What's the Frequency? episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 6, 2025 · 27 MIN

What's the Frequency?

from GURPStalk

What are Frequency Rolls and how can we use them effectively?Che and Pat discuss the frequency of appearance mechanism in GURPS, which determines how often NPCs like allies, contacts, patrons, and dependents show up in adventures. They discuss how to apply frequency rolls for NPCs, advantages, and disadvantages in open-world GURPS campaigns without defined adventures. Pat explains that GMs need to determine when to make these rolls based on their campaign structure rather than relying on the vague concept of "per adventure". They emphasize that these mechanics create opportunities for roleplaying and complications while taking pressure off the GM to arbitrarily decide when elements like contacts, dependents, or enemies appear in the game. GOT A QUESTION?Ask us via voice message:speakpipe.com/gurpstalkAsk us via an email:[email protected]:Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.GURPS is a registered trademark of Steve Jackson Games, and any GURPS art here is copyrighted by Steve Jackson Games. All rights are reserved by SJ Games. This material is used here in accordance with the SJ Games online policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are Frequency Rolls and how can we use them effectively?Che and Pat discuss the frequency of appearance mechanism in GURPS, which determines how often NPCs like allies, contacts, patrons, and dependents show up in adventures. They discuss how to apply frequency rolls for NPCs, advantages, and disadvantages in open-world GURPS campaigns without defined adventures. Pat explains that GMs need to determine when to make these rolls based on their campaign structure rather than relying on the vague concept of "per adventure". They emphasize that these mechanics create opportunities for roleplaying and complications while taking pressure off the GM to arbitrarily decide when elements like contacts, dependents, or enemies appear in the game. GOT A QUESTION?Ask us via voice message:speakpipe.com/gurpstalkAsk us via an email:[email protected]:Jon from Tale of the Manticore for the music:https://taleofthemanticore.podbean.com/Logo by MJ Hiblen:https://www.patreon.com/MJHiblenART/DISCLAIMER & NOTICE:The material presented here is our original creation, intended for use with the GURPS system from Steve Jackson Games. This material is not official and is not endorsed by Steve Jackson Games.GURPS is a registered trademark of Steve Jackson Games, and any GURPS art here is copyrighted by Steve Jackson Games. All rights are reserved by SJ Games. This material is used here in accordance with the SJ Games online policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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What's the Frequency?

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This episode was published on October 6, 2025.

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What are Frequency Rolls and how can we use them effectively?Che and Pat discuss the frequency of appearance mechanism in GURPS, which determines how often NPCs like allies, contacts, patrons, and dependents show up in adventures. They discuss how...

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