Let’s dive into the "hard debuffs" that threaten to end your players' fun—and their characters—in a single roll. From paralysis and petrification to mind-controlling charm spells, we discuss the fine balance between challenge and player agency. Join us for actionable DM tips on how to foreshadow these lethal threats and replace "save-or-suck" mechanics with progressive failures that keep the table engaged, not frustrated. 

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #debuffs #criticalfail

Resources:

Archives of Nethys Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/nethys 

Archives of Nethys:  https://archivesofnethys.com/ 

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast 

In this episode, we explore the pros and cons of letting players swap characters in the middle of a campaign. We discuss exit strategies, player motivations, and how DMs can facilitate this change with minimal loss to game momentum.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #characterchange

Please accept my apologies that this episode sounds a bit hollow.  I am having problems with Hindenburg, my audio processing software and their support has been very unsupportive.  I’m working to get the audio issue fixed.

In this episode, we’re flipping the script to explore the reasonable expectations players should have of their GMs. We’re breaking down why the DM screen is an honor, not a crown, and discussing the three essential pillars of a great game.  Give this episode a listen!

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #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

Game night being derailed by players poor attitudes, unsure actions, and unreliability?  Don’t be that player.  In this episode I talk about the social contract of tabletop RPGs and what YOU can do to support your DM and not be a distraction.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #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 

Is your long-running RPG group stuck in a rut, playing the same game system year after year? In this episode, we tackle the toughest quest in tabletop gaming: convincing your friends to try something new.  I’ll talk about reasons for resistance, the best arguments for trying new systems and some tips for making it successful

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #NewRPG

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 

Chris Cocks Interview:  https://www.gamesradar.com/tabletop-gaming/our-players-are-going-to-be-pretty-psyched-hasbro-ceo-talks-d-and-d-video-games-and-playing-to-win/ 

Ep 184 - Preparing One Shots - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-184-preparing-one-shots/ 

Ep 221 - Rules Light RPGs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-221-rules-light-rpgs/

Let’s look at Golems! Mindless, magically-constructed automatons that are the ultimate guardians. We break down the classic types—Flesh, Clay, Stone, and Iron and give some  essential DM tips for deploying these terrifying, tireless constructs in your D&D and Pathfinder campaigns.

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #golems

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 

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 #backstory

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 

WOTC TRPG Publishing Lead - https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4385555228/ 

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