for lasting stories, shifting relationships, and character arcs that play out over many sessions. ### How different does combat feel between the two games? Combat feels different here in a pretty clear way. Dungeon World uses hit points, so most fights come down to dealing damage and grinding away at an enemy’s health bar. Chasing Adventure goes another route. It uses conditions, which means harm doesn’t just chip away at a number. It sticks to the story, creates lasting fallout, and can shape future rolls. The pace changes too. Chasing Adventure tends to move faster and feel more cinematic. Dungeon World leans more on numerical modifiers, while Chasing Adventure uses advantage and disadvantage, plus broader moves that can cover an entire exchange instead of a single attack. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Which game is easier for first-time PbtA players?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Chasing Adventure is usually the easier starting point for people who are new to Powered by the Apocalypse. Dungeon World is still a popular way in, but it carries more rules weight from older Dungeons & Dragons-style design. That includes 3–18 stats, hit points, and alignment. Chasing Adventure trims those parts down, which gives it a lighter, faster-paced feel. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can Dungeon World and Chasing Adventure both support long campaigns?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Yes. Both games can support long campaigns. Dungeon World is known for long-form fantasy adventuring. It works well when you want a campaign to grow over time, with the party taking on bigger threats, building ties, and shaping the world through play. Chasing Adventure also supports longer play. It includes tools like a revamped leveling system and an advanced play chapter, which help characters keep growing as the campaign goes on. Its style is faster and more cinematic, sure, but it still has room for lasting stories, shifting relationships, and character arcs that play out over many sessions. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"How different does combat feel between the two games?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":" Combat feels different here in a pretty clear way. Dungeon World uses hit points, so most fights come down to dealing damage and grinding away at an enemy’s health bar. Chasing Adventure goes another route. It uses conditions, which means harm doesn’t just chip away at a number. It sticks to the story, creates lasting fallout, and can shape future rolls. The pace changes too. Chasing Adventure tends to move faster and feel more cinematic. Dungeon World leans more on numerical modifiers, while Chasing Adventure uses advantage and disadvantage, plus broader moves that can cover an entire exchange instead of a single attack. "}}]}