Miskatonic University Podcast MUP Ep 334 – 3 Clue Rule with Justin Alexander
Oct 13, 2025
Justin Alexander, an award-winning game master and the mastermind behind The Alexandrian, dives into the transformative 'Three Clue Rule' in design. He explains how offering three distinct clues for each mystery ensures players connect the dots effectively. Justin shares insights on adapting published scenarios into node-based designs, emphasizing flexibility and redundancy in clueing. He illustrates his methods with practical examples and encourages creativity in player interactions. From survival to heists, his rule enhances all gaming scenarios.
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Always Provide Three Independent Clues
- For any conclusion you want PCs to reach, include at least three independent clues pointing to it.
- Spread clues across different methods (documents, NPCs, observation) to avoid a single fail-state.
Redundancy Multiplies Reliability
- Multiple clues act exponentially: each extra clue reduces misinterpretation and missed leads.
- Players love affirming clues because they feel clever and reassured in their deductions.
Prep Situations, Not Player Paths
- Contingency-based 'if-then' prep wastes time and breaks when players act unpredictably.
- Prep situation-based nodes so you can grab ready content regardless of player choices.
