Short Rest Studios

Jud Kossum
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Games
  • Updated Weekly

Short Rest Studios is your guide to discovering the best tabletop roleplaying games, D&D 5e alternatives, and modern GM advice. Don't quest alone! I’m Jud, and I explore new TTRPG systems, game design concepts, and GM tools that get you back to the fun. Whether you're looking to fix sluggish combat, or swap Dungeons & Dragons for fast, rules-light systems, I'm scouting the TTRPG landscape so you can focus on running great sessions. • D&D 5e Alternatives: Draw Steel (MCDM), Nimble, Dragonbane, Cosmere RPG, Pirate Borg, and Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC). • GM Advice & Campaign Prep: Worldbuilding, combat pacing, module design, and adventure prep tools. • Game Design Deep Dives: Designer interviews, mechanical breakdowns, and OSR/indie spotlight reviews. Join the Adventurer's Guild on Patreon: https://patreon.com/shortreststudios Remember: You don't have to quest alone.

  1. Oct 12

    5 Best Mystery TTRPGs (And Why D&D Is No Good at Investigations)

    D&D 5e wasn't built for mysteries. These 5 TTRPGs that nail real investigation. Join the Adventurer's Guild: https://patreon.com/ShortRestStudios Buy Riddle of the Veiled Isles: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/585446/riddle-of-the-veiled-isles-1st-level-adventure-for-nimble?affiliate_id=3260793

  2. Sep 25

    Adventure Design & Campaign Prep: 4 Features Every TTRPG Module Needs

    Every published TTRPG adventure needs at least these 4 essential features to eliminate bloated prep and meet modern adventure design standards. Get Riddle of the Veiled Isles: https://bit.ly/4d2rwZ4 Join the Adventurer's Guild to support this channel: https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios

  3. Sep 11

    Cosmere RPG vs D&D 5e: 4 Mechanics Fixed (And Why I'm Passing)

    Does Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere RPG actually beat D&D 5e? Here are 4 big tabletop mechanics it fixes - and why I'm still passing on the system. * Join the Adventurers Guild to support this channel: https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios

  4. Sep 4

    TTRPG Gaming Table Review: Starmork X-Tend (Affordable Setup)

    Is the Starmork X-tend the ultimate affordable game table? Is it too good to be true. Or somewhere in between? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/starmork/starmork-x-tend-table?ref=95sy2a https://www.starmork.com/pages/starmork-x-tend-table * Support me on Patreon: https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios

  5. Aug 28

    Is YouTube Trying to Kill Small TTRPG Channels?

    Is YouTube making it harder for small TTRPG channels? We dive into the new Partner Program changes and what they mean for tabletop creators’ survival. * Support on Patreon: https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios * Join the Email List https://lxpjgr.subscribepage.io

  6. Aug 7

    Dragonbane RPG Review: How It Fixes Bloated D&D 5e Combat

    Dragonbane is a fast, brutal, and strategic alternative to D&D combat that eliminates bloat through streamlined mechanics and high stakes. * Get 10% off at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios * Join the Adventurer's Guild for the full unedited interview at https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios *

  7. Jul 31

    Pirate Borg & Ship Combat: Limithron Interview on OSR & 5e Bloat

    I talk with Pirate Borg creator Limithron about 5e bloat, the OSR, battle maps, ship combat, and his latest Kickstarter! Back it here: http://bit.ly/4fH2orh Join the Adventurer's Guild for the full unedited interview at https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios

  8. Jul 24

    DM Advice: Overcoming D&D 5e Choice Overload & Bloat

    D&D offers loads of character options, but do they actually make the game better? Choice overload is a real problem that slows down combat and kills player creativity.  Join the Adventurer's Guild: https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios The article: https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/choice-overload-bias

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About

Short Rest Studios is your guide to discovering the best tabletop roleplaying games, D&D 5e alternatives, and modern GM advice. Don't quest alone! I’m Jud, and I explore new TTRPG systems, game design concepts, and GM tools that get you back to the fun. Whether you're looking to fix sluggish combat, or swap Dungeons & Dragons for fast, rules-light systems, I'm scouting the TTRPG landscape so you can focus on running great sessions. • D&D 5e Alternatives: Draw Steel (MCDM), Nimble, Dragonbane, Cosmere RPG, Pirate Borg, and Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC). • GM Advice & Campaign Prep: Worldbuilding, combat pacing, module design, and adventure prep tools. • Game Design Deep Dives: Designer interviews, mechanical breakdowns, and OSR/indie spotlight reviews. Join the Adventurer's Guild on Patreon: https://patreon.com/shortreststudios Remember: You don't have to quest alone.

Information

  • Creator
    Jud Kossum
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Short Rest Studios