Taking 20 Podcast

Are Game Masters beholden to the same rules that players are?  If it would result in a dramatic story beat or important campaign moment, is it okay for GMs to change prewritten adventures, change monster hit points and abilities in the middle of the battle, or even change the dice rolled behind the screen?

How viable are spells that give the victim a single saving throw before taking them out of a fight, campaign, or existence?  Should you use these spells against PCs?  What alternatives are there?  In this episode we discuss these questions and much more about the spells and abilities where you make the save or it sucks to be you.

Dive into the fascinating world of intelligent undead in role-playing games. Explore why these beings, like liches and vampires, should be cunning and strategic rather than bumbling fools. Discover tips for crafting rich narratives that highlight their complex motivations. Learn about their tactical maneuvers, from crafting clever traps to dominating adventurers. Plus, get insights on designing menacing lairs that reflect their unique needs. Unleash your creativity and breathe new life into your tabletop sessions!

We'd all love to DM/GM for a 4-person party but it is rare.  More often we'll have 6 players or even 8-9 who want to play in a campaign even if we only start off with 4.  How do you handle these huge parties or small parties of less than 4?  If you have a small party, how do you add capabilities to the party with NPCs?  

What is the difference between roll and role playing?  How should players and GMs approach the balance between the two?  Thank you Trevor in San Antonio for the topic idea!

The ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome obstacles is a critical skill needed for GMs and players alike.  In this episode Jeremy discusses techniques of improvisation utilizing the basic tenets he learned performing improv comedy, allowing GMs to keep the story on track and players to support their game partners.

Players using their knowledge to make decisions for their characters is always bad, right?  In this episode, Jeremy talks about the good and bad of metagaming and even cites examples when the DM inadvertently or purposefully provides metagame knowledge to the players.  Come visit us at www.taking20podcast.com

Tired of shopkeepers with no name?  Ready to make your character stand out from the ocean of numbers on the character sheet?  In this episode we discuss how to make your characters or NPCs feel like real, fleshed-out people by giving them goals, motivations, foibles and flaws.

Dive into the world of character arcs in role-playing games! Discover how positive and negative transformations shape characters and their journeys. The discussion highlights the importance of character development, conflict, and self-deception. Using examples from popular media, the hosts unravel the complexities of crafting meaningful arcs. Plus, tips are shared on how to support fellow players in their character journeys, making the experience richer for everyone involved!

With the safe alignments out of the way, Jeremy now addresses how to roleplay the evil alignments and Chaotic Neutral.  Thanks for listening and come see us at www.taking20podcast.com to listen to provide feedback and suggestions for future episodes!