What Would The Smart Party Do?

Episode 134 - Final Podcast ...of the Year(aka D&D Doesn't Work for 10 Players Online) It's nearly time for the year Mad Max takes place, but as we drive on fumes for the end of 2020, the lads get Mat Hart from Steamforged games along to talk about the state of the hobby, Kickstarters in a curious year, his new Epic Encounters and the trials and tribulations of gaming online. With some added tenta...

Episode 133 - Skills(aka Show Me Your Penumbra) The lads talk skills. Have we got them, do we need them, where did it all start and has it gone horribly wrong? From the good old days of 8% in detect / disarm traps, to the feat and abilities, what use are skills in RPGs, if any? If you dig actual plays and reviews of played modules, check out the new YouTube channel . Get in touch, the lads love to...

Episode 132 - Jon Hodgson Interview(aka Some of These People Have a Strong Throwing Arm) The lads talk to home-grown talent and head of Handiwork Games, Jon Hodgson. From his great work as artist and art director on The One Ring, to writing, game design with his 9 year old, and many other hats, this wide-ranging discussion covers writing, designing, art in games and more! (Including Frankish kings...

Episode 131 - It's a Kind of Magic (aka Have You Spelled it Right?) Magical energies suffuse the 'cast this time as the lads discuss magic in gaming. Sure, you can have mystical power, but at what price? How have the different iterations of D&D handled magic and did they get it right? All this and more awaits your summoning spell. If you dig actual plays and reviews of played modules, check out th...

Episode 130 - King Arthur Pendragon (aka Can You Play From the Perspective of a Horse?) Good friend of the show and line developer of King Arthur Pendragon, David Larkins returns, to reveal what's been going on at Chaosium with the latest edition on KAP, how the company is doing in new normal and new kickstarter about an old product. An increased focus on honour as well as glory, refined rules, ne...

Episode 129 - Fights Too (aka The World's Most Complicated Initiative System) Back by popular request, both of the show's glorious listeners got in touch to say they'd like to hear more on fights in RPGs. Well, The Smart Party are here to please. You can discover more for yourself in the links below: If you dig actual plays and reviews of played modules, check out the new YouTube channel . Get in...

Episode 128 - Fights (aka Back in Black) Did you look at my pint funny? Roll for initiative! After a few games of Feng Shui 2 recently, the lads have thought about fights in RPGs. Is it necessary for combats to occur? Do they go on too long? How can you make them more interesting? All this and more, this episode! You can discover more for yourself in the links below: If you dig actual plays and re...

Episode 127 - Reviewing GM Advice (aka "I'm the Unknown Stunt Man") There's plenty of GM advice out there in roleplaying land, but what about advice on the advice? This time on the 'cast, Gaz is joined by the Lee Majors of roleplaying, Dirk the Dice, from the Grognard Files Podcast to discuss sources of GM advice. From the ancient tomes handed down by Gygax himself, to the latest hot takes from bl...

Episode 126 - One Shots (aka "All I Need Is One Good Shot") In these times of muchos online play, virtual conventions and more, it's worth taking time to reflect on how to put together a decent one shot game and tips on playing or running. This time Gaz and Stunt Baz (Guy) talk through some expert advice on setting up your one shot games, garnered from many years of trial and error. Join the lads...

Episode 125 - Beautiful RPGs (aka "Am I Baz's Stunt Double?") Who doesn't like an aesthetically pleasing book? "Sexy" RPGs (not in that way) lure in players like a moth to a flame. But is it all form over function. Guest presenter Guy Milner joins Gaz to talk through a top ten beauty parade of RPGs, highlights merits and occasionally flaws of their favourites, as well as honourable mentions for de...

Episode 124 - Negotiating D&D (aka "Nicole, please don't @ me") There's more than one way round a problem, and this week the gents are joined by Dmitry Grozoubinski - an expert in negotiation and trade - to discuss how GMs and players can negotiate a session. The role of NPCs in a session, giving players what they want, the role of streaming games and the wealth of players on Reddit are discussed,...

Episode 123 - Swords & Sorcery (aka I'm Oiling My Thews) Conan cares not for your so-called lock down foul sorcerer. Oil up your shanks, dream of rubies the size of a pigeon's egg and climb the tower of set - it's time for a discussion of Conan and associated stories. The lads have been playing through some adventures set in the land of pulp sword and sorcery with good friends of the show Mat from...

Episode 122 - Burnout (aka It's Not Me, It's You) The global pandemic is biting and it's entirely possible folk are getting a little run down. This time the lads talk through burnout. What is it and what can be done? Are you just fed up for now and need a break, or is there something different going on? Settle into your favourite quiet space dear listeners, and let the old hands give you some word...

Episode 121 - System Matters Too (aka Systems Are Doing it for Themselves?) The lads have been in lockdown and gaming like daemons. Gaming ones. This has given them exposure to new systems, allowed them to stress test some old ones, jaw about the comparisons between them and even think about what system are for. Dive on in and get the pithy answer to the eternal question "Does system matter?". Get...

Episode 120 - Online Gaming Advice (aka Can You Hear Me?) Everywhere is on lockdown, but where there's challenge, there's opportunity. Baz and Gaz talk through the mysteries and vagaries of taking your RPGs online. How do you even get started? Where do you go to find a game? Why is everyone wearing headphones? Find out the answers to theses and many other question in this episode. Here's are some...

Episode 119 - Spring is Sprung (aka Stop Saying Things, He Keeps Drawing Clocks) The daffodils are bursting out the ground, it is (was) GM's Day, and there's lots of great gaming to talk about and emergent top tips in the making. Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you! Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com...

Episode 118 - John Harper Interview (aka The Same Page Page) John Harper is a game designer with an embarrassment of riches in his back catalogue. Blades in the Dark, Lady Blackbird, Lasers and Feelings, Danger Patrol, Ghost/Echo and most recently the rebooted Agon in collaboration with Sean Nittner. He joins the lads to discuss BitD and other forged in the dark games, share insights on upcoming c...

Episode 117 - Lou Prosperi Interview (aka Are Your Listeners Familiar With Earthdawn?) This week Lou Prosperi, developer for Earthdawn joins the lads to reveal all kinds of interesting detail from behind the scenes at FASA in the 90s. How do you even pronounce FASA? Where was the game line headed? What are the dragons up to and why hasn't the magical level in Barsaive dropped to zero? Fans of how...

Let's wind back the clock to where the stories of this podcast began, it's 1994 and the lads are talking Earthdawn. Cult classic, D&D Done Right, post-apocalyptic fantasy, the history of Shadowrun even - call it what you will. The boys gives you all you need to know on their oft-mentioned favourite game from yesteryear. What is the Step System? What makes Dwarves different? How do magic items beco...

Episode 115 - 2020 Vision (aka Get Your Earthdawn '93 While It's Hot) It's the year of Cyberpunk 2020 and lots to look forward to aside from monoblade katanas and trenchcoats. The lads go through some of the upcoming delights for the new year, games due to land, whispers of new things, plans for getting some gaming in and what they've already rolled dice on. Plus, some talk on going back to old ga...

Episode 114 - Review of 2019 (aka Making Up For The Deep Freeze) The lads look back at a year in gaming, when they've been up to, the pros and cons of playing D&D and what they might do in the new year. To spice things up, they are joined by special guests Dirk the Dice from The Grognards Files and co-author of Call of Cthulhu 7th ed, Paul Fricker of the Good Friends of Jackson Elias podcast....

Episode 113 - How To Be A Better Player (Live from Dragonmeet, London, 2019) The lads have been down to London Village for Dragonmeet 2019. Among other fantastic activities, they hosted a seminar on being a better player. If you want great advice on quite literally upping your game, then look no further! Joined by special guests (co-authors of Call of Cthulhu 7th ed) Paul Fricker of the Good Frien...

Episode 112 - Zachary Cox Interview (a.k.a Best Left Buried) Creator of Best Left Buried by Soul Muppet Publishing and new Kickstarter Beneath the Missing Sea , as well as publisher of other independents, Zachary Cox joins the lads to talk about his latest creations, designing and publishing gamers, creator meet ups and what the heck is OSR anyway? You can sign up for Zach's mailing list here Join...

Episode 111 - David Larkins Interview (a.k.a Go Kill A Giant) Line Editor for the King Arthur Pendragon RPG , author of Berlin: The Wicked City and more, David Larkins joins the lads this time to talk about his writing and all thing Pendragon related. Hear about Greg Stafford's legacy, the future direction for the line, different modes of play and all the latest info on Chaosium's laser-focused Ar...

Episode 110 - Jeremy Crawford Interview (a.k.a Illusionary Dragons) Lead Rules Designer for D&D, mind behind Sage Advice and Unearthed Arcana, and all round man on the scene for all D&D books , the lads were delighted to have Jeremy Crawford on for an interview. An insight into his daily work, lots of detail on the upcoming Eberron release , and much more, including advice for new DMs and some hin...