Nerdcognito

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...

Modern Gaming's pinup gal, Ginny Di has her new calendar coming out, and markets it... like an anime gal? The gang talks about marketing and monetizing the hobby before diving into the news, which is always a treat! After a hot few weeks in our corner of the hobby, this week is a good time to kick back and just have a fun chat! *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_bu...

OSE is leaving the B/X ruleset behind, opting to only support and produce their 'Advanced' ruleset, which is a unique hybrid of B/X and AD&D. With Race as Class now in the rear view mirror, does this represent another nail in the coffin of the OSR? *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a small...

WHAT'S IN THE BOX??? This week, we examine seven (yes, seven!) different Reddit yarns spun by the modern gamer. The state of that vocal fringe of the hobby is frightenting, but their voices are loud, and are often mistaken for the mainstream gamer. Are you ready for this journey? *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Af...

CELEBRATION TIME! Nerdcognito's 300th episode brings EVERY host back together for a good time! They also discuss Dan Ayoub's DnD/Dragonlance reveal with Joe Manganiello, Margaret Weis, and Tracy Hickman. As always, there is the news, Mikey gets introducted to Reddit, and the gang shares some "how we first met" stories! *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?host...

This week, appropriate for the season, the Nerdcognito crew discusses horror, both mechanics and themes, when applied in Dungeons and Dragons or at your table with any TTRPG! They also talk horror-specific games; including what makes a great horrific experience! *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a sma...

Bert brings a great question to the table: Are long-gapped sequels in nerdy movies really worth the wait? The gang and special guest Yang, Yan Zhao tear through a litney of new again old films! Plus, Yang talks about his upcoming TTRPG release for both 5e D&D and the OSR, Empire of the Undying Sun!   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Ep...

Inspired by a question posed by the Nerdcognito Nation this past weekend on the Saturday Speakeasy, the gang decides if, and when, they would have "halted" edition progression in D&D. System nuance and personal preferences all get discussed about this fictional grand choice that could be made for the good of the hobby.   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...

The internet and weak progressive culture never cease to amaze. This week, we tear through a list of "controversial" monsters that some want re-imagined for modern audiences or even outright eliminated. Put your spandex on -- it's time for mental gymnastics!   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates W...

This week, after playing a "filthy storygame" (and having a good time, which is WHY we game in the first place), the Nerdcognito crew digs deep into storygames and discusses their place and setting at your tabletop roleplaying table. It ain't D&D, by design.   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliat...

The gang talks about how and if you should implement a "pacifist" character into your tabletop game. What are the challenges for not only the player, but the dungeon master, and the group as a whole? This plus some much needed laughs and the news.   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VREXR2J3E6GGA *** Episode Sponsors and Affiliates We earn a small...

Siobhan did some "research" and presents to the guys her findings of campaign and play styles, but did the pop gaming media get it right?  We take a look at some of the buzzwords and descriptors and discuss how, if, and when they may apply to your Dungeons & Dragons or TTRPG table!  Plus, the news is a fun trip this week -- so much so that it goes long!   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www....

This week the team discusses influential items, be they products, books, people, experiences, and more that made them the gamers that they are today.  Though not experts, the boys (and girl) talk about nuance that was memorable and "gamer-life"-shaping!  It's a great conversation that will have you thinking fondly back on YOUR impactful moments both at and away from the TTRPG/Gaming table!     ***...

A West Marches campaign style is going to be adopted by Critical Role.  Before the format gets defiled, we are obligated to run down what that type of game actually is, giving nods to rationale, reason, and (yes) the BrOSR for refining the style of gameplay.  Who knows how this Classic Gaming style is going to be corrupted and reimagined by the modern gaming creators and audience?  Plus, Bert is a...

When drama mongers, grifters, and Fauxs need to drum up clicks or controversy, they often attack "the OSR."  Do they even know what the OSR is?  This week, we definitively define the OSR and call out these internet warriors for their bad behavior.  No longer should this bad behavior be used to juke numbers.  No one is getting a pass, from "creators" to "commentators."     *** Be a Check Mark Hero:...

Critical Role's new DM, Brennan Lee Mulligan recently took the opportunity to not only dump on Classic Gamers and philosophy, but showed the world that he felt basic subtraction is too hard to include in a game.  Isn't it grand how the concept of THAC0, love it or hate it, seperates the wheat from the chaff?  Plus, Molly Sideshave might just be morphing into one of us!   *** Be a Check Mark Hero:...

We're chugging down the line!  This week we look into the dreaded DM device.... railroading.  Is there any good that can come of it?  Why and how is it applied in Dungeons and Dragons and the TTRPG hobby?  Also, we have a chat with Ben from the Manacaster team about their current projects!   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.nerdcognito.com/p/be-a-check-mark-hero/ *** Episode Sponsors and Affi...

This week, the gang EFAPs a Ginny Di video dedicated to bringing "romance" to your TTRPG table.  Digging deeper in the video, discussion emerges about the social state of our nerd culture, and culture in general.  Plus, RD learns the word "situationship," and promptly melts down.  After the nerds recover, they also briefly dig into the news.   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.nerdcognito.com/...

Solo gaming has always existed but has seen large boons thanks to board games and TTRPGs over the last decade. This week Ryan, Bert, and Kyle dig into the idea of solo gaming and discuss its nuances. Plus, due to popular demand, Siobhan officially joins the gang for her first full episode of the big show!   *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.nerdcognito.com/p/be-a-check-mark-hero/ *** Episode S...

This week, Ryan finally got to introduce Bert and his core group to the sci-fi horor experience that is Mothership.  Listen to their thoughts on the game, it's feel, and how they will handle some horrific nuance at the table.  Then, sandwiched in with the news is a detailed discussion about Dungeons and Dragons newest executive in charge of "franchise," WotC vet and the man that ran Halo into the...

How important is it that you as a Dungeon Master and your players have a good "flow" in your game?  It's not just about moving along plot points or hitting story beats... it is an overall feeling that your table is not stuck in the mud!  The guys discuss this before an interview with the creator of Mafia Blitz, the new "werewolf-esque" game that's coming soon!   *** Find the Mafia Blitz KS here: h...

Wonderfilled Games founder and CEO Stephen Erin Dinehart IV has been making waves, anti-white statements, and according to some "crashed out" over the past two weeks.  Ryan David had questions, opinions, and accusations that needed answers, so he invited Stephen on for a brutally honest and frank discussion about his actions and statements.  Finalize your opinion and decide if we all were "Wonderf...

This week, Bert and Jack steer the conversation to Castles!  Why are these structures revered and critical components in our tabletop and fantasy games?  Naturally, the conversation spirals around to all sorts of tangents, and why shouldn't it?  Especially considering that RD is still out on vacation and Kyle slept through his alarm!   *** A Note to our Check Mark Heroes - you are not forgotten an...

The guys continue where they left off last week and finish out the news before they dive into a discussion of creating custom classes.  Of course, this spirals into a full on discussion about classes, class systems, and other tangents!  Have some class... give a listen or watch!   *** DIRECTLY SUPPORT THE SHOW: https://bit.ly/nerdcognito *** Be a Check Mark Hero: https://www.nerdcognito.com/p/be-a...

As the gang looks forward to a week of vacation, this first part of a two part episode brings you a discussion of large scale combat and big battles in TTRPGs!  There are a bevy of ways to handle these as a Dungeon Master, but when your party goes to war... what works for YOUR table?  All the massive scale chatter you can handle, plus a tiptoe into the news make for a delightful "part one" episode...