Min Max Fun: Recent Episodes
nate and pete
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss what's next for Nate's DM evolution and play a fun trivial game bout the min max fun podcast.
In this episode Nate and Pete finally deliver the companion piece to their groundbreaking episode "DUNGEONS!".
In this episode Nate and Pete explore what facets of the game are highlighted when the players know they cannot die.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss how to make some patented Perkins advice practical.
In this episode Nate and Pete wrap up their discussion of 5e v 5.5e v 6e with the final installment of season 3.5
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss how the DM pulls off a multi phase encounter that will certainly lead to the party's demise.
In the episode Nate and Pete dig into the economic side of things. This episode also comes with a reading list:
- Monster Manual: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Manual
- Playing at the world: https://playingattheworld.blogspot.com/
- Game Wizards: https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/game-wizards
- Sid Meier's: Memoir!: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=24729402
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about the conclusion of part one of the beyond the witchlight module.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss the old tricks Pete used to do when DMing in college.
In this episode Nate and Pete tempt fate by continually discussing a TPK (Total Party Kill).
In this episode Nate and Pete respond to a listener episode idea. What is the right time to tell the player's the odds.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss how Nate managed to DM a session without using a single index card.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss prep for the first session of Into the Whichlight
Sometime you lose the initiative, and this round we lost to covid. We made our constitution saves, everyone is fine, we just lost time. We'll be back in March with new content.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about encounter design and how to use class specific kryptonite in a fun way.
In this episode Nate and Pete dig into the 2nd edition Player's Handbook and find some gems.
In this episode Nate and Pete dig into one of the known "changes" coming for the 50th anniversary update ... spells in monster stat blocks. They take a historical look at changes to spells and saving throws for monsters through the lens of the most classic of all D&D monsters ... the red dragon.
In this episode Nate and Pete breakdown the first major set piece encounter in Nate's Zombie module.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss the new module they are playing. Nate has designed it and is trying to TPK the party at every turn .... with zombies.
In this episode Nate and Pete break down their principles for evaluating ... well anything really. They adapt Mark Rosewater's idea of core/mantle/crust (CMC) and apply it to Dungeons & Dragons in the never ending pursuit of answering the question "when 6e?"
References:
Chaos Theory: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/making-magic/chaos-theory-2007-01-08
The Bleed Story: https://magic.wizards.com/en/articles/archive/making-magic/bleed-story-2011-06-10
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss running the module Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. This is a great listen for anyone considering running the module.
In this episode Nate and Pete set up the premise for season 3.5. The discussion includes the always looming question of "when 6e?". Changes to the hobby since 5e was designed. Our plan for addressing this topic.
Links in the show notes:
D&D Celebration announcement: https://youtu.be/sxb8xiDU5Kw?t=29431
In this episode Nate and Pete dig into the new Feywild Module, The Wild Beyond the Witchlight. The broader topic discussed is how to align a published module with your play group.
In this episode Nate and Pete revisit the idea of the campfire story. Here they discuss integrating it into the middle of a session during an encounter.
In this episode Nate and Pete pull a 1st edition PHB off the shelf and checkout how characters stats used to be generated.
In this episode Nate asks Pete about his experience as a player in a recent game and we find out that Pete is a big cheater.
In this episode Nate and Pete continue the series on player agency in the specific context of the Baldur's Gate Descent into Avernus module, chapter 3.
In this episode Nate and Pete revisit the classic topic of player agency in the context of the Sandbox v Railroad paradigm. Pedantry abounds and they even get into the difference between railroad, on rails, and railroading.
In this episode Nate and Pete dig into the magic of resurrection and how to have some fun.
In this episode Nate checks in with Pete because their last session didn't have any combat.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss campfire stories. This is an idea they are trying out in their current campaign. At every long rest a different character tells a tale.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss how a campaign evolves and how a DM can put their focus to facilitate that development.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss the conclusion of Nates short adventure. This is a follow on to episode #55 What infected Urgon Wenth.
In this episode Nate and Pete dig into Death Saves and discuss how the DM can use them to their fullest.
In this episode Nate tries to explain the Feywild. Pete does not understand at all and keeps trying to make connections to Shakespeare and quantum mechanics.
In this episode Nate continues to challenge Pete's assertion that Pete doesn't like role-playing. Pete admits he is just too lazy to come up with ideas and prefers to react to the player's ideas.
In this episode Nate challenges Pete on Pete's assertion that he doesn't like role-playing AND that that makes him a better dungeon master.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss a short module that Nate is running, "Frozen Sick". Find it on D&D beyond: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/wa/frozen-sick.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss what to do when a player wants to play a new character.
Nate and Pete talk about the end of Nate's first campaign as a DM. Say farewell to the Wanderers, but don't worry they will be back as examples Nate refers to in future episodes.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss what happens when the players insist on entering a dungeon in the most reckless way possible.
This is the episode you have been waiting for. After much fan fare and hype Nate and Pete finally dig in a settle the debate once and for all ... is True Strike a great cantrip.
In this episode Nate and Pete get heavy into the spoilers for Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus. They discuss the Dungeon of the Dead Three with Pete asking questions of how it felt for Nate as a player and Nate asking Pete to lift the screen and reveal some super top secret DM eyes only information.
In this episode Nate and Pete welcome everyone back after the break. The global pandemic is still raging but they are back at it. After some catch up they dig into discussing playing in the new equilibrium, especially how to manage playing over the internet.
In this bonus clip Pete gives Nate a character sheet but doesn't tell Nate what edition ruleset it's from. Hilarity ensues along with a surprising insight about the saving throw system.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss how to give the players they payoff they want but in a satisfying way.
In this episode Nate and Pete wrap up a discussion of the Casalantar set piece from Nate's campaign. In particular they dive into high DC saves that can steal a players turn.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about spells that give players information the DM didn't necessarily plan on the player's having. Pete tries to talk about misleading the players old school style and Nate tries to rein him in.
In this episode Nate and Pete review a product gifted to the podcast by a loyal listener. It is a note book for keeping the record of a character throughout a campaign.
In this episode Nate and Pete start out talking about the Cassalanter encounter previously discussed in episode #30 and #36. But by the end it is full blown discussion of how much time to give side quests.
In this episode Nate and Pete tackle the tricky issue of starting combat in a satisfying way. And for now will put the topic of surprise on hold.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss an encounter that starts off with some miscommunication.
In this episode Nate and Pete tackle the issue of making the game fun for everyone at the table at the same time, even if they are different people and have fun different ways.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss a tweet from Jeremy Crawford about when to pollice the action economy.
In this episode Nate and Pete go through the first encounter of their campaign. They talk about how it is very important and sets the tone for everything to come.
In this episode Nate and Pete dig into how Nate's fiendish encounter played out. The setup is in episode #30 and this episode describes the first part.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss the two main ways DMs level the party. The first and more old school way of using experience points. And the second newer way of awarding levels for completing milestones.
In this episode Nate and Pete walk through the final session of their campaign. It was basically a one shot for level 20 characters except they had all earned those levels.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss getting a campaign from the start all the way to level 20. They dig into the existential threats to a group both in game and out of game. And talk about how the DM needs to keep an eye out for those threats and eliminate them.
In this episode Nate and Pete discuss signature items for characters as they hit the last tier of play. They get into the design and the balance between homebrew and professional design using their PCs as examples.
In this episode Nate and Pete workshop and upcoming encounter in Nate's Campaign. Devils are coming to kidnap some children NPCs and Nate lays out a series of encounters. Then Pete chimes in and they workshop it.
Nate and Pete discuss how Pete used a CR 2 monster against a level 17 party. As it turns out this particular monster kills by attacking intelligence not HP. The barbarian never stood a chance.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about the game Lasers and Feelings. It's like Dungeons and Dragons, but the rules are less than one page long.
In this episode Nate asks Pete about the dungeon they are currently exploring in Pete's game. This one is special because they are running a module from 1980.
In this episode Nate and Pete breakdown a spell that has its roots in the early days of the game, Wall of Force.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about how to manage attunement slots at higher levels.
For the campaign Nate is running he worked up a visual aid showing however everything is connected. It is a crazy mix of boxes and arrows and it is awesome. Pete takes it all in and asks Nate to talk through his process and design.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about how Milo earned his signature dagger. Spoiler: he was almost dead and just refused to die.
In this episode Nate tries to get Pete to talk him out of giving the players an epic loot drop.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about Nate (the player's) reaction to a dagger his character purchased.
In this episode Nate and Pete unbox Matt Colville's kickstarter, the book Strongholds and Followers.
Nate's players split the party. Pete hates it but Nate likes giving the players freedom. Discussion ensues about the pros and cons.
In this episode Nate and Pete breakdown an encounter that Pete threw at the party. Pete talks about how he put it together and the philosophy he took towards running it ("the gloves are off"). Then they discuss how it went and how to strike a balance between building to a party's weaknesses and killing the fun.
When Nate's character Milo comes across a cool magic item he makes his desire known. However as the DM Pete is faced with a dilemma. The rules as written (RAW) say, "no". Pete turns to reddit for advice from the community for help.
Sometimes stuff goes down in game and as the DM you want to adjust on the fly. But what do you do when that requires altering the world you've created. That's what Nate and Pete discuss in this week's installment.
In this episode Nate and Pete talk about what goes on behind the screen in order for the DM to keep a game moving in a satisfying way. There is a balance to strike but at the end of the day it comes down to being away of the table and responding to the players.
In this episode Nate asks Pete about how he uses random encounters. Pete lifts the DM screen and points out that, for him, they're only "mostly" random.
Nate's halfling rogue, Milo, returns to talk to Pete about his party members, and Pete convinces Milo to write a will.
In this episode Pete asks Nate about how the players of the Wanderers dealt with the death of a party member (both in game and out of game). There is also general discussion of the role of character death in D&D. Stick with it til the credits, you don't wanna miss this one.
In this episode Pete rants about a reddit thread concerning melee attack mechanics in 3.5th edition compared to 5th edition. Nate very politely keeps Pete on topic and constructive.
Nate misses a session and asks Pete what happened. Pete goes on to explain that they didn't play but instead had a conversation with the DM (a first time DM) about why this particular session should have everyone present.
Nate recounts some dramatic developments in the Wanderers campaign, and Pete probes about the usefulness of previous conversations.
Nate updates Pete on the developments in the Wanderers game, and they discuss how the plan is playing out.
Pete surprises Nate with a copy of James D'Amato's "The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide: Prompts and Activities to Create the Most Interesting Story for Your Character". We get to know Milo, the halfling rogue that Nate plays in Pete's game, as Pete guides Nate through one of the exercises in the book. Finally, Nate and Pete each give their first impressions of the book.
In this episode Nate and Pete explore what Chris Perkins meant when he said a dungeon is a character.
Nate asks Pete about how to handle a potential ambush that an NPC Warlock may set up which could become profoundly unfun for the players. They discuss potential options for how to handle similar situations, as well as, how to make it as fun as possible if it does happen.