Has tabletop role-playing game prep changed for us over the years? If so, why? It depends on the game. Be it a one shot, a campaign or con event, game prep may be different for each. Thanks James for posing the question. Announcements Evercon.org – some BSer’s are running games at the con, be great...
PCs Operating as a Team v. as Individuals Some games seem to promote individual play as much as group play – some players seem to thrive/enjoy doing private adventures in and amongst other groups. What are our experiences with this? Announcements Evercon.org – some BSer’s are running games at the con, be great to have...
We often talk about mechanics, settings, options, and features of an role-playing game system that we like or don’t like, but is there something that we wish was out there that we’ve not found yet? I mean… what’s the next development in gaming that we’re waiting to have someone build? Announcements Evercon.org – some BSer’s...
Not a recap of Gamehole Con, but we learned some things. We also talk about book formats in the rpg hobby. This latter piece inspired by Ray Otus. Announcements Thank you to all the BSer’s Evercon.org – some BSer’s are running games at the con, be great to have more! Avalon Random Encounter Trevor Davis...
Running a role-playing game for young teenagers presents a certain set of challenges. DM Cojo has a voicemail where he shares his observations. “No, Little Johnny, you can’t be a half-orc barbarian. Ok, little Sally, you can’t just fly”…or can you? Announcements Evercon.org – Robert is running Five Torches, DCC, and AS&SH Avalon KS –...
Tracking wealth, aka the treasure, of player characters, is it needed? How do you do it? “Tired of tracking coins and individual purchases for player characters in role-playing games, I’ve experimented with several other methods that abstract wealth. It’s more a matter of what standard of living the PCs can afford. Anything appropriate to that...
Descriptions in rpg’s. How to align the way the game master and players exchange information. An example: “I’m looking for any irregularities in the walls, drafts, breaks in the mortar” versus “I search the room”. Thanks to Matt Seiberlich for the topic suggestion. Announcements Evercon.org Random Encounter From Mike H. – looking for advice Jello...
Sub-optimal behavior is core to tabletop role-playing games. Matt Colville mentions this in his Running the Game #56 and I figured we should discuss it Random Encounter Jared Rascher comments on Why So Serious? Steve Orlik has an epiphany and character sheets Goblins Henchmen calls in all serious Chris Schorb calls in about strongholds and his...
“I started my Delta Green game”, says Brett. Oooh, that sounds fun. What do you have going on? Announcements Evercon.org – Events, T-shirts, and discounted badges Random Encounter Blake Ryan on RPG Character Sheets Jeff Goad replies to Why So Serious? DM Cojo asks how to help a younger player GM for adults Die Roll...
RPGs can be taken very, very seriously. Sometimes, we don’t even understand that someone at our table is taking it as seriously as they are. We share our personal perspectives and we touch on whether you can separate the art from the artist! Random Encounter Laramie Wall on RPG Character Sheets Ian writes in about...
The mighty role-playing game character sheet. It’s at the core of almost every rpg that has been published. There’s the presentation of the character sheet. Some help you understand the game. We talk about them. Announcements Sean put up an unboxing of Masks of Nyarlathotep Gamer Prop Set on Youtube Random Encounter John M writes...
Brett wanted to check in on Sean’s Call of Cthulhu role-playing game as he continues to get players through the greatest rpg campaign ever written, Masks of Nyarlathotep! Announcements Forums! Evercon.org Gameholecon.com Random Encounter Laramie writes in about cheating at the table Al Evans on the forum had interesting story about a cheater Ray Otus...
Cojo asked us to talk about Genre Blending in role-playing games: “I wanted to get your opinion on blending genres in your gaming… Personally, I am a huge fan of genre mash-ups. I love games that mix genres such as Rifts, Dungeon Crawl Classics, the Spelljammer campaign setting, or Call of Cthulhu. I am also...
Cheating in rpg’s, or as Brett puts it “what the f#$% is wrong with some people?” We talk about different ways people have tried to cheat and how you can approach people you know, not suspect, is cheating. Announcements FORUMS! Are here! Go get your username and introduce yourself. Be sure to check your spam...
Art has has such an impact on the rpg hobby. It not only conveys what the game may be about, but it evokes a feeling. It can be space ships, adventurers, discovering treasure, combat, action, and much, much more. It also ties a brand together. Be sure to look at your podcatcher as you listen...
We were set to talk about art in role-playing games, but had to call an audible. Sean got shot at, Brett played some games, and we field some great Random Encounters. Announcements Gameholecon.com Evercon.org Avalon KS Update Random Encounter Comment from Jared of House Rascher on Temple of Elemental Evil episode Comment from Joe T....
Brett wants to talk about one of the few modules he actually runs. It’s the Temple of Elemental Evil. A 1st edition Advanced Dungeons and Dragons module by Gary Gygax and Frank Mentzer. But like many of our shows the topic morphs a bit into module design. Announcements Gameholecon.com Avalon KS Update Random Encounter Old School...
From Peter – Tabletop terrain. I’m not sure if you gents have tackled this topic yet. Referring to maps, Dwarven Forge, 3D printing, Hirst Arts and so on. I’m currently creating 3D terrain using Hirst Arts molds. Extremely slow process but very stunning. So…. How do we deal with terrain in our games? Random Encounter...
Care and feeding as well as combat – how do we use mounts and vehicles in our role-playing games? Announcements Gameholecon.com Random Encounter John drops us a quick comment on Dragonlance MRM1138 comments on Game Master Metagaming Laramie ‘Brick’ Wall comments on a few episodes Judge of House Brandon emails us a topic suggestion Edwin...
How prepared are you for your games? Hopefully your better prepared than Brett is for this podcast… but let’s say you need to run an rpg, like right now, and you’ve done no prep. How would you do it? Announcements Gameholecon.com Avalon KS Update Random Encounter Blake of House Ryan writes in about Dragonlance Jared...
Dragonlance, it was an idea by Tracy and Laura Hickman that became a D&D game at TSR. It ultimately went on to be adventure modules, books and even a movie. Announcements Sean’s content on Patreon Random Encounter Jared of House Rascher comments on GM meta Matt of House of Bohnhoff on Metagaming vs Immersion Blake...
Metagaming, we covered it. This is more meta terms the game master may use in a game. An example, “That’s a side quest, it’s not part of the main plot.” Announcements Gameholecon.com Evercon.org – 20th Anniversary! AwesomeDice.com final giveaway Winner for June is Peter. Avalon KS – Hard copy process update: waiting for proofs Ran...
“Your PC falls 120′ and suffers 60 points of damage”. No problem, I still have 60 left. Sometimes it’s a small thing that throws us off, and sometimes it’s something bigger. What are the boundaries/levels of “Suspension of Disbelief” that we’ll put up with and where does it break, and ruin a game for us? ...
A while back Brett brought up the idea of running home games more like convention games – asking why we don’t do that. We’re going to revisit this topic but with a slightly different angle that I think should be more useful: Using the con game magic to bring back the wonder in your home...
Ok, so what is a small role-playing game group? What games might be played and what do you have to keep in mind when you’re playing with a small group of players. Announcements Avalon KS AwesomeDice.com GameholeCon Evercon Random Encounter Roman emails us on Hindrances James on meta currencies and inclusivity Bret goes back to...
PC Hindrances, some systems you take them in order to gain extra points to be converted to boons, buffs and edges. But what if your players take them, but they don’t end up being a hindrance. Announcements Avalon KS If you backed at a level that grants you a PDF you should have gotten your...
Dark Trails is a role-playing game inspired by HP Lovecraft and authored by David Baity. We have him on to talk about his new game and the weird west. Announcements Sign up to receive updates, insights, deals – be entered to win a set of dice from AwesomeDice.com. Gamehole Con! – Run under our banner. Just...
All Random Encounters this week. Well to include Die Roll too! Announcements Join our email list – be entered to win a set of dice from AwesomeDice.com. Gamehole Con! Evercon! Random Encounter Vmail from Chris of house Shorb about meta currencies. Nick of house Hopkins episode 175 and 177 George from House Sedgwick messages us...
How can we be better about welcoming everyone that is not like Brett & Sean into the hobby? It can be difficult if you see things through the same lenses every day, so we tapped Paige Leitman to help us gain some perspective. Links Paige Leitman on Twitter Nahual – rpg of Mexican urban...
Meta currencies like bennies in Savage Worlds, momentum in Star Trek Adventures, light and darks side points in FFG’s Start Wars, FATE points…we talk about them. Thanks to Peter Skanes for the topic! Announcements Sign up to receive updates, insights, deals – be entered to win a set of dice from AwesomeDice.com. James Sweetland, you win for April! Gamehole Con! Event registration opened...
