Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Episode 170: Bigfoot Edition

Have you ever made a character that didn't quite fit the mold- that combined contradictory traits, and/or used sub-optimal mechanics but made for a fun gaming experience? That's what we're talking about today- as well as our thoughts on the current state of ranged combat in D&D! So come along for the ride, and be sure to tell us what you think!

This week's winner of our Unearthed Tips & Tricks drawing is Joe S! Congratulations, Joe! You should get your copy within the next few days. Whenever you have a chance to read it over, be sure to leave Crit Academy a review! They're a great group and would love to use your feedback to improve their products.

Would you like to enter the drawing? It's easy- just e-mail us at InterPartyConflict@gmail.com with "Unearthed Tips & Tricks" in the subject line! It's that easy! And remember- this is our second giveaway, so if you won one of our earlier drawings, you can enter again!

And remember, Crit Academy is just one of the great podcasts in the Critnation Fellowship! For more podcasts, visit our friends at Brute Force and Ignorance, and the (unfortunately ended) D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin StoneLoresmythAurican's LairJeff Stevens, and The Kind GM!

Also- Crit Academy's new product, Unearthed Tips & Tricks: Volume II, just came out! It's a great product and you should go check it out right now!!!

See you next time, when it ISN'T Jeff's birthday!

Episode 170: Mixing Ideas

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. Can contradictory characters (that go against established norms for race/class/personality combinations) be fun?

2. What are your thoughts on how ranged combat works in D&D and other fantasy games? For example, bows always use Dexterity and melee weapons are usually Strength. Could the system be more realistic without making it less fun?

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Noteworthy Links:

My Bigfoot, in front of my house and painted a flat black (which makes it look very much like a photoshop for some reason)

The Clapper, a product from the 90s that has been parodied many times over the years

The Deathly Hallows, a set of three powerful artifacts from the Harry Potter universe

The Adventure Zone

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Who the F is My DnD Character, a character-generating website

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Episode 169: The Magical Hour

Do you ever use the Detect Magic spell in D&D? It's a popular one. But what if... no, that's crazy. Nevermind...

...No, it couldn't be. Could it...?

...Alright, here it is: What if the Detect Magic spell was... better? (Better, how? I don't know! You tell me!)

That's what we're talking about this week! We're discussing ways to make the Detect Magic spell more interesting, more powerful, more... different? So come along and hear our thoughts, and share yours below!

This week's winner of our Unearthed Tips & Tricks drawing is Dustun F! Congratulations, Dustun! You should get your copy within the next few days. Whenever you have a chance to read it over, be sure to leave Crit Academy a review! They're a great group and would love to use your feedback to improve their products.

Would you like to enter the drawing? It's easy- just e-mail us at InterPartyConflict@gmail.com with "Unearthed Tips & Tricks" in the subject line! It's that easy! And remember- this is a new product, so if you won one of our earlier drawings, you can enter again!

And remember, Crit Academy is just one of the great podcasts in the Critnation Fellowship! For more podcasts, visit our friends at Brute Force and Ignorance, and the (unfortunately ended) D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin StoneLoresmythAurican's LairJeff Stevens, and The Kind GM!

See you next time, through half a foot of stone!

Episode 169: You Cast Detect Magic

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. If you could make Detect Magic better, how would you change it?

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Noteworthy Links:

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The Purge

Wrath of the Lich King, an expansion for the popular MMORPG World of Warcraft

Let's Do the Time Warp Again

Order of the Stick

Ninja Turtle

Chipotle

Binging with Babish, a Youtube channel where the host focuses on making real-world recipes from TV and film

Episode 168: What a Big Episode You Have

This episode is all about big things: Big monsters, big sessions, big groups. How do you manage all those big things? I don't know, but hopefully we can help you do it this time around!

This week's winner of our Unearthed Tips & Tricks drawing is David C! Congratulations, David! You should get your copy within the next few days. Whenever you have a chance to read it over, be sure to leave Crit Academy a review! They're a great group and would love to use your feedback to improve their products.

Would you like to enter the drawing? It's easy- just e-mail us at InterPartyConflict@gmail.com with "Unearthed Tips & Tricks" in the subject line! It's that easy! And remember- this is a new product, so if you won one of our earlier drawings, you can enter again!

And remember, Crit Academy is just one of the great podcasts in the Critnation Fellowship! For more podcasts, visit our friends at Brute Force and Ignorance, and the (unfortunately ended) D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin StoneLoresmythAurican's LairJeff Stevens, and The Kind GM!

Catch next week's episode, where things will (probably) be on a bit smaller of a scale!

Episode 168: Now That's a Big One

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. How would you handle fights against colossal creatures? Sure every adventurer dreams of slaying a dragon, but is hacking at the ankles really the best way to kill Smaug and his ilk? What would you offer a party fighting a truly larger-than-life foe?

2. What are your thoughts on a single DnD session having two people DM at the same time, especially if one is new?

3. What are some tips to managing large DnD groups? Keeping everyone involved, making their story important etc.

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Noteworthy Links:

Shadow of the Colossus

God of War

World of Warcraft

Inuyasha Wind Scar

The Film Reroll

Corner Gas

Philip J Fry

Can't Eat Your Pudding

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Episode 167: The One Where We Figure Out The Hardest Question Of All

Hello everyone! We're back this week with another fun episode; this time around we talk about the ultimate roll of the dice: trying to find a group of players that will last for a whole campaign instead of quitting five or six sessions in. What's the formula? Is there any special trick? Would you say it's harder to find a reliable gaming group than it is to find a soulmate? Maybe! We also talk about making a Final Fantasy Summoner in D&D but that's harder to fit into a catchy paragraph.

This week's winner of our Unearthed Tips & Tricks drawing is Collins B! Congratulations, Collins! You should get your copy within the next few days. Whenever you have a chance to read it over, be sure to leave Crit Academy a review! They're a great group and would love to use your feedback to improve their products.

Would you like to enter the drawing? It's easy- just e-mail us at InterPartyConflict@gmail.com with "Unearthed Tips & Tricks" in the subject line! It's that easy! And remember- this is a new product, so if you won one of our earlier drawings, you can enter again!

And remember, Crit Academy is just one of the great podcasts in the Critnation Fellowship! For more podcasts, visit our friends at Brute Force and Ignorance, and the (unfortunately ended) D&D Character Lab! And for books, adventures, and videos, check out Goblin StoneLoresmythAurican's LairJeff Stevens, and The Kind GM!

Catch us next week, unless everyone flakes out (again)!

Episode 167: Always Summoning Help

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Question(s) answered this episode:

1. Keeping a full campaign going is hard. What's the best way to find 5 or 6 people who are going to show up consistently for that many sessions? Does it depend on the quality of the game or is it entirely based on the people?

2. Is there a D&D equivalent of a Summoner from the Final Fantasy games?

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Noteworthy Links:

Harry Potter: Priori Incantatum

The Adventure Zone

Final Fantasy Summoners

Pathfinder Summoner class

Blue Mage class

Final Fantasy Tactics

Heroes