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/topics/game-resources/ Sydney, Australia http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/h-p-lovecrafts-commonplace-book/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/h-p-lovecrafts-commonplace-book/#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 12:36:28 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=3370 For those of you interested in reading through the rambling thoughts of one of the world's greatest horror writers, we direct your attention to HP Lovecraft's Commonplace book. Wired have published excerpts from around 15 years worth of ideas, thoughts, and potential story lines from the venerable writer. They make for an enlightening read, not in the least as potential plot hooks for your own Call of Cthulhu campaign. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/07/h-p-lovecrafts-commonplace-book/feed/ 0 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/2011/04/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/2011/01/star-wars-rpg-saga-edition-review-resources-and-more/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/01/star-wars-rpg-saga-edition-review-resources-and-more/#comments Sat, 15 Jan 2011 15:01:12 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2712 If you’re a regular at Dice of Doom you’ll know about our “Gaming Experiment”: playing 12 different roleplaying games in as many months. Whilst we’re currently working through Rolemaster (…we’ll report on that if, afterwards, we’re still alive to tell the tale), the game before that was Star Wars Saga Edition, which I GM’d. Whilst the game isn’t exactly new, we hadn’t played it before, and were very excited. RPGs are awesome, Star Wars is awesome… what could go wrong? Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2011/01/star-wars-rpg-saga-edition-review-resources-and-more/feed/ 2 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/podcastle-squonk-and-alternate-fantasy/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/podcastle-squonk-and-alternate-fantasy/#comments Wed, 20 Oct 2010 11:19:19 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2583 I have just finished listening to an absolutely awesome story: “Squonk and the Horde of Apprentices”, which came out as Podcastle’s episode 124. I couldn’t keep the smile off my face the whole time. The story details the tribulations of … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/podcastle-squonk-and-alternate-fantasy/feed/ 6 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/the-dice-of-doom-roleplaying-game-campaign-hooks-002/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/the-dice-of-doom-roleplaying-game-campaign-hooks-002/#comments Sun, 10 Oct 2010 13:01:17 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2529 Once again we bring you a collection of story and plot hooks to help out when running your roleplaying games. This week we focus on fantasy roleplaying games. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/the-dice-of-doom-roleplaying-game-campaign-hooks-002/feed/ 5 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/masks-of-nyarlathotep-to-be-re-released-this-october/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/masks-of-nyarlathotep-to-be-re-released-this-october/#comments Thu, 07 Oct 2010 01:58:35 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2542 To the ecstatic joy of all right-thinking Cthulhu gaming fan, the all-time classic (and some would say all-time best) Cthulhu campaign, the Masks of Nyarlathotep, is being re-released this very month. Let there be rejoicing on the streets! (Well, in … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/10/masks-of-nyarlathotep-to-be-re-released-this-october/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/09/mapping-your-warhammer-battles-with-battle-chronicler/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/09/mapping-your-warhammer-battles-with-battle-chronicler/#comments Fri, 24 Sep 2010 09:38:50 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2480 Battle Chronicler is a free program for making battle reports of tabletop wargames, such as Warhammer. It provides a simple yet attractive user interface combined with excellent graphical output to produce professional-quality battle reports for any tabletop wargame you like. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/09/mapping-your-warhammer-battles-with-battle-chronicler/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/09/dice-of-doom-podcast-007-using-alternative-settings-in-your-roleplaying-games/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/09/dice-of-doom-podcast-007-using-alternative-settings-in-your-roleplaying-games/#comments Mon, 20 Sep 2010 00:52:58 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2459 During this episode of the Dice of Doom podcast we discuss different historical eras that can be used in your roleplaying campaign to move away from the traditional late medieval period that forms the basis of so many fantasy roleplaying games. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/09/dice-of-doom-podcast-007-using-alternative-settings-in-your-roleplaying-games/feed/ 27 dnd, d&d, dungeons, dragons, rpg, roleplaying, epic win, goblins, campaign 007: Using Alternative Settings in your Roleplaying Games During this episode of the Dice of Doom podcast we discuss different historical eras that can be used in your roleplaying campaign to move away from the traditional late medieval period that forms the basis of so many fantasy roleplaying games. We talk about the positives and the negatives of each era, and some of the techniques that can be utilised to make it work for you. We also discuss the iPhone app Epic Win and introduce our new roleplaying game that we are developing that we are calling (for the time being) Goblins! RupertG yes 1:09:26 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/the-dice-of-doom-roleplaying-game-campaign-hooks-001/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/the-dice-of-doom-roleplaying-game-campaign-hooks-001/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:50:31 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2244 This is a handful of prompts for GM's to use if they happen to find themselves in the situation of needing a plot or hook for their roleplaying campaign. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/the-dice-of-doom-roleplaying-game-campaign-hooks-001/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/making-the-most-of-magic/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/making-the-most-of-magic/#comments Tue, 03 Aug 2010 05:26:58 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2089 How to make the most of magic in your fantasy role-playing game. Advice for spellcasters, dungeon masters and writers. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/08/making-the-most-of-magic/feed/ 15 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/07/horror-roleplaying-part-3-the-vampire/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/07/horror-roleplaying-part-3-the-vampire/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:30:19 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=2046 The genre of horror is, indeed, a broad one: from vampires to atomic horror, Cthulhu Mythos to slashers and serial killers. In fact, it would be fair to point out that these each constitute sub-genres in their own right, and each needs their own special consideration. I shall endeavour to point out some of the particulars of the most common types – claiming to have an exhaustive list would lead to inevitable ridicule. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/07/horror-roleplaying-part-3-the-vampire/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/07/horror-roleplaying-part-2-the-setup/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/07/horror-roleplaying-part-2-the-setup/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:41:04 +0000 Cuchulain http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1997 The success of your horror roleplaying campaign can sometimes be determined before you even pick up the dice to make your characters. More than any other genre, a horror game requires some careful thought and preparation. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/07/horror-roleplaying-part-2-the-setup/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/06/using-hexographer-to-create-overland-hex-maps/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/06/using-hexographer-to-create-overland-hex-maps/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 10:57:59 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1888 One of the easiest ways to bring your campaign world to life is to give your player’s a sense of where they are in relation to the rest of the world. If they know that the ruins of the ancient … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/06/using-hexographer-to-create-overland-hex-maps/feed/ 2 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/04/in-case-you-missed-it-the-writers-from-robot-chicken-caught-playing-dnd-on-video/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/04/in-case-you-missed-it-the-writers-from-robot-chicken-caught-playing-dnd-on-video/#comments Tue, 20 Apr 2010 07:28:27 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1803 These have been out for a little while, however we thought we’d mention it, just in case you had missed it. A few months back Wizards of the Coast set up a game with the writers from Robot Chicken and … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/04/in-case-you-missed-it-the-writers-from-robot-chicken-caught-playing-dnd-on-video/feed/ 0 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/03/speeding-up-dd-4e-combat-morale/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/03/speeding-up-dd-4e-combat-morale/#comments Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:06:41 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1781 A large problem many groups have with 4E D&D is that 4E combat takes a very long time. Various methods have been proposed to fix this, such as reducing monster hp, but after some discussion we realised the best way of doing it is simply to revive the Morale system, used in 1st and 2nd Edition, but thrown out in 3rd. The problem with these systems is, like the whole editions themselves, they were overly complicated; I've seen an attempt at adding Morale to 4E that mostly just put the 2nd Ed system in... and it looked terrible. So, we decided to do it from the ground up: a complete, effective, and simple Morale system for 4E D&D. Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/03/speeding-up-dd-4e-combat-morale/feed/ 40 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/01/do-the-laws-of-physics-have-a-place-in-fantasy-role-playing-games/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/01/do-the-laws-of-physics-have-a-place-in-fantasy-role-playing-games/#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:00:16 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1769 Back in the old days of playing D&D 3.5 I was running a campaign with 8 players (yes, 8…). Amongst the usual set of crazy logistic issues that had to be faced (pallets of snacks for example…) we also had … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2010/01/do-the-laws-of-physics-have-a-place-in-fantasy-role-playing-games/feed/ 8 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/12/the-physics-of-space-combat/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/12/the-physics-of-space-combat/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:16:19 +0000 RupertG http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1754 If you have ever watched a Space Combat and thought to yourself – ‘that’s complete rubbish, it’d never be like that’ – the chances are that you were probably right. One thing Hollywood has never really let get much in … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/12/the-physics-of-space-combat/feed/ 4 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/12/4e-dungeon-master%e2%80%99s-guide-2-in-depth-review/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/12/4e-dungeon-master%e2%80%99s-guide-2-in-depth-review/#comments Sat, 19 Dec 2009 12:11:17 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1741 Not so long ago, the 4th Edition DMGII came out. With the general high quality of 4E splatbooks so far, this looked promising: but for those out there for whom “promising” isn’t enough, this in-depth review should give you everything … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/12/4e-dungeon-master%e2%80%99s-guide-2-in-depth-review/feed/ 8 http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/11/powergaming-making-a-powerful-fighter-or-monk-in-core-3-5-dd/ http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/11/powergaming-making-a-powerful-fighter-or-monk-in-core-3-5-dd/#comments Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:25:55 +0000 Ellisthion http://diceofdoom.com/blog/?p=1712 It’s reasonably well known that Fighters and Monks are the weakest classes in 3.5 D&D. Whilst this can be partially be fixed by extending to non-Core books, this doesn’t actually solve the problem, and for some, that simply isn’t an … Continue reading →]]> http://diceofdoom.com/blog/2009/11/powergaming-making-a-powerful-fighter-or-monk-in-core-3-5-dd/feed/ 30