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The Hard Move

The Hard Move

By Matthew Gravelyn

The Hard Move is a Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) RPG discussion podcast. Each episode, host Sidney Icarus will chat with a guest about a single move, diving into how the move works mechanically, how players can use it narratively to drive the fiction, and how GMs can react to the move. Join us every other Wednesday as I welcome a new guest to name their move and play to find out what happens.

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Currently playing episode

Mind Your Manners & Be Understood

The Hard MoveNov 14, 2018

00:00
47:57
Reveal a Secret
Nov 18, 202034:02
Pay the Price
Oct 28, 202041:18
Choose

Choose

Literally one day left to get Apocalypse Keys 25% off for being a Hard Move listener! temporalhiccup.itch.io/hardmove25

John Harper and I prepare for the worst as we discuss the building tension, core loops, and how we both get spooked out real easy.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow John @john_harper, and johnharper.itch.io.

Content featured in this episode is from Murderous Ghosts by Vincent Baker, published by Lumpley Games

Oct 14, 202048:08
Accuse Someone of Lying

Accuse Someone of Lying

Reminder that you can get Apocalypse Keys 25% off for being a Hard Move patron! temporalhiccup.itch.io/hardmove25

Tomer Gurantz and I prepare for the worst as we discuss the nature of move engagement, what it means to be an audience, and how to best crush someone's lies beneath your high-heels.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Tomes @tgurantz, and @SGGlendale for his awesome community work.

Content featured in this episode is from Pasión de las Pasiones by Brandon Leon-Gambetta, with future publishing by Magpie Games

Sep 30, 202039:56
Holy Symbol Arsenal

Holy Symbol Arsenal

Get Apocalypse Keys 25% off for being a Hard Move listener! temporalhiccup.itch.io/hardmove25

Jammi Nedjadi and I prepare for the worst as we unfold a developer's story about Apocalypse Keys and an amazing move that stole my heart.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Jammi @temporalhiccup, and help us both out by getting the game at  temporalhiccup.itch.io/hardmove25

Sep 16, 202044:32
Tell a Story

Tell a Story

Proceeds from this month's patreon go to Color of Change, support them here: https://colorofchange.org/about/

Yoshi Creelman and I prepare for the worst as we move in herds, uhh find a way and, after careful consideration decide not endorse your park, as we Tell a Story.

This episode was a joy to record after a long night at work, and I couldn't imagine a better person to record it with than Yoshi.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Yoshi @yoshicreelman, and find his work on itch under Drawn Bear games. I highly recommend his Pillowfort blog post on playtesting.

Content featured in this episode is from Escape from Dino Island, by Sam Tung and Sam Roberts. https://samnite.itch.io/escapefromdinoisland

Sep 02, 202045:45
Surrender to Weariness
Aug 05, 202045:17
Thy Will Be Done
Jul 22, 202041:45
In-Brain Puppet Strings
Jul 08, 202039:36
At Any Cost
Jun 25, 202036:35
The Abyss Stares Back

The Abyss Stares Back

https://itch.io/b/520/bundle-for-racial-justice-and-equality   

Spenser Starke and I prepare for the worst as we take a look at The Abyss Stares Back from The Veil. An interesting move, we discuss as much about how we love unpacking the poetry of the move as we do with how challenging it is to engage with fully. It really is like nothing else out there.

In the Patreon cut, Spenser and I also talk about the changes we'd like to see this move make, and specifically how it can be so inaccessible to the people approaching it. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Spenser on twitter @spenserstarke, and back Alice is Missing on Kickstarter.

Content featured in this episode is from The Veil. With writing by Fraser Simons, published by Samjoko.

Jun 10, 202041:17
Drives
May 27, 202041:43
Gaze Into The Abyss

Gaze Into The Abyss

Andrew Gillis and I prepare for the worst as we Gaze into the Abyss from Monsterhearts 2. In this episode we discuss inviting players in, generating stakes, and developing good dark stories. 

In our patreon release Andrew and I also talk about the ins and outs of Abyss Gazing, and bringing misses to bear against players. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Andrew on Twitter at @commutingcrow.

Content featured in this episode is from Monsterhearts 2, written by Avery Alder, and published by Buried Without Ceremony.

May 13, 202038:42
Go Aggro

Go Aggro

Adrian Thoen and I prepare for the worst as we go OG and Go Aggro with Apocalypse World 1e and 2e. In this episode we discuss shifting agency of threats; bluffing and calling it; and how to do moves from "a distance".

In our patreon release Adrian and I also talk about how Go Aggro can be played as an MC, and the evolution of PbtA moves over the years. Available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Adrian on Twitter at @madadric.

Content featured in this episode is from Apocalypse World first and second editions, written by Vincent and Meguey Baker, and published by lumpley games.

Apr 29, 202040:32
Spit In The Face Of Guidance Or Influence

Spit In The Face Of Guidance Or Influence

Ryan McNeil and I prepare for the worst as we step into the time-shifting Innocent, and look at a really hostile move. In this episode we discuss escalation in PbtA; what it means to have moves "on the table"; and how different triggers drive different play.

A full length bonus version of this episode is available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Ryan on Twitter at @transalaskin.

Content featured in this episode is from Masks and Halycon City Herald, both published by Magpie Games, with lead writing by Brendan Conway.

Apr 15, 202037:57
Last Breath

Last Breath

Matthew Gravelyn and I prepare for the worst as we explore Dungeon World's move for facing down the black gates of the death. In this episode we discuss the nature of RPG death; triggering and engaging with the move in new ways; and have a blast doing it every step of the way. 

A full length bonus version of this episode is available at patreon.com/thehardmove.

The Hard Move was created by Matthew Gravelyn, and is hosted and produced by Sidney Icarus. You can follow the show on Twitter @TheHardMove.

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find his work at nickgravelyn.com

You can follow Matthew on Twitter at @mrmatthew, and buy Mall Kids at mr-matthew.itch.io

Content featured in this episode is from Dungeon World by Sage Latorra and Adam Koebel, and published by Sage Kobold productions.

Apr 01, 202044:17
Hard Move Season 2 Announcement

Hard Move Season 2 Announcement

The Hard Move returns for Season 2... with a twist! New episodes start on April 1st.

Mar 31, 202001:00
Make A Challenge
Mar 14, 201901:02:41
Act Under Pressure
Mar 06, 201941:21
Take A Powerful Blow
Feb 27, 201948:09
Transform
Feb 13, 201944:05
Keep Your Cool
Feb 06, 201944:23
Stand Strong in Your Convictions
Jan 30, 201945:15
Mesmerism
Jan 23, 201938:08
Express Your Love Passionately
Jan 16, 201901:06:28
Oops!
Jan 02, 201935:35
Embrace Your Chimera & The Power of Friendship
Dec 26, 201835:36
Preparedness
Dec 19, 201828:46
Risk Roll

Risk Roll

Jesse Ross and I delve into the mysterious and dangerous forest of Trophy to discuss the Risk Roll, one of only three in the game. It mechanically encapsulates navigating tricky situations and the risk involved, both physical and mental. This move drives the bulk of the story forward and offers players nearly complete narrative control. The GM can also entice the players to push their luck to achieve their goals at the risk of falling prey to the ominous forest. 

You can follow Jesse on Twitter at twitter.com/jesseross and check out his website at jesseross.com 

Content featured in this episode is from Trophy by Jesse Ross. For more information, visit trophyrpg.com Trophy is available in the December 2018 issue of The Gauntlet’s Codex. To subscribe, visit patreon.com/gauntlet 

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find more of his work at nickgravelyn.com 

You can follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/thehardmove 

Support the show at patreon.com/thehardmove and subscribe to The Hard Move on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or your podcast platform of choice.

Dec 12, 201839:28
Attune

Attune

Ross Payton and I focus our minds on Scum and Villainy as we dive into the move Attune. From telekinetic powers to psychic visions to handling dangerous artifacts, this move offers a mechanical basis for a vast array of mental powers as well as narrative reward and consequence for opening your mind to the Way. We also discuss questions the GM can ask to help keep things flowing given the breadth of possibilities. 

You can follow Ross on Twitter at twitter.com/rosspayton and check out Role Playing Public Radio at patreon.com/rppr 

Content featured in this episode is from Scum and Villainy by Stras Acimovic and John LeBoeuf-Little. For more information, visit evilhat.com 

Music is by Nick Gravelyn. You can find more of his work at nickgravelyn.com 

You can follow the show on Twitter at twitter.com/thehardmove 

Support the show at patreon.com/thehardmove and subscribe to The Hard Move on iTunes or your podcast platform of choice.

Dec 05, 201844:14
Blow Off Steam
Nov 28, 201836:21
Turn Someone On
Nov 21, 201848:50
Mind Your Manners & Be Understood
Nov 14, 201847:57
Burn
Nov 07, 201840:56
Detachable Body Parts
Oct 31, 201833:46
Unleash Your Powers
Oct 24, 201829:13
Trailer
Oct 09, 201801:07