Episode 187: Generalist vs. Specialist Players

The specialist: “How would you make a Jedi in D&D?”
The generalist: “I wouldn’t.”

In this episode, we compare focusing on just one game system (specializing) with playing a wide variety of games (generalizing) to see which is the best approach. Did your approach win?

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Episode 97: Creature Feature: Fairies

In this installment of Creature Features, we get in the Christmas spirit (kind of) and talk about fairies, except for elves (okay, not at all). We discuss different elements you can use in your game, which apparently includes David Bowie’s bulging crotch (all that Wayne remembered from Labyrinth).
We also finally settle the question of which was the best superhero movie of 2012: The Dark Knight Rises or The Avengers.

Lyal tries a new microphone and literally sounds like he’s phoning it in instead of metaphorically (as usual). Funny how the microphone picks up the sound of ice dropping into a glass from three metres away with perfect clarity, but struggles to pick up a voice from three centimetres away.  Looks like it’s back to the sound board.

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Episode 86: Generalization vs. Specialization

“More choices, more problems.”
– game designer

In this episode, we look at whether it’s best to play a jack-of-all-trades or a master of one. We also compare how to build generalists in different systems: level, point buy, and life path.

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Episode 83: Locales: Prisons

In our second Locales episode, we look at prisons with their bars, confinement, monotony, brutality and rape. Your players will love them.
We also review, with no spoilers, Prometheus and The Avengers, and discuss how to improve your Werewolf: The Forsaken game.

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Episode 81: 99 Problems with D&D Next…

…but the picture of the gnoll ain’t one of them.

In this episode, we discuss the latest playtest material. We talk about what we like and don’t like, and Wayne makes a case for elves of colour. We also come up with a winning business strategy for Wizards of the Coast to follow for D&D Next.*

*We recorded this episode before WotC announced their plan to emphasize campaign settings and adventures, which bears a striking similarity to our strategy.

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Episode 69: Sexism and Gender Bias

In this episode, we discuss sexism and gender bias. To tackle a subject of such delicacy, we use Lego, as you would. We also discuss whether a gaming company can handle tentacle rape in a classy and tasteful way, especially when they don’t even try to.

Please excuse the unfortunate episode numbering. It was completely unintentional.

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Episode 67: Hasbro and Board Games

***ATTENTION*** We interrupt the impending apocalypse to bring you the following  movie and game reviews:

Battleship (no spoilers)
1812: The Invasion of Canada
Discworld: Ankh-Morpork
Illuminati
Lords of Waterdeep
Neuroshima Hex

The Resistance
Wrath of Ashardalon

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Episode 34: Pantheon Pandemonium: Norse Play

Praise not the day until evening has come; praise not a woman until she is burnt; praise not a sword until it is tried; praise not a maiden until she is married; praise not ice until it is crossed; praise not beer until it is drunk; praise a podcast any time. -Norse proverb (well, most of it)

In this episode, we discuss the Norse pantheon. We also uncover startling parallels between the Aesir and a certain American subculture.

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