Biggus Geekus

We discuss the value of Editions in TTRPGs and in D &D in particular.

This week we discuss our latest face to face gaming: Savage Worlds Fantasy Companion! We also poke at WOTC and the blue-hairs a bit.

This week we talk about what an adventurer might do with a monster corpse. Eating it is just one option. Notes to follow

This week we discuss why DnD only needs two classes ... maybe three. Tickets for Big Geek Con 2024 on sale now: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 184 Streamed Live Tuesday March 26, 2024. (R) Catch-up from the past week This past Friday 3/22/24 we live streamed Horde Wars Ultimate Campaign – much death and much miraculous recoveries. The Priest/Acolyte was, as always, One and Done! Hirelings & Henchmen- Tools of the Trade or just Tools? https://oldschoolroleplaying.com/henchmen-and-hirelings-in-dungeons-and-dragons/ Henchmen: is a better grade of hireling. While money may still be a motivating factor for them these are permanent retainers or allies for the player characters. They are sidekicks. Advantages Gives use for the hard-earned coin. Allows for PCs to feel like big shots and build up to Domain play in an organic way and at lower or the lowest character levels. Challenges Who plays these NPCs especially if there is many of them? Additional burden on the DM??? How do you stop them from becoming fodder or “trap detectors”? How do you handle these characters leveling up? How long will the follow the characters? A PC is level 5 and a henchman is level 4…does the boss-worker dynamic change? At what point would it be ok to have a BBEG convince one of the hirelings/henchmen to turn on the party? Kill them in their sleep? How do they/did they work throughout the editions? Story Mechanics in TTRPGs? Bennies, Re-rolls, Narrative Control, Hero Points, Fail Forward, Success with a Cost …others? Yes, no, maybe, always good, sometimes good , never good? How do they aid play? How do they hinder? Big Geek Con 2 September 20-22, 2024/$30 for those who are 13+ Parents must be with their children at all times. We are not baby sitters. Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604 +1 989 790 5050 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also we are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

We talk about the magic items in our games and what, if any, good they are. Big Geek Con 2024 tickets on sale!: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 $30 for 3 days! Sept 20 - 22 Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw 4960 Towne Centre Road Saginaw, MI 48604 https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 Our Links: PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

This week we talk about advancement in your game, and how you might change it up. We also discuss Dune movie presentations. So watch out for spoilers! Big Geek Con 2024 tickets are on sale! https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 Support Our Show! If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show, also we are on all the social, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium:https://biggeekemporium.com/

Its a Monster Mash this week as we talk about aberrations! Aberrations are creatures that cannot be easily grouped by physical description. These beings are often amorphous and alien. From the lowly mimic to the mighty beholder these nightmare creatures are often found underground or in the watery depths, seeking to devour or enslave. Sometimes both. Inspired in large part by the Cthulhu mythos, aberrations were part of early Dungeons and Dragons and have a place in many game settings and home tables. BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia: beholder,that’s it.1e: Beholder, Mind flayer, Ixitxachitl, and a lot more https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Advanced_Dungeons_%26_Dragons_1st_edition_monsters 2e: https://adnd2e.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Monsters 3.x: https://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/3e_SRD:Aberration_Type 4e: https://dungeonsdragons.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Dungeons_%26_Dragons_4th_edition_monsters 5e: https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters?filter-type=1&filter-search=&filter-cr-min=&filter-cr-max=&filter-armor-class-min=&filter-armor-class-max=&filter-average-hp-min=&filter-average-hp-max=&filter-is-legendary=&filter-is-mythic=&filter-has-lair=&filter-partnered-content=f Big Geek Con 2024 Tickets on sale: (Sept 20 - 22)https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show,  we are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

This week we discuss many of the odd topics surrounding DnD spewing forth from the internet Big Geek Con 2024 tickets on sale: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show.  We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

With the upcoming release of 6th Edition by WoTC and our ongoing desire for OUR DnD, we bring you some things you can to do to freshen up the old girl. This will be a recurring topic, offering new ideas or changes to previous ideas under this topic. This may (likely will) eventually depart from the old game and birth a new one. Big Geek Con 2024 tickets on sale: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show.  We are on all the socials and video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 178 Streamed Live Tuesday February 13, 2024 Main Topic: Who is the true Dungeon Master…Gary or Dave? A review of two documentaries: 1.) Secrets of Blackmoor: A Tue History of Dungeons & Dragons https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9301886/plotsummary/?ref_=tt_ov_pl 2.) The Dreams in Gary’s Basement https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10621206/ Both movies painted their respective subjects in a good light Blackmoor for Mr Arneson’s part and Dreams for Mr Gygax. However neither treated the other’s subject in a bad light, letting the ages old schism remain in the past. Both mostly focused on the positive contributions each paid to our hobby. Secrets of Blackmoor went into great detail about how the tabletop RPG hobby sprung from war gaming, largely though Dave Arneson’s efforts. Dreams focused on Gary Gygax’s similar journey detailing the rise and fall of TSR and its eventual purchase by Wizards of The Coast. In light of these two documentaries, it seems the hobby owes it existence to both of these visionaries, though it is uncertain as to who gets top billing. At this point it hardly matters. Modules or Roll Your own? Modules/Pre-packaged Adventures Advantages: all encounters and stats done for you, plot ready to go, read-n-run (???), nice maps & visuals, and can dovetail with your own ideas(can even steal them from modules) and they can be fun to read. Disadvantages: may not fit your group, too railroad-y, costly($?), may need to shoe horn the current campaign/party situation into the adventure( Slavers series??/), politicization of games could creep in and long adventure paths/modules can be a lot to read and prepare even though it is all laid out for you. Rolling Your Own Advantages: easier to prep(theoretically), can react on the fly w/o worry of “messing” up the adventure, do not have to spend time reading, allows you infinite freedom and you can tailor it to your group from the start. Disadvantages: must make your own maps & prep time/write stats( ?), may need to use monster books/charts/random tables and “wing’in it” can result in non-sensical situations ( “ an aboleth, that doesn’t make any sense!”), inspiration can run dry, Big Geek Con 2: get ticket at - https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 September 20-22, 2024/$30 for those who are 13+ Parents must be always with their children. We are not babysitters. Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw 4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604 +1 989 790 5050 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Tickets for Big Geek Con on sale: https://tabletop.events/conventions/big-geek-con-2024 This week we discuss situations when you may need multiple DMs. Also the supposed Tencent issue.

Episode 175 Streamed Live Tuesday January 23, 2023 Main Topic: Divide -Divide-Divide The Hobby! https://youtu.be/L9pDhntGoVY?t=30 (sample of the song “Divide” by Disturbed) Bravo Mr. Boivin: https://youtu.be/u20Wuj5gMY0 What is wrong with just accepting the natural division of folks in the hobby? (i.e., BrOSR, 4D, Basic DD 1st-3rd level, 3.X epic tabletop skirmish, Sparkletroll Barista D&D, etc.) Let them do what they want and screech about being Elite, who cares? Shouldn’t we all just try to be excellent to each other? Maybe we should try to be excellent in our chosen playstyle? Let’s be elite in our own preferred play style, if possible, whatever that may be. Can Big Geek Con begin to be the play we attempt to achieve excellence in our style of play? This may include some Gatekeeping, but only as it pertains to folks trying to horn in on your fun by bringing in some other style you do not enjoy or maybe do NOT want at your table. We can and should still nerd rage but try to pursue this excellence, if nothing else just for ourselves. If it helps others then so be it. Plus, it’ll be fun to debate who are the true elites of TTRPGS! More Settings & Adventures and Less Systems! Inspired by a Facebook post I commented on and then was commented on by the following: Bitty Jen(username on Facebook) “Respectfully, I’ll pass. As mentioned earlier, there are more than enough rulesets/variants/clones/combo-rewrites..etc etc But good luck with yours. What the community really needs are competent writers of modules/campaigns who don’t take themselves too seriously, and don’t try to reinvent the wheel with stupid gimmicks.” New systems are not bad may be but less valuable to some these days than new settings/adventures/modules/Pop-in Principles/System neutral. Randy: “I do not deny the gamer fascination and love of new systems/games, but I’d like to see ore settings a la Savage Worlds business model over WoTC and many others endless array of supplements then Rinse&Repeat for each new edition. System neutral is ,for me, superior since it will never require updates/new editions and will be evergreen. Experienced DMs would find more value from Adventures/Modules/Settings than new systems in general if they have a long running campaign…yes, I am speaking for them. Of course, some GMs like other game systems for cannon fodder. Now gamers, in general, cannot resist the new shiny, but in the realm of the OSR, it has been said many times...who needs another clone retro or otherwise? What about Monte Cook’s Arcana Unearthed/Evolved style ‘systems? Too much like retro-clones, I guess. But the monetary drawback is 1 DM – 1 purchase…how to monetize such settings and adventure modules to the players? What could a player be offered besides a new system?” Report from Big Geek Land Big Geek Con 2 September 20-22, 2024 Friday Noon-11pm, Saturday 8a-11pm, Sunday Noon-6p??? Considering get-together at the attached Uno’s Friday & Saturday 9pm till close to play, wind down, meet-n-greet. Location: Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw: 4960 Towne Centre Road, Saginaw, MI 48604 +1 989 790 5050 Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 174 streamed live Tuesday January 16, 2024 Main Topic: What are the OSR’s of today? Old School Renaissance or Old School Revival A little History:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_School_Renaissance A couple of primers: A Quick Primer for Old School Gaming (Matt Finch and Mythmere Games 2008): https://ia601802.us.archive.org/28/items/a-quick-primer-for-old-school-gaming/A%20Quick%20Primer%20for%20Old%20School%20Gaming.pdf 2. New OSR Primers (Lumpkin, Milton, & Perry):https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VSa6hSvQAlyvkTfmqhix1Z2EoFJPR-CP/view The Different Flavors of the OSR today https://osrsimulacrum.blogspot.com/2021/12/a-historical-look-at-osr-part-v.html “It was simply a rebirth of interest in old-school Dungeons & Dragons, specifically as its original designers intended it to be played. Its adherents had never entirely disappeared, but it was certainly a playerbase on life support for the longest time. Around 2007 began a renaissance, one that manifested in a variety of ways but at its heart was firmly rooted in mechanical compatibility with TSR-era D&D and a sharing of certain key design principles that went with those editions and the way their designers intended them to be played…” The main four variants: Classic OSR: The original wave. Has both compatibility and principles. OSR-Adjacent: Some principles, some compatibility. NSR: Principles, but not compatibility. Commercial OSR: Compatibility, but not principles. OTHERS: FKR:Free Kriegsspiel Revolution Numbers don’t add up to a game. If the fiction fits, try it. You play worlds, not rules. https://followmeanddie.com/2021/10/02/fkr-free-kriegsspiel-revolution/ Great video by ben Milton of Questing beast for overview:https://youtu.be/d4lvrC3ZBzM BRoSR:https://youtu.be/JIEW2r6deXs “AD&D 1st edition with absolutely no house rules, do every single thing Gary told you to do." Also patron play / Braunstein where many domain level characters that would be NPC are run by the players" More annoying links: 1) https://jonmollison.com/2022/11/10/brosr-principles-a-primer/ 2) https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/11/bdubs-essential-guide-to-patron-play.html 3) https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/07/jeffrogaxian-time-keeping-vs-variable.html Live Character Creation Let’s create a character with as many random rolls as possible using Horde Wars! Random Geek-itude Big Geek Con 2 Dates: September 20-22, 2024 (Times TBD) Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw Our Links: Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 173 Streamed Live Tuesday January 9, 2024 Main Topic: What time is it? Timekeeping in D&D What is the value of time keeping? Is it worth the effort? Abstract or precise units of time? Which version of D&D does this in the way you most prefer? What game does this in the way you most prefer? Campaign Level View: events in the world/region/city/base town, Holy days for religious orders, special astronomical events, magical confluences, others? Character Level View: spell durations, round durations, disease/poison duration, ration usage, light sources, aging process, stamina, rest & recuperation, and others? Consider: https://www.reddit.com/r/osr/comments/17qab2z/an_attempt_at_strict_time_keeping_records/ Too extreme? Adventure Level View: Dungeon mapping, dungeon crawling (real light sources/torches. Equipment usage, overland travel, time limits/pressure, etc/other? Player Needs: Time to play, time in between turns, breaks in play. Etc/other? BRoSR: https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/07/jeffrogaxian-time-keeping-vs-variable.html https://bdubsanddragons.blogspot.com/2021/11/bdubs-essential-guide-to-patron-play.html When Gaming Preferences become true Biases When you learn/see/try a new game, what sorts of preconceived notions/preferences may keep you from enjoying them or enjoying them fully? How might they influence how you play the game or even if you would even try to play it? 1. Genres: fantasy (dragons and wizards), historical, sci fi, horror, superhero, mixed genres, other? 2. Settings: homebrew vs published 3. Mechanics: die types, diceless, cards, built-in safety tools, others? 4. Companies: woke vs non-woke, TSR vs WoTC, other? 5. Editions: 1e vs 2e vs etc any game 6. Simulation vs Emulation vs Narrative As well as Trad games vs indie vs dungeon crawler’s vs OSR vs Modern 7. Play styles: RP-1st/2nd/3rd person, Adventure: sandbox, AP, modules, others? 8. The stereotypes associated with the game or the players of the game? Report from Big Geek Land Big Geek Con 2 Meeting Jan 15th to determine exact dates of BGC2. Likely September 20-22, 2024 Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

This week we discuss a variety of topics, including New Year's Gaming Resolutions, with Patrick of Pointy Hat Games.

Episode 170 Streamed Live Tuesday December 19, 2023 Main Topic: Horde Wars Basic and Beyond with Blackwall Games We discuss Horde Wars with Todd and Nate of Blackwall Games. Horde Wars is a fantasy tabletop RPG that leans into a medieval European tropes to inform its design. This is mixed with other influences to give it a unique feel. It also relies on a combination of classes and skills that give players many combinations to choose from. Many topics were covered: Where does the Basic game stand? What about the advanced version? How does Horde Wars facilitate campaign play? With so many games on Guilded, how do you keep motivated? Are you and Nate both running playtest groups? Are you and Nate going to Cabin Con #2 How do you design monsters? How do you design encounters? d12 days of Horde Wars! The Christmas Holiday Special giveaway! We have given 9 away so far…Last 3 tonight!!! Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

What makes a Challenging Game? Episode 167 Streamed Live Tuesday November 28, 2023 Main Topic: What makes a Challenging Game? CR vs random tables vs encounters to fit the ‘story’/adventure. When does challenging become a meat grinder? How can mechanics inform the challenge of a game? Some examples for comparison: DnD OSR : fairly random, expect that the ‘wilderness’ could produce almost any creature, no skill checks to challenge Player characters- proficiencies allowed for this to a lesser extent in later editions, combat dangerous to engage and sometimes players need to have superior planning and careful with resources. DnD 3.X +: CR becomes a bigger thing, skills significant in 3.X, less so in 4e and 5e but big push to challenge PCs not players, combat usually lands in favor of the PCs especially if player skill is high enough to build a powerful PC. 13th age: skills more loosely defined via backgrounds, short of significant imbalanced encounter design PCs almost always win, very predictable combat if follow the patterns shown by the adventures provided by the game, Savage Worlds: whole game is skill based, Pcs are heroes, but combat can be swingy Rolemaster: critical tables cause the game to lean toward swinginess Do you prefer games that are run so that they challenge the character more than the player or vice versa? Some additional thoughts on magic systems Joe: Using 1e ADnD magic as a base, add the following: Spell/Magic/Mana points Use an activation check (may replace a save*) This is a alternate to having a magic phase in combat: Divide spells into categories: Invocations (combat cast), Incantations (may be interrupted) , Ritual (not for combat) Attack roll instead of saves as much as possible, one roll even for AOE. Use saves for spells that control or deceive, such as charm, sleep, etc. Consider Entangle: An attack roll represents the plants initial grasping of targets. Anytime someone enters after the initial casting gets an attack roll as well. Magic attacks are based on caster’s magic stat with bonuses at higher level. Miss will mean the same as a save did. Randy: Prefer spells be re-written completely & would like more evocative names. Coarsal’s Conflagration (common parlance- Fireball)- think of it as a nod to Vance. Might combat spells be automatically cast ( i.e., no disruption), but debuffed a bit so that they do not dominate. EX: Lightning Bolt: less damage, but still affect multiples. Or some spells could be offensive, but be incantations such as: Fireball (maybe increase damage), Haste(ritual version [affects a group of folks for s specified time amount maybe in rounds or minutes]/incantations version [cast at the spur of the moment, maybe in combat/maybe not, only affects one person and duration is but a couple rounds maximum]) So, some spells could be cast in a variety of forms: combat, ritual, incantation or mix Rituals take anywhere from Minutes to years in preparation, collection of components, performance of rites, and casting time. However, these should be highly useful and/or powerful/game changing. Random Geek-itude The d12 Days of Horde Wars- Christmas Holiday Special giveaway! 12 PDFS given away over the next 3-4 weeks. We will need your email ,but will determine the winner based upon random roll Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email:thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium:https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 166 Streamed Live Tuesday November 21, 2023 Main Topic: Combating Combat -Things to consider as you design a combat system for a fantasy TTRPG. What kinds of feel or experience do you want combat to give? Frenetic, fog of war, cinematic/heroic action, gritty blood-n-bone combat, other? Emulation vs. SimulationNeed to decide if BALANCE is important, and HOW to handle it Complexity can often stall the game. How “old-school” do you go? (all attacks do d6, weapon vs. armor, speed factor, phases) How should the offense and defense capabilities interact? D&D: AC, attack roll, damage rolls vs HPS Armor as DR, wounds vs vitality Simplified comparison: combat skill vs defensive skill/opposed rolls. Include a separate Dodge/Parry/Block/Evade mechanic? How many actions does a character get per turn? And how does it affect combat Movement: double moves, running, AOO’s, withdrawals Attack: melee, range, spell, number of attacks, Other types: speaking, opening a door, interacting with an object. Do actions effect initiative order?Character types and limitations if any in combat. Armor and weapon limitations. Combat skill limitations. Who gets to be good at what? Can wizards wear armor and cast spells? Can warriors sneak around? Spell disruption (OSR vs 3.X vs 13th age) Fear of Magic dominance How does the initiative system interact with combat? Is it turn-based? Side initiative (OSR), individual (3.X, Savage Worlds), # actions based on speed (GURPS/Hackmaster/Shadowrun), He who starts the fight goes first/free form, highest roll goes first then around the table in clockwise order (horde Wars) How important is it? OTHER considerations: Setting and Rules often feed into each other. If the game is mainly about combat, then perhaps the combat system should be robust and detailed. If the game is meant to be about the story that gets told around the table, then maybe the system needs to be more fluid with interchangeable pieces to increase or decrease complexity in the system.Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 158 Streamed Live Tuesday September 26, 2023Main Topic: Big Geek Con 1- Post Shenanigans ReportPeople to thankWorkers/helpers: A special nod goes to Randy’s wife & K. Scott Appreciation to Joe Hardin and His wife, L. Neumann, Martenson, Greg T., Larry E., and Fladey ( for donations to raffle) as well as David Guyll (donations for raffle- extreme number of miniatures).The GMs: Fladey, Larry N., Larry E., Martenson, Kelley, Tim, and Benny S., Darth Thiek (Commander -style tourney), Halcyon, J. Demo, Nathan Lindy, and Geoff S.Special Kudos:Ben R. playing with Bennie.Bennie gave away his prize to a friendFar travelers: Darth Thiek, Fladey and guest, Abub.Nathan Lindy: ran Horde Wars like a boss!Business endSet upAdvertisingSetting up GMs and sessionsHow did we do?# of AttendeesFriday: 34Saturday: 47Games played by BG and favorite thingsRandy - games played: Modern War by young 13 year old (his own homebrew), Cheating Death- by Tim Scott : TPK and a mighty screw up on my part, and 13th age by Larry E.- enjoyable ,but more guffaws by moi. (very tired)Randy’s Favorites: Loved my theme of not reading the dice right, loved my kids’ game(great ideas and cool thing), watching Horde Wars tables fill up non-stop, & inspired by my running of my module(very first session), and meeting the various dudes from the chat on this show.Joe - games played: Rifts Coalition Wars, Extreme Xcrawl, Horde Wars, Dungeon Crawl Classics, Palladium Fantasy, and 13th Age Joe’s Favorites: Meeting folks from the live stream, you guys ROCK! Getting some gaming in after a long break. Food: hot dogs, pulled pork, chips, cookies, soda, water, candy bars.Good/Bad/UglySuggestion Box: Sound bufferingCredit card payment option on siteStagger early gamesLate start Friday/end SundayAC/Fans neededPlace merchandise closer to entranceAdvertise at local games storesPeople buying weekend pass should get two “raffle” tickets (or more incentive)If possible buy stuff to raffleGame sign up online if possibleTabletop events and dates set earlier45 minute registration pre-game Floating GM each slotEncourage folks to show up ten minutes before gamesMore variety of diet popAdd a space on sign-in sheet for email and to text notificationsKids play placeHow about Big Geek Con 2?Shameless Plug Time:If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well.Cash SupportPayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tipKo-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web: Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.comEmail: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.comBig Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/

Episode 157 Streamed Live Tuesday September 19, 2023 Main Topic: Handling PC Death (a revisit) Should it be on the table at all? How much does it suck to have your PC to die mid-session? Types of Death? Fair (Player poor choices or fairly rolled combat deaths). VS Unfair (GM Fiat/unfair targeting of a PC/1 save or die) Classic D&D solution: Raise Dead/Resurrection Basket full of PCs (old school Dark Sun) How is Death handled in Games outside of the fantasy genre? How has your opinion on PC death changed/evolved/stayed the same since EP7? Death Mechanics You’ve seen in a game? Squishing Gaming Myths - Roll Players vs Role-Players Is there a divide? Does it matter? Why or why not? Can the two gamers mix? Random Geek-itude Report from Big Geek Land Big Geek Con: September 22-23, 2023, at the Four Points Hotel in Saginaw, MI. This coming weekend is THE weekend! Tickets sold day of show: $40 whether you come Friday(22nd) or Saturday(23rd). Shameless Plug Time: If you would like to support our show, please like, subscribe, and share us where you are listening or viewing the show. We are on all the socials, video and podcast places as well. Cash Support PayPal: https://paypal.me/biggusgeekus Streamlabs: https://streamlabs.com/biggusgeekus1/tip Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/biggusgeekus Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/BiggusGeekus On the Web:  Website: www.biggusgeekuspodcast.com Email: thegeeks@biggusgeekuspodcast.com Big Geek Emporium: https://biggeekemporium.com/