Roleing Imperfection

In this season six opener, Steve and Kevin talk about how to run a successful one-shot, one-off, single episode game, whatever you want to call it. There are ways to keep your game story and character driven, even in a short amount of time. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Send us a tip on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/roimperfection Interact with us on Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@RoImpe...

In this season five finale, Steve, Kevin, and Monster discuss several ways to approach making a character. We go through several of our old games and discuss how we made several of our characters. We go through a noir setting using the Dungeons and Dragons Fifth Edition system, an ancient middle east setting using the Legend of Five Rings Burning Sands 3.0 system, and a space setting using the Big...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin discuss how to deal with GM favoritism and the forms that it comes in. That is, after we do a ten minute digression on the dangers of GM planning too far ahead and giving information to help player reactions, so jump twelve or so minutes in if you just want to get to the topic. GM favoritism can occur for many reasons, but it should be something that is mild and do...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin discuss the effect of the metagame on tabletop roleplaying. It’s often focused on as a negative, but that focus can also destroy a game. There are positives to some metagaming, and as usual, it’s all about balance. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Send us a tip on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/roimperfection Interact with us on Mastodon: https://dice.camp/...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin talk about what we’re excited about and some of what we’re less excited about for the new year! What are you excited for? We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Send us a tip on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/roimperfection Interact with us on Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@RoImperfection Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a com...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin talk about having a horror Christmas game, after a bit of a digression about Burning Wheel. We naturally reference some of the classics: Krampus , Gremlins , and Black Christmas . We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Krampus Stats for Dungeons and Dragons 5e Krampus Stats for Pathfinder 2e Ready or Not (2019) is the movie Kevin couldn’t remember Send us a...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin discuss how players use time. This can be important in planning for specific events and players. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Send us a tip on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/roimperfection Interact with us on Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@RoImperfection Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimper...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin discuss the interplay between real time and in-game time. How does one deal with overlapping time or individual character timing? It can get complicated. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@RoImperfection Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimper...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin go back to one of the things that caused us to start GMing. We discuss how prison episodes are commonly used how they could be used. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Send us a tip on Ko-fi! https://ko-fi.com/roimperfection Interact with us on Mastodon: https://dice.camp/@RoImperfection Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Se...

It’s been a long time coming! For our Thanksgiving episode, Steve and Kevin finally get to a subject near and dear to our hearts: Film Noir. We break a very complicated genre down to three key things: a crime plot, nuanced characters, and that dark, dark atmosphere. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! GM Smiling Dog link here (I know it’s from last time, but it feels right to leave it h...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin talk about the GM nightmare: Scheduling. Now, Players might be tempted to tune out, but much of this episode is oriented toward players. We give the GM suggestions at the end. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! GM Smiling Dog link here Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin deep dive into a recent frustrating player experience for Steve. We talk about why our situation worked, but examine some ways it might not have. We also give advice on trust at the table. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com Visit our w...

In this episode, Steve and Kevin try a more free form discussion. No plans, we just chat. We start with how the GM and Player disconnect sometimes, each understands the game a little differently. We talk about short term planning and how thinking about character momentum can help with planning. We finish up with discussing how to deal with characters not taking hooks. We hope you enjoy and take ca...

Happy Halloween! Steve and Kevin talk evil campaigns and how they’re more similar to normal campaigns than one might think! We discuss campaign ideas and some things to keep in mind. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com Visit our website: https://roimperfection.com/ Sen...

In this week’s episode, Kevin and Steve talk about the challenges in making a Slasher episode/campaign. We discuss several approaches. Pick your favorite! We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com Visit our website: https://roimperfection.com/ Send us a tip on Ko-fi! https:/...

In this week’s episode, Kevin and Steve talk about how to make a great Haunted House episode/campaign. We discuss planning, some common tropes, and of course, how to subvert some of those ideas to surprise your players. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com Visit our web...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin discuss what elements make a great cosmic horror game and create one of the best episodes of this series. It’s a Lovecraft exploration with some Weird Fiction on top. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Kevin’s Favorite Lovecraft “The Rats in the Walls” “The Outsider” “The Music of Erich Zann” “The Call of Cthulhu” “The Thing on the Doorstep” Cosm...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin talk about what makes a complicated backstory and what makes a complex backstory. We also discuss how to make a complicated backstory into a complex one. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com Visit our website: https://roimperfecti...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin discuss what research to do when making a character. We discuss name, background, even a little adaptation. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Background Resources: Behind the Name website Baby Names by Decade Great Courses Masterclass Libby by Overdrive The Science Youtuber Steve mentions: Youtuber Carl Sagan Kevin’s Top Dana Andrews films The B...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin encourage people to roleplay and discuss several ways to roleplay beyond the obvious. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Some images we mention: Fat Batman and Superman Bat-Hulk Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or question: roimperfection@gmail.com Visit our website: https://roimperfection.com/ Sen...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin discuss how understanding different playstyles can help improve tabletop roleplaying games. Players try different playstyles to broaden their RP experience! GMs can be aware of different playstyles to plan games that better suit their players! We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin tell you how to get stuff from your GM. It’s best when you work with them and possibly sign up for some bad stuff down the line. GMs should also try to be amenable too! We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! PS: We make a reference to the Hadozee in this episode. We don’t mean any offense. We literally don’t read the official lore and mostly just ada...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin and special guest Monster discuss character adaptation. We go over several methods including: breaking down character elements, using world building to alter a character, putting a twist on aspects of the character, and using the jist of a character to create a spiritual sequel. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Monster on Twitter Interact with...

In this week’s extended bonus episode, Steve and Kevin and special guest Monster talk about Spelljammer: Adventures in Space. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! PS: We talk bout the Hadozee in this episode, and don't make any reference to the lore. We don’t mean any offense. We literally don’t read the official lore and mostly just adapt rules to better settings. We reject the off...

In this week’s episode, Steve and Kevin talk about how to make a character who is adaptable or open to several story situations. We talk about providing ambiguity in backstory, making interesting roleplay choices, and some places where chance can make things more fun. We hope you enjoy and take care of yourselves! Interact with us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RoImperfection Send us a comment or...