Master Manual

The boys break format to dig in deep to some questions and discover the wonders of O'Houlihan the Living Pub. Sponsored by O'Houlihan's Cast Ointment Questions Answered:  Can you compare the aligment system of character creation to bonds, traits, and backgrounds? I'm playing in a game with 7 people. How can I make it work? Any tips for running a game over the internet? Skype, Discord, or Roll20? Monster: O'Houlihan the Living Pub

The boys are back on the road in this rolling ramble, classic and almost entirely full sized minisode. Sponsored by O’Houlihan’s Bag of Sand Question answered: How do I showcase a villain’s power? Were-Eel Relavant links: Daylight https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/daylio-journal-diary-moods/id1194023242?mt=8

Spencer struggles to keep the lights on for this Show And Tell Episode! Sponsored by Emerald Knights Emerald Body Armor. Sponsored by Dragon Balm Z. Sponsored by Dragon Milk. Sponsored by Gut Rock Parasites. Sponsored by Pexus the Muscle Mage's Book Brand Books. Now with Pages! The Lazy DM (CHECK IT OUT BUY THE STUFF) http://www.slyflourish.com/start_here.html

Cohen talks about his dnd game following the issues discussed in our season finale. Sponsored by Hercule’s Magic Bat.

Spencer Sneaks off Once more for a Secret Session with a Starburns Story Teller, Ross Clark! They talk about Campaign Prep, hot takes, and Alternate some Doppelgangers in this Special Episode! Monster: Dreamgonborn (Doppelganger)

The Masters Manual defeat Kezzereck, meet up with Pexus, summon a Modron, talk Yeth Hounds, and recline in O'Houlihan the Living Pub as they chat about the weird and uncomfortable parts about being a DM in this very special burnout and work-life balance focused episode. Sponsored by Pexus the Muscle Mage's Book Brand Books. Now with Pages! Sly Flourish's The Lazy Dungeon Master http://www.slyflourish.com/lazydm/index.html

It's the Season 2 Finale! Part ONE! Meaning the Boys are back in town with some Q's and some A's for your D's and your D's. Strap in, folks. Sponsored by Kezzereck's iErase Markers Questions Answered: What stat generation do you prefer for 5E? Do you point buy or roll or what? How do you guys deal with lycanthropy mechanics? More specifically, is it possible for a character to be afflicted with multiple types of lycanthropy? Any ideas on how to make that work? How do you handle it when players have too many magic items? How do I make an NPC likable before I kill them? Should I let my player punch a spaghetti boss monster off a cliff?

The Masters Manual Kick it into Automatic as they head out once more onto Fury Road! Can Printing Presses Manufacture Spell Scrolls? How can villains be more scary? How can we make a T Rex into an AMLimal? And how is Kingdom Hearts 3? Find out Now, on Master, Man-Well. Sponsored by Sand Worm Spray Questions Answered: I was wondering how you would handle a printing press in any of your DnD campaigns - they could be an interesting modifier for mass-produced spell books. Do you have any advice on making your villains scary? Monster: T-Rex (Tyrannosaurus Hex) Relevant Links: Yusong's Twitch Channel https://www.twitch.tv/yu_song

The boys are back for another rainy day Saturday Catch Up, discussing when to roll for what, how to balance made up monsters, and turn rain into an amlimal! You're gonna like the way you look. I guarantee it. Sponsored by The Doobie Brothers' Dusty Brush Questions Answered: I'm making my own boss monster stats by combining both Goro and Motaro from the Mortal Kombat series and I want to make sure that I don't overpower my final battle. When using homebrew creations like this, how can I know I'm scaling the monster to an appropriate Challenge Rating? Of course, I  don't want a final boss to be too easy (maybe one player character death.....or two) but I don't want the fight to be impossible. How do you feel about players actively requesting (or just assuming they can do) certain passive rolls such as insight checks, perception checks, or knowledge checks like history/arcana? I've noticed that sometimes players will do this thing where they just go on a roll fiesta; Have you ever thought about the role of these rolls? Do you let your players request them? Loot Table: F*@# You Got Mine Ice Rink Monster: Aboleth (Cumuleth)

The Masters Manual hit the road on a crazy and dangerous traveling road show of an episode! What is Emerald Knight? What's a Flaming Skull? What's going on? All will be revealed inside. Plus, stay tuned for a super secret bonus track after the end theme. It's Spencer singing poorly. Sponsored by Emerald Knight Body Armor Questions Answered: Regarding Thieve's Cant: Should a rogue be able to roll to find these secret symbols? How should it be included in the game? What do y'all put in your session 0, and what are the most important expectations for everybody at the table to share? What is something interesting and unique that I can use in my dungeons to change things up? Monster: Centaurnivores Relevant Links: Thieve's Cant http://www.thievesguild.cc/thieves-cant Hoard of the Dragon Queen Maps https://jaredblando.com/horde-of-the-dragon-queen/hoard-of-the-dragon-queen-complete-set-map-bundle

The Masters Manual talk about Star Trek some more, and brainstorm how a swarm of rats could be something different than that. What to do when retiring an old PC to DM a campaign? Find out now, on Master Manu-L! Sponsored by Tivo* just to be clear these are all jokes* **Sponsored by Canned Punch Questions Answered: I'm gonna stop playing in my campaign to DM but what should I do with my character?! Can I learn to play and learn to DM while adapting DND5E for a star trek setting? Have you tried any of the D&D-lite systems, like Dungeon World or Beyond The Wall? If not, what is it about the rules of D&D that keeps you loyal? Loot Table: Fairy Does Mood Ring Monster: Swarm of Rats (Rat Kings)

The Masters Manual are back on a cheerful Chuesday evening to talk playing DnD with kids, getting high in character, as well as Keyforge, a new card game! How will they alternate Displacer Beasts? What's a Dreamfruit Tree? All will be revealed! At the very least, some. Sponsored by The Brand Wizard Note: Vacuum Sounds may be audible Questions Answered: How do I do smart things even if I'm playing a not-smart character? Do I just not do anything? My 5 year old seems into DnD. Should I try to get him involved? How do you feel about characters getting high on drugs in a campaign? Brute Fable: Bureaucrabcy Dreamfruit Tree Monster: Displacer Beasts Relevant Links: https://www.splcenter.org/

The boys are running late and record a weekendisode covering Mimics, Mage Movements, Metal Slug and more! Find out how to run modules that your players have done before and how to avoid spectacle creep! Sponsored by Portal Potty, the Toilet of Tomorrow Questions Answered: How do I run classic modules if I'm worried my players have played them already? How do I avoid spectacle creep as a DM? Loot Table: Hammer of Crucibles Back Pocket Universe Gamestorming: Gauntlet Monster: Mimics Incorporated Relevant Links: Cthulhu Mythos for 5e https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/petersengames/sandy-petersens-cthulhu-mythos-for-5e

The boys seem to think it's Christmas as they talk Cthulhu, Red Dead Redemption, and Desert Eternals in this very special New Years Episode. What's a Wood Woad, and who are the Enlightenmen? Find out! Sponsored by Billson's Beetle Bottles Questions Answered: I’m curious how to make a campaign truly terrifying. I am currently running a lovecraftian based game, but many lovecraftian horrors are unnameable, indescribable, and unknownable... I've been running a game for 5 players for a while now, and the players are around level 12. How can I keep combat challenging without making it boring or taking away all their stuff? Brute Fable: Enlightenmen Foulcan Monster: Desert Wood Woad Relevant Links: Heroes Of Horror https://www.amazon.com/Dungeons-Dragons-Fantasy-Roleplaying-Supplement/dp/0786936991 Volo's Guide to Monsters (has a section on Krakens, also the Curse of Strahd book has one page about being scary as a DM) https://www.amazon.com/dp/0786966017/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_nHxkCbXCNQ3DY Article about the intersection of Lovecraftian Stories and the Kraken Section of Volo's Guide; discusses how to build a lovecraftian adventure https://geekandsundry.com/the-lovecraftian-mystery-in-volos-guide-to-monsters/

The Masters Manual are sick and sloppy but struggle through all the same as they discuss splitting the party, one-trick ponies, and Super Smash Bros, in this, a very Mastery Christmas. Sponsored by Blood Batteries Spencer’s note: If it sounded like I was being sarcastic about the cleaning guy interrupting us that wasn’t my intent I was earnestly trying to express my dismay at potentially preventing him from cleaning the office because when we record we are trying not to disrupt the normal office functions LOL Questions Answered: Recently a player quit, saying the game was "too on rails," but I don't think it was! Should I worry about this, or try to find out what went wrong, or what? How do you handle splitting the party? How do you handle characters building around a single mechanic? At what point does that become a distraction? Loot Table: Zeno's Parasocks Worrywarts Gamestorming: Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Monster: iStone XS Max Relevant Links: Rich Malena https://twitter.com/rmalena Kithkin https://mtg.gamepedia.com/Kithkin Faerie Fire https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1586134783/faerie-fire-a-5e-supplemental

What do champagne elementals, hell dwarves, and Vector Man all have in common? They're all discussed in this episode. Yeah, I don't blame you for being disappointed, it's kinda a cop-out answer. They're also all motile, and capable of death. That do anything for you? Sponsored by Tomina’s Iron-on Explosive Glyphs and Runes Questions Answered: My party has 3 mages and the fighter is always at risk of getting one-shotted. What do I do? how do you handle experience and leveling? How do I get my PCs to roleplay interactions with each other more? Loot Table: Tunnel Visor Sham Pain Gamestorming: Vector Man Monster: Hell Dwarves

Cohen and Spencer discuss their recent happenings and blast into more Season 2 goodness as they try to turn Mario Kart into a dungeon and riff more fantasy stuff. Sponsored by Grapes of Wrath (From the Makers of Goodberry) Questions Answered: How can i mix in more RP elements without losing the attention of my hack and slash players? Do you have any suggestions for coming up with DC’s on the fly? Any advice on how to nudge them into downtime research without shoving it in their faces? Brute Fable: Hard Cluck Somnolites Gamestorming: Mario Kart 64 Monster: Enforcement Paws

The Masters Manual are back in the Studio for another Bone-Flickin' Season of Fantasy Make-em-ups. Check out a fresh new take on Goblins involving potatoes and electricity. Sponsored by SpellBrain's Summoning Strings How do you deal with the urge to coddle your players? How can someone who has never GMed keep a group of new players with a short attention span interested? How do I handle a player, new to tabletop, that will inject some metagame/literary criticism of the narrative during play? Loot Table: AdderAllchemy Agapomancy Gamestorming: Zelda Monster: Goblin Shock Troops Links: https://www.dmsguild.com/product/170937/The-Wild-Sheep-Chase--A-SingleSession-Adventure

It's a long lost episode, excavated and dug up just for you. Season 2 should kick off next week! Alternate Title: Cohen’s Campaign of Lies Sponsored by Letters From Dead People Loot Table: Dream Weaver Gloomprints Monster: World Turtle

Spencer forgot Cohen and just did an interview with Bodie, a cool artist and Dungeon Master living the dream and arting around abroad. Monster: Wolf-In-Sheep's-Clothing

It's the end of Season 1 and the Mans are kicking it off with a 2 part Season Finale! In Part 2 they do all the fun bits and test out a couple new ones too! Check out Part 1 for all the question answering fun and more! Loot Table: Scry Bother The Missing Punch Monster: Shadow Dragon

It's the end of Season 1 and the boys are kicking it off with a 2 part Season Finale! In Part 1 they catch up on answering questions and play Helga Cruciform! Check out Part 2 for all the segments and more! Sponsored by Goblin Flakes Cereal Questions Answered:  How do you avoid railroading your players while still guiding them through a story? What is your favorite party level to DM? What level enemies and organizations do you prefer? How much magic do you like in your campaigns? How do I DM for my parents and their 4 friends? How do you decide when and how often to bend the rules to keep things moving forward without letting your players take advantage of it? How do you go about making a rules-light system for more casual players? How do you recommend players do unidentified item discovery/identification? How do you track lighting effects in a dungeon?

It turns out there aren't any dice but the boys shake, ramble and roll as they discuss Alternate Gelatinous Cubes and the controversial DM-PC. Sponsored by Dr. Craig's Lobotomy Kit Questions Answered: Do you have any suggestions for balancing encounters and challenges for a 2 player party? What do you do when you've massively messed up as a DM? Brute Fable: The Mun Conventional Leprechauns Monster: Gelatinous Rube

The Manual Masters talk Octopath Traveler some more, argue about Naruto and come up with ways to make NPCs "stick" in this Gruffin Tumble adventure. Sponsored by Mr. Technimatter's Brain Splatter Questions Answered: Do you have any suggestions for how to build a character that really makes a lasting impression on the players? I was just wondering if you had any tips or tricks for a Naruto based campaign or adapting a campaign to a different universe. Loot Table: The Never Known To-Do Wrist Monster: Gruffin Relevant Links: Mutants and Masterminds https://mutantsandmasterminds.com/

The boys break format to dig in deep to some questions and discover the wonders of O'Houlihan the Living Pub. Sponsored by O'Houlihan's Cast Ointment Questions Answered:  Can you compare the aligment system of character creation to bonds, traits, and backgrounds? I'm playing in a game with 7 people. How can I make it work? Any tips for running a game over the internet? Skype, Discord, or Roll20? Monster: O'Houlihan the Living Pub

This one is fine? Spencer tries to help Cohen come up with an idea for his campaign. Loot is Tabled and Brutes are Fabled, and Purple Worms are Altered, One of DnD's biggest (literally) monsters, made even bigger? Find out how! Sponsored by Rent-a-Cult. Questions Answered: What do you do when your players are indecisive? Do you use real world concepts in the game world? Would you allow a Catholic Cleric? Brute Fable: Ribsy Amulet of Assuredness Monster: Wurmgaar The Tenth Plane Relevant Links: Cohen's Hellhound Sheet https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/44027533_1179424358862828_2157451103157878784_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&oh=457592f40181c6673ec708b7e651bfd4&oe=5C5E6228 Dungeon World (System) http://www.dungeon-world.com/

Octopath Traveler fever is sweeping the podcast! Cohen takes on the listeners in Helga Cruciform Vs. The Mob. Learn about the Scrubble, the Kill Seeker, and an Alternate Dragon Birth that isn't Dragon Eggs. Sponsored by Wiz They or Won't They Extreme Exquisite Personal Training Questions Answered: How do you make the party meet in an interesting way? How do you create a narrative arc building up to the BBEG? Brute Fable: The Scrubble Killseekers Monster: Dragonsmith Kobolds Relevant Links: Fate Core Character Creation https://fate-srd.com/fate-core/phase-trio Tucker’s Kobolds https://media.wizards.com/2014/downloads/dnd/TuckersKobolds.pdf Rich's Game Worksheet https://www.facebook.com/mastermanualpod/photos/a.1114539188684679/1176140772524520/?type=3

Mastery has never been this manual! We're talking nonsense, pitting Helga Cruciform against The Machine, helping out and riffing down. Learn all about Space Squids! Sponsored by Adventurer's Ale. Questions Answered: How do I add narrative richness to combat so it isn't just everyone using their best attacks? How do you give players awesome and expensive magic items and still keep them invested in the adventuring lifestyle?* *Editor's note: We did this question in episode 3 but did not realize this during the record. Do you have any creative ways to improve NPC Interrogations? Loot Table: Fog Of Swords Grieva The Relentless Monster: Space Squid Relevant Links: Mission Complete Screen https://www.instagram.com/p/BnRWZkiFBB5/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet Baraggan http://bleach.wikia.com/wiki/Baraggan_Louisenbairn Courage the Cowardly Dog Space Squids http://courage.wikia.com/wiki/Starmakers

Cohen and Spencer are high on audience reaction! Magic chat, competitive name riffing, some magical gear and a crazy new take on man's original foe: Trees. Sponsored by Gut Rock Parasites. Questions Answered:  I don't want to spend a lot on figurines; Do you guys have any tips on something better than dice that I can use to represent my players? Do you deal with overlapping skills or character classes? Is it fair to ask players to change their characters, like if 4 people want to be the same class? How do you deal with very serious players who actively derail the game? Loot Table: Sweater Luck Next Time The Gambler's Brewin' Monster: Rootless Editor's note: If using Pan in your campaign, imagine him as being played by Andrew W.K.. Not bad, eh?

Name riffs, Loot Table with some Fail Mail, sordid tales, and more! What the heck is a Knuckle Lord and what does it have to do with phylacteries? Find out now on Master Manual! Sponsored by PollyFerrous's Dice Clamps Editor's note: Spencer has not been meditating. Questions Answered: How do you get better at voice acting / not make it sound cheesy? What if players are having trouble getting into the RP aspect of the game? Loot Table: Swordid Tale Fail Mail Monster: The Knuckle Lord Editor's note: The thing that was on the tip of Spencer's tongue was "Lord of Carpals" Relevant Links: Tessaiga and Tenseiga (fantasy swords) http://inuyasha.wikia.com/wiki/Tessaiga The Runelords (book series) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Runelords

Possibly the most self-hating episode in our run! Endure it! We talk about character creation for beginners, introduce a brand new segment called Loot Table Or Brute Fable, and attempt to Alternate Lore up some Merfolk as this epic adventure continues! Sponsored by Dragon Milk. Questions Answered: What’s the best way to introduce character creation to a brand new player? How do you organize things? How in-depth do you go into world building? How do you know what to write out and what to keep in your head? Loot Table: The Ring of Undowover The Die of Fortune Monster: Airfolk Relevant Links: Rodney Thompson's DM Prep http://dnd.wizards.com/articles/features/behind-screens Hero Lab: http://www.wolflair.com/index.php?context=hero_lab XDM Book: https://www.amazon.com/X-Treme-Dungeon-Mastery-Tracy-Hickman/dp/0977907465

Back in the saddle! Mixing up the format, starting with the Nameless Naming Segment and doing it right by giving her a name! Talking rules lawyers, individual limits, fresh starts as well as Bear Owls! We're in it now! Questions Answered: How do you deal with Rules Lawyer types? As a DM how do you make all of your players feel special but content? How do you start out a campaign in a more interesting way than “You meet in a tavern.” Monster: BearOwls Relevant Links: Spell Cards https://www.coolstuffinc.com/page/3990 Vampire: The Masquerade and Individual Limits https://www.polygon.com/2018/7/25/17607080/vampire-the-masquerade-v5-white-wolf

Spencer and Cohen are at it again! Tackling the tough questions, riffing some wild names, and brainstorming Alternate Mummy Lore! We seem to be getting better at this! Questions Answered: I find I have to constantly check my players. I know they’re flubbing rolls. What do I do? How do you feel about players using contested rolls against each other, especially for social rolls like diplomacy? How do you deal with a character being possessed / replaced when it needs to be a secret? Monster: Mystery Mummies Relevant Links: Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/guildmasters-guide-ravnica-0 Dark Sun Campaign Setting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_Sun

The Inaugural episode of Master Manual. Spencer and Cohen answer questions and riff up a fresh new take on Vampires. Sorry about any audio weirdness this ep. We get better at this, I promise. Sponsored by Dragon Balm Z. Questions Answered: How do I convince my friends to try playing dnd? I think they would enjoy it. What percentage combat versus social / exploring encounters do you aim for? I find many campaigns gloss over non-combat elements? What’s the best way to improve as a DM? I find my pacing to be slow and I always feel like a clunky DM. Monster: Beach Vampires