Taking 20 Podcast

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/

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

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

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/  

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

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

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  

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 

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

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.

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/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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

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 

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

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

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   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/

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

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

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

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

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/

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/

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

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  

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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

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

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

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 

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    

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

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

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

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

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.

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/

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