Dungeon Guides

This time we address a hot button issue for many players and GM’s alike, and that’s banning elements of TTRPG play. We’ll take a look at the what, why, when, and how GM’s might make that decision, and offer some insights and advice regarding bans and why they might be issued.

A good RPG system will often have a wide selection of equipment which might be available in a setting, with systems using magic not being shy in the way of magical items. There are more kinds of magic item than you could ever loot in most campaigns, but sometimes even these robust reliquaries or arcane assemblies don’t fill all the niches and variations that we could see in TTRPG play. In this episode we discuss homebrewing items; what it can add... What does it feel like? How would you go about it?

The basic question being asked in this episode is “What does this level-up look like?” Not meant to be a “how you should play” as much as an additional tool in your TTRPG kit to be used if you like. We explore what leveling up feels like in D&D-like systems as related to story/RP-based elements of character growth.

We’re hitting the monster workshop this episode, taking a look at what approaches might inspire and motivate GM’s in homebrewing foes. Moving away from sourcebooks and established lore can be a very daunting prospect, but one doesn’t have to re-invent the wheel in order to bring fresh blood to your combat encounters.

Another installment in our lineage hot-take series brings us to orcs and dragonborn. These are two lineages which certainly brought new flavor and abilities for players to choose from; diverging from the classic demi-human set of Tolkien tropes (good, bad, or indifferent) and connecting PCs to classic, iconic enemies/monsters. At least one of these Guides remembers when humanoids dropped into ‘official’ play with a supplement full of playable “monsters”, how popular they were with both existing and new players.

Back for another set of monster profiles we introduce two which often are found to share a scene or two. Iconic in their own right, we take a glimpse at hags & trolls and the foul, wretched countenance they both embody. When played right, these foes can provide some of the most memorable encounters and story arcs. Whether BBEG or unlikely “ally”, hags deserve to be more than a random encounter; while trolls can present as something quite typical in their nature to downright horrific and distorted. Both deserve careful planning or unique approaches to how they present in the world, and your story.

We take another look at one of our favorite systems, one which stole our attention for nearly a year. Back again to TSR’s Marvel Super Heroes, featuring the FASERIP Attribute array which is so iconic for this great old-school system. We gush and rave as we share stories and delights from one of the most “sandbox” systems this GM has experienced.

Always a solid choice for some comic relief and uncanny hijinx, gnomes and halflings often provide great satisfaction from both a roleplay aspect, and as far as interesting traits and abilities. Carrying on with our examination of the various lineages available in 5e D&D, we find ourselves facing the pluckiest, luckiest, and clever---est beings of them all.

In this episode we talk about spell slots and how they’ve changed from the original Vancian magic developed by Gygax & company. We perhaps shed some light on what can seem like a very abstracted mechanic or reasoning to how and why spell slots work like they do.

Another installment in our lineage/heritage/race examinations brings us to Dwarves and Half-Elves. From one people, created by their god in the perfect image.. to those born with the privilege of Elven blood (or the curse of a shorter lifespan), we dive into what makes Dwarves Dwarves, and Half-Elves the most popular ones in your average tavern.

Sometimes in TTRPGs (and in many other types of game), some elements, mechanics, or values may be approximated or abbreviated so as to not get bogged down in too much minutia, nuance, or calculation. Hit points are probably the biggest culprit of this phenomenon, and we take a look at “what Hit Point loss looks like.” What does a health bar or HP pool represent? What does it mean to have more HPs than someone else?

We begin another discussion series with taking a look at the core heritages/lineages/races in D&D, with our first installation covering humans and elves. Also, how one of them has been revamped over the years in order to make them more desirable selections for PCs.

Language barriers are some of the most significant obstacles when it comes to engaging civilization and sentient beings. Without a means of sharing information in a meaningful manner, we are left with pantomimes and crude imagery. The distinctions necessary for intelligent discourse rely upon a shared basis for which to continue exploring ideas. Use of varied and nuanced language can be an invaluable aspect of TTRPG gaming.

This is the last entry in our examination of the core classes in D&D 5e, and at least one of us is ensuring that shit really does run downhill. The artificer class certainly polarizes your friendly Dungeon Guides, but do not be dissuaded… Someone hating on the Fullmetal RickGyvers of the D&D-verse cannot stop you from enjoying yourself some wizard class dropouts who’ve signed up for shop class. Magic combined with band-saws, arc-welders, and forges are surely bound to cause the loss of more than just a finger or two.

One of the things you can count on regarding secret vaults, villainous hideouts, and top-shelf burial chambers is that the designers don’t want you in there. This week we’re talking about one of the primary means for thwarting would-be looters or defilers.. and that’s traps. Nasty, ingenious, dastardly means with which to end the lives of all who dare to take what doesn’t belong to them.

Join us as we delve into the topic of mega-dungeons, and one of the simplest railroads to present your players. Sometimes the thrill of delving and procuring vast wealth and power is incentive enough to draw your PCs into a massive dungeon crawl. We will give our hot takes on what makes these monstrous crawls compelling, interesting, and challenging for your table.

In this episode we take a look at the monk; a classic and well-traveled class, loved by many and hated by as many GM’s. A nice step away from the more gear-dependent classes, monks have a unique take on martial supremacy as compared to their more weapon-dependent peers in the DPS field. A blend of physical damage output, insane skill, and access to supernatural abilities make the monk a versatile class to play.

Brawny, bare-chested, big-beef-boy, brawler, barbarian. Is there anything wrong with that sentence? We think not! If might makes right, then this class is right on.. dude. Nothing beats beefcake bad-asses borne upon the beef they got with you, your horse, or even simply the terrible pattern in the tile-work of the temple-turned-battleground.

Death comes for us all, and nobody should expect it more than heroes and adventurers. Dealing death and weighing the value of life every session, it can be easy to forget how quickly a PC death can come about. A few bad rolls, an unlucky positioning, or a careless gamble can all have us digging in our bags for the backup character. In this extended-length episode we tackle many of the issues surrounding PC death.

Clerics are the next class up on the examination table in this episode. A once rare PC, due to frequent disdain by many a player towards playing a healing class, we’ve seen the cleric branch out of their tropey past and actually take center-stage as one of the most versatile classes available to players. Conduits and representatives of their deities, clerics have the potential of being as vast and varied as the pantheons in which they emerge from.

This class examination episode brings us to the sorcerer. There mere existence is an offense to scholarly wizards everywhere; with their uncanny ability to manifest spells without ever laying eyes on a spellbook or wizardly tome. A bit more worldly than the typical wizard, and with loads of charm or a powerful presence, this is a class that brings great power and versatility to arcane casting.

Many RPG systems incorporate some form of currency or resource which you can use in order to perform acts of bravery or heroism. We discuss the inspiration mechanic of D&D 5e and explore its function and usability. Borrowing ideas from other systems and approaches can be a great way to provide additional capability and collaborative input to any gaming session.

Closing in on the end of our D&D 5e Class hot takes, we dive into the bard with both feet. A class that has been through many changes and iterations over these many decades, we both agree that the bard is an excellent addition to any group. Whether you're going tropey or breaking ground in a new direction of bardic magnificence, you can always find our friendly Jack-Of-All-Trades filling roles; and yes.. Sometimes filling things that rhyme with roles.

And now for the class with the skills to pay the bills... rogues! Always the TTRPG specialist, the rogue class brings mastery of disguise, stealth, infiltration, sabotage, and technology into the mix with the swords, fireballs, and healing spells. No worthy dungeoneering troupe is without at least one of these skill monkeys. Far from the old days of the sketchy lone wolf always separating from the party, the newer rogues benefit from a variety of kits as well as synergy though cooperation with their team.

Definitely a finalist for most divisive RPG element, alignment typically evokes powerful feelings about what really is a simple descriptor for something which occurs off-sheet; and that being how a character has been behaving in-world. It is the view of these guides that most of the trouble surrounding this topic is due to misunderstanding its intention and uses.

This episode marks a full year of weekly Dungeon Guides releases, and the culmination of our first goal of providing weekly conversation regarding TTRPG's, our favorite hobby! We wrap up 2024 with a rundown of how our RPG lives played out for us, what new discoveries we'd made, and a look at what we hope to get into in 2025. Thank you for listening and supporting the show, and we look forward to providing another year of bite-sized TTRPG entertainment drops for your nerdly ears to consume.

What is more festive than a holiday/RPG crossover? We typically find ourselves doing all we can to divorce real-world knowledge from in-world fantasy, but sometimes it's fun to break the 4th wall with a wrecking ball, the Kool-Aid Man, and a bucket full of bad puns. Not only are one-shots a great way to have some frivolous, temporary fun.. They are even more ridiculous and slappy when you incorporate our own silly rituals into worlds quite unlike our own. I mean, how is the notion of having to appease fey lords in order to be bestowed with great powers and unlock the mysteries of the universe through arcane rituals any different than a fat man in a red suit who flies around the world bringing iPhones and Tonka trucks to all the good children?

Though our focus tends to be on the sword-and-sorcery style of RPG's, we certainly express our approach as to be relating to the systems and settings most commonly known about when it comes to TTRPG's, without intended exclusion of other settings. In this episode we vamp and riff about what it feels like to us when we play in a modern setting, as opposed to more archaic and historically-distant epochs. The allure of fantastic realms filled with magic and monsters can not go unnoticed, but there is a lot of great play which can be had in a more modern setting.

Does death have to be the end? Do you frown upon the utilization of your deceased? Does the undying hunger for human brains result in far too many homicidal YOLO moments? You might want to consider the ramifications of undeath! Good, bad, or indifferent.. we poke at animated dead things with our sticks and talk about what we think makes them tick.

Just like any other game or competitive activity, TTRPGs can be vulnerable to cheating. And in a situation where you have a moderator or umpire who is responsible for upholding fairness, it's not without exposure to inauthentic or false adjudication. What constitutes cheating, and how does that happen in TTRPGs? How do we see players going about it? What happens if the GM cheats, or is that even possible? We take a look at fudging and cheating in TTRPGs and what impacts it can have on gameplay.

Are druids just hippie clerics with a penchant for furry cosplay, or are they secretive practitioners of pagan or macabre rituals? Not everything in nature lives in harmony, and the druid doesn't have to be handcuffed to being a guardian of the natural order. Walk with us down the road of the tropey-est of pigeon-holed classes as we chew the fat on the druid class, and the notion of druids themselves.

In the first entry of our "Nature Bros" class examinations we take a look at the ranger. A class that draws upon historical tropes, don't knock the capabilities you have in loosing a volley of interesting characters. We'll string together hot takes and compound them into an episode we hope you feel hits the target. So gather your sinew, your feathers, and that broken sword your father passed on to you when he died.

On the surface, playing a TTRPG seems to involve a lot of fighting monsters, bandits, and warlords. Those who have played enough know that sometimes your fellow PCs fall under your crosshairs. Plenty of us have wished for a humbling crit upon an antagonistic, thieving, or boorish comrade by some foul monster, but there comes a time when one must take matters into their own hands. We sit at a table of neutrality, with at least some vague notion of cooperation in mind.. But how do you deal with upsets which lead to the PC's actually engaging each other? Is this always a bad thing, or can there be positive experiences with PvP? We take a poke at each other's thoughts and discuss the weal/woes of inter-player conflict.

I always love finding a cool potion more than another magic shield or returning dagger. Much in the way that firearms make all beings tall, potions are a way for anyone to access the wonderful and awesome power of magic. A great way to add some variety to your loot placement, potions and alchemical products serve a variety of purposes for advancing the story or simply providing a variety of capabilities for your PCs. And if you ever wonder why so many corpses are found with healing potions on them, just remember how many times you've seen a gamer beat a game with an inventory full of consumables saved for 'when I really need it'.

Our final installment on the "how not to GM" list of rules given out by some jackass who clearly has some form of personality issues or disorder. The insights we have on how this person presents themselves and deals with problems can be applied to life in general, not just TTRPGs. Consider the approach this person has, and look elsewhere in your life where you might be interacting with this kind of person. There is no need to tolerate toxic behavior, especially when we're engaged in a hobby meant to be fun and engaging.

In the next couple of episodes will be our hot takes on a list of rules that a very angry and aggressive GM gave out to players joining their campaign. It doesn't take long to realize that this list is a perfect "How NOT to GM" exercise. Strap in, put your helmet on, and get ready to ride an abusive rollercoaster built by what is clearly a horrible person.

In the next couple of episodes will be our hot takes on a list of rules that a very angry and aggressive GM gave out to players joining their campaign. It doesn't take long to realize that this list is a perfect "How NOT to GM" exercise. Strap in, put your helmet on, and get ready to ride an abusive rollercoaster built by what is clearly a horrible person.

Monsters who tower above, or can swallow hole in one bite.. Those who breathe fire, or can petrify with a gaze.. Those who petrify with a gaze, or appear as harmless objects.. What are they, compared to those who are the thing of your darkest dreams; your deepest fears? Horrible things you cannot reach.. Cannot defend against.. Cannot hope to confront alone... These are the true monsters, the stuff of nightmares... those ancient harrahs from beyahnd the stahs!!

In the first of a series of character examinations, we introduce one of our Player Characters. We'll talk a bit about the ideas around the character's concept, the setting, and a brief summary of Osmand's first few levels. This is one of our favorite campaigns, which we attribute a great deal of our enjoyment to favoring intrigue/Roleplay over combat. Many character traits and abilities don't get to shine if all the interaction is combat-based, and we give some examples how that can be so.

You're a wiz, kid! Only the best and brightest might be a candidate for wizardry, as being a mage is one of the greatest aspirations available to mortals. However often it is restricted or elusive, the pursuit of magic and knowledge is a fundamental goal and function of the other of what we consider to be the two "most classic" rpg classes. Strap your cap on, get your spellbook, and don't forget those suppository remedies.. You'll need them when you cross into the Abyss; everything is sorted out through the ass in that place.

Some might call the Fighter class the bread & butter of a solid D&D party, and we think they're right. In this episode we will talk about how we see the Fighter class and what it brings to the table which other classes can only approximate. Maybe not as spectacular and awe-inspiring as a spellcaster, but ignore a fighter too long and you will be cut down further than a country club fairway.

What do John Candy, Matthew McCaunahey, Henry Winkler, and Arnold Schwarzenegger have in common? They all know what it takes to be cool.. And this episode's too cool for school, buster. We talk about the "Rule of Cool" and how we like to see that play out at our tables. And much like Jamaican bobsled teams and icy husbands, sometimes great stories come from the most unlikely of places when you've got a license to ill.

Another episode where we talk about ways to make monsters interesting, and not just another set of numbers to crunch, or source of xp to grind. This week's show is focused on Napoleon syndrome kobolds pulling cunning stunts with their traps, and mimics doing their best to not be obvious and end up going extinct. This episode is brought to you by the theme of "cunning", and the expletives "jackass" and "MF'er".

Do you ever feel like your dwindling hit points are just like a long boring ride with the family? Despite the fact that Dad says there's only 80 HPs to go, there never seems to be any experiential progress.. Just arbitrary numbers scrolling down. But despite this frustration and mindless passing of mile markers, you know you'd best not complain or boast about HPs, else the GM might just shout "If you ask one more time, I'm gonna step on the DPS and get there sooner!"

You and I are not unacquainted to amorous affection, and we're both aware of the mechanical benefits. Strong adherence to ideology is the intention I hold, which you won't find with any other class. We just wanna tell you 'bout paladins, in the hopes that you better understand. Always gonna smite you up, or maybe simply knock you down. I may just try to ply with love and convert you. Maybe I will crush with might, maybe I will shine so bright. Hope that I don't break my oath, and curse you.

We take a look at one of the more interesting casters available in D&D 5th Edition, from both a mechanical and "RP" sense. Great power may be within reach of many, as powerful entities seek to increase their influence in the world. Power does come at a cost, and you may find yourself compelled to perform strange rituals. These could include having to twerk for hours at a local tavern, pop your collars every time you enter town, spring for bottle service at the night club, or something as simple and straightforward as transcribing the Dark Treatise of Zulla Kobikan upon the city walls, spelled out with the entrails of innocents who were drowned in a vat of bile and calf blood.

There are many gods.. Those who help remind you, while others only laugh. Some prayed to for wisdom, others for deft pickpocketing; while some are called upon from the bottom of a bottle, or when we're singing every song we know at the tavern. It won't cost you a nickel as we give you our two cents on gods, pantheons, and the nature of their relationship with the people who worship them.

Unfortunately there is no P-Funk show, nor are we going to build any cities on rock & roll...Though with this game you certainly could. Our second RPG review has us giving our takes on this wonderfully compact game in the Sci-Fi/Horror genre, published by Tuesday Knight Games. It is a d100 system with serious grit, gore, and darkness baked right into it. The vast emptiness of space provides a bleak backdrop for your group's fun and enjoyment. But remember that failure is not an option; not if you want to make it out alive.. And sane

Nobody likes to lose control of their player, but perhaps there are times when it's not only a reality, but it simply makes sense? Another discussion along the lines of RP and where/when a GM could or should step in to protect a character from its player, or to help a player to better roleplay. As well as likes/dislikes regarding this occurrence, as well as possible reasons why these opinions come to be are among the elements we discuss.

Monsters look cool and sound cool, but what else about encountering the various foes and horrific monsters can make for memorable moments at your table? We spitball and vamp about ways in which GMs can help make their toys seem more tangible, more real, more.. more