Think about your favorite TV series—the kind that leaves you yelling at the screen when the episode ends on a jaw-dropping twist. The villain reveals their master plan, a beloved character is in danger, or an unexpected turn of events leaves you desperate for the next episode. That's a writing technique called "The Cliffhanger".
The cliffhanger is one of the best ways to keep your players engaged and eager for the next game. A well-executed cliffhanger as your gaming session ends will make your players leave the table excited and speculating, making the wait for the next session much more thrilling.
Today, we're exploring different techniques on how you can achieve the perfect cliffhanger!
One of the simplest and most effective cliffhangers is to throw an unexpected twist at your players just as the session is wrapping up. This could be a shocking revelation, a sudden betrayal, or a new danger appearing out of nowhere.
Example:
"The battle has been relentless. Wave after wave of enemies crash against you like an unending tide, each clash stealing another ounce of your strength. Your comrades pant beside you, their weapons slick with sweat and blood, their movements slower, heavier. But at last, you stand before the throne, muscles burning, breath ragged, ready to face the king.
Then, from the shadows, a figure emerges.
At first, it's just a silhouette, but as they step into the dim torchlight, your heart stops. You know that face—every scar, every line. A face that should be nothing more than a memory, buried alongside the pain of loss. But they are here. Alive. And standing at the king’s side.
Their lips curl into a cruel, knowing grin, twisted by something darker than time. The weight of betrayal settles heavy in your chest. The final battle has only just begun."
Ending a session in the middle of an intense action sequence is a surefire way to leave your players desperate to know what happens next. Try stopping just before the dice roll that determines a major outcome.
Example:
"The assassin moves like a shadow, swift and silent. Before you can react, they lunge—cold steel glinting in the dim light, a poisoned dagger aimed straight for your heart...
And that’s where we’ll end tonight's session."
Mystery is a powerful tool in tabletop roleplaying games, and ending on an unanswered question can keep players engaged between sessions. Consider dropping an intriguing puzzle or riddle at the last moment.
Example:
"The journey to this place was long and grueling—months of searching, days of delving deeper into the dungeon’s depths, battling traps, unraveling puzzles, and pressing forward despite the ever-present sense of dread. Now, you stand in a vast, empty hall, your footsteps echoing against cold stone.
At the center of the chamber, a lone pedestal rises from the floor, supporting a weathered stone tablet. Ancient runes, worn by time, snake across its surface. You lean in, carefully deciphering the script, tracing each symbol until the message becomes clear.
One word.
A single, ominous command carved into the rock, as if left by some desperate soul before you: Run."
Nothing hooks a group of players quite like leaving the fate of one of their own uncertain. If a player’s character is in a precarious position, use it to fuel suspense.
Example:
"A sharp, burning sensation spreads from the wound. Your limbs grow heavy, your heartbeat pounding in your ears like a distant drum. The world around you blurs, darkness creeping in at the edges of your vision. You know, for sure that the spider's venom is spreading in your bloodstream...
And that’s where we’ll end for today."
A looming deadline can heighten tension and give the next session an immediate sense of urgency. End on a countdown moment that pressures the players into swift action.
Example:
"The ancient vault groans as the massive stone door grinds open, revealing the artifact resting atop a pedestal of obsidian. Golden light spills across the chamber, illuminating the delicate carvings that whisper of power long forgotten. But there’s no time to admire it.
Behind you, gears clank into motion...
The ground shudders. Cracks splinter across the floor. Somewhere in the distance, a column collapses with a deafening crash. The air thickens with dust.
You exchange frantic glances with your companions. There’s no telling how much time is left before the temple collapse and if any of you will make it out at all."
Players are most invested when the stakes feel personal. Use their backstories, relationships, and unfinished business to create cliffhangers that hit close to home.
Example:
"The letter arrives in the dead of night, slipped beneath the door without a sound. The parchment is thick, the kind used for important matters—wills, declarations, summonses. But it’s the wax seal that steals the breath from your lungs.
Your family’s crest.
The same crest that once adorned the banners of your childhood home. The same crest that should have been reduced to ash along with everything—and everyone—you lost.
Your hands tremble as you break the seal. The paper unfurls with an eerie silence, the ink dark and deliberate.
“We need to talk. Time is running out.”
No signature. No explanation.
Just a ghost reaching across time… and a past that refuses to stay buried."
Pat's Notes
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Don’t overuse them. Cliffhangers are powerful but can lose their impact if used at the end of every session.
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Ensure payoff. Don’t leave a cliffhanger unresolved for too long, or your players might feel frustrated instead of excited.
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Time it right. Watch the clock and plan to drop the cliffhanger just before the session’s scheduled end.
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Encourage player speculation. Let them discuss theories and ideas between sessions to build even more anticipation.
Mastering the art of the cliffhanger might be a challenge but it is a rewarding one! It is one of the best way you can keep your players engaged, it heightens dramatic tension, and makes every session feel like a thrilling episode in an unforgettable adventure.
Try it in your next game and watch your players count down the days until they can finally learn what just happened!
