Taking 20 Podcast

The back to basics series takes things back to the fundamental principles of tabletop RPGs.  It’s so easy to get lost in the rules and mechanics of the game and forget these important lessons.     #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #backtobasics Resources: Matthew Colville - Language not Rules - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIkwABECfR0 Ep 245 Unruly Players - https://taking20.podbean.c...

Have you ever wanted to craft unforgettable recurring villains that will haunt your players' dreams? In this episode I’ll give you some secrets to making your big bads more than just one-dimensional threats and learn how to weave them seamlessly into your campaign for maximum impact.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #villains Resources: PF2e Core pg 66

There’s nothing wrong with the comfortable same old same old.  However, what if you want to become a better DM.  How do you start and what can that progression look like?  Give this episode a listen to find out. #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg Resources: Episode 27 - Role vs Roll Playing Episode 184 - Preparing One Shots Episode 237 - Short vs Long Campaigns

Conflict is inevitable around the RPG table but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t play the game or that you should shy away from it.  In this episode we talk about how conflict can manifest and what players and GMs can do about it.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #paizo #conflict #dnd #Wotc   Resources: Social Emotional Skills at the D&D Table:  https://www.youngdragonslayers....

Not all NPCs are created equal, or at least they shouldn’t be created that way.  There are some NPCs who are simply more important to your campaign?  Which ones and how should you treat them?  Give this episode a listen!   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #npccore #npc #paizo Resources: Paizo NPC Core.  https://paizo.com/products/btq06x2l

Making 2 dimensional characters is easy.  Pick your ability scores, feats, equipment etc. but what if you want or need to make a deeper character to role play?  How do you do it?  In this episode I give your character just a few questions to add depth   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #characterdesign #backstory

Should you let your baby shoot you down in RPG games?  Do you allow pistols and rifles in your world with dragons and gnomes?  If your immediate reaction is no, why?  In this episode I discuss guns in fantasy worlds and offer a brief review of the new Paizo book Guns and Gears Remastered.   Disclosure:  I did receive a PDF copy of the book for free but that never taints my review and I give you an...

Combat can quickly turn rote, samey, and dare I say it even boring or dull.  GMs, there are some things you can do to make combat in your game far more interesting and players, I have a couple of tips for you as well. #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #combat Resources: Glass Cannon C2E67 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkTVOYbQQ5E XPLoveCat - How to Make Combat More Interesting - https:...

There are railroads and there are sandboxes and never the twain shall meet, right?  Not so fast, my friend.  Today Jeremy discusses the two game types and multiple ways to blend them together.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #railroad #sandbox Resources: Game Masters of Exandria Roundtable:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmZSWKPXhZ4 Sandbox vs Railroad:  Which is Better?  https://w...

No one enjoys having a disruptive player at your table but what can you do with players like that?  This listener-suggested episode has some ideas on how to deal with these unruly players.

There’s a lot to playing and DMing a tabletop RPG.  There are quite a few rules, a story the DM is trying to create for the players, encounters to design, sessions to plan, characters to role play and so much to do to ensure the game can happen.  However, don’t lose sight that the game is supposed to be, first and foremost, fun.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #fun Resources: J.R. Za...

Friendly NPCs are often overlooked when it comes to campaigns.  DMs focus on the antagonists and sometimes forget about the allies.  In this episode I make a case for including friendly NPCs in your game and give you some tips for running them.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #NPCTips Resources: How to Be a Great GM - Adding a Lovable NPC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUrh9p2IM0 How...

It is easy to lose heart when you see these amazing DMs that put out content.  However, in this episode, there is a single piece of advice that can help you improve as a DM and to make everything that’s part of your campaign even better.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #JustOneThing

Do you love the thrill of a critical hit or the agony of a critical fumble? Ever wanted to add more drama and excitement to your tabletop RPG combat?  In this episode we dive deep into the world of critical hit and miss tables and decks. We explore the pros and cons, share tips for using them effectively, and discuss how they can impact your game.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #critical...

There are adventure designers and ADVENTURE DESIGNERS.  Tom Robinson is definitely the latter, being one of the first authors named as an Infinite Master, an invitation-only group of designers curated by Paizo.  In this episode he gives some tips for publishing adventures and valuable tips for newer players and GMs alike.   Thank you so much to Tom for being so generous with his time and expertise...

Do you ever struggle to create compelling adventures for your RPG group?  I know I have in the past until I embraced the simple tip:  “write what you know”.  But what does that even mean?  Tune in and find out.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #writingtips #writewhatyouknow

West Marches campaigns aren’t like your traditional 4 classes and dungeon game.  In this episode, we delve into the concept of these unique methods  of tabletop RPGand give you some tips for setting them up and running them.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #campaigns #westmarches Resources: Ben Robbins - Grand Experiments:  West Marches - https://arsludi.lamemage.com/index.php/78/grand-ex...

Running long campaigns requires a different focus than running short adventures or one shots.  Each has their own challenges but trying to run one the same way you run the other will lead to burnout or a disastrous disconnected adventure.  In this episode I discuss the difference between these two types of adventures and how GMs must change their tactics to maximize their chance to run a successfu...

Sometimes the hardest monster to defeat in RPGs is the calendar.  It’s hard to schedule games when the real world gets in the way.  In this episode I give you some tips and some decisions you can make ahead of time to make it more likely that you’ll get to the gaming table   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #scheduling   Resources: Reddit post from 2018 from /u/iamnotasloth:  https://www.red...

Villains can be simple and driven by basic desires like power or money but I believe villains are better when they have understandable motivations and backstory.  In this episode I talk about some examples of villains and why they became what they are.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #villains

Our characters are good at certain things:  probably stabbing stuff, identifying magic items, discerning which berries are safe to eat and which ones will make you obliterate your large intestine.  Meanwhile our players are probably good at making characters, wiping out a bowl of popcorn and making fart jokes.  In this episode I encourage DMs to remember the difference between players and characte...

The Pathfinder 2e Player Core 2 book released August 1st.  There’s a lot of information  contained within these 322 pages but, is the information useful?  Should you go out and buy it?  Tune in to find out.   #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #PlayerCore2   Resources: The Rules Lawyer:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheRulesLawyerRPG Bad Luck Gamer:  https://www.youtube.com/@theebadluckgamer  

How can you continue an adventure after the printed material ends?  The players want to keep going but you’re out of adventure to give them.  The story has to end, right?  Not so fast, my friend.  In this episode we talk about tips and tricks to continue the story out to the horizon.   #pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips #aftertheend   Resources: Dragon of Icespire Peak - https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/...

There are similarities between delivering a performance at a theater and running a game whether online or in person.  In this episode I’ll tell you what lessons I learned on and behind the stage that can be applied to your tabletop game.   #pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips #AdventurePrep

There are similarities between delivering a performance at a theater and running a game whether online or in person.  In this episode I’ll tell you what lessons I learned on and behind the stage that can be applied to your tabletop game.   #pf2e #dnd #dmtips #gmtips   Resources: Episode 187 - Imposter Syndrome - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-187-short-imposter-syndrome/ Episode 26 - Basics of...