Fluff N Crunch (FluffNCrunch)

TTRPGs have gone through a lot of development over the last 45+ years, and over that time we've seen different views on when and how to use the dice...when to call for rolls, what those rolls should be used to accomplish, and even when to hide and possibly fudge rolls (by the GM, of course...GMs fudge; players cheat!). In this episode Chris and I talk a little about that evolution, and focus mostly on ideas of how a GM can go about deciding when to call for the dice, when not to, and how to accept their results. And, of course, we use lots of examples related to 2d20.

Reach us at fluffncrunch@tutanota.com

USS Tracy responds to a distress call from a small team surveying an alien world. Attached to a deep space exploration task force Tracy is an Oberth-class ship refitted with an improved hull, high-resolution sensors, and rapid-fire torpedo launches.

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Check out our crew and ship stats here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing

Our discussion about and survey of the system and setting for Conan: Adventures in an Age Undreamed Of, and our thoughts on what sorts of stories you could run with it. We also discuss how the mechanics of this game are different from more recent Modiphius products...and yet, appropriate to Conan.

Check out Modiphius' two free Conan quickstarts here.

In this episode we discuss the highly narrative Dishonored 2d20 RPG, and talk about what we like and dislike about it as a setting, as a vehicle for storytelling, and as a version of our favorite system.

An overview of the setting, system particulars, and our take on story ideas for the grand daddy of 2d20 games, the Diesel Punk Mutant Chronicles. And if you want to pick up the massive MC PDF bundle (from which we get zero kickbacks), check it out here.

The title says it all. Herein we seek to improve some of the classic fantasy RPG story hooks.

Now that we've discussed norms in character creation systems, we're going to look at some options and ideas for what we're going to use in the #ttrpgs we are each developing. #ttrpgs #characters #chargen

RPG art article link: https://www.blackgate.com/2014/02/12/art-of-the-genre-the-top-10-rpg-artists-of-the-past-40-years-2/

Amazon documentary: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07Q334KBS/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

I think so...but it's my game so I could be a little biased. Regardless, Chris and I discuss the fear mechanic - how it works, how it will support a proper horror vibe in a story...and Chris offers a revision that I'm going to try out in my next two playtests. #rpg #tabletop #horror Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Art in TTRPG books is important…but why? How? To whom? Is it a deal-breaker for purchases or a barrier to entry to the hobby? We figure out the answers.

RPG art article link: https://www.blackgate.com/2014/02/12/art-of-the-genre-the-top-10-rpg-artists-of-the-past-40-years-2/

Amazon documentary: https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B07Q334KBS/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

The Metacurrencies in 2d20 are essential to the gameplay and storytelling experience the system can help produce. However, knowing their mechanical effects and values is only half the issue; you need to use them proficiently (and often!) as a player. This listener suggested episode focuses on how to use Momentum, Threat, and Fortune/Determination effectively as a player - when to use them, when to maybe not, and how to view their availability during a session. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UCzk8ymniVxWjr8MjIu5eN7w

Chris and Jeremy frame the basic needs of a Supers mod for 2d20, discussing stats, skills, and starting to discuss powers. Part Two will follow within the next few weeks.

Do you do anything to mark the Christmas season with your gaming group? Consider using it as an opportunity to run something different! Herein we discuss ideas for doing exactly that, and the benefits you and your group can have in doing so.

Check out Chris's Christmas Amazon Music Playlist: https://tinyurl.com/44k2b5cj Chris's Outgunned Session Notes: https://tinyurl.com/bddk2thc Chris's Notes for Santa's Helpers: https://tinyurl.com/yeyu9xae

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

I’m joined today by John Houlihan, the Creative Lead for the Achtung! Cthulhu RPG, and we talk about - and unbox - the new Starter Set for the game. This box includes abbreviated rules, a 60-page adventure, six pregenerated characters, maps, tokens, and more, and I think it would be great for someone new to the game or for someone who’s been playing it for years.

We also discuss the upcoming D-Day campaign book and how it differs some from existing campaign books like Shadows of Atlantis and The Serpent & the Sands.

Check out the new A!C Homepage: https://www.achtungcthulhu.com/

And the new free PDF quickstart materials: https://tinyurl.com/58827baa

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Herein we offer and discuss our ideas for the games we each are going to write, kicking around setting ideas that point toward the sorts of stories the games will help tell and will inform the sorts of system decisions we’ll each have to make.

If you’re interested in game design, and what we think is a vital issue - the nexus of system, setting, and story - this episode is for you.

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Chris and Jeremy introduce themselves in this first episode and discuss their gaming backgrounds, interests, and current work.

Herein we discuss our ideas for using 2d20 for a Supers game, with most of this episode focused on powers and how to account for them mechanically. We'll have a linked document of our notes ready within the next few weeks and will discuss it in a future episode.

Here's the link to our shabby notes - we'll flesh these out more over the next few weeks.

Herein we discuss the Supporting Characters subsystem in Star Trek Adventures, Dune, and Homeworld - how does it work and why is it so special? We also talk about how such a model could be 'ported into other 2d20 games and perhaps even other systems entirely.

Join the conversation on our Discord.

Herein we create characters together, relying on the random tables in the CG rulebook for results and inspiration. We’ll use these characters in the co-op game we’re going to start playing shortly, which will become a regular feature on the show.

In response to a listener request, we discuss the issue of crunch - of rules complexity and density in #ttrpgs. We talk about a few games that have a reputation for being too crunchy, and discuss in depth five games with which we have experience and believe are both crunchy and playable. #traveller #anima #conan #2d20 #shadowrun Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Although Ahris comes with around 60 monsters and NPCs ready to use, the flexible monster creation system will enable you to stat out any creature or foe from literature, mythology, your mind, or other properties. In this episode we build two iconic monsters, no prep involved. Listen to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Despite being the inspiration for so much gaming, and there being nothing wrong with either either setting, we think the classic adventuring parties in both are broken, if one is to stick to conventional RPG systems. Join the chat on our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Herein we discuss the details of the WB program from Modiphius and discuss some of the early possibilities and our hopes and expectations for the program. In part 2 we'll talk in detail about our plans.

Herein we talk about skills in TTRPGs and the problems they can create within PC parties and adventures and stories. Part 2 comes next week.

Herein we discuss the three metacurrencies found in most 2d20 games: Momentum, Threat, and Determination/Fortune. We talk about how they work, how to get used to using them at the table, and why they're meant to be spent, not hoarded! Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Investigations and mysteries are interesting, can be a lot of fun, and are also a challenge to plan and run. Digging into our long experience of mistakes in trying to do this, Chris and I discuss what we believe to be the biggest pitfalls to avoid in planning and running these. In the episode I refer to Chill 3e and some potentially useful (free) materials related to that game available on DriveThruRPG - see that all here.

Herein we discuss those systems - at least some of the systems - that claim to be applicable to and useful in any genre of play.

Following up our talk about Bond and a 2d20 1:1 ruleset, we discuss the tropes of spy and espionage stories, both for use within that genre of games and in others, too. Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX and find us on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

What do you, as a GM, do when your players fail? How do you handle the story, the game, and the people around you when the dice don't play nicely? We discuss some of the issues with player failure and offer some ideas on how to deal with it both from the table and interpersonal management side of things, and the game/mechanical side. #ttrpg #gamemaster #playerfailure #characterfailure Note: the episode content begins at the 5-minute mark Timestamps 5:00 Episode content begins Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

What's all the controversy? How can you mine Outlaws for #ttrpg ideas? How #Starwars does it feel? Cut through the nonsense with our quick review of this new game.#outlaws #tatooine Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Herein we discuss how we'd use the 2d20 SRD to sketch out the basics of a Star Wars RPG, and make some promises about doing so.

What is Star Trek without problem solving through gonzo science, engineering, and medicine? We think not much, and Modiphius agrees, as evidenced by their inclusion of a subsystem for using a riff on the scientific method within the game. It's simple and story and character focused if done well, and you should go out of your way to put it to use.

In this episode we explain and discuss it, run through a sample of it, and provide some commentary and house rules for it, too.

Herein I seek feedback on a very rough draft of a more traditional fantasy magic system for use with 2d20. It's rough, and I think I'm coming away with some good ideas to improve it.

I think the title should do the trick. And here's the link to join our Discord.

Herein Chris and I go full-frontal op-ed, sharing our fondest and best game memories by system.

It looks like the designers went back to the woodshed and greatly improved on the beta version released a while ago, and this 320+ page book has a lot to offer the supers fan. Part 2 of 2. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Chris has decided to go back to his college roots and run Vampire, and after wrestling with the decision over which version to run, he has settled on 5th edition. Herein we discuss a little of the history of Vampire as a setting and system, compare changes to the rules and settings over the last 30 years, and focus on some of the particulars of 5th ed as he begins his campaign set in Las Vegas.

You saw the movie, or the show, or read the book, or got sucked in by the cover art...and you now have a shiny new game that you really want your players to try. How do you get them to willingly do so, if they are predisposed to sticking with a safe known? Herein we discuss the challenges and possible solutions to this common problem for GMs.

And join our Discord!

In addition to a generic conflict resolution system - the basic 2d20 mechanic with a few tweaks - Dune offers five different versions of that system, intended for use in story-specific situation: dueling, skirmish combat, espionage (break-ins and sabotage and such), intrigue (social conflicts), and warfare ("send the horse! full attack!"). Herein we discuss what we like, don't like, and are confused by in these systems.

As is now our tradition, we wrap up the year with two episodes: our review of the preceding year, and our forecasts and plans for the one to come - in our gaming, the show, gaming at large, and life. We end 2023 - which we agreed was a good year for us both - discussing how well we met our goals and plans for the show as of a year ago, as well as some specific points that we agreed we'd like to cover, related to gaming and life. We end with some awards we'd hand out of it had awards to hand out. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Sometimes campaigns end; sometimes they're resolved; sometimes they die...quickly. My Castles & Crusades campaign, at about 9 months, died suddenly and we've replaced it, happily, with Traveller...a game no one else at my table has played. In this episode I discuss our Session Zero character creation, which in Traveller presents story and character background possibilities that simply do not come up in most other games. #traveller #travellerrpg #sessionzero #castlesandcrusades C&C Overview episode: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/HgH1Gizh2Lb Traveller Overview: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/eTIWYDMh2Lb Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We discuss the newest book for STA from Modiphius and how GMs (especially) will be able to get a lot of mileage out of it, even if you've no interest in playing in the Expanse.

This week I interview Richard, the designer of Frightshow Classics, a line of d100-based horror adventures available on DriveThruRPG, and created in the spirit (and system) of Pacesetter’s Chill 1e and the Cryptworld. If you’re looking for easy-to-run stories that offer a great 70s/80s/Kolchak the Night Stalker vibe, look no further…

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Get Fightshow Classics on DriveThruRPG: https://preview.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/23052/yeti-spaghetti-and-friends

Chill 1e Action Table: http://tinyurl.com/2s49mvxt

What's the optimal party size? How have party size expectations, rules, and norms changed over time? We discuss this and offer some ideas about managing big and small parties.

Herein we discuss the mechanical and setting changes and expansions that will appear in the upcoming release of Ahris Remastered, on DriveThruRPG through the 2d20 WorldBulders program.

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Herein we begin our examination of general approaches to character generation in #ttrpgs as part of our work to develop our own games.#ttrpgs #characters #chargen Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Yes, we are aware that there already is a GI Joe RPG out there...we don't care! This is our latest "Essential Elements" episode, in which we look at what story and character ideas must be present in a TTRPG to properly represent the source material in content and vibe. In our next episode, we'll talk about how to take these elements and, using the 2d20 system (which we think is better than the existing Joe RPG engine), we'll offer some ideas about how to run a GI Joe game at your table. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

What are Chris and I looking forward to, individually, in gaming over 2022? What releases have our interest, and what do we hope to do with our respective groups? We discuss these, and some Covid, in this episode.

As GMs, we draw inspiration for ideas - and life ideas whole-cloth - from books, movies, tv, and mythology. I propose another valid source: the lyrics and album covers of many Metal bands. Below are linked some of those mentioned in the episode, and a few others.

Lyrics

• Iron Maiden, "Sun and Steel"
• Iron Maiden, "The Wicker Man"
• Iron Maiden, "The Duellists"
• Iron Maiden, "The Prophecy"
• Judas Priest, "Tyrant"
• Judas Priest, "Bloodstone"
• Judas Priest, "The Sentinel"
• Type O Negative, "Wolf Moon"
• Rainbow, "Man on the Silver Mountain"
• Bolt Thrower, "Granite Wall"

Album Covers

• Iron Maiden, Somewhere in Time
• Iron Maiden, Brave New World
• Iron Maiden, Powerslave
• Bolt Thrower - various wallpapers

Lots of games present ways to quantify location, character, equipment, and story elements that are otherwise descriptive in nature. 2d20 games utilize a clever and flexible system of "traits" or "truths" (depending on the property you're playing) that serve as a clean and easily comprehensible means of connecting the qualitative to the quantitative, expressing important story elements in game terms. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Chris is nearly done running CoS, and I ran it when it first came out. Herein we discuss the story and how it interacts with the current 5e rules and DnD player norms. If you've not listened to our episode on running investigation-heavy stories, we call back to some of those ideas, by implication, in this episode. Our older episode on running published adventures is also implied.

In response to a listener comment about our episode from 28 NOV, about how to run a good #ttrpg convention game, I decided to record this follow-up episode, in which I address three additional points: character sheets, time management, and the always-sticky issue of safety tools, and how to handle other requests and demands from the Gaming HR Dept... Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We talk about the Fallout tabletop RPG in this episode - given all the #Fallout related talk of late, with the Amazon show, it was high time we hit this title. We talk about how it differs from other #2d20 games, how well it models the video game property, and point out one glaring issues with the core rules. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

In celebration of the release of the new movie, we decided to put our model for hacks & mods to the test by working through the a version of 2d20 to use for a Ghostbusters game. You can read Chris' notes and our combined ideas on his blog right here.

Herein Chris and Jeremy present their review of the new Homeworld RPG from Modiphius, discussing the system, setting, and story possibilities presented in this 340-some page book. There's been a lot of discussion on the official Discord about errors, typos, and inconsistencies in this book; however, we do not address these...if you want those lists, go to the Discord and prepare to read.

In Chris' first solo episode, he works through a list of well-known and lesser-known Supers RPGs from over the years, addressing some of their strengths and shortcomings, and then foreshadows future commentary on the new Marvel RPG, and expresses some hope for the future of Supers games.

We like the properties published for 2d20, but there are plenty of settings and genres that Modiphius doesn't publish for - so we decided to think through how to reskin, hack, modify, or convert to use some version(s) of 2d20 with other settings. You can read the notes, cleaned up, to which we referred in the episode here. We will add more to that page over time as we revisit this topic in future episodes.

After about six months of podcasting and a lot of gaming, we decided to look back on all of 2021 and reflect on the good.

Threat, also known as Doom and some other names in different 2d20 properties, is an essential element of the game for the GM and if you're not using it well, you're not going to get the most out of the system. In this episode we discuss three categories of Threat, as we see it, and give some experience-based advice about how to understand and use it. We mentioned a few of the quickstarts, and those are linked below.

• Acthung! Cthulhu QS
• Conan Free RPG Day Scenario
• STA QS
• STA Klingon QS

We shine our game spotlight on the pulpy, action-oriented setting and system of John Carter of Mars, based on the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels.

We all face it at some point or another: the need or want to start a new campaign, possibly with new rules or a different setting, and beyond getting players onboard, there are other things we need to take care of in order to set ourselves up for success. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

If you want to get right to the episode, in which we react to and assess the movie, and talk about it through a GM's lens, skip to 14:20, after we review in depth Chris's Wondrous Adventure to America (pronounced KWA-AH).

A follow-up to our favorites discussion, herein we talk about some of our worst gaming experiences by system. And don't get your nose out of joint over these - we all have games we've played that we just didn't like, for some reason or another. On the upside, consider this: if some of your favorites are some of our least favorites, we will never compete over the last copy.

Herein we discuss how Talents are created in Ahris and create a few...and discover just how flexible the system is. If you want to make really original characters, this is the way to go. Listen to the podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Part 2 of our discussion of the challenges of running original adventures and campaigns in story-heavy settings, wherein we move on from easier settings to more difficult ones - that is, those with little daylight between story and setting, like Dune or The Expanse.

Players can get pretty steamed when their character dies...and it's worse when they die for reasons of the dice alone, or in ways that do not fit within the story. In this episode we discuss the moments when this issue comes up, and how to handle them gracefully. And thanks to Professor Dungeon Master @DUNGEONCRAFT1 for a very clever, simple way of handling this issue. #tabletoprpg #characterdeath Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We finish our discussion of how canon characters from existing fiction properties can be used - and some advice on how to not use them - in tabletop RPGs. Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

What's both great about and wrong with the Alien #ttrpg from Free League? After five years, and an upcoming 2nd edition, we're digging into what makes this game great and extremely limited in scope, too. Hint: they're the same thing. And check out Free League's Kickstarter information, page, too: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol?mc_cid=c08c1ce219 #alien #xenomorph Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We explore two fiction IPs as potential fodder for game settings and/or adventures. We discuss which existing systems we might use, and why we think these non-gaming properties would be a good fit for the tabletop world. We'd love to hear from you with your suggestions along these same lines. Janissaries on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087GX9HNS?binding=hardcover&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_thcv Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

I think the episode title does the trick. We'll address the GM's Guide in the next episode, and in greater depth.

Chris wanted to select a game system to run a homebrew Supers game with his family, and he wanted it to be simple and streamlined for them, and varied and detailed enough to keep him interested as GM. That's a tough needle to thread, and so we decided to discuss it to try and reach a solution. I think I might have won him over, and in a future episode (this was recorded in July before his vacation) we'll discuss his decision and its outcome.

Chris has a physical copy and I have the PDF...so what do we think of Modiphius' 2d20 version of Dune? This is a highly narrative implementation of the rules, closer to John Carter of Mars than Star Trek, so we're going to see a different kind of feel expressed...or so we assume.

Part 2 of our Captain's Log actual play, following the investigation of a missing survey team on a remote alien world...herein our heroes get into more trouble, discover something about the current status and whereabouts of the missing team, and realize that the clock is working against them.

Join our friendly Discord here: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Check out the character sheets and campaign info here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing

Virtually all RPGs have systems by which "experience" is gained and spent, and, beneath the hood, they're almost all the same, offering only variations on the same theme. We discuss this aspect of gaming, and offer some ideas about how to approach the issue differently.

The first in our series of How To episodes, focusing this time on 2d20’s core mechanic - a resolution system that determines success or failure, as well as accompanying positive or negative (but always interesting) occurrences.

Moving forward, these episodes will be published as bonus episodes and collected together on our YouTube channel in a special playlist.

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

In Chris’s debut solo episode, he discusses recent reveals for Warhammer’s Age of Sigmar minis game.

We will drop these episodes as regular bonus content, on Saturdays.

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX 

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Mechanics…what makes RPGs games, and often a source of either interest or frustration, depending on how they work. In this first part of a series, We look at the most basic type of resolution mechanic: generate a number and compare it against another number. What systems use this? What opportunities and limitations does it present? What form of it do we like best? We ended up surprising ourselves with the answer to that last one.

Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod

Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Herein we discuss what's in and what's good about the Command Division book for Star Trek Adventures, with commentary aimed at both players and GMs.

Following our "Essential Elements" episode last week, we lay the foundation for a 1:1 Bond game, and by extension other 1:1 games, using the 2d20 SRD, and promise to work on it over the next month or so to make it playable.

Join us on our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

The episode in which we respond to our own complaints about combat in RPGs, with suggestions - general and specific - for both players and GMs, to make it all better.

Connect with us on Twitter @fluffncrunchpod

Listen at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Find us on our Discord, too: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

This is a long one, in which we work through a combat encounter and provide running rules and gameplay commentary throughout. We made a mistake, however, with the rules and I went back and plugged in a few interludes of commentary to smooth things out and set up our recognition of the mistake, which we talked about at the end of the episode.

One bit of advice for running combat in AC: make sure you have your Momentum charts and weapon Qualities and Effects lists handy - they will both come up, and there are subtle differences between AC and some other 2d20 titles.

If there's a part of Ahris that might be confusing, it's spell creation. In this episode we create three spells, working through the steps described in Chapter 7 of the Ahris rulebook.You can get the discount code for 1/3 off the list price of the full Ahris rulebook, good until 5 July 23, here.

And join our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

We talked about the merits of #Vampire the Masquerade, especially the 2nd edition, in last week's episode and today we deliver some ideas about where to get started as a GM (sorry - #storyteller) in order to get the best and most out of what VtM can offer. Chris's relationship map: https://tinyurl.com/4rpj4ty6 Relationship map from Chicago By Night: https://tinyurl.com/5f4nv6ua Alien Hunger: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/8/alien-hunger Chicago By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/648/chicago-by-night-2nd-edition DC By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/107/d-c-by-night Los Angeles By Night: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/191/los-angeles-by-night-ww2210 The 36 Plots: https://www.rpglibrary.org/articles/storytelling/36plots.php Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

We've seen plenty of RPG properties mined for various kinds of video games, and we've seen the latter used as fodder for movies, books, and other media...so how about turning a video game, of some sort, into a TTRPG? It's been tried, and with the 2d20 SRD out, and the ever-ready GM who wants to create something new for the table, we decided to dig into this topic. When is it worth the work, and what challenges should you expect to meet along the way?

Also, here's the link to that meeples game I mentioned, Holotype - it was a lot of fun; the creators were great guys; and so I endorse it. The Kickstarter is accepting late pledges.

Last year we did an episode on how to approach the process of converting an existing property into a game system. Today we approach Star Wars for that purpose, given that although there are several systems, current and dead, for SW, we are not overly fond of any of them, and so we are going to offer our ideas for working up a 2d20 conversion.

Herein we review - with the authors' blessing - three full games published in the 2d20 World Builder's program: Ashland, Mermaids of the Depths, and Sentience.

Join the conversation on Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Herein Chris and Jeremy discuss their ideas for projects they'd like to begin using the new SRD, and commit to producing some content for the community.

Some genres work best for short story arcs - maybe 2-4 sessions at most - and some are probably best for true one-offs. Listen to our discussion and let us know what you think on our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Kyle, GM from Bastard Quest, joins us to discuss his two episodes in which he ran "The Judas Priest," an adventure we wrote for him for the 2d20 Conan RPG. We talk about the adventure, how it went for him and his players, and some changes we've made to it. 

19 JAN 23 update: I have significantly revised the adventure and decided that, given the inclusion of copyrighted material, to remove access to it.

In this one I interview Chris about the new Marvel supers game, and I get an earful. Below are links to his blog, wherein you can see examples of the infamous Archetype Tables, and read about his suggestions for improving the game (that is, making it playable).

• Post 1: Overview
• Post 2: Comparisons and Conclusions

We discuss what we accomplished and thought about 2022, and what we've got planned, personally and for the show, for 2023.

Now that you've prepared that #ttrpg convention game, you need to sit down at the table with several strangers and make it work. Here are some tips from a long-time convention GM to help ensure those four hours are well-spent. #gming #gameconvention Join our friendly Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Subscribe on to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fluffncrunchpod Subscribe to our email list: https://forms.gle/VaFtxXjkzRSqwFi39

Herein we discuss how difficult it is for a GM to create, present, and maintain a horror vibe, and then offer some suggestions for how to do it. Join the discussion our Discord here: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

You can see the full list of Chill horror RPG books available on DriveThru here, and go directly to the free quickstart here. We recommend reading the QS to understand the investigative mechanics, and to download any of the free short adventures (all the ones with the red vertical left margin in the graphic) for ideas about pacing.

Or airplane rides, or trains, or whatever...this is Chris's hack of pieces and parts of various systems to use as a simple ruleset for roadtrips with his family. You can look at the rough draft of the rules here.

Herein we discuss the high points of 2d20 - what we really like about it. If you're considering trying the system listen to this. If you want evidence and ideas for getting your non-compliant friends to get onboard, listen to this.

How do you get a campaign going in a scifi setting? We discuss a number of ideas, how to avoid cliches, and add twists what might seem like otherwise boilerplate story hooks.

Join us for Act 3 of "Trouble on Beta Inari VII" as we bring to a close the first episode in our Captain's Log co-op game. Join our friendly Discord here: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX Check out the character sheets and campaign info here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1juZygemCPwd3Tz5ff9Y3VOx_1MU4jps6?usp=sharing Subscribe to our podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/fluffncrunch

Yep, there are plenty of pain points in combat in RPGs. Herein we discuss 11, and promise to offer solutions in our next episode.

Find our podcast at https://anchor.fm/fluffncrunch

Find us on Twitter  @fluffncrunchpod   

Join us on our Discord: https://discord.gg/5AtydRUDjX

Chris has an interesting and ambitious idea for a 5e campaign which will require considerable world building and possibly some house rules. In this episode we discuss his idea, kick around some ways to get him started, and promise to return in a few weeks to discuss his progress.

The episode in which we discuss the comparative merits and challenges in using published vs. homebrew adventures and campaigns, which led us quite organically to some realizations about us as GMs - and probably GMs in general - from which we drew what we believe is solid advice for those of us who spend most of our gaming time 'behind the screen.'

Find us on Facebook or email us at fluffncrunch@tutanota.com

I (Jeremy) am going run the Dracula Dossier for my group, but I'm not hip on Gumshoe as a system after having run it a decent amount. The challenge, then, is whether or not 2d20 can be modified to emulate the necessary tropes for Jason Bourne meets Dracula. Can it? Let's see.