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Explore every episode of the podcast Taking 20 Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for Taking 20 Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Ep 272 - Session 0 Redux22 Mar 202600:25:07

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/ 

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 271 - Setting and Tone08 Mar 202600:30:06

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 262 - Work Together05 Oct 202500:16:17

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 172 - PvP and David Carter of Crucible of Fate23 Apr 202300:46:08

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 Givers16 Apr 202300:21:15

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 Points09 Apr 202300:23:05

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 Skills02 Apr 202300:27:00

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 - Hags26 Mar 202300:21:09

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 Roleplaying19 Mar 202300:20:40

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 Parties12 Mar 202300:20:57

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 Victories05 Mar 202300:17:27

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 Aroden26 Feb 202300:18:45

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 Fun19 Feb 202300:22:43

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 261 - Monster Series - Aberrations21 Sep 202500:22:46

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 

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

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

Ep 162 - Deities12 Feb 202300:24:06

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 Indecision05 Feb 202300:18:48

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 Maps29 Jan 202300:26:21

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 Items22 Jan 202300:20:22

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 Troubles15 Jan 202300:24:36

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 World08 Jan 202300:19:45

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 Episode01 Jan 202300:00:49

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

Ep 156 - Holidays in Your World25 Dec 202200:22:32

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 Monsters18 Dec 202200:26:22

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 - Giants11 Dec 202200:32:11

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 260 - Keep the Game Moving07 Sep 202500:16:02

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 153 - Planar Series - Elemental Planes04 Dec 202200:25:00

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 Group27 Nov 202200:14:48

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 - Burnout20 Nov 202200:19:36

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 - Rovagug13 Nov 202200:14:14

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 Games06 Nov 202200:24:20

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 Fey30 Oct 202200:24:54

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 Corruption23 Oct 202200:23:10

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 Afterlife16 Oct 202200:27:10

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/

 

5e

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 Planes09 Oct 202200:24:46

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 Horror02 Oct 202200:22:04

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 259 - Space Adventures & Review of Starfinder 2e Player Core17 Aug 202500:27:55

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 143 - Inspiration from Other Systems25 Sep 202200:18:08

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 218 Sep 202200:14:33

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 111 Sep 202200:24:43

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 - Spelljammer04 Sep 202200:26:00

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 - Betrayal28 Aug 202200:31:14

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 NPCs21 Aug 202200:23:39

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 History14 Aug 202200:22:57

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 Plane07 Aug 202200:32:44

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 Three31 Jul 202200:20:04

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 RPG24 Jul 202200:30:14

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 258 - Canon03 Aug 202500:27:00

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 133 - Using Lies to Make Campaigns Better17 Jul 202200:25:33

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 RPGs10 Jul 202200:21:56

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 Wars03 Jul 202200:17:09

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

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