Biggus Geekus – Details, episodes & analysis

This week we break down this year's Big Geek Con

This week we discuss high level play yet again, but with more feeling.

This week we discuss how AI is used in our beloved hobby by WOTC/Hasbro and what we think about it.

Episode 107 Streamed Live Tuesday September 27 ,2022

Programming Note:
Joe was solo for half of the show. He was joined by Bruce Lombardo of Dix Division: https://www.youtube.com/c/brucelombardo75

Main Topic: Retro-Review: White Plume Mountain
Summary of the 1e module
Was a TSR module. Good DM advice.
Made in the Old School ‘DIY’ way. Light on story, big on expandability.

Big Geek Updates
BG Emporium: We showed of pics of the new design.
https://biggeekemporium.com/

Geekosphere:
The OSR is DYING?!?!?
Bruce and Joe react to Gamers on Games laughable video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2R3sOoGAbU&t=196s

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/GamersOnGames

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:

We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 106 Streamed Live Tuesday September 20, 2022

Main Topic: D&D - Pushing Boundaries: TSR/WoTC often pushed boundaries
Does D&D just have to be high fantasy?  The Various Editions and the Boundaries they pushed:

Old DnD (Oe) First of its name, Gygax and Arneson create a masterpiece of a game: no winners and never-ending story, delve into dungeons to get loot and gain power  

BECMI/RC Level to 36, immortals, XP for roleplaying, completing goals as well as defeating monsters, more classes, added weapon mastery, select personality and background, Mods -3 to +3  

1e Advanced More guidance, adventure types: dungeon, outdoor, town, focus on adventure and RP, Magic Resistance based on 11th level, race/class combos

Foolishness: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/FSupp/473/759/2148159/   
Other media: The Dungeons and Dragons Cartoon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(TV_series)

2e Advanced: THAC0, Standard magic resistance, Dragons awesome, Character Class groups, Spell caps, Specialty priests, settings, more narratively focused, bloat, The four horsemen: Parkinson, Elmore, Caldwell, Easley

Foolishness: Removing Gary Gygax: https://boingboing.net/2014/08/12/how-gary-gygax-lost-control-ov.html
Monstrous Compendium Binders: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monstrous_Compendium
*Caving: (Removal of Devils and Demons) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_controversies#TSR_removes_Satanic_monsters

3e Selling to WoTC: https://www.enworld.org/threads/ryan-dancey-acquiring-tsr.661632/ in 1997- http://gamecabinet.com/news/TSRWotC.html
WoTC purchased by Hasbro- https://money.cnn.com/1999/09/09/deals/hasbro/   
The OGL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Game_License

The Creation of 3e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_3rd_edition  New approach, character build, Stat mods increased, FRW saves, Unified XP chart, Feats, skills, BAB and ascending AC, D20 checks high/good and low/bad, magic shop, CR, New Setting: Eberron

Chances taken: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Vile_Darkness
D&D The Movies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_(film_series)

4e: big changes, new direction, every class has powers: daily, at will and encounter, miniatures & maps required, informed by video games such as wow, cartoonish art/anime, divided fan base and gave room for PF. New setting: Points of Light: The Nentir Vale

The Creation of 4e: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editions_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons#Dungeons_&_Dragons_4th_edition
Foolishness: Advertisement leading up to 4e: “Hey, let’s alienate old fans.” https://youtu.be/sbbqMoEwDqc
Funny: https://youtu.be/4UqFPujRZWo

5e: Lots of 3e stuff and bits of 4e (short and long rests), optional feat system, controlled character build, easy mode, characters rarely die, legendary and lair actions, DnD Beyond digital components become significantly useful after 2-3 editions of empty promises

Foolishness: https://www.belloflostsouls.net/2020/07/dd-wizards-of-the-coast-adds-disclaimer-to-legacy-content.html https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/spelljammer-race-controversy-hadozee

YouTube: Critical Role and the Rise of Actual Plays: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_Role

ONE D&D Prediction!
Big Geek Updates!

Shameless Plug Time: Please like, subscribe, and share  We are on all the socials, YouTube, and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor (maybe ending): anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 105 Streamed Live, Tuesday September 13 ,2022

Geekosphere

Ø Call-In (no emails) Taylor of Clerics Wear Ringmail
Ø Played last Thursday- OSE/B/X-flaws in the system: death and dying, hiring retainers, the Barbarian in OSE may suck, not a fan of the five saving throws, and other?
Ø Big Geek Emporium: POD ready!
Ø Big Con update
Ø Big Geek Adventures: art, map making

Main Topic: The Great D&D Modules & Adventures
Ø BECMI (or OD&D): https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/155271.Dungeons_and_Dragons_BECMI_and_Mystara_Adventure_Modules
Ø AD&D 1e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/1e_Modules
Ø AD&D 2e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/2e_Modules
Ø 3.X: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/3.5e_Adventures
Ø 4e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/4e_Adventures
Ø 5e: https://dnd-wiki.org/wiki/5e_Adventures
Ø 3rd party Adventures: Judges Guild: Dark Tower, Tegel Manor, Caverns of Thracia
Ø White Wolf’s Sword & Sorcery imprint: Rappan Athuk, OSR: Barrowmaze, Paizo: Rise of the Runelords
Ø How and why do they bind us?
Ø Do organized play adventures do the same?
Ø What experience do newer D&D fans have that is similar.
Ø The difference between good and just good memories/Chasing Nostalgia
Ø Can newer modules produce the same reaction/memories?

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics - Savage Worlds
Char gen: die types for stats, edges, and hindrances,
Leveling up: ranks: novice, seasoned, veteran, heroic, and legendary
Dice Conventions: raises and acing [die explosions]
Cards & Bennies
3 wounds and soak rolls vs HPS/Shaken/death rules
Wild Cards (PCs) vs Extras

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:

We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 104 Steamed Live Tuesday September 6, 2022

Main Topic: D&D and RPG Sundry
We take a night off from fully planned and amazingly detailed gaming discussion for a more off the cuff discussion with our homies on the stream and elsewhere.

A. Played 5e dnd 1-shot this past Saturday- game is without doubt very soft
B.  The Hadozee Controversy: https://dnd.wizards.com/articles/statement-hadozee
C. BG Emporium updates
D. Biggus Modulus updates
E. Big Geek Con update
F. Call-ins/emails/reviews from Itunes
G. Fighting the power- Rings of Power first episode https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_lord_of_the_rings_the_rings_of_power
H. Random topics of geekery!

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:

We are on all the socials, video, and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 103 Streamed Live Tuesday August 30, 2022

Main Topic: ARTIFACTS, Simply The Coolest!
1.) History of Artifacts in DnD: OD &D and BECMI
2.) AD & D Era: 1e and 2e- The Best? And why we loved it
3.) 3e – 5e ‘s Take on Artifacts
4.) Links: https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/Artifact and https://annex.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_major_artifacts_in_Dungeons_%26_Dragons
5.) Our favorites and why
6.) How to best use them in a campaign.
7.) Should all magic items be more like artifacts?

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics:
3.X: unified die mechanic(mostly), SR, CR (conceptually- as a guide for the fledgling DM), Fort/Ref/Will, ease of multiclassing(conceptually), BAB
Pathfinder (exception 3.75): CMB/CMD
4e: No Comment
5e: Advantage/Disadvantage, easy to learn/teach, HD for healing,

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:
We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Monster Mash #4: Golems & Constructs
Episode 102 Streamed Live Tuesday August 23, 2022  

Geekosphere ONE D&D coming 2024, but sign up now for playtest document: https://youtu.be/OpI7J9vtbnw    

Main Topic: Monster Mash #4 - Golems & Constructs  

1) Their first appearance in DnD: Golems and other constructs had their start all the way back in the Greyhawk Supplement for OD&D in 1975.  There were many variants over the editions:  Obsidian, Wood, Bronze in NX, BECMI, RC Modrons appeared in 1e Necrophidius Golem, Stone Guardian, caryatid column in 2e Inevitables (modrons and maruts) in Planescape  Big four and a total of 74 types other types in 3e Warforged of Eberron: https://eberron.fandom.com/wiki/Warforged and http://eberronunlimited.wikidot.com/warforged#toc0 (+) No Modrons until Dragon 414 in 4e. Big four, animated objects, clockwork creatures, Modrons, Marut in 5e  

2) Their most common types, characteristics & powers throughout the editions.  Golems: immune to magic, no sneak attack, SR, could go berserk, unique ways to kill PCs especially Clay and Iron

3) Ecology & influence of monster in the campaign world.  Built by spellcasters, eternal guardians, odd defenders, generally difficult to defeat, even for the creator, great higher-level foes, usually limited influence on the world and campaign

4.) How best to use them?  They should be guardians of ancient/hidden treasures. They should be challenging and terrifying. My Favorite Examples: 3.X: Demonflesh Golem that was programmed to act like it was Demogorgon as well as to frustrate spellcasters and terrify 2e characters.  

5.) Mythological: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golem  

6.) 3+ alternate takes:
a.) What if the technique to creating golems were lost to time?
b.) A powerful wizard summons an Ultron-like creature bound eons ago in the plane of law (Mechanus).
c.) Consider a world not unlike Eberron wherein constructs are a part of life, a highly magical world. Suddenly one day, they all stop working.

Mordenkainen’s Magnificent Mechanics:  
OD+D: nothing comes to mind
BECMI/BX/: stat mods(lower), domain play emphasized, power of spells, CLW though slight difference  
TSR Era DnD: monster immunities, PC fragility, save or suck spells/conditions, stat boosting items/situations hard to come by, power of spells  

Shameless Plug Time:
If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:

We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.  

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus  

On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com

Episode 101 of our SHOW and the date is Tuesday 16,2022. (R)

Big Geek Emporium!
The Alt-Drive is Live!!!

Main Topic: Starting a New Campaign

Choose setting and rules set
Old tried and true stuff
Brand new setting
Brand new system
Starting characters-restrictions

Choosing the Players & Setting the IRL parameters
Online vs F2F
Previous players vs new players
Same old group vs mix-it-up
Time/days/length of sessions/length of campaign/# of players

The First Session
PCs meet at the tavern.
PCs know each other
PCs being hired to complete a mission.
A more organic start
PCs start at the entrance to the dungeon.
In media res

Differing Approaches
Sandbox/Open ended but with some limits
Linear Adventure or homebrewed storyline
Combination: Sandbox & Linear Adventure
No/low prep/wide open TRUE SANDBOX

What are you looking for in a DnD Style Adventure/Campaign Setting
Size? Style? Details?
OSR or OSR adjacent or DnD version X
How about something New, but familiar?

Our New Campaign & 1st Session last week
We began a new campaign. Analysis:
Homebrew setting: Hymyr/ OSE/3rd level PCs/F2F/Mixed group new & old/ Began at the negotiation table with patron for a mission/assumed PCs had worked together before

This differs a bit from a standard campaign as I am hoping to playtest a module (perhaps a series of them/setting) and build up to a true Mudsword RPG.

Geekosphere
D & D Campaign Cases: https://www.wargamer.com/dnd/campaign-case-creatures-review
Is your DM too strict? https://www.pcgamer.com/ai-dungeon-ttrpg-campaign-game-master/
Come on DC grow a pair: https://screenrant.com/why-dc-still-release-flash-ezra-miller-controversy/

Shameless Plug Time

If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also:
We are on all the socials, video, and podcast places as well.

Cash Support
PayPal: paypal.me/biggusgeekus
Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip
Anchor: https://www.anchor.fm/biggusgeekus

On the Web:
Store: www.biggeekemporium.com
Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com
Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com