Taking 20 Podcast

Want to make your characters better? Consider adding flaws to your character. What kinds of flaws are there and how do you add them in a way that’s not disruptive to the game? Give this episode a listen and find out. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #flaws Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

NOTE: My apologies for the audio quality. The entire recording/audio processing chain was rushed this week. Is your TTRPG campaign falling apart after only a few sessions? The problem might be that you need a Session Zero. In this third part of our "setting expectations" series we dive into the vital, often-overlooked conversations DMs and players need to have before rolling the first die. Learn how to align your creative visions, manage game logistics, and agree on crucial player safety tools to ensure everyone is on board with the social contract for a lasting, fun adventure. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #startingcampaign #sessionzero #session0 Resources: Ep 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/ Ep 48 - Session 0 Guide for Players - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-48-less-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-pcs/ Ep 271 - Setting & Tone - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-271-setting-and-tone/ Ep 214 - House Rules to Make Your Game Easier - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-214-house-rules-to-make-your-game-easier/ Ep 215 - House Rules to Make Your Game Harder - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-215-house-rules-to-make-your-game-harder/ Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

In this episode we continue the “setting expectations” series, hopefully helping to stop mismatched expectations from derailing your TTRPG campaign! GMs, this episode is packed with practical advice for designing and effectively communicating your game's Tone and Setting. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #tone #setting #expectations Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Ready to start your TTRPG campaign in some way besides a boring tavern? Episode 270 is here to help! We dive deep into the real purpose of a campaign's beginning and explore three powerful ways to unite your party from the jump #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #startingcampaign Resources: Episode 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/ Episode 100 - Starting Anywhere But A Tavern - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/episode-100-starting-anywhere-but-a-tavern/ Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Do your descriptions fall flat? Are your characters, locations, and NPCs just static items in time that never change? In this episode I’ll give players some tips for changing their character descriptions and for GMs to change NPC and place descriptions to improve their game. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #burnout #descriptions Resources: Crispy’s Tavern, The Real Matt Mercer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-4HnJT_Rg Roll 4 Initiative - A Guide to Better Descriptions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhFmAW3KIYY Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Is your campaign's "big bad" just evil, or is there a hero beneath the monster? This episode dives into the age-old debate for Dungeon Masters: how important is a sympathetic backstory for a villain, and whether you should include complex antagonists in your game #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #villains Resources: Episode 180 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-180-let-villains-be-villains/ Episode 235 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-235-the-why-of-villains/ Episode 253 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-253-recurring-villains/ Thor Skywalker - Why does everyone seem to love “Sympathetic Villains” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO2dBY8DPho Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Description Today we dive into the age-old debate that divides Dungeon Masters: When do you negate a powerful spell or maneuver? We explore the thin line between creating epic tension and causing frustration. Tune in to discover the crucial difference between an earned victory and a slog, and learn the rules of engagement for challenging your players in the most satisfying way. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #Countering Resources: Episode 135 - The Rule of 3 Episode 64 - Beholders, the Eyes Have It Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Running a high-level character (Level 11+) is a different animal altogether. Forget easy skirmishes and simple ability checks—you're now facing world-breaking threats. In this episode I’ll give you some tips for running these legendary characters. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Running high-level TTRPGs (level 11+) are different animals! In this episode I break down essential GM tips for these epic campaigns. Plus, I’ll give you some advice on how you need to change your prep to run a legendary game. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel Resources: Episode 45 - Minions - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-45-usining-minions-from-dd-4e-to-make-combat-better/ Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

This week, I talk about players’ and DMs’ relentless pursuit of perfection in tabletop RPGs. I encourage both to embrace failures and give you some tips to help every roll and choice become a chance for exciting, unpredictable adventures. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #failure Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

This week, we're diving into the often-debated topic of Dungeon Master Player Characters (DM PCs). In this episode we talk about alternatives ot the DMPC, how to effectively integrate a DM-controlled character into your campaign without overshadowing your players, maintaining player agency, and enhancing the overall game experience. Give us a listen to discover tips for creating supportive DM PCs, managing their role, and knowing when it's best to let them go. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #dmpcs #tabletop #roleplaying Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

This week, we're diving into how players can best work together in TTRPGs. From character building to in-game tactics, discover how to form a cohesive team and make your adventures unforgettable. Tune in to learn how to turn challenges inside out and achieve success together! #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social Invincible Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/invincible-the-roleplaying-game

Diving into the terrifying world of aberrations, this episode explores why these alien beings pose a unique challenge for GMs. Discover their bizarre physiologies, incomprehensible motives, and innate magical abilities drawn from their alien minds, and learn how to weave truly unsettling encounters into your campaigns #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #aberrations Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast Nerdarchy’s Guide to Aberrations - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n98sk2AC2Y www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

Tired of combat dragging? This episode offers 5 crucial tips for players to keep the game moving. Discover how paying attention, anticipating your turn, and coordinating with allies can transform your tabletop experience from a slog to a dynamic adventure!" #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #playertips Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

In this episode, we're blasting off into the unknown with tips for running epic space adventures, from exploring derelict ships to discovering bizarre new worlds. Plus, get an in-depth review of the Starfinder 2e Player Core, diving into its mechanics, ancestries, and how it connects to Pathfinder 2e. Don't miss this cosmic journey! Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast Episode 140 - Spelljammer Review Episode 137 - The Gap and Empty Histories Starfinder 2e Archives of Nethys - https://2e.aonsrd.com/

Whether you make up your own canon or use the lore pregenerated by someone else, there are challenges to maintaining the canon and lore for your world. In this episode I discuss some tips and tricks I’ve learned through the years to help keep it all straight. #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #lore #canon Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast Episode 224 - Lore Part 1 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-224-lore-part-1/ Episode 225 - Lore Part 2 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-225-lore-part-2/ Episode 114 - The Cataclysm of Krynn - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-113-the-cataclysm-of-krynn/ DnD Shorts - The Original Rules for Women in D&D are Wild - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSvCP401kK0 Million Podcasts Award - https://www.millionpodcasts.com/dungeon-master-podcasts/ RJD20 - Canon, Your Homegrown Setting and You - https://www.rjd20.com/2021/06/canon-your-homegrown-setting-and-you.html

Unlock more fun and epic storytelling in your TTRPGs by embracing a little recklessness! In this episode we explore how "driving your characters like you stole them" can lead to unforgettable moments, balancing narrative focus with thrilling unpredictability. Discover why taking bolder choices, communicating with your group, and understanding your character's motivations can elevate your game, knowing that the low stakes of failure in-game lead to incredibly high potential for legendary tales. #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #reckless Resources: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

What do you do when a player cheats in your RPG? In this episode, we tackle the tricky subject of player cheating from the DM's perspective, exploring why players cheat and specific types of in-game dishonesty. Learn practical strategies for DMs and players to address cheating, foster a fair and fun gaming environment, and ensure everyone at the table has a blast! #pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #cheating #WOTC #JeremyCrawford #ChrisPerkins Resources: Crawford and Perkins join Darrington Press - https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/legendary-designers-ditch-d-and-d-for-critical-roles-with-critical-role-in-major-coup/