Tag: Roleplaying

The Weekly Podcast no.325 – Napoleonica, En Garde. Black Library, Asmodee 2026 and Legitimate Salvage

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Napoleonica: Steel and Magic is a new high fantasy miniature wargame that reimagines the Napoleonic War with elements like Napoleon Bonaparte riding a Hippogriff. The miniatures are noted for their stunning, large-than-life resin casts from Signum Games. Mechanically, the game utilizes a system of drawing random Order Tokens and Maneuver Cards to activate units, which injects friction into army control reminiscent of games like *Memoir ’44*. Additionally, a bid for the Leader role determines the round’s intensity via an Escalation Card, which controls the number of Orders and Maneuver Cards drawn.

En Garde is a forthcoming fast-paced, one-versus-one duelling game in the 54mm scale, set in a Low Fantasy world of swashbucklers and brigands. Conceived by John Blanche and Tuomas Pirinen, the game will feature hand-sculpted miniatures from artists like Paul Hicks, with an initial release via a crowdfunding campaign called Vanguard. The setting includes a twist with vampires being the “good guys,” and the core design aims to make duels dynamic and engaging beyond simple combat.

The sunsetting of the BlackLibrary.com website and the Black Library Audio app will happen on August 31st. They are to be replaced by a single new Black Library app launching on March 18th that will feature an inbuilt eReader and MP3 player. Current account holders are urged to link their accounts and download older, unsupported content before the cutoff date. Community concerns are noted regarding the new app being a closed ecosystem with no integration for external eReaders or content from third-party sellers like Amazon and Audible, which ties into the ongoing DRM and “own versus license” debate among consumers.

Asmodee made two major announcements, acquiring the Sheriff of Nottingham IP from CMON and striking a second deal with Netflix for Ticket to Ride. The Sheriff of Nottingham acquisition, following previous deals for CMON IPs like Zombicide, is attributed to CMON’s ongoing financial difficulties. Sheriff of Nottingham will join Asmodee’s Z-man studios. The Ticket to Ride deal with Netflix is similar to the Catan deal, granting a license for multiple shows or films. The first project will be a Ticket to Ride film, with Ben Mekler and Chris Amick attached to write the script. No premiere date has been set.

Legitimate Salvage is a new game in the Forbidden Psalm line, a tabletop miniatures game about “corporate space horror” that is inspired by and compatible with the MÖRK BORG TTRPG. In the game, you control a crew of four working for the R&R company, whose business is rescuing people lost in space and who refuse to pay hazard pay unless someone dies, forcing your crew to work off their debt in the great uncaring void. The game features new mechanics, including debt, stress, and rules for zero gravity combat, alongside new monsters and equipment, all compatible with other Forbidden Psalm games like 28 Psalms and Killsampleprocess.

#Napoleonica #EnGarde #BlackLibrary #Asmodee  #legitimatesalvage

Napoleonica: Steel and Magic Rules:

https://signumgames.com/napoleonica-steel-and-magic

Legitimate Salvage Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/impioussaint/legitimate-salvage-a-forbidden-psalm-sci-fi-game

Dragonbane Trudvang:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/dragonbane-trudvang-the-legend-returns

Fallout MEGA Bundle:

https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/L0aArV

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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

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The Weekly Podcast no.323 – Blades 68, Pathfinder Beginner Box & STLs, Avatar Card Game and Hasbro Loves AI

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Blades ’68 is an official 450-page expansion for the TTRPG Blades in the Dark. This supplement advances the timeline 100 years to the “Swinging Sixties” in the city of Doskvol, an age of electroplasmic fusion and “Bluetime” spy games. The expansion introduces new playbooks, crews, and a revamped setting, alongside new rules for Harm, Resistance, Keys, Deadlocks, and an adapted Trouble Engine. The campaign has been overwhelmingly funded, with an expected delivery date of August 2026.

Paizo, the publisher of Pathfinder, announced the new Pathfinder Beginner Box: Secrets of the Unlit Star, an all-inclusive entry point to Pathfinder Second Edition set for release on May 6th, 2026. The box set features a solo adventure, a 72-page Hero’s Handbook, an 88-page Game Master’s Guide, and updated rules for character options and adventure scenarios. Additionally, Paizo confirmed its commitment to the Pathfinder 2E Remaster with the release of Dark Archive Remastered and the announcement of Season of Ghosts Remastered. The company also partnered with One Page Rules to launch Paizo Printables, a new line of 3D printable wargaming miniature STLs compatible with the Age of Fantasy system, starting in Spring 2026.

Maestro Media unveiled Avatar: Pandora’s Power, a two-player asymmetric lane-battling card game based on the Avatar films. The game pits the resource-extractive RDA against the adaptive, land-rooted Na’vi factions, with the goal of reaching 30 points to decide Pandora’s fate. CEO Javon Frazier emphasized that the core experience is the asymmetry, with each faction playing a distinctly different game. Designed for ages 12 and up, the game plays in approximately 20-45 minutes and includes 170 Faction Cards, 18 Location Cards, and various tokens.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks touted the company’s AI integration as a “clear success” during a recent earnings call, though he primarily referred to its deployment in non-creative, operational workflows such as financial planning, supply chains, and general productivity. Cocks stated that AI, in partnership with platforms like Google Gemini and OpenAI, is expected to free up over 1 million hours of lower-value work within the year. While he maintains a “human-centric creator-led approach,” Wizards of the Coast (WotC) has an explicit policy prohibiting its artists and writers from using generative AI for final D&D products, a stance that aligns with a user survey indicating over 60% of consumers would not buy D&D products made with AI.

#blades68 #pathfinder #paizo #hasbro

Blades ‘68 on Backerkit:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/evil-hat/blades-68

40-page Preview on DTRPG:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/ja/product/553040/blades-68-preview?affiliate_id=2081746

Empire of Bones on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thepaintedwastelands/empire-of-bones

Preview:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/554430?affiliate_id=2081746

Call of Cthulhu Bundle:

https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/Xmz13G

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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

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The Weekly Podcast no.322 – Crows by MCDM, Undergoblin Heist, Magic Secret Lair and Orcs & Crafts Zine

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The official announcement of Crows by MCDM Productions, a new dungeon-crawling RPG led by James Introcaso appeared on Patreon. The game uses D6s and D10s, features a health system tied to inventory slots similar to Knave, and determines experience points based on the value of loot collected. It differs from a previous project, Draw Steel, by including potential negative results on the “power roll” but allows unlimited circumstantial bonuses for good planning. Crows also includes a base-building component where players develop their headquarters town and is set in a world where Archmages, corrupted by their magic, disappeared after warring as Necromancers.

Undergoblin Heist by Hit Point Press is a hardcover adventure available with six accompanying miniatures. This wild sandbox goblin adventure is compatible with both Dungeons & Dragons 2024 Edition and Dungeon Crawl Classics. The players take on the role of the “Grotty Jacknives,” expert sneak-goblins tasked by Boss Soot to steal three magical artifacts from a cabbage goblin village. The adventure includes pre-generated characters, new species/class rules, a new spell, and a goblin Critical Hits table, and is written by Thom Denick with art and design by Bee Ho.

The “Magic: The Gathering’s newest Secret Lair” drop, titled ‘Prints Charming,’ was released on February 2 as a “Chaos Vault” experiment by Wizards of the Coast. The collection is a quartet of green spells with different illustration styles, but its unusual aspect is the variable pricing tiers. Instead of a fixed price, the drop was offered at multiple points, ranging from a low of $9.99 up to $39.99 (and a foil version up to $49.99), ostensibly to test how much fans value the product. Despite the secondary market value of the cards being around $6, the experiment yielded bizarre sales results, with the most expensive $49.99 foil edition selling out earlier than the cheaper $29.99 foil edition, indicating some buyers were voluntarily paying more. The article speculates this could be due to hopes for a secret bonus card, automated bots, or individuals opting for a higher price to leave cheaper options for others.

Orcs & Crafts Zine, a Kickstarter project focused on miniature terrain building rather than a game itself. The zine aims to teach the basics of creating miniature worlds, with the first 60-page issue focusing on cardboard foundations and requiring only basic tools like scissors and a hobby knife. The project emphasizes accessibility, creative control, and using everyday materials. It is supported by a team of “Orc assistants” like Crathar (Chief Crafting Officer for advanced tips), Painscar (focused on safety), and Bob (providing basic tips). The zine includes planning guides, technique breakdowns (e.g., wood planks, hills), step-by-step building instructions (e.g., Simple Cardboard Tree, Ruined Gnomish Distillery), and even unique movie recommendations from Martin for background crafting entertainment.

#crowsrpg #undergoblin #eeldenring #orcsandcrafts

Undergoblin Heist – 5e D&D (Hardcover) – Hit Point Press 

https://hitpointpress.com/products/under-goblin-heist-5e-d-d-hardcover

Orcs and Crafts Zine:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/game-machinery/orcs-crafts-zine

Call of Cthulhu Bundle:

https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/Xmz13G

Free Guild Ball Starter Set:

https://steamforged.com/products/guild-ball-starter-kit

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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:

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Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe

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The Weekly Podcast No.302 – Meow Wolf TTRPG, Wares Blade, Matt Mercer Steps Down and Draw Steel!

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Surreal art collective Meow Wolf is partnering with Exalted Funeral to create “Tavers: The Meow Wolf Roleplaying Game,” launching on Kickstarter in February 2025. Players will take on the role of “tavers” who can rip portals through reality to explore different worlds, encountering elements like immortal cybernetic hamsters and sentient pizza while solving five mysteries across Meow Wolf’s psychedelic multiverse. 

LionWing is bringing the beloved 1986 Japanese TTRPG “Wares Blade” to Western audiences for the first time, blending swords and sorcery with mecha anime aesthetics reminiscent of classics like Magic Knight Rayearth and Visions of Escaflowne.

Critical Role revealed that Brennan Lee Mulligan (Dimension 20’s DM) will helm Campaign 4 starting in October, marking the first time Matthew Mercer won’t be the primary DM for a core campaign. Instead, Mercer will step into a player role alongside both new and returning cast members. This significant change represents Critical Role’s evolution from a group of friends playing D&D to a multimedia corporation, though it has generated mixed reactions from fans concerned about preserving the show’s original chemistry and intimate feel.

MCDM’s “Draw Steel,” which raised $4.6 million on BackerKit, represents a complete departure from D20 systems rather than attempting to “fix D&D.” The game focuses on making players feel like “big damn heroes” from level 1, with tactical grid-based combat that emphasizes movement and cinematic action. Its core mechanic uses 2d10 power rolls with three-tier results, ensuring players always accomplish something meaningful rather than wasting turns on failed rolls, while resource management through class-specific points adds strategic depth.

#meowwolf #waresblade #mattmercer #drawsteel

Alchemy Call of Cthulhu Bundle:

https://humblebundleinc.sjv.io/aOQ64N

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Dragonbane miniatures:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/titanforgeminis/dragonbane-rpg-miniatures-northern-beasts

Green Ronin GoFundMe:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-green-ronin-in-critical-legal-defense

Warmachine on MyMiniFactory:

https://mmf.io/upturned

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https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:

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Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe

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Dragonbane by Free League – Actual Play: Riddermound Full Session from the Quickstart/Starter Box

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We are playing the adventure in the Quickstart from the Dragonbane Kickstarter: Rittermound. This is the latest edition of Drakar och Demoner which is being published for the first time in English. 

The players are Matt, Will and Andre playing their choice of pre-gens from the adventure:

ARCHMASTER AODHAN – Human Wizard – Elementalist (Will)

MAKANDER OF HALFBAY – Malard Knight (Matt)

ORLA MOONSILVER – Elf Hunter (Andre)

RIDDERMOUND

“Deep in the vast forests of the Misty Vale lies a burial mound called the Riddermound. It is a feared place, haunted by the undead form of a powerful knight in the dragon emperor’s service – but the death knight is also said to be watching over hidden treasures.”

This adventurer is designed to be a quick introduction to Dragonbane and its rules. At the end of this PDF there are five pre-generated player characters for the players to choose from.

The adventure is intended for three to five players, plus the Gamemaster.
#dragonbane #drakarochdemoner #freeleague #actualplay

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he Weekly LIVE 204 – GenCon Magic Heist Update, Daggerheart RPG Details, Fire & Ice Boardgame and Joyride by Rebellion Unplugged

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Gen Con Alleged TCG Thieves Identified as Board Game Designers:The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has identified two individuals, Thomas J. Dunbar and Andrew Pearson Giaume, as persons of interest in the theft of $300,000 worth of trading card game (TCG) cards from Gen Con 2023. Dunbar and Giaume are board game designers and had reportedly attended Gen Con, possibly to promote their original board game, Castle Assault. Security footage showed them carrying TCG cards out of the convention center.

Daggerheart is a tabletop RPG that combines defined rules with narrative flair. It features a two D12 dice system where players roll dice for Hope and Fear, with the higher roll determining the outcome. Characters have ancestries, hometowns, and classes with associated domains. The game promotes collaborative world-building, allowing players to contribute to the game’s setting. Death mechanics offer unique options, including going out in a blaze of glory or risking hope and fear dice rolls. The game focuses on mechanical crunch and narrative storytelling, offering a balance between the two.

Dynamite Entertainment has announced the Fire and Ice Miniatures Adventure Game, based on the animated film by Ralph Bakshi and Frank Frazetta. The game can be played as a board game or a roleplaying game and is set to release in May. Players take on the roles of heroes from the film’s storyline, battling against the forces of evil using miniatures, cards, and dice. The game includes customizable maps and aims to capture the fantasy world of the film.

JOYRIDE: Survival of the Fastest is a fast-paced racing board game where skillful driving takes precedence over pure speed. Up to four players hit the track, experiencing collisions, wacky items, and dramatic driver abilities. The game includes customizable maps and features interactions between players. The game system is designed to offer a balance between mechanics and narrative storytelling. The Kickstarter campaign offers various pledge levels, each with different game components and exclusives.

#joyride #fireandice #mtg #daggerheart

Joyride by Rebellion Unplugged Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rebellionunplugged/joyride-survival-of-the-fastest

Fire & Ice Boardgame Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dynamiteent/fire-and-ice-the-miniatures-board-game

10% off First Purchase from Modiphius:

http://r.sloyalty.com/r/vhbUPnHm6tIp

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

Dragonbane Core Set:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/418106/Dragonbane-Core-Set

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

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https://twitter.com/ConanSalaryman​​

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Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe
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DOWNLOADS – PDFs for Cortex Prime Deathwatch RPG

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DEATHWATCH CHARACTER FILES

INCLUDES:

Brother Vorn – Black Templars Assault Marine
Brother Raelyn – Blood Angels Devastator Marine
Brother Ezekial – Dark Angels Tactical Marine
Brother Magni – Space Wolves Tactical Marine
Brother Alistayr – Storm Wardens Techmarine
Brother Octavius – Ultramarines Apothecary

DOWNLOAD

REBEL CHARACTER FILES

INCLUDES:

Rebel
Rebel Leader
Rebel General

DOWNLOAD

GENESTEALER CHARACTER FILES

INCLUDES:

Genestealer
Genestealer Broodlord

DOWNLOAD

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Video: Actual Play: Alien RPG Cinematic Starter Kit “Chariot of the Gods” Part 3

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The third, but not final session, of the Cinematic Starter for the Free League Alien RPG available for download with all pre-orders of the game. Cinematic adventures are one-shot scenarios with pre-generated characters that replicate the tension and high body count of the Alien movies.

After restoring the reactor and repairing the engines the Cronus is now up a running and auto-pilot takes over. Thank you, special order 966. We are down one player this session so Cham will be an NPC for now.

Our only complaint about the PDF is that it is not very printer-friendly being mostly light text on a black background. So we created a printer-friendly version of the character sheet and a player reference to help anyone interested in trying this adventure.

Check out Tabletop Audio for their amazing RPG sound effects: https://tabletopaudio.com/

#alienRPG #frialigan #ttrpg #actualplay

Pre-order the game: https://alien-rpg.com/

Idle Red Hands on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/idleredhands

Video: Actual Play: Alien RPG Cinematic Starter Kit “Chariot of the Gods” Part 2

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The second session of the Cinematic Starter for the Free League Alien RPG available for download with all pre-orders of the game. Cinematic adventures are one-shot scenarios with pre-generated characters that replicate the tension and high body count of the Alien movies. We introduce the system and run through the characters and their relationships and talents. Our only complaint about the PDF is that it is not very printer-friendly being mostly light text on a black background. So we created a printer-friendly version of the character sheet and a player reference to help anyone interested in trying this adventure. #alienRPG #frialigan #ttrpg #actualplay

When we pick back up the party finds the remaining crew of a derelict ship coming out of cryo-sleep.

Our only complaint about the PDF is that it is not very printer-friendly being mostly light text on a black background. So we created a printer-friendly version of the character sheet and a player reference to help anyone interested in trying this adventure.

Download the printer-friendly character sheet and player reference:
http://www.idleredhands.com/2019/06/23/actual-play-alien-rpg-cinematic-starter-kit-chariot-of-the-gods/

Check out Tabletop Audio for their amazing RPG sound effects:
https://tabletopaudio.com/

Pre-order the game:
https://alien-rpg.com/

Video: Actual Play: Alien RPG Cinematic Starter Kit “Chariot of the Gods”

Posted on by upturnedtable

The first session of the Cinematic Starter for the Free League Alien RPG available for download with all pre-orders of the game. Cinematic adventures are one-shot scenarios with pre-generated characters that replicate the tension and high body count of the Alien movies. We introduce the system and run through the characters and their relationships and talents. Our only complaint about the PDF is that it is not very printer-friendly being mostly light text on a black background. So we created a printer-friendly version of the character sheet and a player reference to help anyone interested in trying this adventure. #alienRPG #freeleague

Pre-order the game:
https://alien-rpg.com/