Taking 20 Podcast

Ep 273 - Flaws

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Want to make your characters better? Consider adding flaws to your character. What kinds of flaws are there and how do you add them in a way that’s not disruptive to the game? Give this episode a listen and find out.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #flaws

Resources:

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www.taking20podcast.com

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Ep 272 - Session 0 Redux

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 04:20:26 -0500

NOTE: My apologies for the audio quality. The entire recording/audio processing chain was rushed this week.

Is your TTRPG campaign falling apart after only a few sessions? The problem might be that you need a Session Zero. In this third part of our "setting expectations" series we dive into the vital, often-overlooked conversations DMs and players need to have before rolling the first die. Learn how to align your creative visions, manage game logistics, and agree on crucial player safety tools to ensure everyone is on board with the social contract for a lasting, fun adventure.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #startingcampaign #sessionzero #session0

Resources:

Ep 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/

Ep 48 - Session 0 Guide for Players - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-48-less-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-pcs/

Ep 271 - Setting & Tone - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-271-setting-and-tone/

Ep 214 - House Rules to Make Your Game Easier - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-214-house-rules-to-make-your-game-easier/

Ep 215 - House Rules to Make Your Game Harder - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-215-house-rules-to-make-your-game-harder/

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Ep 271 - Setting and Tone

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode we continue the “setting expectations” series, hopefully helping to stop mismatched expectations from derailing your TTRPG campaign! GMs, this episode is packed with practical advice for designing and effectively communicating your game's Tone and Setting.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #tone #setting #expectations

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ep 270 - Starting Your Campaign

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Ready to start your TTRPG campaign in some way besides a boring tavern? Episode 270 is here to help! We dive deep into the real purpose of a campaign's beginning and explore three powerful ways to unite your party from the jump

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #startingcampaign

Resources:

Episode 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/

Episode 100 - Starting Anywhere But A Tavern - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/episode-100-starting-anywhere-but-a-tavern/

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www.taking20podcast.com

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Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ep 269 - DM Burnout and Showing Progression Through Descriptions

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Do your descriptions fall flat? Are your characters, locations, and NPCs just static items in time that never change? In this episode I’ll give players some tips for changing their character descriptions and for GMs to change NPC and place descriptions to improve their game.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #burnout #descriptions

Resources:

Crispy’s Tavern, The Real Matt Mercer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-4HnJT_Rg

Roll 4 Initiative - A Guide to Better Descriptions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhFmAW3KIYY

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Ep 268 - Should Villains Be Sympathetic

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0600

Is your campaign's "big bad" just evil, or is there a hero beneath the monster? This episode dives into the age-old debate for Dungeon Masters: how important is a sympathetic backstory for a villain, and whether you should include complex antagonists in your game

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #villains

Resources:

Episode 180 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-180-let-villains-be-villains/

Episode 235 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-235-the-why-of-villains/

Episode 253 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-253-recurring-villains/

Thor Skywalker - Why does everyone seem to love “Sympathetic Villains” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO2dBY8DPho

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Ep 267 - Should you Counter PC Abilities

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Description

Today we dive into the age-old debate that divides Dungeon Masters: When do you negate a powerful spell or maneuver? We explore the thin line between creating epic tension and causing frustration. Tune in to discover the crucial difference between an earned victory and a slog, and learn the rules of engagement for challenging your players in the most satisfying way.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #Countering

Resources:

Episode 135 - The Rule of 3

Episode 64 - Beholders, the Eyes Have It

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

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Ep 266 - High Level Characters

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Running a high-level character (Level 11+) is a different animal altogether. Forget easy skirmishes and simple ability checks—you're now facing world-breaking threats. In this episode I’ll give you some tips for running these legendary characters.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ep 265 - High Level Campaigns

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Running high-level TTRPGs (level 11+) are different animals! In this episode I break down essential GM tips for these epic campaigns. Plus, I’ll give you some advice on how you need to change your prep to run a legendary game.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel

Resources:

Episode 45 - Minions - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-45-usining-minions-from-dd-4e-to-make-combat-better/

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

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Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ep 264 - Embracing Failure

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This week, I talk about players’ and DMs’ relentless pursuit of perfection in tabletop RPGs. I encourage both to embrace failures and give you some tips to help every roll and choice become a chance for exciting, unpredictable adventures.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #failure

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

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Ep 263 - DM PCs

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This week, we're diving into the often-debated topic of Dungeon Master Player Characters (DM PCs). In this episode we talk about alternatives ot the DMPC, how to effectively integrate a DM-controlled character into your campaign without overshadowing your players, maintaining player agency, and enhancing the overall game experience. Give us a listen to discover tips for creating supportive DM PCs, managing their role, and knowing when it's best to let them go.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #dmpcs #tabletop #roleplaying

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

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Ep 262 - Work Together

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0500

This week, we're diving into how players can best work together in TTRPGs. From character building to in-game tactics, discover how to form a cohesive team and make your adventures unforgettable. Tune in to learn how to turn challenges inside out and achieve success together!

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Invincible Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/invincible-the-roleplaying-game

Ep 261 - Monster Series - Aberrations

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Diving into the terrifying world of aberrations, this episode explores why these alien beings pose a unique challenge for GMs. Discover their bizarre physiologies, incomprehensible motives, and innate magical abilities drawn from their alien minds, and learn how to weave truly unsettling encounters into your campaigns

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #aberrations

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

Nerdarchy’s Guide to Aberrations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n98sk2AC2Y

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

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Ep 260 - Keep the Game Moving

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Tired of combat dragging? This episode offers 5 crucial tips for players to keep the game moving. Discover how paying attention, anticipating your turn, and coordinating with allies can transform your tabletop experience from a slog to a dynamic adventure!"

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #playertips

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast

Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ep 259 - Space Adventures & Review of Starfinder 2e Player Core

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we're blasting off into the unknown with tips for running epic space adventures, from exploring derelict ships to discovering bizarre new worlds. Plus, get an in-depth review of the Starfinder 2e Player Core, diving into its mechanics, ancestries, and how it connects to Pathfinder 2e. Don't miss this cosmic journey!

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

Episode 140 - Spelljammer Review

Episode 137 - The Gap and Empty Histories

Starfinder 2e Archives of Nethys - https://2e.aonsrd.com/

Ep 258 - Canon

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Whether you make up your own canon or use the lore pregenerated by someone else, there are challenges to maintaining the canon and lore for your world. In this episode I discuss some tips and tricks I’ve learned through the years to help keep it all straight.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #lore #canon

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

Episode 224 - Lore Part 1 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-224-lore-part-1/

Episode 225 - Lore Part 2 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-225-lore-part-2/

Episode 114 - The Cataclysm of Krynn - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-113-the-cataclysm-of-krynn/

DnD Shorts - The Original Rules for Women in D&D are Wild - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSvCP401kK0

Million Podcasts Award - https://www.millionpodcasts.com/dungeon-master-podcasts/

RJD20 - Canon, Your Homegrown Setting and You - https://www.rjd20.com/2021/06/canon-your-homegrown-setting-and-you.html

Ep 257 - Play More Reckless

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Unlock more fun and epic storytelling in your TTRPGs by embracing a little recklessness! In this episode we explore how "driving your characters like you stole them" can lead to unforgettable moments, balancing narrative focus with thrilling unpredictability. Discover why taking bolder choices, communicating with your group, and understanding your character's motivations can elevate your game, knowing that the low stakes of failure in-game lead to incredibly high potential for legendary tales.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #reckless

Resources:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast

BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ep 256 - Player Cheating 2 & WOTC Turnover

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 12:00:00 -0500

What do you do when a player cheats in your RPG? In this episode, we tackle the tricky subject of player cheating from the DM's perspective, exploring why players cheat and specific types of in-game dishonesty. Learn practical strategies for DMs and players to address cheating, foster a fair and fun gaming environment, and ensure everyone at the table has a blast!

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #cheating #WOTC #JeremyCrawford #ChrisPerkins

Resources:

Crawford and Perkins join Darrington Press - https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/legendary-designers-ditch-d-and-d-for-critical-roles-with-critical-role-in-major-coup/

Ep 255 - Cliches and review of the Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Ever wondered if "chosen ones" and "horny bards" have a place in your RPG campaigns? In episode 255 of Taking 20 Podcast, we dive into the world of RPG clichés—when to use them, when to subvert them, and how they can elevate your game. Plus, I also review the Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide! Join us as we explore familiar tropes and exciting new worlds..

#pf2e #Pathfinder #Starfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #cliches #tropes

Resources:

Episode 75 Better Backstories - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-75-better-backstories/

Episode 104 3 Bullet NPCs and Backstories - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/episode-104-3-bullet-npcs-and-backstories/

Episode 190 - Integrating Character Backstories with Rick Sandidge - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-190-integrating-character-backstories-with-rick-sandidge-of-find-the-path-ventures/

Episode 137 The Gap and Empty History - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-137-lore-series-starfinder-gap-empty-history/

Episode 182 Campaigns Bigger Than the PCs - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-182-campaigns-bigger-than-the-pcs/

Ep 254 - Unwritten Rules

Sun, 25 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

The back to basics series takes things back to the fundamental principles of tabletop RPGs. It’s so easy to get lost in the rules and mechanics of the game and forget these important lessons.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #backtobasics

Resources:

Matthew Colville - Language not Rules - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIkwABECfR0

Ep 245 Unruly Players - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-245-unruly-players/

Ep 47 Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/

Ep 219 Let Players Use New Abilities - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-219-let-players-use-new-abilities/

Ep 253 - Recurring Villains

Sun, 11 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Have you ever wanted to craft unforgettable recurring villains that will haunt your players' dreams? In this episode I’ll give you some secrets to making your big bads more than just one-dimensional threats and learn how to weave them seamlessly into your campaign for maximum impact.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #villains

Resources:

PF2e Core pg 66

Ep 252 - Get Out of Your GM Comfort Zone

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500

There’s nothing wrong with the comfortable same old same old. However, what if you want to become a better DM. How do you start and what can that progression look like? Give this episode a listen to find out.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg

Resources:

Episode 27 - Role vs Roll Playing

Episode 184 - Preparing One Shots

Episode 237 - Short vs Long Campaigns

Ep 251 - Conflict

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Conflict is inevitable around the RPG table but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t play the game or that you should shy away from it. In this episode we talk about how conflict can manifest and what players and GMs can do about it.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #paizo #conflict #dnd #Wotc

Resources:

Social Emotional Skills at the D&D Table: https://www.youngdragonslayers.com/d-and-d-video-blog/dnd-social-emotional-skills

Examples of problem players

https://www.cottageofeverything.com/blog/dealing-with-problem-players

Screen Rant - Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford Leave Dungeons and Dragons Design Team - https://screenrant.com/jeremy-crawford-chris-perkins-leaving-dnd-interview/

Ep 250 - Important NPCs and Review of the NPC Core

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Not all NPCs are created equal, or at least they shouldn’t be created that way. There are some NPCs who are simply more important to your campaign? Which ones and how should you treat them? Give this episode a listen!

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #npccore #npc #paizo

Resources:

Paizo NPC Core. https://paizo.com/products/btq06x2l

Ep 249 - Questions You Can Ask To Give Your Character Depth

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Making 2 dimensional characters is easy. Pick your ability scores, feats, equipment etc. but what if you want or need to make a deeper character to role play? How do you do it? In this episode I give your character just a few questions to add depth

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #characterdesign #backstory

Ep 248 - Guns in Fantasy and Review of Guns and Gears Remastered

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Should you let your baby shoot you down in RPG games? Do you allow pistols and rifles in your world with dragons and gnomes? If your immediate reaction is no, why? In this episode I discuss guns in fantasy worlds and offer a brief review of the new Paizo book Guns and Gears Remastered.

Disclosure: I did receive a PDF copy of the book for free but that never taints my review and I give you an honest take on the quality and value of the book.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #gunsinfantasy #GunsandGears

Resources:

Guns and Gears Remastered - https://paizo.com/products/btq05498

Ep 247 - Making Combat More Fun

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600

Combat can quickly turn rote, samey, and dare I say it even boring or dull. GMs, there are some things you can do to make combat in your game far more interesting and players, I have a couple of tips for you as well.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #combat

Resources:

Glass Cannon C2E67 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkTVOYbQQ5E

XPLoveCat - How to Make Combat More Interesting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jerYT5xiv-Y

Taking 20 Podcast Ep 160 - https://youtu.be/P1H88UKXa98?si=bToCQK7ejW40VVEP

Taking 20 Podcast Ep 191 - https://youtu.be/kqBQWhYxs6k?si=y6MlCiUy_OXGx2XP

Ep 246 - Railroads vs Sandboxes 2

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600

There are railroads and there are sandboxes and never the twain shall meet, right? Not so fast, my friend. Today Jeremy discusses the two game types and multiple ways to blend them together.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #railroad #sandbox

Resources:

Game Masters of Exandria Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmZSWKPXhZ4

Sandbox vs Railroad: Which is Better? https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/blogs/news/sandbox-vs-railroad-which-is-better?srsltid=AfmBOopkIlstCFvZ_Z2HSQu1-oxxkmLXKKzgH5jLgjzjQuX0m5_INiLA

Ep 245 - Unruly Players

Sun, 12 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0600

No one enjoys having a disruptive player at your table but what can you do with players like that? This listener-suggested episode has some ideas on how to deal with these unruly players.

Ep 244 - Guard the Fun

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 06:51:59 -0600

There’s a lot to playing and DMing a tabletop RPG. There are quite a few rules, a story the DM is trying to create for the players, encounters to design, sessions to plan, characters to role play and so much to do to ensure the game can happen. However, don’t lose sight that the game is supposed to be, first and foremost, fun.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #fun

Resources:

J.R. Zambrano - One Passage in the New DMG… - https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2024/11/dd-one-passage-in-the-new-dmg-writes-down-a-powerful-unwritten-rule.html

What is the peasant railgun? - https://knightsdigest.com/what-exactly-is-the-peasant-railgun-in-dd-5e/

Ep 243 - Friendly NPCs

Sun, 15 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Friendly NPCs are often overlooked when it comes to campaigns. DMs focus on the antagonists and sometimes forget about the allies. In this episode I make a case for including friendly NPCs in your game and give you some tips for running them.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #NPCTips

Resources:

How to Be a Great GM - Adding a Lovable NPC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUrh9p2IM0

How to Be a Great GM - Self-Operating NPCs (OGAS) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzWXuy8QWgI

Ep 242 - Back to Basics - Just One Thing

Sun, 17 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0600

It is easy to lose heart when you see these amazing DMs that put out content. However, in this episode, there is a single piece of advice that can help you improve as a DM and to make everything that’s part of your campaign even better.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #JustOneThing

Ep 241 - Critical Hits and Misses

Sun, 03 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Do you love the thrill of a critical hit or the agony of a critical fumble? Ever wanted to add more drama and excitement to your tabletop RPG combat? In this episode we dive deep into the world of critical hit and miss tables and decks. We explore the pros and cons, share tips for using them effectively, and discuss how they can impact your game.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #criticalhit #criticalmiss

Ep 240 - Interview with Paizo Infinite Master Tom Robinson

Sun, 20 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

There are adventure designers and ADVENTURE DESIGNERS. Tom Robinson is definitely the latter, being one of the first authors named as an Infinite Master, an invitation-only group of designers curated by Paizo. In this episode he gives some tips for publishing adventures and valuable tips for newer players and GMs alike.

Thank you so much to Tom for being so generous with his time and expertise!

Tom's new adventure, Harvest of Shadows is available for $4.99 at https://www.pathfinderinfinite.com/product/497437/Harvest-Of-Shadows-A-Pathfinder-Second-Edition-Autumn-Harvest-Adventure

#pf2e #dnd #paizo #infinitemaster #RPG #designtips

Ep 239 - Write What You Know

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Do you ever struggle to create compelling adventures for your RPG group? I know I have in the past until I embraced the simple tip: “write what you know”. But what does that even mean? Tune in and find out.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #writingtips #writewhatyouknow

Ep 238 - West Marches Campaigns

Sun, 22 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

West Marches campaigns aren’t like your traditional 4 classes and dungeon game. In this episode, we delve into the concept of these unique methods of tabletop RPGand give you some tips for setting them up and running them.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #campaigns #westmarches

Resources:

Ben Robbins - Grand Experiments: West Marches - https://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-experiments-west-marches/

Ben Robbins - Tips for West Marches Campaigns - https://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/94/west-marches-running-your-own/

Matthew Colville - Running the Game Episode 30 - https://youtu.be/oGAC-gBoX9k?si=8cSIAaj0o-V9uQLy

Ep 237 - Short vs Long Campaigns

Sun, 08 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Running long campaigns requires a different focus than running short adventures or one shots. Each has their own challenges but trying to run one the same way you run the other will lead to burnout or a disastrous disconnected adventure. In this episode I discuss the difference between these two types of adventures and how GMs must change their tactics to maximize their chance to run a successful game.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #campaigns

Resources:

Roll 4 Initiative - Digital or Physical? Best Ways to Take Notes in D&D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJepWSFoxg

Roll 4 Initiative - GM Diary - Note Taking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZIMf4r_PM8

Roll 4 Initiative - Note-Taking Tips for TTRPG Players

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhocTIb58hM

Ep 236 - Scheduling

Sun, 25 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes the hardest monster to defeat in RPGs is the calendar. It’s hard to schedule games when the real world gets in the way. In this episode I give you some tips and some decisions you can make ahead of time to make it more likely that you’ll get to the gaming table

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #scheduling

Resources:

Reddit post from 2018 from /u/iamnotasloth: https://www.reddit.com/r/rpg/comments/b1h1f2/how_to_fit_rpgs_into_your_schedule_as_an_adult/

Morris’ Unofficial Tabletop RPG Talk, episode #273

https://morrus.podbean.com/e/273-the-lostigistics-of-organizing-an-rpg-game/

Ep 235 - The Why of Villains

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Villains can be simple and driven by basic desires like power or money but I believe villains are better when they have understandable motivations and backstory. In this episode I talk about some examples of villains and why they became what they are.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #villains

Ep 234 - Player vs Character Abilities

Sun, 11 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Our characters are good at certain things: probably stabbing stuff, identifying magic items, discerning which berries are safe to eat and which ones will make you obliterate your large intestine. Meanwhile our players are probably good at making characters, wiping out a bowl of popcorn and making fart jokes. In this episode I encourage DMs to remember the difference between players and characters and not to punish characters for a player’s shortcomings.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd

Ep 233 - Review of PF2e Player Core 2

Sun, 04 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The Pathfinder 2e Player Core 2 book released August 1st. There’s a lot of information contained within these 322 pages but, is the information useful? Should you go out and buy it? Tune in to find out.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #PlayerCore2

Resources:

The Rules Lawyer: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRulesLawyerRPG

Bad Luck Gamer: https://www.youtube.com/@theebadluckgamer

Ep 232 - Continuing Adventures

Sun, 28 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0500

How can you continue an adventure after the printed material ends? The players want to keep going but you’re out of adventure to give them. The story has to end, right? Not so fast, my friend. In this episode we talk about tips and tricks to continue the story out to the horizon.

#pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips #aftertheend

Resources:

Dragon of Icespire Peak - https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/adventures/SRC-00041

Ep 231 - Premade Adventures

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0500

There are similarities between delivering a performance at a theater and running a game whether online or in person. In this episode I’ll tell you what lessons I learned on and behind the stage that can be applied to your tabletop game.

#pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips #AdventurePrep

Ep 230 - DM Tips from the Theater

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

#pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips

Resources:

Episode 187 - Imposter Syndrome - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-187-short-imposter-syndrome/

Episode 26 - Basics of Improv - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-26-basics-of-improv-and-how-it-helps-you-be-a-better-gm-and-player/

Ep 229 - Wandering Monsters

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Wandering monsters have been around since the very earliest days of D&D. Their usage has waxed and waned through the years as the editions have come out but they still could have a strong purpose in your game as long as you use them correctly.

#dnd #5e #pf2e #dmtips #gmtips #WanderingMonsters

Resources:

Wandering Monsters Suck: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNgn3rxLPP0

Ep 228 - Back to Basics - Player Ideas

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

We GMs have to generate a lot about the world from the grand multiverse and pantheons of gods to what Typhon the baker looks like and their foibles. Sometimes players will have great ideas about their character, the world they live in and maybe even larger topics like names of towns and nations. In this episode I encourage my DMs to listen to player ideas about the game and how it’s played and incorporate them whenever possible.

#dnd #5e #pf2e #dmtips #gmtips #RPGplayers

Ep 227 - Manipulate Your Players

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0500

DMs, whether we realize it or not manipulate our players sometimes multiple times a session. What does that mean, though to manipulate the players? Is it a good thing? Tune in to find out.

#dnd #5e #pf2e #dmtips #gmtips #manipulation

Resources:

Bonus Action - Hacks DMs Use to Manipulate Players - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bokYGJPyKlI

Ep 226 - Monstrous PCs and Howl of the Wild

Sun, 02 Jun 2024 00:06:00 -0500

There’s nothing wrong with an adventuring party full of humans, gnomes, dwarves, and the like. But sometimes the campaign calls for or the player wants to play something a little different like a hobgoblin, merfolk, or even a troll. How do you handle these situations? In this episode I give you some tips as well as briefly review the new Paizo book Howl of the Wild.

Resources:

Rules Lawyer Howl of the Wild Review - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olNDUmF_41o

5e Trolls - https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/17040-troll

Ron Lundeen - Pathfinder 2e ancestry build tips - https://www.runamokgames.com/design-diary/the-pathfinder-ancestry-checklist

Ep 225 - Lore Part 2

Sun, 26 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Lore can be doled out in small measures any number of ways at your table from dreams to treasure, holidays to PC backstories. I hope the last two weeks have made you think about how you use lore in your worlds.

#dmtips #gmtips #dnd #pf2e #5e #lore

Resources:

Matt Colville - Lore Delivery Systems - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tBXnD9g0XY

Sly Flourish - Bathe Your World in Lore - https://slyflourish.com/bathe_your_world_in_lore.html

Alphastream - Make Lore Actionable - https://alphastream.org/index.php/2022/06/02/your-games-lore-make-it-actionable/

Ep 224 - Lore Part 1

Sun, 19 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Lore, like so many other aspects to our game can be as present or absent as you would like it to be. Lore makes your world richer and deeper but how do you reveal it to your players? Tune in and find out.

#dnd #pf2e #dmtips #gmtips #lore

Resources:

Matt Colville - Lore Delivery Systems - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tBXnD9g0XY

Sly Flourish - Bathe Your World in Lore - https://slyflourish.com/bathe_your_world_in_lore.html

Alphastream - Make Lore Actionable - https://alphastream.org/index.php/2022/06/02/your-games-lore-make-it-actionable/

Ep 223 - Monster Series - Aboleths and Algholthu

Sun, 12 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Aboleths and Algholthu are amphibious creatures who feel they are gods whose domains have been wrongfully stolen from them by those who they feel should be their slaves. They are extremely savvy fighters who remember eons of combats and use those lessons when the PCs show up to try to kill them. In this episode we talk about these huge aberrations and how to use them in your game.

#dnd #5e #pf2e #aboleths #algholthu #aberrations

Resources:

D&D 2025 - Creative Commons - https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/edition-2024-sourcebooks-srd-creative-commons

Riches and Liches - D&D Lore: Monster Lab - Aboleth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwHRDlgi5QI&t=298s

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing - Aboleths by Keith Amman - https://www.themonstersknow.com/aboleth-tactics/

The Lords of Madness - The Book of Aberrations

Ep 222 - Epilogues

Sun, 05 May 2024 00:00:00 -0500

One sure way to put a period (or even a question mark) on the end of your campaign or adventure is by using one or more epilogue scenes. In this episode we talk about tips and tricks for creating those wrap-up scenes at the very end.

#dnd #5e #pf2e #dmtips #gmtips #Epilogues

Resources:

Ginny Di - Give your D&D Campaign the epilogue it deserves - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jamWxX3kC4

Ep 221 - Rules Light RPGs

Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes we want a break from the rules heavy games and want to play something light and easy. Sometimes people we know are interested in playing RPGs but we don’t want to throw them into the deep end of a complicated RPG with 1,000 pages of rules. Rules Light RPGs can be a nice break from the usual routine and can introduce some people we know to the hobby that we love.

#dnd #5e #pf2e #RulesLight #dmtips

Resources:

Clay-O-Rama: https://media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/dragon/D15_Clay-O-Rama.pdf

Mork Borg - https://www.morkborg.com/

Fiasco - https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/fiasco

Lasers and Feelings - http://www.onesevendesign.com/laserfeelings/

The Witch Is Dead - https://gshowitt.itch.io/the-witch-is-dead

Bark Against Evil - https://thebigtabletop.itch.io/bark-against-evil

Routers - https://clutterarranger.itch.io/routers

Ep 220 - Preparing to Take a Break

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes a break is inevitable. Your campaign needs to go on hiatus for one reason or another. If you know it’s coming, what can you do to prepare your game for a leave of absence? Tune in this week and find out.

#dnd5e #pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips #TakeABreak

Ep 219 - Let Players Use New Abilities

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Some DMs treat new character abilities as puzzles to solve or speedbumps on the path to kill the PCs. As characters level up, they will get all kinds of abilities, some of which are carefully selected and crafted by the players. In this episode, I give DMs some practical advice for embracing these new character abilities.

Resources:

None

Ep 218 - The Power of DM Words

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0500

within the game. The way we describe encounters, how we interact with our players, and whether or not to offer advice can make a game session fun and engaging, combative, miserable, or boring. In this episode I offer some tips for choosing your words carefully while running a game and helping to ensure players get the information they need without losing agency over their characters.

Resources:

20 Tips for Becoming a Better DM: https://www.trichotome-design.com/blog/2017/4/29/20-tips-for-becoming-a-better-dm-lessons-learned-at-the-table

Ep 217 - Monster Series - Dragons 2 and the PF2e Monster Core Review

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

A listener wrote in asking for more details about dragons and I’m happy to oblige. They are complex creatures that have a lot of abilities and long lifespans for good reason. In this episode I talk about more draconic features and briefly review the Pathfinder 2e Monster Core Rulebook recently released by Paizo

Resources:

Archives of Nethys - https://2e.aonprd.com/

Pathfinder 2e Monster Core Rulebook - https://paizo.com/products/btq02ej4

Remaster Previews - Diabolic Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sial

Remaster Previews - Mirage Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siax

Remaster Previews - Fortune Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sii7

Remaster Previews - Conspirator Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sihv

Remaster Previews - Adamantine Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sihh

Remaster Previews - Horned Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6siio

Remaster Previews - Empyreal Dragon - https://paizo.com/community/blog/v5748dyo6sij4

Cowbell and cow sound effects courtesy of Pixabay

Ep 216 - Should Players Plan During Combat?

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 06:01:11 -0500

Some groups keep combat conversations barebones, only allowing brief phrases to be exchanged during combat. In this episode, I’ll give some pros and cons about allowing players to talk during combat and provide some tips for DMs who are unsure whether they’d allow this.

#dmtips #gmtips #dnd #pf2e

Resources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/13f4yva/dms_do_you_allow_your_players_to_talk_to_each/

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/dungeon-masters-only/90847-combat-in-game-talking

https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/comments/112v0nf/do_you_let_your_players_discuss_tactics_in_combat/

Ep 215 - House Rules to Make Your Game Harder

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Some players want a hard game. They’ve been there, done that and got the scars to prove it. They want something more difficult and more punishing. In this episode I float some ideas on how you can give your game some teeth and make it a little or a lot more difficult for your PCs.

#dmtips #gmtips #dnd #5e #pf2e #GameDifficulty

Ep 214 - House Rules to Make Your Game Easier

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Sometimes you as the DM want to make the game a little easier for the players. Maybe the players are new or just want a game where they feel like gods among men. There are a myriad of ways to make a game easier. In this episode, I discuss a few of them.

#dmtips #gmtips #houserules #dnd5e #pf2e

Ep 213 - Back to Basics - Player Agency

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Player Agency describes the power of players to make choices for their characters. There is an unspoken social contract around every RPG table that the DM won’t take these choices away and players won’t use these choices to ruin the fun of the DM. In this episode, I talk about how critical it is that both sides of the screen respect the agency of others.

#dmtips #gmtips #dnd #5e #pf2e #playeragency

Resources:

https://techraptor.net/originals/playing-roles-psychology-of-player-agency

https://medium.com/@camauger/the-power-of-choice-player-agency-in-tabletop-role-playing-games-446e0be16428

Ep 212 - Distinct NPCs

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode I talk about ways you can make your characters and NPCs distinct from one another. I do encourage you to try to use an accent, even if you don't feel comfortable doing it. However, there are other ways to make them distinct: with language descriptors and body language.

#dmtips #gmtips #dnd #pf2e #NPC

Resources:

5 Ways to Make NPC Dialogue Better With No Accent https://youtu.be/hvGEltoAgg4?si=Gh2gr5ZyYBChOcUP

Ep 211 - Long vs Short Gaming Sessions

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Gaming sessions can vary widely in length but running very short gaming sessions (less than 2 hours or so) and very long gaming sessions (ones stretching 6 hours or more) require different mindsets from the DM. In this episode, I discuss the challenges and tips of each duration.

#dmtips #gmtips #dnd #pf2e #5e #gamingsessions

Ep 210 - Long vs Short Campaigns

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Some players and DMs love campaigns that take years to complete with multiple complex situations being resolved and a grand universal threat eliminated. But some like quick-hitting campaigns, smaller scale and quicker resolutions. Which is better? How do you run long and short campaigns? Tune in to find out.

#dmtips #gmtips #RPGcampaign #dnd #pf2e

Resources:

How to Be a Great GM: Plan an Unforgettable Short RPG Campaign - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGpcF-EOpe0

Worlds Longest D&D Game - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ-ehbVQYxI

Ep 209 - Give Your DM a Break

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Most GMs love their players and running games is a labor of love for them. However, burnout can happen to all of us and it might be a good idea for you to give your DM a night off now and then. In today’s episode I give you some suggestions on how to do so.

#dmtips #dnd #pf2e #GMtips #burnout

Resources:

Clay-o-Rama (2017 republish) - https://media.wizards.com/2017/dnd/dragon/D15_Clay-O-Rama.pdf

Ep 208 - Dungeon Crawls Part 2

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Dungeons are core to many of our game systems out there. This week, in part 2 of the dungeon crawl series, I give DMs some tips for populating dungeons, using room descriptions and making them a bit more realistic.

#DMtips #dnd #Pathfinder #GMtips #Dungeons

Resources:

Jennell Jaquays GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/jennell-jaquays-has-a-long-road-back

Redd Horrocks on Fiverr - https://www.fiverr.com/reddhorrocks

5e monster filter: https://donjon.bin.sh/5e/monsters/

Pathfinder 2e creatures: https://2e.aonprd.com/Creatures.aspx

Sly Flourish: Running a Dungeon Crawl: https://slyflourish.com/running_a_dungeon_crawl.html

Ep 207 - Dungeon Crawls Part 1

Sun, 14 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Dungeon crawl adventures can be some of the most fun adventures that you run and they are relatively simple to set up provided you have a few pieces of information prepared ahead of time. Tune in this week to find out what those are:

#pf2e #dnd #DMTips #Dungeon

Resources:

Redd Horrocks on Fiverr - https://www.fiverr.com/reddhorrocks

5 Room Dungeons - https://www.roleplayingtips.com/5-room-dungeons/

Jaquaysian Dungeons - https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/13085/roleplaying-games/xandering-the-dungeon

Ep 206 - 2023 Podcast Bloopers

Sun, 31 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

This isn't your normal advice episode. In this surprise gift to all of you, here is a peek behind the curtain at just how many times I mess up while recording. This is a collection of some of my blooper reel for 2023. I hope you laugh as much listening as I did while making it.

Ep 205 - Flavor is Free

Sun, 17 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

There are two types of changes players and GMs can make to rules, spells, effects, weapons, and other aspects of tabletop RPGs: flavor or fluff changes and mechanical or crunchy changes. In this episode I talk about the difference, why one should be allowed almost always and why the other type of changes should be approached with caution.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #FlavorIsFree

Resources:

3D Crafts & Curios etsy store - https://etsy.com/shop/3DCraftsAndCurios

Flavor is Free - https://tabletopbuilds.com/flavor-is-free/

Know Direction Podcast Article - Energy Type Rundown by Dustin Knight: https://knowdirectionpodcast.com/2021/05/foxs-cunning-energy-type-rundown/

Ep 204 - Enemy Motivation in Combat

Sun, 10 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Not every combat needs to be a slog to determine which side grinds down the other to 0 hit points. By considering enemy motivations, the “why” of the fight you can introduce more variety to the end result of encounters.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #rpgcombat

Resources:

3D Crafts & Curios etsy store - https://etsy.com/shop/3DCraftsAndCurios

Matthew Colville: Why Are We Fighting? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAfPoOxIVm0&t=1s

The decision to fight or flee – insights into underlying mechanism in crickets - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2012.00118/full

Ep 203 - Smart and Dumb Enemies

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

We GMs have a certain way of thinking, sometimes lightning quick and nimble, and sometimes more methodical and measured. We need to learn how to get out of our own heads and think like enemies do during combat. In this episode, I give you some tips for running very intelligent and very unintelligent enemies for your players.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #rpgtips

Resources:

3D Crafts & Curios etsy store - https://etsy.com/shop/3DCraftsAndCurios

Keith Amman The Monsters Know What They Are Doing: https://www.themonstersknow.com/intelligent-enemy-tactics/

Ep 202 - Back to Basics - Most Important Rule

Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

DMs, our job is varied and difficult at times. We have so much on our plate to get ready for the game that we sometimes lose sight of the most important advice we can heed behind the screen. In this episode, I’m going to remind you of that advice that keeps your game centered and your players excited to come back.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #OneImportantRule

Resources:

3D Crafts & Curios etsy store - https://etsy.com/shop/3DCraftsAndCurios

Ep 201 - It’s Not All On the DM

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Players, your DMs love you and enjoy having you at their table but some of them could use a little help even if they don’t know how to ask for it. In this episode I encourage players to talk to DMs about how they can help carry the burden of keeping a weekly game going.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #Burnout

Ep 200 - Exploration

Sun, 12 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Exploration is the shortest of the three legs of RPGs and doesn’t get the love that combat or social encounters do at most tables. However, with a little planning, and learning how to run a hexcrawl or prepare some mysteries and histories, exploration can be a lot of fun for your entire table. Plus you will get to hear Jeremy struggle to say Lothlorien.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #RPGExploration #GMTips

Resources:

3D Crafts & Curios etsy store - https://etsy.com/shop/3DCraftsAndCurios

Badooga’s Exlploration Guidelines - https://www.gmbinder.com/share/-MEVza9zokR5wbbwbs5c

Sly Flourish article on Pointcrawls - https://slyflourish.com/pointcrawls.html

The Angry GM - Exploration - https://theangrygm.com/what-makes-exploration

The Alexandrian article on Hexcrawls: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/17308/roleplaying-games/hexcrawl

Ep 199 - Running Social Encounters

Sun, 05 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0500

While combat encounters are fun, there are two other pillars to tabletop RPGs that can turn a good game into a great one. In this episode I talk about social encounters and how DMs can get better at running them.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #SocialEncounters

Resources:

Matt Mercer: Building RPG Social Encounters - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNoR-CcOtqI

Ep 198 - Realistic Cities Part 2

Sun, 29 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Preparing to run an entire adventure out of or inside a city can appear to be a daunting task. With a little preparation and some thought ahead of time, you can run an adventure that never has to leave the city walls.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #Pathfinder #CityAdventures #AdventureDesign

Resources:

Drop Dice Build Cities - https://arcaneeye.com/all/dnd-cities-guide/

Dael Kingsmill’s SPERM principle - https://youtu.be/sJd6g--Ok_A?si=G-PsffcBYYpTLRNl

More city design goodness: https://makeaskillcheck.com/creating-towns-for-dms/

Top Tips for creating towns and cities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJd6g--Ok_A

Ep 197 - Realistic Cities Part 1

Sun, 22 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Description

Even preparing cities that the party will pass through or only stay at temporarily requires some thought on the DM’s part. In this episode I’ll give you some tips for creating quick-use cities that can help ground your cities in a touch of realism.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips #RPG #citydesign

Resources:

Dael Kingsmill’s SPERM principle - https://youtu.be/sJd6g--Ok_A?si=G-PsffcBYYpTLRNl

Ep 196 - Problems Not Plots

Sun, 15 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Preparing your overarching campaign using smaller situational pieces has a number of benefits to preparing the entire adventure as a whole. In this episode, I talk about the benefits of preparing your game in manageable chunks and give you some tips for doing so.

#dnd #pf2e #DMTips

Resources:

The Alexandrian: Don’t Prep Plots - https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/4147/roleplaying-games/dont-prep-plots

https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/comments/16y30hc/can_we_clarify_what_we_mean_when_we_say_dms/

Building Situations in D&D https://slyflourish.com/letting_go_of_defined_encounters.html

Ep 195 - Uninterested Characters and Players

Sun, 08 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

There are two problems I’ve seen regarding interest level: characters who don’t seem to be buying in to the story and players who don’t seem to be interested in the game. These situations have multiple possible solutions but require a little nuance to address. In this episode, I talk about the symptoms of these problems and ways you can possibly address them.

#dnd #Pathfinder2e #DMTips #5e #PleasePayAttention

Resources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/comments/11wmccd/uninterested_character_problem/

https://youtu.be/LQsJSqn71Fw

Ep 194 - Foolproof New Character Checklist - Beyond the Sheet

Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0500

We all love making characters but one of the most common challenges I’ve heard in talking to players is how to make a memorable character; one that stands out from the crowd. In this episode, I’m going to give you 10 tips for making characters that can grow, evolve, and be easier to tie in to the campaign at large, beyond the numbers on the character sheet.

#dnd #Pathfinder2e #charactercreation #chracterdesign #roleplaying

Resources:

Character Creation Tips - https://lockhouse.co.uk/character-creation-tips-ttrpgs/

How to Create Great RPG Characters - https://hobbylark.com/tabletop-gaming/Creating-Characters-for-Role-Playing-Games

12 Tips to Make the Most Memorable RPG Character Ever - https://cardboardmountain.com/12-tips-to-make-the-most-memorable-rpg-character-ever/

Backstory Tips - https://mistymountaingaming.com/blogs/dungeon-feed/crafting-a-backstory-tips-for-creating-your-dungeons-and-dragons-original-character

Ep 193 - The Devil Is In The Details

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Immortal creatures will sometimes make deals with mortals for power and you can sometimes include these situations in your game. Warlocks have this mechanic built into the class but should you even include the good and bad of these contracts in your game? In this episode I talk about the different types of beings who will deal with mortals, examples of why they would and tips for your campaign.

#dmtips #pathfinder2e #dnd #dnd5e #devils #fey

Resources:

3 Line NPCs

https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/the-3-line-npc-method-how-to-create-story-full-npcs-fast/

Phistophilus: https://2e.aonprd.com/Monsters.aspx?ID=112

https://halflinghobbies.com/making-deals-with-devils-in-dd-5e/

https://www.reddit.com/r/DescentintoAvernus/comments/hjfrkf/devil_contract_ideas/

Ep 192 - Monster Series - Doppelgangers

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Doppelgangers are terrifying shapeshifters that are in the game solely to make an already paranoid group of players even more so. After all, how can you trust anyone if anyone could be lying about who and what they are? In this episode, I give you some common motivations for these monsters and tips for introducing them into your game.

#dmtips #doppelgangers #dnd #pathfinder #pathfinder2e

Resources:

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing: Doppelgangers: https://www.themonstersknow.com/doppelganger-tactics/

Doppelganger Origin: https://www.britannica.com/art/doppelganger

Psychology of the Doppelganger: https://annarchive.com/files/Drmg080.pdf

Ep 191 - DM Lessons from Baldur’s Gate 3

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Baldur's Gate 3 is an amazing game and even though it doesn't have a Dungeon Master per se, it does have some good advice and lessons that all of us can use to improve our DM style. In this episode I give 8 tips I learned about DMing from Baldur's Gate 3

#dmtips #baldursgate3 #dnd #pathfinder

Resources:

https://www.hipstersanddragons.com/difficulty-classes-for-ability-checks-5e/

Larian Studios: https://larian.com/

Ep 190 - Integrating Character Backstories with Rick Sandidge of Find the Path Ventures

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A very special thank you to Rick Sandidge of Find the Path Ventures who was kind enough to come on the episode to discuss integrating character backstories into your game. Please give their amazing podcasts a listen at find-path.com.

Resources:

Find the Path Ventures: https://find-path.com/

Find the Path Podcasts: https://find-path.com/podcasts/

Find the Path Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/findthepathpod

Ep 189 - Using AI Tools

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Some decry AI as the worst thing to come to RPGs since THAC0. However, I’d like DMs and players to acknowledge the problems associated with AI use but also consider using AI as a tool to augment our games to make us better DMs and better players.

#dmtips #dnd #Pathfinder #ArtificialIntelligence #rpgtips

Resources:

How to use AI as a Dungeon Master by Annabelle Collins: https://www.modularrealms.com/en-us/blogs/news/dungeon-master-tools-how-can-ai-help-me-dm

https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2023/05/we-played-dd-with-a-chat-gpt-dungeon-master-can-ai-really-run-your-campaign.html

Positive Experiences with an AI DM

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnD/comments/zpepxi/i_played_dnd_with_an_ai_robot_and_it_was_amazing/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

Cros.land generators: https://cros.land/ai-rpg-location-generator/

https://bard.google.com

Game Master’s Book of Random Encounters: https://a.co/d/4BtkOYL

Bloomberg Article on AI face generation: https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2023-generative-ai-bias/

Ep 188 - Character Replacement

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Many moons ago I gave tips on character death but as The Mummy said, death is only the beginning. How do you let your player gracefully replace their character in your game?

#dmtips #dnd #Pathfinder #CharacterDeath

Resources:

Pathfinder 2e: Wealth by Level: https://2e.aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?ID=587

Ep 187 - Short - Imposter Syndrome

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this short episode I talk about a common feeling among DMs: imposter syndrome and give DMs some advice for dealing with it.

#dmtips #dnd #Pathfinder #ImposterSyndrome

Ep 186 - Class Levels In Your World

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0500

A few weeks ago I mentioned how rare I think class levels are in your world and promised a longer discussion on the topic. As threatened, here it is. I make my case that class levels should be relatively rare in your world and give some benefits to designing your world that way.

#dmtips #dnd #pathfinder #starfinder #npcs

Resources:

Pathfinder 2e Core Preview: https://paizo.com/pathfinder/corepreview

https://www.enworld.org/threads/what-proportion-of-the-population-are-adventurers.659605/

https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/ada98w/how_special_are_you_a_guideline_for_determining/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android_app&utm_name=androidcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=2

Ep 185 - Lore Series - The Vast and Empty Areas of Your Map

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode I use a bit of lore about the Vast to expand on a concept important to your game world - unexplored areas with the potential to have anything you can think of.

#DMtips #dnd #Pathfinder #Starfinder #TheVast

Resources:

Paizo forums - What is the Vast? https://paizo.com/threads/rzs2v1by?What-is-the-Vast

Ep 184 - Preparing One Shots

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Robert Nores wrote in asking how I prepare one shot adventures so in this episode I give you some general tips and walk you through how I would prepare the free adventure A Fistful of Flowers published by Paizo.

#DMtips #dnd #Pathfinder #OneShot

Resources:

A Fistful of Flowers at the Paizo Store: https://paizo.com/products/btq02d8f?Pathfinder-Adventure-A-Fistful-of-Flowers

Taking 20 Podcast Episode 128 - DMing at Conventions: https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-128-dming-at-conventions/

Hold Music: GLITTER BLAST Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Ep 183 - Improving Your Narration

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

RPG players depend on we DMs to effectively describe the combat, the encounter areas, and the world at large during exploration activities. The words we use and the quality of our narration has a direct effect on the quality of our game and the potential immersion into our game world. Narration is a skill that all GMs, including and especially me, need to practice and improve. In this episode I give you 4.5 tips for improving your narration. You heard me. 4 and a half tips...

#dmtips #dnd #Pathfinder #narration

Resources:

https://theangrygm.com/how-to-talk-to-players-the-art-of-narration/

Extra Credits: History of Dungeons and Dragons: https://youtu.be/paEGFYSBZTE

Taking 20 Episode 170 - Combat Narration - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-170-narrative-combat-armor-class-and-hit-points/

Taking 20 Episode 78 - Tips for Scene Descriptions: https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-78-tips-for-scene-descriptions/

Ep 182 - Campaigns Bigger Than the PCs

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes it's nice to remind players that not everything in the world revolves around them and they don't have the ability to control everything going on in the world. If you want the players to realize that sometimes they are small fish in a big pond, run a campaign centered around a war, cataclysm, revolution, or other world-shaping event where the PCs play a small but important role in the outcome.

#dnd #Pathfinder #DMTips #ORCLicense

Resources:

Reddit: World population by class level - https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/ada98w/comment/edgldd3/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

The Flowchart: https://imgbox.com/uHbbhKgD

Taking 20 Episode 58 - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-58-the-evil-campaign/

Ep 181 - Monster Series - Ambush Predators

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Your PCs tend to stroll through life like everything is great. They're walking through the Underdark, not a care in the world, oblivious to everything down here that wants to eat you. It's time to remind them that they may not be the apex predators in the dark places of the world. In this episode I talk about using ambush predators in your game, including one strong caution about how they can make your players feel.

#dnd #pathfinder #dmtips #ambushpredators

Resources:

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing by Keith Amman: https://www.themonstersknow.com/roper-tactics/

5e Piercer - https://www.aidedd.org/dnd/monstres.php?vo=piercer

Lurker - https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lurker

PF2e cloaker - https://2e.aonprd.com/Monsters.aspx?ID=82

5e cloaker - https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/16826-cloaker

Taking 20 Podcast Episode 121 - Earthfall https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-121-lore-series-earthfall-on-golarion/

Taking 20 Podcast Episode 164 - Death of Aroden https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-164-lore-series-death-of-gods-and-aroden/

PF2e Invisible Stalker - https://2e.aonprd.com/Monsters.aspx?ID=179

5e Invisible Stalker - https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/16934-invisible-stalker

Taking 20 Podcast Episode 96 - Mimics - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/epidose-96-monster-series-mimics/

Ep 180 - Let Villains Be Villains

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0500

There is something refreshing about not having to worry about nuance about the big bad's plans or fighting to find a reason for their actions. Sometimes, when you're designing an adventure, it's fun to just let the big bad be bad. In this episode, I encourage you to throw caution to the wind and give you reasons why a villain could be an irredeemable monster.

#dmtips #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #orc

Resources:

Trope Talk: Pure Evil https://youtu.be/1-XprjlATEo

Trope Talk: Faustian Bargain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEKVHXRXRiw

The Literary Mercenary: http://nealflitherland.blogspot.com/2021/04/not-every-villain-needs-or-deserves.html

Ep 179 - Better Roleplaying by Letting Adventures Breathe

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode I talk about good opportunities for DMs to introduce PC-NPC and PC-PC roleplaying opportunities.

#dnd #rpgtips #Pathfinder #orc #DMtips

Resources:

https://www.reddit.com/r/DMAcademy/comments/xe1j4l/campfire_stories_to_deepen_players_backstories/

https://www.thegamer.com/dungeons-and-dragons-dnd-encourage-roleplay-tips-tricks/#social-interaction-is-more-than-talking

Ep 178 - The Players Spoiled My Plans and the Paizo Remaster

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0500

DMs, what should you do when the players derail your entire adventure plan, reveal a secret or short circuit the story that you had planned for the group? How can you recover from this? Tune in and find out

#DMTips #dnd #Pathfinder #ORClicense

Resources:

Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiYCs0fPFnM&t=50s

Twitch stream of “Pathfinder Remastered” at Paizocon on Friday May 26th from 12-2 PDT.

Ep 177 - Back to Basics -Make Scenes not Stories

Sun, 28 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

I have been guilty of trying to craft stories from an overview, a 50,000 foot view, if you will, and neglecting the individual encounters, scenes and scenarios. In this episode I encourage you to do the opposite of this, focus on crafting these individual scenes to give you the flexibility to allow the PCs to take the story whatever direction they would like.

#dmtips #dnd #pathfinder #learnfrommistakes #orclicense

Ep 176 - Making Monsters Scarier

Sun, 21 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

There are a few common tips and tricks that DMs can use to make monsters scarier or merely seem that they are. In this episode I discuss ways that you can get rid of that same-old-same-old feeling with your monsters and keep your players on their toes.

#dnd #Pathfinder #opendnd #dungeonsanddragons #dmtips

Ep 175 - Wizards of the Coast, Pinkertons, and That One DM Question

Sun, 14 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

I've given the WOTC Pinkerton issue a couple of weeks to marinate and I wanted to give my thoughts on the matter. Also, I wanted to give my wonderful GMs out there a useful tool: one question you can ask your players to keep them from making a preventable mistake.

#DMTips #Dnd #OpenDnd #Pathfinder #WOTC #Pinkerton

Ep 174 - Quest Design - 36 Dramatic Situations

Sun, 07 May 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode I point out how to find inspiration in a book that is 125 years old and use the building blocks to make quests and backstories that are just as compelling today as they were then.

#dnd #opendnd #Pathfinder #DMTips #StoryDesign

Resources:

https://www.storyanddrama.com/the-36-dramatic-situations-of-georges-polti/

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thirty-Six_Dramatic_Situations

http://ifxgroup.net/plots.htm

Ep 173 - Monster Series - Oozes

Sun, 30 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Oozes may seem like boring combatants at first, mindless blobs of acidic gels that don't exactly have complex motivations or rich histories but they can be so much more than that. In this episode I talk about how DMs can use oozes and a couple of particularly nasty encounters that include them.

#dnd #pathfinder #opendnd #DMTips #oozes

Ep 172 - PvP and David Carter of Crucible of Fate

Sun, 23 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

On a very special super-sized edition of the Taking 20 Podcast I interview David Carter of the competitive D&D 5e tournament on Youtube called Crucible of Fate. We talk about running PvP and the challenges of running a 5e competitive game show. Thank you David for being so generous with your time and your expertise!

#CrucibleofFate #dnd #PvP #DMinterview #DMTips

Resources

Crucible of Fate Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWJ5d0XblyYA7Sh6sWVhGFw

Crucible of Fate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crucibleoffate/

Crucible of Fate Discord server: https://discord.gg/hjDAER9DWb

Crucible of Fate Twitter: https://twitter.com/Crucible_ofFate

Ep 171 - Good NPCs - Quest Givers

Sun, 16 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode I talk about giving life to your campaigns by making your quest givers more dynamic and how you can use quest givers to steer the campaign the directions you'd like.

#dnd #Pathfinder #opendnd #orc #DMTips

Ep 170 - Narrative Combat, Armor Class and Hit Points

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This week I'm picking a fight and a lot of DMs will disagree with me. I talk about what Armor Class and Hit Points really mean and how that can affect narrative combat.

NOTE: Fixed the audio edit error about 11 minutes in. Sorry about that.

#dnd #opendnd #pathfinder #narrative #combat

Ep 169 - Honor Among Thieves Review and Use of RPG Social Skills

Sun, 02 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode I give a brief review of the new D&D movie Honor Among Thieves and talk about how DMs should not use social skills like persuasion, diplomacy, and intimidation to rob a player of agency over their character.

#dnd #opendnd #Pathfinder #DMTips #persuasion #diplomacy #intimidation

Resources:

Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

Startplaying.games

Warhorn.net

Looking for Players & Groups D&D Beyond board

D&D Beyond Discord

Ep 168 - Monster Series - Hags

Sun, 26 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

In an episode idea from generous donor Tim McKenzie, this week we talk about hags, especially their penchant for deals and their lethal abilities. What makes hags tick? What are their motivations and how can GMs use them in their campaign? Tune in and find out.

#dnd #Pathfinder #opendnd #DMTips #hags

Resources:

Monsters Know What They’re Doing - Hag Tactics - https://www.themonstersknow.com/hag-tactics/

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing - Hags - https://www.themonstersknow.com/hags-revisited-part-1/

Volo’s Guide to Monsters

Ep 167 - Immersive Roleplaying

Sun, 19 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

This week's topic comes courtesy of listener Daniel Mehefko who wanted me to discuss immersive roleplaying. What is immersive roleplaying? How can players and DMs encourage their fellow players to engage in more immersive roleplay? Tune in and find out.

#dnd #pathfinder #opendnd #roleplay #roleplaying

Resources:

Venture Forth - 10 Rules to Improve Immersion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw3aJz5lGO0

Grog and Scanlan go hat shopping

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvSGvbEf1HI

Ep 166 - Dealing with Ill Prepared Parties

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Sometimes your adventuring parties just aren't ready for an encounter, a trap, or maybe an entire adventure. What should you do as a DM? Throw your hands up and walk away? Throw hands at your players? Throw a rave instead of gaming that night? In this episode look at the different ways parties can be ill prepared for what lies ahead. and talk about multiple options for how to handle this situation.

#DnD #Pathfinder #Opendnd #DMTips

Ep 165 - Let Players Savor Their Victories

Sun, 05 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0600

After watching a session at my Friendly Local Game Store I watched a DM put players through a meat grinder of encounters, not even pausing when the PCs accomplished something impressive. In this episode I talk about the importance of giving players the opportunity to celebrate character victories and rewarding the characters appropriately.

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #pathfinder #openRPG #DMTips

Ep 164 - Lore Series - Death of Gods and Aroden

Sun, 26 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600

In a lot of game worlds, deities can't die. They always existed, exist, and will always exist. But what if that wasn't true. What if one or more deities in your game world died, left, or otherwise weren't available? What would happen to their followers and your world as a whole?

Resources:

Pathfinder Wiki (Aroden) - https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Aroden

#pathfinder #deities #openrpg #opendnd #aroden #dnd #dungeonsanddragons

Ep 163 - Fire - Realism vs Fun

Sun, 19 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Answering a question posed by Adrian from the Age of Adventure RPG, how do you find the balance between realism and fun. His table devolved into lengthy debates involving fire, oil flammability, and fire spread mechanics.

Tune in to the episode that probably put Jeremy on a federal government watch list.

#dnd #pathfinder #dungeonsanddragons #realism #fun

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go:

http://markstretton.blogspot.com/2017/11/fire-arrows-what-can-they-set-on-fire.html

Ep 162 - Deities

Sun, 12 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600

GMs, are the gods in your game worlds present or absent? Big and powerful or quiet and reserved? In this episode we talk about ways you can use deities in your game and Jeremy talks way too long about the comic book series Spawn.

#pathfinder #dnd #dungeonsanddragons #deities

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go:

https://gnomestew.com/making-the-gods-matter-in-fantasy-rpgs/

Ep 161 - Player Indecision

Sun, 05 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Left or right at the intersection? Fight or flee? Sell the potion or keep it for later? Players sometimes find it hard to make a decision and that can drive DMs up a wall. In this episode, we look at possible causes for indecision and repeatedly urge players to make a choice...ANY choice. Please, we DMs are begging you...for the love of Iomedae.

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go:

https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/dec/13/first-time-as-a-d-and-d-dungeon-master-dungeons-and-dragons

Ep 160 - Wizards of the Coast Capitulation and Good Dungeon Maps

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Good dungeon maps give players choices, have a good theme, and contents that support the theme and purpose of your dungeon. But...how do you create dungeons like this? Give this episode a listen and find out.

Also, hopefully we've heard the last of Wizards of the Coast trying to get rid of the OGL 1.0a.

#dnd #opendnd #ogl #pathfinder #paizo #orc

Resources:

Wizards of the Coast announcement: https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1439-ogl-1-0a-creative-commons

What it means to “Jaquay a dungeon”: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/13085/roleplaying-games/jaquaying-the-dungeon

Great interview of Jennell.Jaquays by The Wandering DM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kd1wrdSSc60

Ep 159-OGL 1.2 and Intelligent Magic Items

Sun, 22 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600

The One Ring in Lord of the Rings, The Singing Sword in Bugs Bunny, The Luggage in the Rimworld novels by Terry Pratchett. We've seen intelligent magic items in media and you'd like to bring one into your game world. What's the best way to do that? Are there any tips? Does an animated bear rug poop in the woods?

Seriously...do they? I have no idea.

#OpenDnd #OpenRPG #Pathfinder #OGL #DnD #DungeonsandDragons

Resources:

Dungeon Dudes: How to Homebrew Sentient Magic Items. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1H5oK_GGmI

Ep 158 -Wizards of the Coast OGL 1.1 and the Time of Troubles

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode I weigh in on the Wizards of the Coast OGL 1.1 fiasco and talk about a period in Faerun's history called the Time of Troubles, when gods were mortal and walked the planet with mortals.

The common theme is a powerful entity doing something insanely stupid and causing upheval and calamity. Give it a listen and comment below!

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Paizo #Pathfinder #Wotc #OGL

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go:

The Avatar Series - a 5-book series about the Time of Troubles

Ep 157 - Special Materials in Your World

Sun, 08 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode suggested by a donor over at ko-fi.com/taking20podcast we give some tips to DMs about those rare materials like mithril, cold iron, silver, and...peachwood? What if you want to make your own special materials? Are there any downsides to using them? Tune in and find out.

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #dmtips #pathfinder

Ceci N’est Pas Un Episode

Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600

This is not an episode. Jeremy's passed out right now.

Ep 156 - Holidays in Your World

Sun, 25 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

If your game world has any history at all and any culture, whether it's a single-minded autonomous collective or a rich melting pot of cultures blended together and living in close proximity, there will likely be holidays of some sort. Why do holidays exist? What do you need to create holidays in your world? Tune in this week to find out!

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #Paizo #Holidays

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It's Time to Go

Ep 155 - Scaling Monsters

Sun, 18 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600

In this heaver-than-usual rules episode, we take a look at some of the rules in Pathfinder 2e and D&D 5e for making monsters more or less powerful. We also talk about some game-system-agnostic ways to scale your monsters up or down.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #DMTips

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go: https://www.amazon.com/Resigned-Know-Truths-Stigma-Quitting-ebook/dp/B0BLP2LCQJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AO4TAC6LM4AO&keywords=resigned

D&D Dungeon Master’s Guide

Pathfinder 2e Core Rulebook

Pathfinder 2e Bestiary

Ep 154 - Monster Series - Giants

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Giants. They're all tall and they have reach. Prep work done for an adventure, right? Hold your throwing stone, my DM friend. The different species of giants have very different tactics, capabilities, and motivations. This week Jeremy talks all about the differences and what makes them tick.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DMTips

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go: https://www.amazon.com/Resigned-Know-Truths-Stigma-Quitting-ebook/dp/B0BLP2LCQJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AO4TAC6LM4AO&keywords=resigned

The Monsters Know What They’re Doing: https://www.themonstersknow.com/giant-tactics/

Extra Credits: The Viking Expansion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxItyrp55g8&list=PLhyKYa0YJ_5D16-gw3aGKjuC_iW7R16mF

Ep 153 - Planar Series - Elemental Planes

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 00:00:00 -0600

The 4 elements of creation in Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder lore are so powerful that each has its own plane of existence. What's on these planes and what dangers will characters face when they go there? Tune in to this episode when I discuss this and give you some adventure ideas for each plane!

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #Elemental #Planes

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go: https://www.amazon.com/Resigned-Know-Truths-Stigma-Quitting-ebook/dp/B0BLP2LCQJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AO4TAC6LM4AO&keywords=resigned

5e elemental planes: https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Elemental_planes

Pathfinder elemental planes: https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Elemental_Plane

Dungeons & dragons discontinuing the use of the word race for the word species: https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1393-moving-on-from-race-in-one-d-d

Ep 152 - The Right Way to Leave a Gaming Group

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0600

If you've reached the point where you need to leave the gaming group, the next steps in the process are going to be difficult emotionally and fraught with peril. Handled incorrectly, you can make lifelong enemies of your DM, your fellow players, and anyone they may know. In this episode I talk about the mature and professional way to separate from the group minimizing animosity or hurt feelings.

#dnd #dungeonsanddragons #pathfinder #dmtips #leavingyourgaminggroup

Resources:

Resigned: How to Know When It’s Time to Go: https://www.amazon.com/Resigned-Know-Truths-Stigma-Quitting-ebook/dp/B0BLP2LCQJ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1AO4TAC6LM4AO&keywords=resigned

Ep 151 - Burnout

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Much is written about DM burnout. But you're a player and while you know you should be excited for the Dungeons and Dragons or RPG session tonight, you find yourself dreading it and it doesn't even sound like a good time.

If this is you, you might be experiencing RPG burnout. In this episode, we talk about the causes of burnout and what you can do to find that joy again.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #DMTips #PlayerTips #Burnout

Resources:

How to be a Great GM - https://www.youtube.com/c/HowtobeaGreatGM

Ep 150 - Rovagug

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Don't forget to send me your contest entries before Friday, November 19th!

Minor milestone as we hit episode #150. This week we will talk about Rovagug, the monster in Pathfinder lore that will bring about the end of the multiverse. In this episode we ask: Where is it now? What is it doing? Why do campaigns need creatures of unfathomable evil and chaos and destruction?

#Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons #DnD #GMTips #Rovagug

Resources:

https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Rovagug

https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Spawn_of_Rovagug

https://lovecraft.fandom.com/wiki/Rovagug

https://2e.aonprd.com/Deities.aspx?ID=15

Ep 149 - RPG Lessons from Video Games

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Good ideas can come from anywhere: movies, music, streaming series, and even video games.

You may think that I only mean RPG video games like Dragon Age or The Witcher. Good ideas for characters, game mechanics, and even plots can be taken from video games of all kinds from Super Mario Brothers to Portal. In this episode, you'll hear about tips for taking these ideas and using them at your game table

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #RPG #DMTips

Ep 148 - Monster Series - The Fey

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0500

We conclude horror month with the mysterious and aloof creatures of the Feywild or First World. What makes these creatures scary? What the heck are the Seelie and Unseelie courts? This nymph is offering me a deal that's too good to be true. Should I take it? Tune in and find out.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DMTips #Fey

Resources:

https://roleplayersrespite.com/fey-creatures-in-dnd-5e

Ep 147 - Tension and Corruption

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Today is a mini-listener mailbag episode addressing two major aspects of horror games, tension at the table and corruption in your game world. Please listen in as Jeremy discusses two questions from listeners like you.

#DMTips #DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder

Resources:

3D Crafts and Curios on Facebook: https://www.etsy.com/shop/3DCraftsAndCurios

3D Crafts and Curios on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/3dcraftscurios/

Fairy Tower we are giving away: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1146552166/fairy-dice-tower-fates-end-tabletop?click_key=39401705e45a55583044da45f50f127cf7c5c466%3A1146552166&click_sum=ca4d715d&ga_search_query=fairy&ref=shop_items_search_2&frs=1&sts=1

Tension Pool - https://theangrygm.com/definitive-tension-pool/

Crit Academy - https://www.youtube.com/c/CritAcademy/videos

John Fourr on Building Tension - https://www.roleplayingtips.com/rptn/6-more-exciting-ways-to-create-tension/

Trajectory of Fear by Ash Law - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzBGv7T2YMphdjlZNFVKa1pQZjg/view?resourcekey=0-kJSbTSzALd8aKnHMv8pKQg

Ep 146 - The Afterlife

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, we discuss the published lore in 5e and Pathfinder about what happens after characters pass away.

A fellow podcaster and DM, Thorin McGee from the 3 Wise DMs podcast passed away this week, please consider donating to the GoFundMe set up to benefit his widow.

#DnD #DungeonsAndDragons #Pathfinder #3WiseDMs #ThorinMcGee

Resources:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/thorin-mcgees-legacy-and-wife-fund

http://3wisedms.com

Pathfinder

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering/other-rules/life-and-death/

Dungeon Inn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEZHK6DlgGw

https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Afterlife

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kazgpEz2u2U

https://www.flutesloot.com/5e-afterlife-lore-and-analysis/

https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/story-lore/80013-how-death-and-afterlife-work-in-dnd-lore

https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/jhf2hu/what_is_the_afterlife_like_in_dnd_5e/

Ep 145 - Ethereal and Astral Planes

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0500

While there are similarities between the ethereal and astral planes in the way 5e and Pathfinder present them, there are distinct differences and they are located different places in the different cosmologies. In this episode, we talk about the 4 planes and some unique characteristics and encounters you can find in them.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #GMTips #Ethereal #Astral

Resources:

5e PHB & DMG

Pathfinder 1e & 2e Core Rulebooks

Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel

https://www.realmshelps.net/charbuild/races/elf/ghostelf.shtml

https://dumpstatadventures.com/the-gm-is-always-right/the-planes-ethereal-plane

https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Ethereal_Plane

https://aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?Name=Ethereal%20Plane&Category=Esoteric%20Planes

https://pathfinderwiki.com/wiki/Astral_Plane

https://aonprd.com/Rules.aspx?Name=Astral%20Plane&Category=Esoteric%20Planes

https://www.reddit.com/r/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/9x55k2/what_can_be_found_inside_the_astral_plane_what/

http://thecampaign20xx.blogspot.com/2016/03/dungeons-dragons-guide-to-ethereal-plane.html?m=1

Ep 144 - Types of Horror

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Welcome to Horror Month at the Taking 20 Podcast! All month we will be talking about scary/spooky topics to hopefully make your RPGs even better. This week, I talk about some of the major types of horror and confess what makes my hackles sit up and turn red.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #DMTips

Resources

None. Just the ramblings of an old, insane DM.

Ep 143 - Inspiration from Other Systems

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0500

There are a huge number of people and companies producing a plethora of RPG content for various systems out there. Some of this content makes for greart adventures, location ideas, quest hubs, monsters, NPCs, and anything else you need for your game system. So what if some of it is written for a game you don't play.

In this episode I encourage you to look at other game system content to find what makes sense for you to use in your system.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #DMTips

Resources:

www.drivethrurpg.com

www.dmsguild.com

www.pathfinderinfinite.com

Ep 142 - Don’t Nerf Your PCs Part 2

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0500

I'm not done with nerfing! There's a major aspect of not nerfing PCs that I forgot to cover last week: letting your PCs excel at what they're good at.

Tune in this week as we continue the discussion on this important topic!

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DMTips

Ep 141 - Don’t Nerf Your PCs Part 1

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Sometimes games can get out of balance and it can feel like the PCs have all of the advantages and that's probably because they do. GMs may be tempted to take away or reduce the effectiveness of abilities or equipment used by the PCs but I'm here to tell you there's only one good reason to do so.

#DMTips #DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #RPG

Resources:

The stupid sacred geometry feat: https://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/sacred-geometry/

Great discussion thread on the topic: https://www.enworld.org/threads/how-do-you-feel-about-pc-abilities-being-nerfed-by-the-dm.687189/

And another one: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/dungeons-dragons-discussion/dungeon-masters-only/43641-how-do-you-nerf-a-player-while-still-making-them

Ep 140 - Spelljammer

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Spelljammer is Dungeons and Dragons' attempt to bring a touch of sci fi to their traditional fantasy RPG. It's like 50s Pulp Sci Fi novels were inserted into the world of swords and sorcery, gnomes and nagas. Frankly it's very very strange but in this episode I encourage you to embrace the strange and don't dismiss it simply because it's different than your usual game.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Spelljammer #DMTips

Resources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wey7sgBplp4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ5y_9TdIJQ

https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/spelljammer

Ep 139 - Betrayal

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Betrayal is a common story trope you see in movies, books, and even let's play podcasts. It can be an amazing moment to include in your game but should you? How can you use this dangerous tool to the betterment of your Pathfinder or Dungeons and Dragons game without it backfiring on you? Tune in and find out.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #Betrayal

Resources

https://jennethdyck.wordpress.com/2018/07/17/seven-ways-to-write-betrayal-in-your-novel/

https://wildwritingdreams.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/how-to-create-the-perfect-betrayal-character/

Ep 138 - Making Trustworthy NPCs

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500

It's hard to make NPCs that the PCs will trust, open up to, be vulnerable with. Unfortunately it's not something that anyone can do with 100% success rate. So, how DO you make NPCs the players will gravitate toward? How can you portray these NPCs in such a way that the party wants to interact with them? Tune in and find out.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DMTips

Ep 137 -Lore Series - Starfinder Gap & Empty History

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500

The Gap is an aberration in the lore of most RPG products: a time where history is completely broken and no records remain. What do we know about this time period and how can you use similar empty periods of history in your campaign world? Tune in to find out.

#Starfinder #Paizo #Dungeons and Dragons #DnD

Ep 136 - Plane Series-Multiverse Concept and Material Plane

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Before the MCU introduced the world to that word, "Multiverse" meant something different in the RPG world: a collection of universes, each of which was called a plane. In this episode, Jeremy asks for feedback about starting a new series about the different planes, talks about running adventures in both a traditional RPG multiverse and an MCU-like one.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #DMTips

Ep 135 - The Rule of Three

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This week Jeremy discusses the flexible tool for DMs known as the Rule of Three, including the 3 Clue Rule and other variants of this handy method you can use at your table to keep one bad decision by the PCs from derailing your game and ruining all that time you spent preparing for the game session.

Please consider donating to the podcast at www.ko-fi.com/taking20podcast.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DMTips

Ep 134 - Using Source Material for Your RPG

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This week's topic comes courtesy of Andreas Jonasson who listens from Sweden and generously donated to my ko-fi at ko-fi.com/taking20podcast. In this episode, Jeremy talks about how to respectfully use source material from history, religion, and published game lore at your table and talks about some potential problems that can occur.

To learn more about the podcast, please head over to www.taking20podcast.com.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DMTips

Ep 133 - Using Lies to Make Campaigns Better

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500

DMs are the sources of truth for the game world. The players depend on us to provide the facts about encounters, the world, and NPCs and we should be truthful to the players the vast majority of the time. But, there are times when sprinkling half-truths and lies into your game can make your world more realistic and keep your players on their toes. In this episode Jeremy talks about motivations for NPCs to lie and the best practices for using lies at your table.

#DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #Pathfinder

Ep 132 - Democracies in RPGs

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Democracies are largely prevalent on planet earth but you hardly ever see them in an RPG setting. In this episode, Jeremy discusses why RPGs are rare, the positive and negative aspects of a magical or futuristic society that can be emphasized by a democracy and the logistical challenges of designing a democracy for your game world.

#Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons #RPG #DnD #Andoran

Ep 131 - Lore Series - Orcgate Wars

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Gaming inspiration can come from published material from existing game worlds. In this episode we talk briefly about the Orcgate Wars, its history, the aftermath, and more importantly, how you can use this dramatic event as inspiration for history and adventures in your campaign world.

Hope you tune in and listen!

#OrcgateWars #DungeonsAndDragons #DnD #DM

Ep 130 - Is Realism Overrated

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0500

We all love campaigns that have actions and reactions grounded in realism but in this episode, Jeremy asks, is the work to make things realistic worth it? Would it be better for you to spend that time preparing the next balls to the wall adventure than determining the realistic after effects of a kobold raid against the town's grain storage? Tune in to find out.

#Pathfinder #RPG #DungeonsandDragons #DnD

Ep 129 - Pathfinder Nexus

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Listener Peter sent an email asking about Paizo's planned Pathfinder Nexus so I went digging through the archives and recorded interviews from PaizoCon to discuss the latest I could find.

In this episode I also ask someone to bring me Jason Buhlman but not literally. I just want to talk to him about adventure ideas. This isn't a "bring me the head of my enemies" kind of thing.

Maybe I don't need to record or write descriptions until I'm off the pain meds...

Ep 128 - DMing at Conventions

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0500

If you've never DM'd at a convention or one night at a gaming store, it's just a little different. While you could try to duplicate your gaming experience you give to your normal groups, there are some tips and tricks I've learned that have made my convention games more successful. Here are 10 tips to make your convention game as good as it can be.

Ep 127 - Keeping 1st Level PCs Alive

Sun, 29 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Low level characters die so easily. The game world is full of traps, monsters and all sorts of things looking to do them harm. As a player, how to you keep your fragile character alive? As a DM, how do you change your game to make it not quite so deadly? After all, we don't want to go back to the bad old days when we all had multiple characters in case ours died every single game session.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #RPG #KeepingPCsAlive

Ep 126 - When to Leave Your RPG Group

Sun, 22 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500

It can be hard to find a Dungeons and Dragons group to play with. When you finally find one, it may be even harder to make the decision to leave the group. Why should you leave a gaming group? If you've made the decision, how do you leave your group and find another one? Tune in this week to find out.

#Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons #DnD #RPGs

www.taking20podcast.com

Ep 125 - Monster Series - Vampires

Sun, 15 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Game Masters, vampires are fascinating characters from both literary and RPG lore. They are always powerful, beautiful, and mysterious, right? Not so fast, my friends. In today's episode we talk about some of the vampire myths, people from history who inspired them, and discuss how vampires can be used in your Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder games.

#DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #Dnd #Vampires

Ep 124 - Philosophy of RPG Dice Rolling

Sun, 08 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500

We DMs tend to be quick to tell players to grab their dice during our game sessions but should we? Before having your players make yet another roll this game session, there are some things to ask yourself. In this episode, Jeremy discusses the times when die rolls don't make sense and takes a moment to praise another content provider: Ginny Di who produced a similar episode previously.

#DungeonsandDragons #DnD #Pathfinder #RPG

Ginny Di's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgDff35jtHw&t=152s

Ep 123 - Running Games for Younger Players w Paul Lazrow

Sun, 01 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Running games for younger players has some similarities to running games for adults but there are some key differences that we all must be mindful of. In this episode I interview Paul Lazrow of AdventuringPortal.com who is a professional DM for younger players. We discuss the changes you should and should not make while running a game for children, the use of RPGs in education, and how children approach problems differently than adults.

#DnD #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #AdventurePortal

Ep 122 - Failing Forward

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Players, do you get disheartened when your character fails their acrobatics check and slips off the ice into the freezing river? DMs, do you worry that your PCs may not be able to make it past a point in your adventure because they could fail the skill check, ability roll, or saving throw? In this episode, we talk about both situations and describe the design concept of failing forward when it comes to adventures.

Ep 121 - Lore Series - Earthfall on Golarion

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Earthfall on Golarion, much like the Cataclysm on Krynn, set the stage for the world that was to come for both good and for ill. At first glance this appears to be just another massive comet strike but there is so much more going on behind the scenes.

Tune in to learn more about this world-shaping event.

#Pathfinder #Golarion #EarthFall

Ep 120 - Viewer Mailbag #2

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This week I get to answer some of the questions sent in to me by listeners, from how to work with players who can't game as long as others to the Kender controversy to what my favorite dessert is.

You don't have to wait for mailbag episodes if you have questions. Find me on social media @Taking20Podcast or send them to feedback@taking20podcast.com

#AskADM #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder #DnD

Ep 119 - Handling RPG Arguments

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0500

There are relatively few people who thrive on interpersonal conflict and most people shy away from it in the real world. But what about in your game or at your gaming table? In this episode, I discuss how to handle arguments between characters, between characters and NPCs, between players and finally between players and GMs.

#DMTips #DnD #Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons #Dungeons #Dragons

Ep 118 - Harvesting Parts from D&D and Pathfinder Monsters

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode suggested by Daniel during a donation to ko-fi.com/taking20podcast, I talk about the good, bad, and ugly of allowing your players to harvest their kills and the situations you want to try to avoid if you allow it. Also, I muttered a lot in this episode and will be going to sit in the sunshine after this to improve my mood.

#DnD #Pathfinder #DungeonsandDragons

Ep 117 - How to Make Your Players Care

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

We've all been there. We put together this little adventure of daring adventurers doing amazing things to save those that need saving. Our bad guys are clever, the twist is unexpected and you've worked hours to make sure everything is balanced...and come game night, your players can't even be arsed to learn the quest giver's name or why clearing out the ankhegs is even important.

In this episode, I discuss the difficulty of getting players to care, some techniques to make it easier, and close the episode wtih a little fireside chat with the players on the topic.

#DnD #RPG #DungeonsandDragons #Pathfinder

Ep 116 - The Total Party Kill (TPK)

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0600

By nature of any role playing game where dice are involved, death is a real possibility. There is a huge difference, however, between one of your PCs dying and all of them. In this episode I talk about how TPKs happen and what GMs can do before, during, and after the TPK to keep the campaign going using lessons learned from my TPK experiences in the past.

Ep 115 - Character Downtime

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0600

This episode idea comes courtesy of Lauren in California!

Character Downtime is mishandled by too many DMs. They look at it as time the characters could better spend stabbing things in the face and discovering the Lost Place Settings of Korrak. I think downtime has a place in nearly any adventure. In this episode, I discuss why downtime is important and what activities can fill this time that still drives your story forward.

Ep 114 - The Cataclysm of Krynn

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600

If you'll pardon the phrase, this week Jeremy gushes over an event from the Dragonlance campaign world, Krynn: the Cataclysm. This world-altering event was born from the pride of one man: the Kingpriest who developed a twisted sense of the nature of good, believed the end justified the means, and made demands of the world's gods who responded with fire followed by silence. Jeremy discusses this destruction, the events leading up to it, and the tragedy that followed. Finally, he gives a brief tips on how to think about cataclysms and disasters in your world.

Ep 113 - Interview with Shane from Venture Forth

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600

I was introduced to some of the wonderful members of the Venture Forth podcast a couple of months ago and I was taken aback by the quality of the podcast they produce and the extremely high quality role playing they consistently perform. I knew I had to interview one of the cast members and Shane O'Loughlin was gracious enough to give me some time to talk about Venture Forth and conflict in a game world.

I think you will find their podcast is a master class on staying in character and good role playing. Check them out at:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNl1hOaZiXruwLE8Ct1NNNA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ventureforthdnd/?hl=en
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ventureforthdnd
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ventureforthdnd

Listen to their audio-only podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/venture-forth-a-d-d-podcast/id1554397630
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kQvkZd5XwbaYSJzoYvxbS

#ventureforthdnd #rpg #DungeonsandDragons #DnD

Ep 112 - Class Series - Sorcerer & Wizard

Sun, 13 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600

At last we wrap up the class series with the Sorcerer and the Wizard. We're finally talking about some of those arcane spellcasters who can wield SUPREME COSMIC POWER with a tiny amount of hit points. How should you arrange their ability scores? What feats should you take? Come on in and find out.

Note: There is an error in this episode in the Pathfinder 1e section. Strength should be your lowest ability score. I didn't notice the error until after the episode was published. Sorry about that.

Ep 111 - Why Is Evil Allowed to Persist

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Today's episode comes to us from listener Brett. Thank you for the topic suggestion!

If there is Good and Evil in your world, why does Good allow Evil to remain? Why wouldn't the forces of Good do whatever they had to in order to crush the forces of Evil? Also, if Evil exists in the world, where would it be?

If you have an idea for a topic, send it to me at feedback@taking20podcast.com.

Ep 110 - The Power of Rumors

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0600

They say a lie makes it around the world before the truth has time to get its shoes on. Whether true or false, rumors make your game worlds feel real, lived in, alive. In this episode, we discuss the types of rumors you can include in your Dungeons and Dragons or other RPG game, tips and tricks for their use, and one situation to avoid when giving your PCs rumors.

By the way, Lori works in the castle and she told me that the royal family keeps prisoners in their forest lodge and releases them to hunt them for sport. Sounds like we could save some people and piss off the king at the same time. You in?

Ep 109 - Lore Series - All About Strahd

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Another episode continuing the lore series, this time focusing on one of my favorite Big Bads: Strahd von Zarovich. Treating him as just another vampire does this amazing villain a disservice. He is complex, has a rich backstory, amazing powers, and can serve as a great antagonist to the PCs, whether in Barovia or your custom home game.

If you're interested in supporting the podcast, please consider donating at ko-fi.com/taking20podcast.

Ep 108 - Designing Quests

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0600

In this burboun-soaked episode, Jeremy discusses the different types of quests available, some of the variations on the themes, how to modify them by adding complications, and finally provides some tips and tricks for good quest design.

Ep 107 - Critical Hits & Misses

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0600

In this episode Jeremy talks about the different rules for Critical Hits and Misses in Pathfinder, Starfinder, and 5e; discusses some alternate rules and gives advice for how he handles these situations in his games.

Finally, he gives some advice about what food you should NEVER bring into the bedroom.

Ep 106 - Monster Series - Elementals

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0600

Elementals are a foreign concept in a lot of ways. Creatures made up of water or air that are relatively intelligent, can be summoned or spontaneously created, and aren't just a humanoid in an element suit just seem weird. If you ever wandered where they come from, what they can do and how the fight, give this episode a listen.

I want to specifically thank Keith Ammann and his great book The Monsters Know What They're Doing. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It's an amazing read!

Ep 105 - The Blood War Part 2

Sun, 26 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Happy Holidays one and all! Didn't get enough of the Blood War last time? Good. Let's talk some more about Demons and Devils slaying each other by the billions in a fight that's lasted damn near forever. But what about the Celestials? Who is the Lady of Pain? Where do these fights happen? Tune in and find out!

Ep 104 - 3 Bullet NPCs and Backstories

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600

It's easy to come up with NPCs. What's hard is coming up with NPCs that feel like more than a one dimensional cariacature of someone real. In a topic suggested by Michael K. in Illinois, we discuss a simple 3-bullet technique for GMs to make realisitic NPCs and a similar technique for players to make compelling backstories.

Also, Jeremy gets sent to horny jail.

Ep 103 - Class Series - Paladin and Ranger

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600

This week we talk about two specialized martial characters: the Paladin and Ranger. These are not dumb fighters or mindless barbarians. These characters have options when it comes to fighting and can really give you lots of options when it comes to running a character...with some caveats of course.

Ep 102 - Designing Better Encounters Part 2

Sun, 05 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Continuing last week's discussion on encounter design, this week we tackle the environment, tactics, stakes and motivations of the combat. We discuss variety of the above and how to make combats feel different and better for our 5e and Pathfinder players.

Ep 101 - Designing Better Encounters Part 1

Sun, 28 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0600

This episode is a deeper dive into what makes for a good encounter and how we GMs can make them more memorable by adding variety to the monsters, the location, the motivations and the stakes of the encounter.

Ep 100 - Starting Anywhere But A Tavern

Sun, 21 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Taverns are the most overdone trope of starting campaigns. Taverns are familiar and easy but also bland and boring. While you can start your campaign with a clandestine meeting or good old fistfight in the local tavern, there are so many better options available to you. In this episode, I make a case for making a better choice.

Ep 99 - Monster Series - Kobolds

Sun, 14 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Kobolds are just moronic annoying little tunneling monsters who are just goblins in a different body, right? WRONG! Kobolds aren't like other monstrous humanoids. They build complicated lairs, work with other races, and are masterful hit-and-run combatants.

Ep 98 - D&D5e and PF2e Ancestries and Races

Sun, 07 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Wizards of the Coast released some radical character creation ideas in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything and Pathfinder 2e drastically changed the way ancestries were treated in the newest edition of its game. What are those changes? Are they good for the game? Tune in and find out.

Ep 97 - Curses and Cursed Items

Sun, 31 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Curses have played major roles in numerous movies and media: the ring in Lord of the Rings, the Aztec gold in Pirates of the Caribbean, Ladyhawke, Shrek, Ella Enchanged, the list goes on. How can you use these curses in your game and not have your player try to kill you with a d4? Tune in to find out.

Ep 96 - Monster Series - Mimics

Sun, 24 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500

GMs, do your players like treasure? Sure they do. Everyone does; and that's why mimics are always medium-sized treasure chests in the corner, right? Not so fast, my friend. Mimics are more than mindless, opportunistic hunters. Tune in for some tips and tricks for using these creatures in your game.

Ep 95 - Familiars, Animal Companions, and Summoned Creatures

Sun, 17 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500

PCs have a number of options when it comes to bringing more allies to the battlefield and to the campaign. What are some best practices for PCs who want to have a super-intelligent celestial dinosaur best friend that they can bring into this plane anytime they want? Tune in and find out.

Ep 94 - Class Series - Fighters and Monks

Sun, 10 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500

This week we return to the class series, focusing on those classes that focus a lot on baddie hit points: fighters and monks. Do you want some ideas on how to build a Pathfinder or D&D 5e Fighter or Monk? Then this episode is for you.

Ep 93-Virtual Tabletop Tips

Sun, 03 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Is your game moving online or staying online longer than you expected? Mine are staying online for a while so I compiled a list of tips that can help you and your game while using Virtual Tabletops (VTTs).

Music is:

Smooth Lovin by Kevin MacLeod

Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4379-smooth-lovin

License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Ep 92 - Travel and Exploration

Sun, 26 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Travel between adventures doesn't have to be a boring slog of survival checks or reinforcement of how empty your world is. Travel and exploration activities can spark the imagination, jump start role play and help set the tone for your entire campaign. Tune in for some ideas on how to execute your players...er...a good travel section of your adventure.

Ep 91 - Safely Introducing New Gameplay Features

Sun, 19 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Fair warning: I'm doing weird episodes again. This week, I advocate taking lessons from video games and movies and introducing new class abilities and gameplay mechanics in a safe, non-lethal environment...except for the one case where it doesn't make sense.

Ep 90 - The GRAPES Worldbuilding System

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Building worlds, countries, and even towns can be tough. There are a lot of moving parts to try to tame and it's easy to miss preparing some important information. Luckily, the GRAPES worldbuilding system is here to help provide a framework on which you can build your world. In this episode we talk about how we can use this great tool.

Ep 89 - Monster Series - Goblins

Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Goblins are classic low level one-note baddies that eat anything they can, kill everything else, except for the few things that they try to mate with. There's no nuance there, right? Not so fast my friends. Goblins can be just as nuanced as the other ancestries and make for great player characters and big bads for your campaigns.

Ep 88 - Class Series-Holy Moley The Cleric and Druid

Sun, 29 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Clerics and Druids are more diverse than most people realize. Playing them as Healy McHealface and Joe Ent-Lover may come second nature (ba-dum-tss) but they can be played a lot of different ways to satisfy a lot of different players. In this week's episode we look at the fun and choices of playing these two classes.

Ep 87 - Inspiration from the 5e DMG Disclaimer

Sun, 22 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500

At the beginning of the D&D 5th Edition Dungeon Master's Guide there is a paragraph that was likely only included as a joke and it reinforced my belief that inspiration for good DMing really can come from anywhere. During this episode, we go over the paragraph and Jeremy gives some advice that all of us can take from this unusual source.

Ep 86 - Skill Challenges

Sun, 15 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Skill challenges were one of the best things to come out of the much maligned 4th edition of Dungeons and Dragons. What are they? How can you use them in your campaign? Will Jeremy ever be able to limit himself to a 20 minute episode again?

Ep 85 - What I Wish I'd Known When I Started Playing D&D

Sun, 08 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Like most people who have done something for a while, I look back at my early days of playing D&D and cringe at some of the mistakes I made as a new player. In this episode we talk about 15 of those mistakes and the lessons I've learned since then.

Ep 84 - 3-Dimensional and Underwater Combat

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Adding aerial or swimming combatants to your battlefield can make things very complicated very quickly. It doesn't help matters when the different game systems are so different in the way they handle these situations. In this episode, Jeremy talks about the challenges, reasons to persevere through those challenges, and tips he's learned running these complicated combats.

Tune in next week when I'll talk about what I wish I'd known when I started playing Dungeons and Dragons

Ep 83 - Class Series - Barbarian and Bard

Sun, 25 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500

I received a listener suggestion to talk about some of the classes available in 5e and Pathfinder. This episode starts that series, beginning with the Barbarian and the Bard. Jeremy talks about tropes, playing with them and against them, and his wife helps him with a beep button when things get a little...suggestive.

Ep 82 - Ending the Campaign

Sun, 18 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500

"Part of the journey is the end," as it was so wisely said. As tough as it can be guiding the adventure to an end, handling the end properly can be surprisingly tougher. In this episode Jeremy talks about his favorite method to put a bow on a campaign and prime the next one for success.

Ep 81 - Lycanthropy and Inflicted Transformations

Sun, 11 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Oops. One of your PCs was just bitten by a werewolf and have begun the transformation into a howling, flesh-devouring monster. How do you handle this as a GM? Does the PC automatically become an NPC? Tune in and find out.

Now with an introduction recorded by Suzysays on Fiverr. She did amazing work. Get her help with your voice over project at https://www.fiverr.com/suzysays/

Ep 80 - Non-Combat Encounters

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Combat encounters are easy. Stab, slash, or shoot the other team until they aren't trying to kill you. Non-combat encounters can be just as challenging and fun, though. In this episode Jeremy talks about types of this important tool in your arsenal and how to challenge PCs with them.

Ep 79 - Demons Devils and the Blood War

Sun, 27 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0500

The Blood War isn't good vs evil. It's evil vs evil. In Dungeons and Dragons Demons and Devils have been battling it out for millennia in what's known as The Blood War. What do we know about this conflict and more importantly, how can you use it in a campaign?

Ep 78 - Tips for Scene Descriptions

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Do you struggle describing what the characters see? Do you need a magic method to instantly make you better? I can't help with that but I can provide a couple of formulas I've used to describe scenes for my players. Thank you Trevor for the topic idea.

Ep 77 - Optional and Crazy Combat Rules That Can Quicken Your Game

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Is combat getting a little bit...stale? Are your D&D or Pathfinder combats taking too long and they have become a long battle of hit point attrition, rules research, and having to explain 3 times per round what's going on? Are you willing to try a few things that are...unconventional? Well, my good open-minded listener, we talk about 20 ideas in 20 minutes for making combat faster, easier, crazier, and maybe a little better.

Ep 76 - Customizing Prewritten Campaigns

Sun, 06 Jun 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Prewritten modules and adventures are a DM's friend. They are simple, canned documents that you can insert into your world as needed but they're better if you customize them; make them more integrated with your game world, your players' characters, and important NPCs. Don't know where to get started? I'm here to help.

Ep 75 - Better Backstories

Sun, 30 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500

You're starting a new campaign! Yay! Everything is so shiny and new. Your DM has asked you to come up with a backstory for your dragonborn druid from the high deserts and you have no idea where to begin. How do I incorporate my backstory into the DM's world? How can I help my DM create adventures with my backstory?

Or you may be a DM who wants to incorporate backstories into the new campaign and you aren't quite sure how to proceed. Good news everyone! This episode can help you either way.

Ep 74 - Monster Series - Owlbears

Sun, 23 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Owlbears - one of my favorite monstrosities to throw at my players. Sneaky ambushers? Nah. Subtlety is for chumps. In this episode we talk about the history of the owlbear, its properties, and how DMs can use them in their campaigns.

Ep 73 - Oops the PCs Killed the Big Bad

Sun, 16 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500

You were looking forward to an antagonist for the PCs that would last a few months. You had a plan to integrate him into two of the PCs' backstories and for a climactic battle on a volcanic rock. But the PCs were smart and found a way to kill your big bad earlier than you wanted. In this episode Jeremy discusses what you should do next and some strategies to keep it from happening in the future.

Ep 72 - Minimalist DM Prep Tips

Sun, 09 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500

This topic was suggested by Adrian Young on the Taking 20 Facebook page. Lots of DMs burn out because they spend hours and hours preparing for gaming sessions while their players get to just show up and play. In this episode, we talk about tools that DMs can use to reduce their overall prep time before each gaming session.

Ep 71 - Debilitating Conditions

Sun, 02 May 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Certain conditions that affect characters can have a negative effect at your table. While I don't advocate completely getting rid of some of these conditions, in this episode I talk about how DMs should use them with caution and advice for players whose characters are taken out of the fight or gaming session by one or more of these conditions.

Ep 70 - Artifacts and Other Devices of Power

Sun, 25 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Artifacts can be simple engines to generate adventures or powerful items wielded by the PCs to accomplish a mission or slay a powerful creature. Used without care, however, and artifacts will break your game. In a slightly long episode, we discuss the positive and negatives of artifacts and how DMs can use them in their games.

Ep 69 - Monster Series - Succubus and Incubus

Sun, 18 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Succubi and their lesser known male cousins, the incubi: devious, corrupting masters of temptation with pleasures of the flesh and mind. How can a DM use these in a campaign? How do they fight? What would my succubus look like? Tune in and find out!

Ep 68 - All About the Big Bad

Sun, 11 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500

A good villain can make or break your campaign. How do you make villains that feel real, are well-rounded, and memorable for your players? Come on in and take a listen.

Edit: Yes, it's a touch over 20 minutes. I edited down and edited down and feel like I already cut too much. I'm asking for your forgiveness for the 24 extra seconds.

Ep 67 - Making Magic Items Feel Special

Sun, 04 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Magic items are supposed to be these powerful relics that can make your PCs harder, better, faster, and stronger (we'll miss you Daft Punk). So why does it feel like most players react with, "Oh, another +1 scimitar." How do you make magic items feel special in your high-magic or low-magic campaign?

Ep 66 - Getting Into Character Roleplay

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Hack and slash games are fun where you don't have to worry about the emotional state of the players or NPCs and you can just throw dice. Suppose you are going to be part of a roleplay heavy campaign or want to learn to be a better role player? Here are a lucky set of 13 tips and tricks you can use to help give your character some depth.

Ep 65 - Ruins and Ancient Civilizations

Sun, 21 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

What is it about ruins that make them so good for DMs and players? How do ruins come to be? How can a GM use ruins in a campaign and what are some tips to do so? Grab your favorite drink and let's talk about it!

Ep 64 - Monster Series - Beholders - The Eyes Have It

Sat, 13 Mar 2021 23:00:00 -0600

Continuing the monster series, this time Jeremy tackles the iconic Beholder, a potential floating Total Party Kill with eyestalks. What are these creatures and how should DMs use them in an adventure? Come on in and find out!

Like what you hear? Buy me a ko-fi! www.ko-fi.com/taking20podcast.

Ep 63 - High vs Low Magic Campaigns

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0600

You may have heard the terms "High Magic" and "Low Magic" when describing adventure settings but what does that even mean? Is LSD involved? Where would I even score any at 8:33 a.m. on a Sunday? Good news is that it's just a way of thinking about the prevalence of magic in your campaign. Just come on in and have a listen.

Ep 62 - Vetting Players and DMs

Sun, 28 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Once you find a potential DM or players, how do you know they will be the right ones for your game? How do you know the game will be the right one for you? In this episode Jeremy discusses questionnaires, interviews, and meetings to find a good match.

Ep 61 - Improve Your Cliffhangers with These 3 Strategies

Sun, 21 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Should you use cliffhangers to entice your players? If so, how and how often? Fear not. This short episode has got all of that covered. Give it a listen and don't forget to subscribe and provide comments and feedback!

Ep 60 - Monster Series - Lich Better Have My Money

Sun, 14 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Happy Valentine's Day! The Monster Series resumes this time focusing on those alpha dogs of the necromantic RPG world: liches. How do DMs use them in their campaign? What tactics should they take on the battlefield? Tune in and find out.

Ep 59 - Alignment and the Loss of Inherently Evil Creatures

Sun, 07 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Wizards of the Coast and Paizo have wisely removed some of the problematic depictions of ancestries and ethnicities, adding nuance to those previously portrayed as universally evil. How does that change our games and what does it mean for DMs?

Ep 58 - The Evil Campaign

Sun, 31 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Sometimes it's good to be bad. Evil campaigns can be amazing adventures unto themselves and can allow good role players to really stretch their wings and embrace being horrible people. There are traps and potential gotchas to both running and being in a campaign. Here's how to avoid them.

Ep 57 - Quest and Adventure Design

Sun, 24 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600

This episode idea is courtesy of Daniel in Melbourne, Australia who wanted to know where I get my ideas for quests. In this episode, I talk about the different types of quests that you can run, sources for quest ideas, the importance of flexibility when it comes to quest solutions, and finally best practices for the two categories that all quests should fall under.

Ep 56 - Character Optimization and Saying No as a DM

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600

There's been a lot of character optimization discussion online the past couple of months. What is it? Should players always optimize their characters? On the flip side, DMs need to say yes to player choices, right? Not always. Jeremy discusses the situations when optimization may be necessary, encouragement for DMs to say yes to their choices when possible, and the powerful ability to say No when necessary.

Ep 55 - Making Your Campaign World Feel Different from Earth

Sun, 10 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600

Another worldbuilding episode where we discuss ways you can make your campaign world feel different than the mundane rock we currently live on. Before you tackle making your first outlandish world, give this a listen!

Ep 54 - Supporting First Time Players and GMs

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600

We all remember our first time, nervously fumbling about. Maybe it was with someone you know well, perhaps a stranger. Maybe it was with a group of people you went to school with. And if we do things the right way, maybe we can be there to support someone's first time having sex...er...tabletop gaming. In this episode we talk about how we support these new players and new Game Masters at our tables.

Ep 53 - Using Puzzles In Your RPG

Sun, 27 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600

You've been playing Skyrim and you'd like to test your players' wits by adding a clever puzzle to baffle them in their bonnets and worry them in their wigs. How do you add puzzles without making them boring or too deadly? How do you add puzzles that make sense? Tune in to find out! I'd love to hear your feedback or episode ideas to feedback@taking20podcast.com.

Ep 52 - Regarding Cody's "I'm Quitting Pathfinder 2e Video" and Using Sounds and Visual Aids In Your Game

Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600

In the cold open, Jeremy responds to the "I'm Quitting Pathfinder 2e" video by Cody at the Youtube channel called "Taking 20" (not affiliated).

Chances are you've watched or listened to a live let's play podcast as they used music, sound effects, and visual puzzles during an episode. What are some tips for doing that in my home game? Jeremy can help with that!

Ep 51 - The Matt Mercer Effect and Setting Expectations

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600

I wanted to address an aspect of Critical Role's success that's mentioned too often called the Matt Mercer effect. Its most common manifestation is that every Tabletop RPG should be just like Critical Role and every DM should be just like Matthew Mercer. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down why that's simply unfair to him and to your DM.

Ep 50 - Using Traps In Your Game

Sun, 06 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600

Traps - some DMs love them and others hate them. PCs usually hate them so how do you use them effectively in your campaign? How can they go wrong? Why are Pixie farts brought up so often this week?

Ep 49 - Monster Series - Illithid and Mind Flayers

Sun, 29 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600

Mind flayers - evil alien beings with octopus heads and the ability to fry your mind from 60 feet away then eat it while you're still breathing. I know. Freaky, right? What about these monsters and their abilities? How can you use them in a campaign? Well, wonder no longer.

Ep 48 - Less Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for PCs

Sun, 22 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600

Let's flip the screen. What should players do to get ready for Session 0 and how can they help make the session a success? I'm glad you asked, voice in my head. Here are some tips!

Ep 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600

Most campaigns are better when they start with a Session 0 but what the heck is a Session 0? What do you do during a Session 0 and how do you conduct one?

Ep 46 - When Your Story Goes Off the Rails

Sun, 08 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600

You're a DM and you have a story you'd like to tell but the darn Player Characters won't follow the story. What do you do? How do you handle the campaign that's not going as planned? Jeremy pulls a major piece of advice from a song from 1980s band 38 Special.

Ep 45 - Using Minions from D&D 4E to Make Combat Better

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 01:00:00 -0500

A lot of people dismiss D&D 4th Edition as a mistake but there were a lot of good aspects to that version of the game. One of them was minions which were simplified monsters used in tandem with bosses and boss fights. In this episode Jeremy suggests that bringing the concept back can spice up combat encounters.

Ep 44 - Running a Horror Themed Game

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500

It's almost Halloween in the U.S. and maybe you'd like to run a scary One Shot or Adventure. How do you bring scary elements into your game? What types of horror are there? Jeremy waxes poetic about one of his favorite adventure types.

Ep 43 - Reskinning Monsters

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Want a Roc that can teleport giant rocks to drop on the players? How about an alien with acid for blood found on a crash landed ship. That's completely unique and no one else has ever thought of it. In this episode Jeremy gives some tips for customizing monsters and mostly encourages you to be creative with your creatures!

Ep 42 Part 3 - Ask the DM with Johnn Four

Thu, 15 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In the finale of the 3-part interview, Johnn and Jeremy discuss garnering emotional responses from your players and a weird question about the Stone to Flesh spell.

Ep 42 Part 2 - Ask the DM with Johnn Four

Tue, 13 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In Part 2 of the interview, Jeremy and Johnn discuss how to hand out treasure, and making compelling cultures. Part 3 will release this Thursday!

Ep 42 Part 1 - Ask the DM with Johnn Four

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In the first of what I hope will be many more to come, Jeremy sits down to answer listener and reader questions with Johnn Four of www.roleplayingtips.com. The rest of the interview will be released Tuesday and Thursday this week.

Ep 41 - RPG Gatekeeping

Sun, 04 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500

RPG Gatekeeping is the practice of deciding someone isn't worthy of participating in our hobby or that because they look different, have different beliefs, or lead a different lifestyle, they can't participate in our hobby. It's wrong. In this episode Jeremy talks about the need to be accepting of everyone in the hobby, young/old, straight/gay/bi, cis/trans. None of that matters. What matters is can you sit at the table and have a good time together.

Ep 40 - Random Encounters

Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Random Encounters, some DMs love them, some hate them. In this episode Jeremy discusses strategies for using Random Encounters that still make your world feel alive and active but won't derail your gaming session.

Ep 39 - Worldbuilding - Real World Organization Parallels for your Fantasy or Sci-Fi World

Sun, 20 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Jeremy fights through a sinus infection to talk about how you can use real world organizations as a framework for groups and guilds that could exist in your world. He also mispronounces a lot of words and generally sounds rough. I apologize for that.

Ep 38 - Handling Rewards and Loot

Sun, 13 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Seems simple, doesn't it? Your players' characters do something amazing and you give them something for it. Players, your characters slay the beast and stare at a huge pile of stuff. However, when mishandled, players can feel like they're getting shafted when it comes to loot and this can cause hurt feelings, rifts in the party, and even cause players to leave your game.

Ep 37 - Adjudicating Skill and Ability Checks

Sun, 06 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In RPGs, skill checks are different from attack rolls, saving throws, and other d20 rolls. Jeremy discusses some ways that skill checks can be used in your game and how they can be adjucated in multiple ways.

Ep 36 - The Big GM Secret

Sun, 30 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In one of is rare DM-only episodes, Jeremy discusses the secret to ratcheting up the tension for the players to make them feel their characters' lives are on the line.

Ep 35 - Battle Map vs Theater of the Mind

Sun, 23 Aug 2020 00:01:00 -0500

There are two primary ways that combat can be run in Role Playing Games - Using battle maps that are printed or digitally produced or theater of the mind where all the action happens in everyone's imaginations. Like nearly everything else, there are advantages to each and this episode discusses pros and cons of each with some lessons Jeremy has learned along the way.

Ep 34 - Monster Series - Dragons

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Dragons. They should be important encounters and villains. Hell, they're in the name "Dungeons and Dragons". How do you make encounters with them epic? How should they take on the plucky band of adventurers who seek to steal their treasure from their lairs? In this 20 minute episode, we look at things from a dragon's perspective and discuss tips and tricks for running these all powerful badasses like they should be run.

Ep 33 - Dealing with Character Death

Sun, 09 Aug 2020 00:01:00 -0500

The idiot host of this podcast keeps saying that character death is a powerful and dramatic moment. If that's true, how do we as DMs deal with the death of a character around the table? In this episode we talk about the dos and don'ts of character death and how to handle the moment properly.

Ep 32 - Player Cheating

Sun, 02 Aug 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Having discussed whether GMs can cheat, Jeremy focuses the lens on how players cheat and recommendations for how GMs can handle the table when players cheat. Please provide feedback to feedback@taking20podcast.com.

Ep 31 - Should You Cheat as a GM

Sun, 26 Jul 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Are Game Masters beholden to the same rules that players are? If it would result in a dramatic story beat or important campaign moment, is it okay for GMs to change prewritten adventures, change monster hit points and abilities in the middle of the battle, or even change the dice rolled behind the screen?

Ep 30 - Save or Suck

Sun, 19 Jul 2020 00:01:00 -0500

How viable are spells that give the victim a single saving throw before taking them out of a fight, campaign, or existence? Should you use these spells against PCs? What alternatives are there? In this episode we discuss these questions and much more about the spells and abilities where you make the save or it sucks to be you.

Ep 29 - Monster Series - Intelligent Undead

Sun, 12 Jul 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Why would GMs play unholy antagonists and Big Bad Evil Guys like morons? In too many prepublished adventures, intelligent undead like liches, vampires, and ghasts are played as rash, unthinking, bumbling buffoons. Jeremy presents alternate ways of thinking. He gets into the mind of an ageless creature and hopefully gets your thoughts going on how to role play these rare, intelligent, monsters.

Ep 28 - Unusual Party Sizes and GM NPCs

Sun, 05 Jul 2020 00:01:00 -0500

We'd all love to DM/GM for a 4-person party but it is rare. More often we'll have 6 players or even 8-9 who want to play in a campaign even if we only start off with 4. How do you handle these huge parties or small parties of less than 4? If you have a small party, how do you add capabilities to the party with NPCs?

Ep 27 - Role vs Roll Playing

Sun, 28 Jun 2020 00:01:00 -0500

What is the difference between roll and role playing? How should players and GMs approach the balance between the two? Thank you Trevor in San Antonio for the topic idea!

Ep 26 - Basics of Improv and How It Helps you Be a Better GM and Player

Sun, 21 Jun 2020 00:01:00 -0500

The ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome obstacles is a critical skill needed for GMs and players alike. In this episode Jeremy discusses techniques of improvisation utilizing the basic tenets he learned performing improv comedy, allowing GMs to keep the story on track and players to support their game partners.

Ep 25 - Metagaming

Sun, 14 Jun 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Players using their knowledge to make decisions for their characters is always bad, right? In this episode, Jeremy talks about the good and bad of metagaming and even cites examples when the DM inadvertently or purposefully provides metagame knowledge to the players. Come visit us at www.taking20podcast.com

Ep 24 - Giving Your Character or NPC Dimensions

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Tired of shopkeepers with no name? Ready to make your character stand out from the ocean of numbers on the character sheet? In this episode we discuss how to make your characters or NPCs feel like real, fleshed-out people by giving them goals, motivations, foibles and flaws.

Ep 23 - Character Arcs

Sun, 31 May 2020 00:01:00 -0500

In what will hopefully help role players, we explore positive and negative character arcs. How do you give a character an arc to follow? Using examples from popular media, we look at how arcs can progress. Finally, we talk briefly about how to support arcs for your fellow players' characters. Come see us at Taking 20 Podcast.com

Ep 22 Pt 2 - Roleplaying Your Alignment

Wed, 27 May 2020 00:01:00 -0500

With the safe alignments out of the way, Jeremy now addresses how to roleplay the evil alignments and Chaotic Neutral. Thanks for listening and come see us at www.taking20podcast.com to listen to provide feedback and suggestions for future episodes!

Ep 22 Pt 1 - Roleplaying Your Alignment

Sun, 24 May 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Alignment - the much-maligned aspect of many modern RPG systems. In Part 1, Jeremy discusses his theory on alignment, when it matters, and tips for roleplaying Lawful Good, Neutral Good, Chaotic Good, Lawful Neutral and True Neutral characters. Part 2 will release on Wednesday this week.

Agree or disagree with any of these points? Email me at feedback@taking20podcast.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Resources:

https://mykindofmeeple.com/role-playing-games/dungeons-and-dragons/

In depth alignment discussion: http://easydamus.com/alignment.html

Matthew Colville Alignment video in the Running the Game series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgPhiLBW7jo

Ep 21 - Homebrew 101 - Ghoulash

Sun, 17 May 2020 00:02:00 -0500

With a mishmash of homebrew topics remaining, none of which warranted a full episode, Jeremy throws them all into the cooking pot and makes an episode out of it. Topics covered include getting player help for worldbuilding, the 3 Hex method, and lessons learned about adding new rules to existing systems.

For more info about the 3 Hex method, see this great article.

Ep 20 - Homebrew 101 - World Design

Sun, 10 May 2020 00:01:00 -0500

This episode of full of questions. What do you need to ask yourself when making a world? What decisions are potential pitfalls? What does the world buidling subreddit have to do with any of this? Why is Jeremy still asking questions?

Resources

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America World Building Questions

Ep 19 - Homebrew 101 - The 5 Room Dungeon

Sun, 03 May 2020 00:01:00 -0500

"Hey, what's in that cave over there?" An innocent question that can make a DM sweat. You didn't prepare a cave dungeon. Not to worry, my friend. Thanks to John Fourr over at RolePlayingTips.com, you can whip up a 5 Room Dungeon on the fly that will make your players giggle with delight and they'll have no idea you were making it up as you go.

Resources

Johnn Four's Roleplaying Tips

Ep 18 - Homebrew 101 - The 3 Act Structure

Sun, 26 Apr 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Everything you didn't want to know about the 3 Act Structure and why Jeremy loves it so much! He discusses how to frame an entire plot around this useful story framework, the action that takes place, and what signifies the transition points from one act to the next.

Send us some feedback at feedback@taking20podcast.com!

Ep 17 - Homebrew 101 - Basics of Plot & Story

Sun, 19 Apr 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Episode 17! Another prime number! Jeremy talks in depth about using common plot structures such as Freytag's pyramid, 3 Act Structure and the 7 most basic plots. He may also briefly rant about why everyone loves the play Romeo and Juliet.

Come see us on www.taking20podcast.com!

Resources

Story Design By Layer by Nick Palmer

Ep 16 - Homebrew 101 - Random Tables and Generators Are Your Friend

Sun, 12 Apr 2020 00:01:00 -0500

In this week's episode, Jeremy talks about embracing low-prep or even no-prep game mastering. He uses offline and online generators to generate a brief sci-fi one-shot idea.

Books:

Book of Random Tables

Book of Random Tables 2

Book of Random Tables 3

Book of Random Tables 4

Dungeons for the Master

The No-Prep Gamemaster

The Lazy Dungeon Master

The Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Table Fables

Table Fables II

Websites:

donjon.bin.sh

tvtropes.org/pmwiki/storygen.php

chaoticshiny.com

Ep 15 - Homebrew 101 - Sources for Plot Ideas

Sun, 05 Apr 2020 00:01:00 -0500

This episode starts a series for GMs about Homebrewing adventures. We cover borrowing plots from mythology, music, movies, and other media. He talks about adding organizations with earth analogies. Finally, he demonstrates the techniques by making an adventure based on The DaVinci Code and the movie Megamind.

Ep 14 - Personality Types at the Table

Sun, 29 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0500

We all play RPGs in different ways and for different reasons. How can you, kind GM, juggle these different personality types and goals into a cohesive gaming group? Are there personality types that aren't conducive to good gaming? Can Jeremy write one of these not in the 3rd person that doesn't ask questions?

Ep 13 - Your Players Are Your Game

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Scared of the Number 13? Don't be. On this episode, Jeremy talks about the critical relationship between a GM and players and how communication is key. He also talks about some techniques GM can employ to make the players and their characters feel important and part of the greater game world.

Ep 12 - Murder Hobos and Encouraging Role Play

Sun, 22 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Ah, the murder hobo. Bane of GM existence, right? Not necessarily. Jeremy talks about what needs to be done (if anything) about murder hobos in your campaigns. He also goes over some basic carrots you can dangle in front of players to encourage role playing.

Ep 11 - Prebuilt vs Homebrew Adventures

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Advantages and disadvantages of prebuilt adventures vs designing your own homebrew adventure.

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Ep 10 - Good Character Design

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0500

DOUBLE DIGITS and I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!

Jeremy this time talks about building characters around tropes, concepts, pictures, party roles, and statistics. Finally, Jeremy discusses the things your character simply must be, regardless of the personality he/she has.

Ep 9 - Realistic NPCs

Sun, 15 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0500

Jeremy ventures into NPC territory now, discussing how to make your NPCs multidimensional and realistic. We talk about how to make NPCs memorable and how to give them primitive character arcs.

EPISODE RESOURCE: https://www.reddit.com/r/DnDBehindTheScreen/comments/81le54/a_suggestion_on_adding_depth_to_npcs/

Ep 8 - To Min-Max or Not to Min-Max

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

In the last of week 2's episodes, Jeremy talks about min-maxing and how it's not necessarily a bad thing.

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Ep 7 - Railroad vs. Sandbox Adventures

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

Jeremy finally learns how to cover a topic in a single episode. Railroads and Sandboxes are defined, compared, with benefits and drawbacks for each. Jeremy also discusses the concept of the linear storyline and chain of sandboxes.

Ep 6 - Managing Your Table Part 2

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 00:00:00 -0500

If brevity is the soul of wit, Jeremy's been witless these first 6 episodes. He continues the discussion for GMs to manage their table, including how to handle politics, party infighting, PvP, character secrets, and other topics.

Ep 5 - Managing Your Table Part 1

Sun, 08 Mar 2020 00:01:00 -0600

Like a schizophrenic Cerberus, Jeremy pivots back to advice for GMs. How to manage your table by managing yourself, communicating with players, preparing the gaming space, setting expectations, and handling difficult/controversial topics.

Ep 4 - What Makes a Good Player Part 2

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:54:13 -0600

Jeremy continues his discussion about what makes a good player: buying in, embracing failure, being present at the table.

Ep 3 - What Makes a Good Player?

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:51:03 -0600

Enough about DMs. They get too much glory anyway. Jeremy flips the screen and talks about the players. What makes a good player? How can you help and support your fellow players and GMs?

Ep 2 - So You STILL Want to Be a GM

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:45:44 -0600

Since it was too much for one episode, Jeremy continues his discussion on what makes a good Game Master / Dungeon Master. Have you finished the drink from last episode yet? WELL WHY NOT?

Ep 1 - So You Want to Be a GM

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:43:44 -0600

Do you want to be a GM? Are you stuck being a GM? Are you nervous about it? Pour yourself your drink of choice and give this episode a listen!

Ep 0 - What Is This?

Sat, 29 Feb 2020 20:37:15 -0600

Short, bite-sized RPG discussions on various topics for players and DMs alike.