Taking 20 Podcast

Taking 20 Podcast

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

Episodes

October 5, 2025 16 mins

This week, we're diving into how players can best work together in TTRPGs. From character building to in-game tactics, discover how to form a cohesive team and make your adventures unforgettable. Tune in to learn how to turn challenges inside out and achieve success together!

 

#rpg #ttrpg #dnd #pathfinder #gmtips #playertips #tabletop #roleplaying

 

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com 

I...

Mark as Played

Diving into the terrifying world of aberrations, this episode explores why these alien beings pose a unique challenge for GMs. Discover their bizarre physiologies, incomprehensible motives, and innate magical abilities drawn from their alien minds, and learn how to weave truly unsettling encounters into your campaigns

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #aberrations

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podca...

Mark as Played
September 7, 2025 16 mins

Tired of combat dragging? This episode offers 5 crucial tips for players to keep the game moving. Discover how paying attention, anticipating your turn, and coordinating with allies can transform your tabletop experience from a slog to a dynamic adventure!"

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #playertips

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

www.taking20podcast.com 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.c...

Mark as Played

In this episode, we're blasting off into the unknown with tips for running epic space adventures, from exploring derelict ships to discovering bizarre new worlds. Plus, get an in-depth review of the Starfinder 2e Player Core, diving into its mechanics, ancestries, and how it connects to Pathfinder 2e. Don't miss this cosmic journey!

 

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

Episode 140 - Spelljammer Review

Episode 1...

Mark as Played
August 3, 2025 27 mins

Whether you make up your own canon or use the lore pregenerated by someone else, there are challenges to maintaining the canon and lore for your world.  In this episode I discuss some tips and tricks I’ve learned through the years to help keep it all straight.

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #lore #canon

Resources:

Buy Me a Coffee! - ko-fi.com/taking20podcast

Episode 224 - Lore Part 1 - https://www.taking20podcast....

Mark as Played
July 6, 2025 22 mins

Unlock more fun and epic storytelling in your TTRPGs by embracing a little recklessness! In this episode we explore how "driving your characters like you stole them" can lead to unforgettable moments, balancing narrative focus with thrilling unpredictability. Discover why taking bolder choices, communicating with your group, and understanding your character's motivations can elevate your game, knowing that the low stakes of failure...

Mark as Played

What do you do when a player cheats in your RPG? In this episode, we tackle the tricky subject of player cheating from the DM's perspective, exploring why players cheat and specific types of in-game dishonesty. Learn practical strategies for DMs and players to address cheating, foster a fair and fun gaming environment, and ensure everyone at the table has a blast!

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #cheating #WOTC #Jerem...

Mark as Played

Ever wondered if "chosen ones" and "horny bards" have a place in your RPG campaigns? In episode 255 of Taking 20 Podcast, we dive into the world of RPG clichés—when to use them, when to subvert them, and how they can elevate your game. Plus, I also review the Starfinder 2e Galaxy Guide! Join us as we explore familiar tropes and exciting new worlds..  

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #Starfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #cliches #tropes

Res...

Mark as Played
May 25, 2025 19 mins

The back to basics series takes things back to the fundamental principles of tabletop RPGs.  It’s so easy to get lost in the rules and mechanics of the game and forget these important lessons.  

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #backtobasics

Resources:

Matthew Colville - Language not Rules - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIkwABECfR0

Ep 245 Unruly Players - https://taking20.podbean.com/e/ep-245-unruly-players/ 

Ep ...

Mark as Played
May 11, 2025 18 mins

Have you ever wanted to craft unforgettable recurring villains that will haunt your players' dreams? In this episode I’ll give you some secrets to making your big bads more than just one-dimensional threats and learn how to weave them seamlessly into your campaign for maximum impact.

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #villains

Resources:

PF2e Core pg 66

Mark as Played

There’s nothing wrong with the comfortable same old same old.  However, what if you want to become a better DM.  How do you start and what can that progression look like?  Give this episode a listen to find out.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg

Resources:

Episode 27 - Role vs Roll Playing

Episode 184 - Preparing One Shots

Episode 237 - Short vs Long Campaigns

Mark as Played
April 13, 2025 20 mins

Conflict is inevitable around the RPG table but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t play the game or that you should shy away from it.  In this episode we talk about how conflict can manifest and what players and GMs can do about it.

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #paizo #conflict #dnd #Wotc

 

Resources:

Social Emotional Skills at the D&D Table:  https://www.youngdragonslayers.com/d-and-d-video-blog/dnd-social-e...

Mark as Played

Not all NPCs are created equal, or at least they shouldn’t be created that way.  There are some NPCs who are simply more important to your campaign?  Which ones and how should you treat them?  Give this episode a listen!

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #npccore #npc #paizo

Resources:

Paizo NPC Core.  https://paizo.com/products/btq06x2l

Mark as Played

Making 2 dimensional characters is easy.  Pick your ability scores, feats, equipment etc. but what if you want or need to make a deeper character to role play?  How do you do it?  In this episode I give your character just a few questions to add depth

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #characterdesign #backstory

Mark as Played

Should you let your baby shoot you down in RPG games?  Do you allow pistols and rifles in your world with dragons and gnomes?  If your immediate reaction is no, why?  In this episode I discuss guns in fantasy worlds and offer a brief review of the new Paizo book Guns and Gears Remastered.

 

Disclosure:  I did receive a PDF copy of the book for free but that never taints my review and I give you an honest take on the quality and val...

Mark as Played
February 9, 2025 21 mins

Combat can quickly turn rote, samey, and dare I say it even boring or dull.  GMs, there are some things you can do to make combat in your game far more interesting and players, I have a couple of tips for you as well.

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #combat

Resources:

Glass Cannon C2E67 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkTVOYbQQ5E

XPLoveCat - How to Make Combat More Interesting - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jerYT5xiv...

Mark as Played
January 26, 2025 20 mins

There are railroads and there are sandboxes and never the twain shall meet, right?  Not so fast, my friend.  Today Jeremy discusses the two game types and multiple ways to blend them together.

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #railroad #sandbox

Resources:

Game Masters of Exandria Roundtable:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmZSWKPXhZ4

Sandbox vs Railroad:  Which is Better?  https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/blogs/ne...

Mark as Played
January 12, 2025 22 mins

No one enjoys having a disruptive player at your table but what can you do with players like that?  This listener-suggested episode has some ideas on how to deal with these unruly players.

Mark as Played
December 28, 2024 21 mins

There’s a lot to playing and DMing a tabletop RPG.  There are quite a few rules, a story the DM is trying to create for the players, encounters to design, sessions to plan, characters to role play and so much to do to ensure the game can happen.  However, don’t lose sight that the game is supposed to be, first and foremost, fun.

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #rpg #fun

Resources:

J.R. Zambrano - One Passage in the New DMG...

Mark as Played
December 15, 2024 18 mins

Friendly NPCs are often overlooked when it comes to campaigns.  DMs focus on the antagonists and sometimes forget about the allies.  In this episode I make a case for including friendly NPCs in your game and give you some tips for running them.

 

#pf2e #Pathfinder #gmtips #dmtips #dnd #NPCTips

Resources:

How to Be a Great GM - Adding a Lovable NPC - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrUrh9p2IM0

How to Be a Great GM - Self-Operatin...

Mark as Played

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