http://diceofdoom.com/blog The Dice of Doom is a blog about gaming, being a gamer and general interest content suitable for nerds. Tue, 01 May 2012 13:26:59 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 The Dice of Doom podcast is a lively discussion about role-playing games, focusing heavily on Dungeons & Dragons, Call of Cthulhu and Warhammer along with many other gaming systems. We have been gaming for longer than we care to freely admit and we have a wide range of interests and experiences in gaming in general (everything from obscure games printed in the 1980's to the most recent tabletop wargames). We like to take a lighthearted approach to our discussions and mix them up with other nerdy news and content as well. RupertG yes RupertG rupertg@diceofdoom.com rupertg@diceofdoom.com (RupertG) © Dice of Doom Dice of Doom Podcast dnd, d&d, dungeons & dragons, rpg, roleplaying, gaming, roleplaying games http://diceofdoom.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Podcast-Logo-New-SQ-SM.png http://diceofdoom.com/blog Sydney, Australia http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/10/post-by-band-of-misfits-discussing-how-to-switch-up-your-skill-checks-in-dnd/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/10/post-by-band-of-misfits-discussing-how-to-switch-up-your-skill-checks-in-dnd/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 22:13:26 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3563 Recently, in one of our podcasts, we discussed the idea of rolling your skill checks first in response to a challenge and THEN roleplaying the resulting success or failure. For example, you would roll your diplomacy check, and then you'd roleplay the resulting success or failure based on the result. The idea has been picked up and run with by the guys at Roving Band of Misfits who discuss it at length, along with some very useful rule interpretations for implementing it in your D&D 4e game. It is well worth the read. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/10/post-by-band-of-misfits-discussing-how-to-switch-up-your-skill-checks-in-dnd/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/09/dismemberment-and-permanent-injuries-in-dnd/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/09/dismemberment-and-permanent-injuries-in-dnd/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 23:00:19 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3510 We recently had a great question on Twitter by IvPalmer: “Have you guys ever came across a dismemberment case in D&D? A player lost an arm last session and I'd like to give him options.” As it happens, yes, we have, and, like you, we wondered what exactly to do about it. The rules don’t give an answer… or do they? Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/09/dismemberment-and-permanent-injuries-in-dnd/feed/ 24 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/09/play-a-new-rpg-month/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/09/play-a-new-rpg-month/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:05:47 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3495 After finding out how enjoyable and fun it was to play so many different games, we decided we would start a new project. So today we are announcing Play a New RPG Month. OK, we've been talking about it on the podcast for ages, but this is the hard, do it now, get out there and make it happen, announcement. We want to encourage as many gaming groups as we can to break the routine and try out something new. If you are a group that already plays a lot of games, we'd still like you to join us. Let's make a big show of it and see what happens. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/09/play-a-new-rpg-month/feed/ 3 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/08/gurps-review/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/08/gurps-review/#comments Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:40 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3431 We've been keen to play GURPS for many, many, many years now and the Grand Gaming Experiment gave us the opportunity to give it a shot. So with all this anticipation and excitement, did it live up to our expectations? Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/08/gurps-review/feed/ 31 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/08/a-post-on-setting-the-scene-for-a-horror-roleplaying-game/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/08/a-post-on-setting-the-scene-for-a-horror-roleplaying-game/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:16:28 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3451 For those of you who read our blog regularly or listen to our podcast, you'll know that we're quite fond of the occasional horror roleplaying game. Turns out the guys at Gaming Tonic have a similar penchant. Check out their post on Setting the Stage for a night of horror roleplaying. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/08/a-post-on-setting-the-scene-for-a-horror-roleplaying-game/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/dice-of-doom-podcast-028-listeners-questions-answered-01/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/dice-of-doom-podcast-028-listeners-questions-answered-01/#comments Mon, 18 Jul 2011 13:00:18 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3404 In this episode of the Dice of Doom podcast we conduct our first Q & A, taking four questions from listeners and readers. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/dice-of-doom-podcast-028-listeners-questions-answered-01/feed/ 6 dnd, rpg, dungeons, dragons, D&D, roleplaying, games, gaming, Dungeons & Dragons DoD Podcast 028: Listener's Questions Answered 01 In this episode of the Dice of Doom podcast we conduct our first Q & A, taking four questions from listeners and readers. The questions we discuss are: Question 1: If a player cheats on a dice roll should a big deal be made of it, or should it ignored - asked by Symatt Question 2: What can you do to deal with difficult players who have bottomless pockets and backpacks and who refuse to fail any dice check - asked by Andy Horton Question 3: Do you restrict a player's ability to purchase certain items based on their level, or if they have the money, do you just let them buy it - asked by IvPalmer (note, the discussion on this topic inspired the Monty Haul post) Question 4: How can a GM encourage players to be more descriptive in their play? - asked by Symatt RupertG yes 48:42 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/so-your-players-have-gotten-too-rich-dealing-with-a-monty-haul-campaign/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/so-your-players-have-gotten-too-rich-dealing-with-a-monty-haul-campaign/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:00:57 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3373 We've all been in that position when running a roleplaying campaign. That moment when you realise that you have allowed your players to amass more wealth than is healthy. All of a sudden they are buyingtheir way out of the challenges that you place before them, there's no magic item they can't afford and all of a sudden they are building a huge palace or fortress on prize real estate. And then, when the locallord gets upset, they either buy him off or raise an army and go and crush him. Yes, we've all been there and had to deal with it in one way or the other. What follows are a handful of ways that I have dealt with it in the past as a GM, or experienced as a player. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/so-your-players-have-gotten-too-rich-dealing-with-a-monty-haul-campaign/feed/ 10 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/dice-of-doom-podcast-027-gurps-review-and-gaming-group-roundtable-and-methods-of-running-multiple-rpg-groups-playing-the-same-adventure/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/dice-of-doom-podcast-027-gurps-review-and-gaming-group-roundtable-and-methods-of-running-multiple-rpg-groups-playing-the-same-adventure/#comments Mon, 11 Jul 2011 13:00:17 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3397 In this episode of the podcast we review the venerable and iconic game GURPS (Generic Universal Roleplaying System). We also, in a first, include a conversation had about the game at the conclusion of the final session with the entire gaming group where we go through and rate the game on Character Generation, Combat System, Rules (other than combat) and Overall Fun. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/dice-of-doom-podcast-027-gurps-review-and-gaming-group-roundtable-and-methods-of-running-multiple-rpg-groups-playing-the-same-adventure/feed/ 6 dnd, rpg, D&D, roleplaying, games, gaming, Dungeons & Dragons, GURPS, DoD Podcast 027: GURPS Review and Running Multiple RPG Groups in Opposition Through the Same Adventure In this episode of the podcast we review the venerable and iconic game GURPS (Generic Universal Roleplaying System). We also, in a first, include a conversation had about the game at the conclusion of the final session with the entire gaming group where we go through and rate the game on Character Generation, Combat System, Rules (other than combat) and Overall Fun. We also answer a listener question from the guys at Roving Band of Misfits. They ask, "Can you discuss the idea of having two different RPG groups playing the same adventure with opposing goals." Just a note about the roundtable conversation: Due to the nature of how it was recorded, this portion of the podcast does not have the same level of production values that we usually keep to in our podcast. We felt some people would find it interesting, so we have included it as it offers the opinions of our entire gaming group, rather than just those of the podcasters. RupertG yes 38:08 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-026-rating-the-first-six-games-and-creating-meaningful-character-motivations/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-026-rating-the-first-six-games-and-creating-meaningful-character-motivations/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2011 17:00:52 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3354 This episode we discuss our ratings of the first six games of the Grand Gaming Experiment and we look at creating meaningful character motivations and backgrounds. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-026-rating-the-first-six-games-and-creating-meaningful-character-motivations/feed/ 1 dnd, d&d, dungeons, dragons, podcast, roleplaying, rpg, gamma world, star wars, DoD Podcast 026: Rating the First Six Games and Creating Meaningful Character Motivations As we have just gone past the halfway point for our Grand Gaming Experiment we look at our ratings for the first six games, what criteria we used, and how they fared. We also discuss how to develop more rich and useful character motivations and backgrounds to guide their actions throughout the campaign. We look at making meaningful decisions about character background and also making sure that it fits with the general direction of the GM's campaign and the other players around the gaming table. RupertG yes 30:42 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/mixing-up-your-roleplaying-game-cast-of-characters-roleplaying/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/mixing-up-your-roleplaying-game-cast-of-characters-roleplaying/#comments Tue, 21 Jun 2011 15:00:21 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3340 During the conversation in the podcast we discussed the idea of handing over control of a couple of the recurring characters to one or two of your regular players. The idea being that they would then play out the characters based on the motivations and knowledge that these characters would have. This we have been calling Cast of Characters Roleplaying. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/mixing-up-your-roleplaying-game-cast-of-characters-roleplaying/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-025-gurps-first-impressions-and-playing-heros-and-sidekicks/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-025-gurps-first-impressions-and-playing-heros-and-sidekicks/#comments Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:59:47 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3334 In this fun packed episode of the podcast we discuss our first impressions of GURPS, and look at playing heros and sidekicks in your roleplaying games. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-025-gurps-first-impressions-and-playing-heros-and-sidekicks/feed/ 2 dnd, rpg, D&D, roleplaying, games, gaming, Dungeons & Dragons, GURPS, heros, sidekicks DoD Podcast 025: GURPS First Impressions and Playing Heros and Sidekicks In this fun packed episode of the podcast we discuss our first impressions of GURPS, the General Universal Role Playing System from Steve Jackson Games and we also look at playing heros and sidekicks in your roleplaying games. If we look at the majority of fantasy fiction (up until recent times) the main protagonist in the story tends to be a loner, and if there is any one else in the story, they tend to be sidekicks. We discuss how to run sidekicks in a game, how to balance story share and ways to make the sidekick role fun for the players. We also discuss the possibilities created by taking a 'cast of characters' approach to running a game - giving players the ability to take on multiple roles and characters throughout the campaign. RupertG yes 49:32 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-024-games-workshop-switch-to-resin-models-and-do-rules-really-matter-duncans-right-of-reply/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-024-games-workshop-switch-to-resin-models-and-do-rules-really-matter-duncans-right-of-reply/#comments Sun, 05 Jun 2011 05:25:04 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3308 In this fun filled episode of the podcast we discuss the TV show that nearly was Korgoth of Barbaria, the switch by Games Workshop to move to Finecast resin for their models and we give Duncan a chance to discuss his views on whether rules matter or not. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/06/dice-of-doom-podcast-024-games-workshop-switch-to-resin-models-and-do-rules-really-matter-duncans-right-of-reply/feed/ 3 dnd, rpg, D&D, roleplaying, games, gaming, Dungeons & Dragons, Games Workshop, warhammer fantasy battles, warhammer 40k, finecast, resin DoD Podcast 024: Games Workshop Switch to Resin Models & Do Rules Really Matter, Duncan's Right of Reply In this fun filled episode of the podcast we discuss the TV show that nearly was Korgoth of Barbaria, the switch by Games Workshop to move to Finecast resin for their models and we give Duncan a chance to discuss his views on whether rules matter or not. In a revisit to a topic that we discussed on what we consider to be one of our best episodes ever, we give Duncan the opportunity to debate his side of the 'Do Rules Really Matter' issue. We look at whether or not the character needs stats to be roleplayed well, when it's OK to ignore dice rolls and an optional rules for strip-roleplaying (it's a pants-lite system). We also look at the recent move by Games Workshop to change their model production from metal to a new type of resin called Finecast. This has generated quite a bit of debate as to the merits of the new material, so we sent Duncan out to have a look at them and report back. We also discuss the pricing issues relating to Games Workshop miniatures. RupertG yes 44:12 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-023-warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-3rd-edition-first-impressions-sources-of-story-lines-for-gms/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-023-warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-3rd-edition-first-impressions-sources-of-story-lines-for-gms/#comments Sat, 28 May 2011 14:03:03 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3279 This week we discuss our first impressions of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd edition and sources of inspiration for Games Masters for their roleplaying games. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is very dear to Paul and I. It was our first fully fledged roleplaying game experience back in the 80's and we have loved playing it on and off over the last 3 decades. So it was with some mixed feelings that we decided to try out 3rd edition for our gaming experiment. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-023-warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-3rd-edition-first-impressions-sources-of-story-lines-for-gms/feed/ 0 warhammer, warhammer fantasy roleplay, roleplaying, dungeons & dragons, dnd, d&d, games mastering, rpg, wfrp DoD Podcast 023: Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay First Impressions & Sources of Story Lines for GM's This week we discuss our first impressions of Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 3rd edition and sources of inspiration for Games Masters for their roleplaying games. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is very dear to Paul and I. It was our first fully fledged roleplaying game experience back in the 80's and we have loved playing it on and off over the last 3 decades. So it was with some mixed feelings that we decided to try out 3rd edition for our gaming experiment. RupertG yes 39:39 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/vampire-the-masquerade-review/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/vampire-the-masquerade-review/#comments Thu, 26 May 2011 23:08:22 +0000 Lisette http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3251 At its height, Vampire: The Masquerade was a serious threat to Dungeons & Dragons. It was contemporary to Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition. All the cool kids were switching over to VtM and treating D&D as an old fashioned game played by kids, rather than the ‘true roleplaying experience’. The game got its own Collectible Trading Card Game (originally called Jyhad, but changed to Vampire: The Embrace), a couple of computer games and even its own Aaron Spelling produced TV show called Kindred: The Embrace. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/vampire-the-masquerade-review/feed/ 3 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-022-vampire-the-masquerade-review-and-running-an-investigative-rpg/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-022-vampire-the-masquerade-review-and-running-an-investigative-rpg/#comments Fri, 20 May 2011 20:00:53 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3218 In this episode we review Vampire: The Masquerade which we have just finished playing as part of our Grand Gaming Experiment and we look at running investigative style roleplaying games. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-022-vampire-the-masquerade-review-and-running-an-investigative-rpg/feed/ 3 d&D, DnD, roleplaying, gaming, vampire the masquerade, VtM, dungeons & dragons, cthulhu, lovecraft, horror DoD Podcast 022: Vampire: The Masquerade Review & Running an Investigative Roleplaying Game In this episode we review Vampire: The Masquerade which we have just finished playing as part of our Grand Gaming Experiment and we look at running investigative style roleplaying games. After the completion of our Vampire: The Masquerade game we started discussing how often we had run games where the PC's were put in positions of having to investigate mysteries, crimes, conspiracies and the like. An investigative game suits any setting you may be playing from high fantasy through to a gritty Call of Cthulhu game. If you have ever thought that you might like to cast your players in the roles of detectives, sleuths, or hapless bystanders who get caught up in a conspiracy, we have a look at how to run these games along with tips to giving hints to your players to avoid the awful "I don't know what to do next..." problem that often plagues games of this sort. RupertG yes 33:42 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/what-did-historical-swords-weigh/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/what-did-historical-swords-weigh/#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 00:56:35 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3184 For many of us who have an active interest in fantasy RPG’s, visualising our characters and their experiences is an integral part of the fun. But for many/most of us, we have little experience of the actual physical form of … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/what-did-historical-swords-weigh/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/iphone-game-review-undercroft/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/iphone-game-review-undercroft/#comments Wed, 18 May 2011 22:17:53 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3165 Released in September 2010, Undercroft is the fourth iPhone game released by the hugely successful Jagex Games Studio, most famous for its free-to-play MMO Runescape. Jagex is not unfamiliar with the creation of RPGs. However, if you are expecting the same richness of experience from Undercroft, you will be disappointed. This is not to suggest that the game is in any way deficient – only that one cannot hope for the same level of detail in an iPhone game that one might expect from a massively multiplayer online game. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/iphone-game-review-undercroft/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-020-vampire-the-masquerade-initial-impressions-and-making-the-most-of-a-characters-death/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-020-vampire-the-masquerade-initial-impressions-and-making-the-most-of-a-characters-death/#comments Sat, 30 Apr 2011 21:00:54 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3121 In this episode of the podcast we give our initial impressions of Vampire: The Masquerade (2nd Edition) and discuss how to make the most of a character death or end of a campaign. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/05/dice-of-doom-podcast-020-vampire-the-masquerade-initial-impressions-and-making-the-most-of-a-characters-death/feed/ 2 Dungeons, Dragons, D&D, DnD, roleplaying, rolemaster, gaming, vampire the masquerade, VtM, dungeons & dragons DoD Podcast 020: Vampire: The Masquerade initial impressions and making the most of character deaths in your roleplaying game In this episode of the podcast we give our initial impressions of Vampire: The Masquerade (2nd Edition) and discuss how to make the most of a character death or end of a campaign. Many times, when a character dies, it is the result of a bad die roll, an encounter gone wrong, or a failed skill check. We have started allowing players to narrate the end of the character's existence, giving the player a way of making the most of the character's end. This has made for some very memorable character deaths. As part of this discussion, we also look at bringing campaigns to an elegant end, and the importance of having a final point so that they don't just 'fizzle out'. RupertG yes 39:50 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/04/review-dragon-chow-dice-bags/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/04/review-dragon-chow-dice-bags/#comments Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:53:34 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3075 In a recent podcast we talked about Dragon Chow Dice Bags and how awesome we thought they were. To do them justice, we thought we'd take the time to do a full review of the two that we received. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/04/review-dragon-chow-dice-bags/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/04/dice-of-doom-podcast-019-dragon-chow-dice-bags-all-flesh-must-be-eaten-review-and-adding-social-themes-to-your-rpg/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/04/dice-of-doom-podcast-019-dragon-chow-dice-bags-all-flesh-must-be-eaten-review-and-adding-social-themes-to-your-rpg/#comments Sat, 16 Apr 2011 04:14:33 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3071 In this episode of the Dice of Doom podcast we review our Dragon Chow dice bags, we review the Zombie Apocalypse roleplaying game All Flesh Must Be Eaten and we discuss how to add social themes to your games. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/04/dice-of-doom-podcast-019-dragon-chow-dice-bags-all-flesh-must-be-eaten-review-and-adding-social-themes-to-your-rpg/feed/ 4 afmbe, all flesh must be eaten, rpg, dnd, dragon chow, dice bags, dice, social themes, dungeons & dragons, d&d, roleplaying DoD Podcast 018: Dragon Chow Dice Bags, All Flesh Must Be Eaten Review and Adding Social Themes to your Roleplaying Games In this episode of the Dice of Doom podcast we review our Dragon Chow dice bags, we review the Zombie Apocalypse roleplaying game All Flesh Must Be Eaten and we discuss how to add social themes to your games. During our All Flesh Must Be Eaten campaign, Paul (who was the Zombie Master) decided to try and add social themes to the game. The idea was to highlight the importance of personal relationship networks and how they collapse of these can add to the horrific nature of a catastrophe. This is not a new concept, Vampire: The Masquerade recommends attempting the same thing, but it was not something we had consciously done a lot of previously. We discuss whether or not it worked, how it could be improved upon and did it actually contribute to the game. RupertG yes 38:11