Dungeon Master of None

308 - House Rules for All

May 8, 2024

Podcast explores various house rules to enhance tabletop RPG experience, including meta-currencies, streamlined combat mechanics, unique character creation in thirteenth age, simplified combat maneuvers, range bands in combat, special dice mechanics, and listener engagement with shared house rules.

01:09:03

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Encourage player creativity through meta-currencies for declaring story details.

Use cards for initiative to speed up combat resolution and engagement.

Reward players for exceeding targets to acknowledge character advancements and choices.

Deep dives

Implementing Meta-Currencies for Story Details

Using fate points or equivalent meta-currencies to allow players to declare story details that enhance their character's actions or the scene, encouraging player agency and creativity beyond traditional system limitations. This approach can reward strong role-playing actions and provide a tangible way for players to influence the narrative.

Introduction

2min

Exploring the Importance and Impact of House Rules in RPGs

3min

Enhancing Player Agency with Meta-Currency Systems and Initiative Decks

17min

Streamlining Attack and Damage Rolls in Role-Playing Games

13min

Unique Character Creation in Thirteenth Age

7min

Optimizing Combat with Range Bands

2min

Enhancing Gameplay Dynamics with Simplified Combat Mechanics

15min

Enhancing Gameplay with Special Dice Mechanics

9min

Exploring House Rules and Listener Engagement

2min

Almost everyone has house rules for their games, but are there house rules that are good for (nearly) every game? DMs Matt and Rob share over a dozen house rules from their games and their favorite systems that can (probably) be lifted and inserted into whatever TTRPG system your table plays.

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Links to rules:

FATE CORE, "Declaring a Story Detail"

Year Zero Engine SRD, Chapter 4, "Rounds & Initiative"

Giffglyph, Darker Dungeons, "Chapter 20: Active Defense"

Traverse Fantasy, "Damage Roll as Attack Bonus"

13th Age SRD, Character Rules, "Choose Your One Unique Thing"

Cypher System SRD, Creating Your Character, "Character Descriptor, Type, and Focus"

Daggerheart Playtest 1.4, Open Playtest Manuscript, "Maps, Range, and Movement"

Odd Skull Blog, "Combat Maneuvers, The Easy Way"