Why was the D20 invented?

Leveling up is great, but it can be BETTER.

What does levelling up actually mean in D&D? Let’s talk XP, classes, fictional weight, Skyrim crabs, Warhammer careers, and how to make character progression feel better at the table. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6NcsGTfbyic [https://youtu.be/6NcsGTfbyic] And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com [https://www.start-a-quest.com] ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Monte Cook / Ivory Tower Game Design https://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=13812.0 [https://minmaxforum.com/index.php?topic=13812.0] 2. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay https://writeups.letsyouandhimfight.com/night10194/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-1st-edition/ [https://writeups.letsyouandhimfight.com/night10194/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay-1st-edition/] 3. Apocalypse World http://apocalypse-world.com/ [http://apocalypse-world.com/] 4. Blades in the Dark https://bladesinthedark.com [https://bladesinthedark.com] 5. Through the Breach https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach [https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach] 6. Malifaux https://www.wyrd-games.net/malifaux-fourth-edition [https://www.wyrd-games.net/malifaux-fourth-edition] 7. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world [https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world]

Why was the D20 invented?

Dice aren’t just about luck—they’re about uncertainty. In this episode of the Start a Quest podcast, we explore why the d20 exists, why the humble d6 still shines, and how weird or custom dice can transform your tabletop RPG. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2B6GleNlrUc [https://youtu.be/2B6GleNlrUc] And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com [https://www.start-a-quest.com] ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Chainmail https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainmail_(game) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chainmail_(game)] 2. Psi*Run https://lumpley.itch.io/psirun [https://lumpley.itch.io/psirun] 3. 13th Age https://pelgranepress.com/13th-age/ [https://pelgranepress.com/13th-age/] 4. Dungeon Crawl Classics https://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/ [https://goodman-games.com/dungeon-crawl-classics-rpg/] 5. How to play Scattergories https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/play-scattergories/ [https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/play-scattergories/] 6. Guile’s theme https://youtu.be/Z4G9MU4wvTo?si=szcXqG2TjVq-ynUP&t=26 [https://youtu.be/Z4G9MU4wvTo?si=szcXqG2TjVq-ynUP&t=26] 7. Mouse Guard https://www.mouseguard.net/rpg [https://www.mouseguard.net/rpg] 8. Robert Worldert Buildert (Mr. Worldwide) @BobWorldBuilder 9. Genesys https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/ [https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/products/genesys/] 10. Fate Core https://evilhat.com/product/fate-core-system/ [https://evilhat.com/product/fate-core-system/]

Some game's tools STOP you from actually playing.

Are digital tools making your Dungeons & Dragons game better… or worse? We're looking at Foundry VTT, D&D Beyond, and smaller tools for specific TTRPGs, What's the REAL difference between a digital tool and an analog tool? Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3FlPfMzNX60 [https://youtu.be/3FlPfMzNX60] And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com [https://www.start-a-quest.com] ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Foundry VTT https://foundryvtt.com/ [https://foundryvtt.com/] 2. Slay the Spire: The Board Game (I promise it's good!) https://contentiongames.com/games/slay/ [https://contentiongames.com/games/slay/] 3. Alice Is Missing special timer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysOOFIOAy7A&list=RDysOOFIOAy7A&start_radio=1 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysOOFIOAy7A&list=RDysOOFIOAy7A&start_radio=1] 4. D&D First Quest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Quest [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Quest] 5. D&D Beyond's development roadmap https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2132-d-d-beyonds-2026-development-roadmap [https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2132-d-d-beyonds-2026-development-roadmap] 6. Bob World Builder's Fire Bolt skit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtAo9uA90Ts [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtAo9uA90Ts] 7. Mythic Game Master Emulator https://www.wordmillgames.com/page/mythic-gme.html [https://www.wordmillgames.com/page/mythic-gme.html] 8. Genesys Roleplaying System's dice roller https://dddice.com/genesys-dice-roller [https://dddice.com/genesys-dice-roller] 9. Shadowdark torch tool https://torchlighttimer.com/ [https://torchlighttimer.com/] 10. Cards Against Humanity https://www.cardsagainsthumanity.com/ [https://www.cardsagainsthumanity.com/] 11. Snake Oil https://www.snakeoilgame.com/ [https://www.snakeoilgame.com/]

D&D spell cards should be more like UNO

We break down TTRPG card mechanics through real examples. From Daggerheart and Zombie World to UNO and Index Card RPG. But why do most D&D spell cards miss the point? Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u3OA0dOsYog [https://youtu.be/u3OA0dOsYog] And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com [https://www.start-a-quest.com] ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Matt's spell cards https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/173582/d-d-5th-edition-spell-cards [https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/173582/d-d-5th-edition-spell-cards] 2. UNO Draw 4 https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg [https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg] 3. Rock Paper Wizard https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg [https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg] 4. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world [https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world] 5. Curse of Strahd https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/cos [https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/cos] 6. Through the Breach https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach [https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach] 7. Daggerheart https://www.daggerheart.com/ [https://www.daggerheart.com/] 8. Index Card RPG https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg [https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg] 9. Decaying Orbit (Sidney's Game) https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/decaying-orbit/?v=8bcc25c96aa5 [https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/decaying-orbit/?v=8bcc25c96aa5]

Which RPG has the BEST chase rules?

Why do most RPG chase scenes feel tedious? Because they focus on speed and distance instead of obstacles. In this episode we break down the difference between a chase and a chase scene, and why every great chase needs a swan. Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oD4YYSzkD0c [https://youtu.be/oD4YYSzkD0c] And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com [https://www.start-a-quest.com] ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼ 1. Hot Fuzz chase scene https://youtu.be/cKt4YhasfBI?si=u-AF_OGk-zji8K5T&t=427 [https://youtu.be/cKt4YhasfBI?si=u-AF_OGk-zji8K5T&t=427] 2. Dogs in the Bark TTRPG https://www.olddog.games/Dogs-in-the-Bark [https://www.olddog.games/Dogs-in-the-Bark] 3. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4E https://cubicle7games.com/our-games/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay [https://cubicle7games.com/our-games/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay] 4. Blade Runner TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/blade-runner-rpg/ [https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/blade-runner-rpg/] 5. Alien TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/alien/ [https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/alien/] 6. Band of Blades https://evilhat.com/product/band-of-blades/ [https://evilhat.com/product/band-of-blades/]