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299 episodes
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Down in a Heap Rob c
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- Leisure
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4.6 • 12 Ratings
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A big pot of old school RPG stew.
Cover art photo provided by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@cadop
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Knave 2e Review: the Final Episode?
An armchair QB review of Knave 2e by Ben Milton of Questing Beast. It’s “ a flexible, classless rule set for players who scheme, strategize, and seek adventure.” It’s also closely compatible with most adventures and supplements of your favorite old school fantasy RPG. I go over the good, bad, and uncertain aspects I see (keeping in mind I haven’t played it) in this last ride of Down in a Heap. Thanks for all the fun over the years! Stay in touch: bigbalboni “at” gmail.com.
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Halberds & Henchmen: a Retrospective
I look back at my Frankenstein’s Monster of a hack from 2017, Halberds & Henchmen. What circumstances led to it, what the design goal was, what’s good, bad, and ugly about it? Also how I squandered the opportunity for it and what its future might be. Email me at bigbalboni “at” gmail to get any updates and/or PDFs of my work after the podcast.
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Calamities!
Add depth and uncertainty to your game setting by throwing in an occasional calamity that changes the landscape (political or actual). Inspired by the Advanced Civilization board game. Also calls from Jason & Spencer. Check out current Kickstarters for Castles & Crusades “Reforged” by Troll Lord Games (ends 7/9/24) and Gary’s Appendix Issue 6 by Jeffrey Jones of RPG Ramblings (ends 7/10/24).
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I’m Not Dead …I’m getting better :)
Spotify extended the mobile app life until July 9th, so Down in a Heap lives on for another month. Calls from Jason and Riley provide discussion on attribute gains & losses, training, what’s going to happen after the podcast, and just why the heck is wearing helmets and armor not cool, and when, how, and why did this trend emerge? Send messages to bigbalboni “at” gmail. Thanks!
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Compleat Adventurer Deep Dive 6: and the rest…
I finally wrap up the deep dive into Bard Games’ Compleat Adventurer with MaryAnne, the Professor, and Wrongway Feldman: I mean the Knight, Martial Artist, and Swordsman. Definitely the weaker links in this supplement, but I promised a thorough deep dive, so….😁
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Compleat Adventurer Deep Dive 5: Rogues & Spies
In this installment, I compare the Compleat Adventurer’s Rogue & Spy class to what we get in classic D&D from the Thief (and Assassin). What doesn’t work for some with the Thief, and are these alternatives any better? Will they spice up the criminal characters in your game? Listen and decide…
Customer Reviews
From the Beginning
I've been listening to Rob since he began his podcast from the beautful MN. He's got a great sense of humor and shares his gaming experience in a way that makes you feel he's talking to you from across the table.
Old School Gaming, mostly
This is a wonderful podcast that mainly deals with old school gaming. B/X, Swords and Wizardry figure prominently but other things like Thieves World are also discussed are movies, music, and breakfast cereals.
I dig it
Most Excellent podcast. Chill old school talk. Dig it.