Taking 20 Podcast

Taking 20 Podcast
  • 4.9 (17)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Short, bite-sized RPG advice, tips, and tricks for DMs and players of tabletop role playing games (TTRPG)

  1. MAR 22

    Ep 272 - Session 0 Redux

    NOTE:  My apologies for the audio quality.  The entire recording/audio processing chain was rushed this week.   Is your TTRPG campaign falling apart after only a few sessions? The problem might be that you need a Session Zero. In this third part of our "setting expectations" series  we dive into the vital, often-overlooked conversations DMs and players need to have before rolling the first die. Learn how to align your creative visions, manage game logistics, and agree on crucial player safety tools to ensure everyone is on board with the social contract for a lasting, fun adventure. #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #startingcampaign #sessionzero #session0 Resources: Ep 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/  Ep 48 - Session 0 Guide for Players - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-48-less-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-pcs/  Ep 271 - Setting & Tone - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-271-setting-and-tone/  Ep 214 - House Rules to Make Your Game Easier - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-214-house-rules-to-make-your-game-easier/  Ep 215 - House Rules to Make Your Game Harder - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-215-house-rules-to-make-your-game-harder/  Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    25 min

  2. MAR 8

    Ep 271 - Setting and Tone

    In this episode we continue the “setting expectations” series, hopefully helping to stop mismatched expectations from derailing your TTRPG campaign! GMs, this episode is packed with practical advice for designing and effectively communicating your game's Tone and Setting.    #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #tone #setting #expectations Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    30 min

  3. FEB 22

    Ep 270 - Starting Your Campaign

    Ready to start your TTRPG campaign in some way besides a boring tavern? Episode 270 is here to help! We dive deep into the real purpose of a campaign's beginning and explore three powerful ways to unite your party from the jump   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #startingcampaign Resources: Episode 47 - Comprehensive Session 0 Guide for DMs - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-47-comprehensive-session-0-guide-for-dms/  Episode 100 - Starting Anywhere But A Tavern - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/episode-100-starting-anywhere-but-a-tavern/  Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    16 min

  4. FEB 1

    Ep 269 - DM Burnout and Showing Progression Through Descriptions

    Do your descriptions fall flat?  Are your characters, locations, and NPCs just static items in time that never change?  In this episode I’ll give players some tips for changing their character descriptions and for GMs to change NPC and place descriptions to improve their game.   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #burnout #descriptions Resources: Crispy’s Tavern, The Real Matt Mercer -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV-4HnJT_Rg Roll 4 Initiative - A Guide to Better Descriptions - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhFmAW3KIYY Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    20 min

  5. JAN 11

    Ep 268 - Should Villains Be Sympathetic

    Is your campaign's "big bad" just evil, or is there a hero beneath the monster? This episode dives into the age-old debate for Dungeon Masters: how important is a sympathetic backstory for a villain, and whether you should include complex antagonists in your game   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #villains Resources: Episode 180 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-180-let-villains-be-villains/  Episode 235 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-235-the-why-of-villains/  Episode 253 - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-253-recurring-villains/  Thor Skywalker - Why does everyone seem to love “Sympathetic Villains” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO2dBY8DPho  Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    20 min

  6. 12/28/2025

    Ep 267 - Should you Counter PC Abilities

    Description Today we dive into the age-old debate that divides Dungeon Masters: When do you negate a powerful spell or maneuver? We explore the thin line between creating epic tension and causing frustration. Tune in to discover the crucial difference between an earned victory and a slog, and learn the rules of engagement for challenging your players in the most satisfying way.   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #Countering Resources: Episode 135 - The Rule of 3 Episode 64 - Beholders, the Eyes Have It Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    22 min

  7. 12/14/2025

    Ep 266 - High Level Characters

    Running a high-level character (Level 11+) is a different animal altogether. Forget easy skirmishes and simple ability checks—you're now facing world-breaking threats.  In this episode I’ll give you some tips for running these legendary characters.   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel Resources: Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    24 min

  8. 11/30/2025

    Ep 265 - High Level Campaigns

    Running high-level TTRPGs (level 11+) are different animals! In this episode I break down essential GM tips for these epic campaigns. Plus, I’ll give you some advice on how you need to change your prep to run a legendary game.   #rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying #highlevel Resources: Episode 45 - Minions - https://www.taking20podcast.com/e/ep-45-usining-minions-from-dd-4e-to-make-combat-better/  Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast www.taking20podcast.com  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/taking20podcast  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/taking20podcast  Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/taking20podcast.bsky.social

    31 min
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4.9
out of 5
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About

Short, bite-sized RPG advice, tips, and tricks for DMs and players of tabletop role playing games (TTRPG)

Information

  • Creator
    Taking 20 Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    277
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Taking 20 Podcast

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