Episode 64: When to Use House Rules
Oren, Mike, and Johnathan get into the weeds with roleplaying rulesets.
Game Mechanics: Page 4
Tenra Bansho Zero Is Fun and Bizarre
This anime-inspired RPG fires on all cylinders, so even when it misses, it's still a blast.
Five Useless Skills in Roleplaying Games
These abilities might look cool, but they'll just gather dust on your character sheets.
The Mistborn Adventure Game Is Passable – but Clumsy
This mystical RPG does justice to its setting, but balancing issues make it a slog.
Episode 57: Health & Damage in Roleplaying
Mike, Oren, and Johnathan discuss systems for tracking a character’s health in roleplaying games.
Episode 56: Character Advancement in Roleplaying
Oren, Mike, and our returning guest Johnathan discuss the pros and cons of different character advancement systems.
Zombie Apocalypse: An Expensive Pickup Game That Doesn’t Deliver
This apocalyptic RPG has a bright spot, but unrealistic ambitions drag it down.
5th Edition: Dungeons and Dragons Hasn’t Learned From Its Mistakes
This new version of the world-famous RPG fails in similar ways to its predecessors.
Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition: Two Shambles Forward, One Shamble Back
This Lovecraftian RPG's new version won't blow any minds—just break them a bit.
Seven Design Mistakes Roleplaying Games Keep Making
These pitfalls have ensnared many an RPG system.
The Force Is Moderately Strong With Edge of the Empire
This interstellar RPG had a lot of trying, but only some of the doing.
Ten WTF Ways To Die in Roleplaying Games
These killer events will leave players scratching their heads.
Six Overpowered Weapons in Roleplaying Games
These combat tools put everything else in their system to shame.
Episode 34: The Fight Over Combat Mechanics
Mike, Chris, and Oren discuss extended conflict rules in roleplaying games.
How Much Power Should the GM Have?
How buffing or weakening the GM will change your campaign.
The Pros and Cons of the Learn by Doing Method
What this RPG design choice has to offer—and what it takes away.
Episode 24: Magic Systems in Roleplaying
Oren, Mike, and Chris dissect spell mechanics across roleplaying systems.
Five Mechanics That Will Make Your Game Worse
These rules will get players scratching their heads—and maybe in open revolt.
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