The Dark Times: A Sci-Fi RPG Podcast

Shout out to the Starfinder from the Lone Star State for sending us a Build Challenge this week! This episode, Stephen talks about how to keep players immersed and caring about your world/homebase/ship or wherever you send player characters to after killing space goblins in space caves. Don't forget, our Smooth Operative builds are due by July 2nd 12am PST. These must have 1 level in Operative, be...

Anyone like Jim Croce? Just me? Alright. Apologies for the late episode, Stephen is moving! This episode, Sam and Stephen talk about the Operative. Also thanks to Alex K for sending in Jchk, the Shirren Mechanic! Check their build out at the link below. Don't forget, our Smooth Operative builds are due by July 2nd 12am PST. These must have 1 level in Operative, be level 4, and contain either an An...

The Galaxy Guide is here! Sam and Stephen sink their fangs and other appendages into the Xenowardens and Astrazoans this episode! It's an incredible book with lots to enjoy. Support your favorite system by purchasing a pdf below or a physical at your friendly local game store! The Starfinder 2nd Edition Galaxy Guide Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a bui...

Holy Blorp! The Technomancer and Mechanic playtest dropped by Paizo! Sam and Stephen give you a meaty yet surface level look at these incredible classes, and how they change the game so far. Keep in mind this is a playtest, so they may change in the future. Also, Sam erroneously thought the feedback survey closed on April 30th, but in reality it closes on MAY 30th. Starfinder Tech Class Playtest F...

Pronounced like Nebula and Caribbean... Get it? Whatever. This episode Sam and Stephen talk about the Galaxy Guide preview of the Space Pirate Archetype! Finally some good podcast food! Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E Subredd...

Special thanks to u/WatersLethe for their Reddit post that inspired this episode. This week, Sam and Stephen talk about how genres may make gamemasters feel they have to pace their campaigns a certain way and why that's not the case. WatersLethe's Reddit Post Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed b...

This week, Sam and Stephen talk about their experience with NOVA! NOVA is a game about being badass mech pilots in a world where the sun exploded and shards pierced the earth. They also talk about WHY you should play more RPGs, and how that makes you a better storyteller AND gamemaster. NOVA by Gila RPGs Lumen Jam 2 Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a bui...

This week, Sam and Stephen talk about Paizo Live! More specifically, the preview at the upcoming Galaxy Guide, and how it provides insights on themes/genres for play, as oppose to fictional locations. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfi...

Secrets of Magic gave us many things, but it especially gave us Time Mages. Sam and Stephen talk about the when and why of Timius Magius, aka the Time Mage. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E Subreddit Support the show Follow us...

Witchwarpers! Truly the despised stepchildren of fate. This episode Sam and Stephen make sure you know all the cool perks of being the universe's plaything. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E Subreddit Support the show Follow us...

TPKs! The Boogeymen of the TTRPG world. This week, Sam and Stephen discuss these potential outcomes of games and how gamemasters can equip themselves with all the tools to mitigate or avoid these nasty things entirely! Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Editi...

Happy New Year Dark Timers! We hope you had a good holiday season. This episode, Stephen goes into details on planets and how we can generate them, and what they really represent. In less impressive news, Sam brought a build! donjon SciFi World Generator atomfullerene's Planet Generator Stars Without Number & Sectors Without Number Microscope Tsching (The Sound of a Blade Being Drawn) Shirren...

Ho Ho Ho! Have you been a good listener? The Dark Times Podcast has brought you two new bundles of joy: Versatile Heritages! This week we talk about the Borai and the Prismeni, and what sets them apart from the average Vesk or Ysoki. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starf...

This episode, we talk about HOW TO WRITE A CAMPAIGN! A question proposed by Lombarda on the Starfinder 2nd Edition subreddit. Thank you Lombarda! Stephen breaks down his Game Bible process, and goes into detail about how no campaign survives first contact with the players. Lombarda's Reddit Post Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thed...

This episode, we get some mail from longtime listener Zloy Krolik! Zloy asked us to cover the basics of the Paizo Ecosystem. This is that episode! We talk about Paizo's three modes of play, and the three action system. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Editi...

This episode, Sam and Stephen talk about Session Zero. Again. But this time it's important! It was important the first time too. Sam also brought a build! Raat Raseer, Ysoki Driver Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E Subreddit Su...

Pilots, start your Drift Drives! Set course for sick tricks. This episode Sam and Stephen cover all things piloting, and despite its lack of starships, this playtest includes a lot of info about the Pilot skill! Also this episode, we talk about a cool piloting-related hazard. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.co...

Weapon Upgrades! What are they and how do you add them to your repertoire of blasters and blades? No downtime required! I GUESS we can cover the Solarian crystals as well, as well as how cool and mystical they are. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E Subreddit Suppor...

Join Sam and Stephen as they dive into Paizo's newest Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest! We discuss rules, builds, campaign ideas, and cover listener content! Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E Subreddit Support the show Follow us...

This week we begin the arduous (how's that for an SAT word?) task of breaking down the trait system and how it works to everyone's benefit in Starfinder 2nd Edition! Also we look at the weapon and armor tables in the rulebook, and really get bogged down in the column details. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.co...

Sam and Stephen make their first ever Starfinder 2nd Edition Characters LIVE* for your enjoyment! *Greatly edited for your listening pleasure Our Starfinder 2E First Level Characters Form-Fillable character sheet courtesy of u/alcahuetasanon Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy T...

Welcome to the world of Starfinder! A new playtest is upon us, so leave it to those Dark Times Boyz to bring you the weirdest and wondrous! This week, we cover Humans, Skittermanders, Operatives and Envoys! Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Want to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Buy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest...

It's finally here. Thanks for joining us on the ride of a lifetime. The Dark Times: A Saga Edition Podcast is produced and edited by Sam and hosted by Sam and Stephen. Follow us on socials and join us on Patreon for more info regarding the Darkest Summer 2. We don't know when season 2 is going to start, but we'll keep you in the know. Special thanks to the Patrons, and to everyone who has ever wri...

We could've sworn we covered these, but behind one of the old busted R2 units (you know, the one with the bad motivator) we found a few Starship Maneuvers we thought you might enjoy! Also this episode, an exclusive interview with an even more exclusive gamemaster. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Email us at: DarkTimesSWSE@Gmail.com Logo designed by: @MothPunk Helpful SWSE Links The...

Campaign endings! Are they quick and sudden like death itself? Or are they finely wrapped in a bow like a present for your party? Send us your ending stories, how you like to GM them, and what you think works best! Also this episode, Sam made a memorable Clone Wars Villain in SWSE! Admiral Trench, CL 12 Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSE Email us at: DarkTimesSWSE@Gmail.com Logo desig...