Nerdcognito

EVIL exists in the world. It should clearly exist in your D&D World too. This week, R.H. Snow sits in as we discuss why morally grey "evil" is the bees knees according to the modern gaming audience. "Capital E" evil needs to have a prominent place in, and makes your TTRPG session a better game. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hoste...

Everyone (not Classic Gaming!) wants to be like Matt Mercer and the scripted actors at Critical Role, including Wizards of the Coast! This week we take a look at their new "actual" play and laugh. When we just can't take any more, we run their enhancement "adventure" and it turns into OUR first actual play! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/...

Wizards of the Coast just last month sent out an open "community" survey to help them allegedly steer the ship for Dungeons & Dragons' future... did it mean anything? Not likely since they now sent a NEW, targeted "secret" survey to select D&D Beyond members. We tear down what they are looking for... and why. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.p...

Modern Gamers have just unearthed the Dungeon Turn, aka the Exploration or Game Turn and they think it is the TTRPG/D&D discovery of the milleniu millennium! We detail WHAT, WHY, and HOW the Dungeon Turn historically has always been a part of the game, and why it should be used by more tables! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E...

Low Level play is very polarizing, even in our corner of the hobby. Some hate it, both as players and DMs! Others find it the most rewarding play in a campaign. Where does the crew fit in and how do they think Low Level play should be approached? *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a s...

We went long this week, and we promised a bonus episode to take you on a trip to the cesspool! Say you find a dollhouse, some spray paint, and a political cause that you want to push at your table. Here. We. Go! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a small commission for each purchase a...

This week, hot on the heels of possibly the most boneheaded statement made by a rep of modern gaming, we tell the folks that think rules get in the way to learn it, live it, and love it! Plus, a CondorDM update and the news! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a small commission for ea...

You know them. You are them. Dungeon Masters and DMing all fall into certain archetypes; today we breakdown the different categories -- good and bad -- and talk about how each impacts the table. It's a great conversation with RD, Kyle, Grim, and Siobhan! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates...

We have heard the cries from the modern gamer about the "unfair" lethality of Classic Gaming and the OSR... but is it REALLY any more dangerous than 5.5e? This week we take a look into what makes a lethal game, and the differences between the old school and modern gaming. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode...

This week, Wizards of the Coast "admitted" that 2024 D&D is really just 5.5e, after professing for years that it was not. Plus, Daniel from Driving and Dragons sits in (yes, you read that correctly), wades through the news, and talks with us about his upcoming pulp! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Check out...

Ginny Di released a roundup of romance supplements and provided her "special" brand of commentary on each. We are required to EFAP this and provide some logical and non-mentally challenged commentary of our own. Can we survive her whole video or do we dump to the news?!? *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors a...

On this episode of Nerdcognito, we continue to chronicle some "lost arts" of TTRPG game mastering, specifically taking a look at treasure. We talk about the purpose both in game and mechanically treasure serves, how to best manage it, and even answer the question: "Why did that rat have 3gp?" *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_butt...

This week we sample a little bit of all the trash that was set alight in our nerdosphere. Ed Greenwood and Tracy Hickman to 6e? Aabria's meltdown! CMON money laundering?!? Molly's musings... and more! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a small commission for each purchase at n...

Why did we struggle making a 2024 D&D character? Because, according to the pop gaming media, we did it wrong. Today, we look to correct this "error" and follow their lead while creating a character. We were right all along. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a small comm...

This week, Bill Silvey The Dungeon Delver sits in and joins us as we discuss classic settings and how settings play a part of your campaign. It's a great talk about not only where your party is, but why those worlds look and act the way they do! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn...

Environments play a huge role in Dungeons & Dragons and Tabletop Roleplaying Games... this week we discuss how to make sure it is not just a background, but an interactive, innovative, and sometimes deadly part of your game! Check for traps, baby! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We ear...

On this week's episode the gang dives into the "revalations" made by the Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things. The discussion also turns to the impact of the show and the movement on the hobby... and the potential irreversible damage it has done to Dungeons & Dragons. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode S...

This week, there was a deluge of items that could have made our news segment... so we did an entire show on the news. The pop gaming media dissappointed as always and we mocked and commented as necessary! Hypocriscy and hyperbole gets exposed in this fun run through the headlines! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode...

This week, the gang talks about balance in Tabletop Role-Playing Games. Looking at the total picture from design to implementation when running a game, they discuss how balance is a critical design piece that has been exploited by the SparkleTroll and modern gaming. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Af...

Starting a new campaign for any gaming group can be tough. Different personalities, characters, systems, levels of knowledge, and expectations all play a part. Today we're not talking a "Session Zero," we are discussing some design choices that the GM can make to ensure a great kickoff (not a six session) campaign! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/do...

NO ONE is talking about the fact that Wizards of the Coast is gearing up to implement ID Verification on DnD Beyond. "To play Dungeons & Dragons, we need your government ID and biometric data?!?" This week, the discussion, confusion, and outrage that should be happening everywhere happens here. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_i...

RD and Siobhan are in a new game! ...running Dungeons and Dragons 2024. ...using DnD Beyond. This week, the show is more of an exercise in frustration as they walk the show's OSR grognard Kyle through "modern" character creation! *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a smal...

Often when DMs are world-building or even running a game, there is such focus on the direction of the story that some elements of the "rest of the realm" are forgotten. Today, we talk about the importance of holidays, celebrations, and events in your game world. After the news, we also have a listen at Ginny Di's newest singing endeavor. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: ht...

Two VERY different approaches to the same concept. Pets, animal companions, and familiars have always been in Dungeons and Dragons and TTRPGs -- but NOW, the modern gamer through culture, perversion, and self-insertion chips away at yet another staple of the hobby. *** SUPPORT THE SHOW! Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Aff...

It's the holiday season! That means a nightmare is coming... for your TTRPG/DnD group's schedule! How do you keep a game going over the next few months? We talk about staying focused and maintaining your game. After the news, we dive into last week's bumped topic, the Random Number -- is there such a thing as too much random? *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hos...