Episode 219: Racial Ability Bonuses – Hot Dwarves and Smart Orcs in D&D

Idle Red hands - Episode 219

In this episode we discuss the question of racial ability bonuses in D&D and other TTRPG systems. Is race the best way to give the flavor of the setting or does it just bring with it uncomfortable stereotypes drawn from the real world? Which will win in our discussion nature or nurture? If you roll a muscle wizard does that save you from the Tolkien hole?

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Video: Nemesis Unboxing

The latest Awaken Realms miniatures boardgame, Nemesis, has the very familiar sci-fi setting of a crew stranded on a xenomorph infested space ship. Although it is cooperative, each player has both a personal and corporate secret agenda that are part of their victory conditions. So when a player tells you that the engines are working or that you are totally headed to Earth, you might want to see for yourself. High-quality components and gorgeous miniatures make this game worth checking out. Don’t believe me? Watch the unboxing!

Is that a xenomorph egg in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

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Video: CMON’s Hate Boardgame Unboxing

The latest gigantic boardgame offering from Cool Mini Or Not, based on Adrian Smith’s graphic novel Chronicles of Hate, HATE: the boardgame. It pits player tribes against each other for control of the lands by taking it from other tribes in raids and combat. Does it live up to the hype? Are the miniatures as amazing as we hoped? Find out when we unbox HATE.

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Video: Blackmoor Interview: Cut out of History

The third part of our interview with one of the filmmakers for Secrets of Blackmoor: The Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons.

In this excerpt, we learn the story of a group of friends who all contributed to the story of D&D and creatively played off each other to have fun. However, for many, they’ve been cut out of history and the goal of Secrets of Blackmoor is to correct that.

To get a copy of Secrets of Blackmoor on DVD or Blu-ray go to:
http://www.secretsofblackmoor.com/

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Video: Blackmoor Interview: Tonisborg

The second part of our interview with one of the filmmakers for Secrets of Blackmoor: The Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons.
In this excerpt, we find out that while making the documentary, the filmmakers made an important discovery: the second-ever dungeon to come out of the Twin Cities.

To get a copy of Secrets of Blackmoor on DVD or Blu-ray go to:
http://www.secretsofblackmoor.com/

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Video: Blackmoor Interview: From Wargaming to the First Player Character

The first part of our interview with one of the filmmakers for Secrets of Blackmoor: The Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons. We went into it thinking we would be learning about David Arneson’s contributions to Dungeons & Dragons. We were wrong. The documentary isn’t just a history of the origins of D&D; it’s the history of the origins of roleplaying games. It tells the story of how a group of people created the hobby we enjoy today. In short, all roleplaying games owe their existence to the Twin City gamers.

In this excerpt, Griff quickly takes us from a post-Civil War wargame to the first player-created character.

To get a copy of Secrets of Blackmoor on DVD or Blu-ray go to:
http://www.secretsofblackmoor.com/

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Pregaming: Hot Water Fix

Have pre-assembled miniatures (especially from all those Kickstarter boardgames) that are warped or bent and just plain ridiculous looking? Here is a quick tutorial using an electric kettle, a glass of cold water and a glass for hot water to straighten them out. Most of the time it is a miracle worker and will have your minis looking like they did coming out of their molds. Just don’t burn your fingers! Have a look and please give us any comments or questions based on your experience.

This is an excerpt from a livestream archived on our YouTube channel and on Twitch:
https://www.twitch.tv/videos/372764288

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Video: Unboxing Star Trek Adventures Starter Set

We take a look at the Star Trek Adventures Starter Set by Modiphius. It includes pre-generated character sheets, a ship sheet, dice, tokens, maps, and a starting adventure campaign. It uses the 2d20 system with threat and momentum as currency mechanics for both players and the gamemaster. This is a much more accessible option for trying the game and will get you playing right out of the box.

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Video: Unboxing D&D 5E Starter Set

Have a look inside the starter box for Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition. A great place to start for players new to the hobby. It includes a starter rules booklet, pre-generated characters, a campaign booklet and quite nice dice. All in a mysteriously spacious box!

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Download: Forbidden Lands Reference Sheet

Here is a two-sided PDF reference sheet to help new (or forgetful) players with combat and other conditions that affect characters in the Forbidden Lands RPG by Free League

Printer-Friendly Black & White Only Versions (no grayscale):

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