How to Learn A New RPG System - Running RPGs
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
- Ever wanted to learn a new Role Playing Game, but felt intimidated how? Here's the method I've used to learn and master various TTRPGs.
Cheatsheet Links:
D&D 5e - drive.google.com/open?id=10Sz...
Cyberpunk 2020 - drive.google.com/open?id=1i5-...
Hollow Earth Expedition - drive.google.com/open?id=13pB...
Call of Cthulhu - drive.google.com/file/d/0ByfJ...
Pulp Cthulhu - drive.google.com/open?id=14QK...
Quickstart Rules and Adventures:
Call of Cthulhu - www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
Conan - www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
Delta Green - www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
Hollow Earth Expedition - www.exilegames.com/index.php/...
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MY PUBLISHED RPG ADVENTURES
A Mother's Love (Call of Cthulhu 7e). This collection of adventures won the 2020 Gold ENnie Award for Best Digital Adventure Book: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
Mysteries on Arcturus Station (Mongoose Traveller 2e). This is two adventures. One is written by me, and the other is my update to J. Andrew Keith's brilliant Murder on Arcturus Station: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
And while I didn't write it (Marc Miller has that distinction), I did greatly expand and update the classic Traveller adventure Death Station to Mongoose 2e, which is TOTALLY FREE: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
And while not an adventure, here's Mythos Artifacts I wrote with Jon Hook of some neat magic artifacts for Call of Cthulhu: www.drivethrurpg.com/product/...
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#ttrpg
00:00 Intro
02:23 Read the Book
03:36 Make a Character
05:08 Make Cheat Sheets
07:07 Combat Practice
09:44 Character Creation One-On-One
10:52 The Practice Session
12:43 Review the Rules
13:12 The First Full Session
16:48 Review the Rules Again
17:49 Pre-Game Review of Missed Rules
20:03 Read Reviews
21:08 Join Online Communities
21:55 House Rules
23:23 Outro
Time stamps and summary of each step:
2:23 Step 0: Read the Book
-For games with multiple core books, make sure you pick the right one to start with (e.g., Keeper Rulebook for CoC, Player’s Handbook for D&D).
3:36 Step 1: Make a Character
-Make a character (no need to actually use them) to give you a point of reference for how the stats and features of a character interact with the game rules.
5:08 Step 2: Make Your Cheat Sheets
-As you read, make notes of the rules that seem to be important and likely to be used often. Share with players to speed up play. Update these cheat sheets whenever you realize they’re missing something.
7:07 Step 3: Combat Practice
-Combat is usually the trickiest part, so get a patient friend to make a character and fight with them using your character. Live, die, repeat, and look up the rules as necessary (remember to modify cheat sheets!).
9:44 Step 4: Character Creation One-On-One
-Guide each of your players through their character creation.
10:52 Step 5: The Practice Game
-Get two players (easier to work through issues) and, ideally, play through one of the “beginner scenarios” with quick-start rules available for most systems. CoC has solo adventures to learn with.
12:43 Step 6: Review the Rules
-Debrief with your practice players, figuring out what worked, what didn’t, and update the cheat sheets.
13:12 Step 7: The First Full Session
-Frame this as, “we are learning this game together.” Checking the book sometimes is okay, but better to make an in-the-moment ruling and look up the correct rule later. The prep you’ve done up to now will make this step less intimidating.
16:48 Step 8: Review the Rules Again!
-Debrief as in step 6 and follow up on the rules that weren’t clear. UPDATE CHEAT SHEETS!
17:49 Step 9: Pre-Game Review of Missed Rules
-Start the next session with a rundown of the mistakes that you analyzed after the first session. Don’t try to retcon anything from the last session.
Additional Advice
20:03 Read Reviews of the System
-Helpful reviews report firsthand experience. Don’t take one review as gospel.
21:08 Join Online Communities
-Learn from others and ask questions (the writer of the game may answer you).
21:55 House Rules
-Don’t make any until after the first full session. How else will you know what works, what’s imbalanced, etc. unless you try the rules-as-written first?
Thanks mate
MVP
Question: Is Seth going to bring anything new to me on this subject?
Answer: Yes he did.
Seth is so solid! I've been running games since 91' and almost always pickup something new or valuable out of his vids.
You could always do what I did when trying to GM for Call of Cthulu for the first time: watch a series of Seth Skorkowsky videos and then read through the basic rules.
That's all I did, and this, to this day, was one of my most favorite nights running a TTRPG. Either way, thank you Seth for the tools I needed to make it an awesome evening, everything you do is appreciated brother
Glad you all had fun. Welcome to Call of Cthulhu.
Going from D&D to Call of Cthulhu was no easy task. That’s how I found Seth’s channel and ran my first game. Thanks for the help, man
@Abbigail Cordeniz
I know this was three months ago but; listen to Seth! And get those Quickstart Rules he has linked above. They have simplified rules, a character sheet, and a beginning adventure.
Same, I actually got into Call of Cthulu because I found his videos. My players all are d&d players too. The system change took some time
Same
Seth inspired me to give CoC a go, ended up being my first experience gm’ing ever, and how the legend of the Chaplains From Hell were created
Reading that was weird, but then i think that my group and I are the oddballs; we started playing DnD every monday night, then I recently introduced CoC to my friends and we picked it up with no problems, we got a lot of fun and we're playing it every other week, for a change of pace of all the dungeon crawling.... Still, seeking to improve as a gm (keeper in this case), watching videos is so great! This one specially is a goldmine to revisit to get better and better, also for studying almost anything!
Step 0 - Read the book
Step 1 - Making characters
Step 2 - Create cheat sheets
Step 3 -Combat practice
Step 4 - Character creation one-on-one
Step 5 - The Practice Game
Step 6 - Review the Rules
Step 7 - The First Full Session
Step 8 - Review the Rules Again
Step 9 - Pre-Game Review of Missed Rules
Other Advices :
Read reviews
Join Communities
Step - House rules
Seth Skorkowsky, I gotta say you're one of my favorite dnd TH-camrs. My dad actually showed you to me, and turns out you're the only person her watches. You give everything a very realistic and idealistic view, and that really easy to follow. I wish you all the best!
As a home-brewer I found this to also be a fun collection of overall efficient design tips. Play-testing in a “live die repeat” murder hobo alley sounded particularly intriguing. And I know exactly which of my friends will wanna volunteer for that fine distinction 😁
I plan to use Cyberpunk 2020’s combat system for its fleshed out martial arts and fast paced acrobatic gun fu. So I might wanna diversify the alley in question… maybe an alley, with a few shops and like a dive bar.
_Feng Shui_ has a rule that makes a great addition to these ideas. After the first session, the players get a chance to tweak any issues they found in their characters that didn't work out in the "shake down" session. In most cases, our group uses this rule, even in systems we know, so players don't get stuck with a character that is going to be a pain point for them.
What I do...
--- Read rules.
--- Make a cheat sheet as I go, if the game is complex.
--- Have friends over. Write up characters. Explain BASIC rules.
--- Have a very simple game, using these basic rules.
--- Next sessions, add a couple more rules each session.
--- Several sessions later - all done.
Warm regards, Rick.
When I saw you heft that massive Conan book on a twisted angle with one hand, I winced for your wrist. Lift with your legs Seth!
I appreciate all these videos. My wife wanted me to learn Dungeons and Dragons. But when I asked her where to start she couldn't tell me. So I chose to learn A L I E N because it's new and there isn't a ton of different versions.
I've been running a Star Wars FFG RPG for the past two years, while playing in an Achtung Cthulhu game and a Symbaroum weekly session. While also exploring The One Ring, Dune, and the new WalkingDead RPG.
My brain feels over full some days. I appreciate you sharing a method that takes some of the struggle out of the process.
Sounds like you are part of a great little gaming group there. They are sure lucky to have you as a GM 😎😉🤔 p.s. thank you for the links to your cheat sheets 👍
I think one of the best things about Seth's videos is that he doesn't just say "I modded this module's maps" or "I use cheat sheets" and telling youto find them if you want to use these same changes.
He goes one step further and adds links to the descriptions of the videos so you don't have to spend time hunting them down.
My group usually does a...session -5. Yes... a negative session... In which we sit around and flip (scroll now) through the book and talk about it. If we like what we see, we have a session -4, which we attempt to understand the rule system enough to print sheets and make a character.... Session -3 is actually a test session... usually none of us understands the system enough to actually play long term. Session -2 is a debrief session to decide if we think it is worth pursuing. Session -1 is a review of what we have thus far learned... Session 0 is character creation and introduction.
It worked well enough with Hollow Earth, Star Wars Roleplaying Game, Starfinder, Pathfinder, and Game of Thrones... Only two of those reached campaigns: Hollow Earth and Star Wars... only Star Wars has been repeated several times. Starfinder reached the "we really want to but... time."
Overall, our blundering does not seem too dissimilar other than we include the full group in any session they want to join in on. But... our group has only been 4 people until recently.
If you want an easy system wise superhero game try Mutants and Masterminds.
Hope you get a chance to give Pathfinder a try. It's a good system.
Summary of what you said. I did this for myself and my co-GM, but thought others might like to see it as well. :)
How to Learn A New RPG System - Running RPGs
Read the book (assumed you as the GM and player will do this so not numbered) Some books have different books, which books do you pick up? Core book, but check to see which one is the core book
1. Make a character: or several characters.
2. Create cheat sheet: with rules, character conditions, movement, rest, recovery and combat information. Update as needed.
3. Combat Practice: preferable with a friend. Try all the combat options to really understand how the game/combat mechanics work.
4. Character Creation, One-on-one: Helps both player and GM to learn the game as well as the GM to know how the character will fit into the game and any special rules that might be used.
5. Practice Game: 2 player game, quick starter game works great in the Practice Game. Solo games can also help you the GM and player to learn the game.
6. Review the rules: What did you forget, what did you do wrong, what can you do better what rules need to be updated. Let your group know what was done wrong and give them a new cheat sheet.
7. The First Full Session: Those who played the Practice Game will know the game, so can help those who have not played. Mistakes will be made, just roll with it and keep the game going. This will go better with the idea, WE are learning the game. Make any notes of vague rules, make a house rule to keep the game going and go back later to review the book.
8. Review the Rules Again: Now the game has finished, review the rules which where used to ensure they were used correctly, refresh yourself on any rules, update the Cheat Sheet as needed. Talk with the group to see what they thought, if there was any mistakes, etc.
9. Pregame Review of Missed Rules: Talk with the group on any missed rules and go forward with the correct rules, learn from your mistakes and move forward.
Other Ideas:
A. Read Reviews of other GM’s and players on the game system from 1st hand experience of those who have played the system.
B. Don’t hold reviews as hard set ideas if a game is good or bad.
C. Join Game Community. You can get help from other gamers or often the creator of the game to clarify the game.
D. House rules: Don’t implement until after the first game … or few games until you can play the game according to the official rules.
In our gaming group that spanned 80-90 and 00's we would often start a new game, GMing was spread among players and we bought whatever new game caught our fancy, read up on it and played it. There is an advantage to doing so regularly, you quickly get a sense of how rules work in broad terms, most games are based on certain principles, like percentile dice, D20 or multiple D6's. Having this broader understanding of mechanics helps, the rest you just fill in by reading through the rules and do a bit of mechanism dissecting. Probably one trick you have to learn is to memorize the layout of the books so you have a rough idea where to find a certain rule. Try to know where the combat section, where is the powers/spell section etc and work from there. There is no guarantee you'll find a particular rule, but at least you have a starting point and better than try to flip through the book a few times in the hope of spotting what you may look for. I started RPG's by reading my first book and be the GM, as I was one of the first to get into the hobby in my area.
Agreed, had a similar experience, the only person in the area to have a rpg,
Had to learn by “reading the book” no other way available,
Ditto on those experiences
Yeah - I also had to learn by reading the book, and then about half of the players did the same and then we just started playing. I think that'd work well for Runequest or D&D, but weirder systems like Burning Wheel, Modiphius 2d20 or Savage Worlds I find I need more help to actually understand how it's supposed to work, and then I think the method presented in the video should be helpful. I haven't tried it yet, but the ideas seem sound!
Oh, yes! Again a great video. Important to people who struggle learning or wants advice to enjoy new systems. Very topical and important video for the TTRPG area! Always waking up new ideas and point of views. Thank you Seth again for a great video. :)
Hell, this is good advice for revisiting your old system you've been playing.
Thanks for sharing your cheat sheets here, that’s very kind. I’m an old DM, but I’m always learning new things every day. Your videos are quite informative in this way.
Get in seth you legend! From your reviews of cyberpunk 2020, you've convinced me to give it a go and I'm running my first session 0 this weekend. This will help me to no end thank you so much and keep the amazing content coming!
Hello from France, your Channel is very instructive. I started playing d&d Ad&d, chtulhu, empire galactique (french sci fi rpg), paranoïa in 1984 until 2000. At this time i was able to read, learn and being a GM/player easily. Now after a break of 18 years due to irl i go back in pen& paper rpg , and that's tougher to read, learn all the stuff again, especially with all the new editions. Perhaps playing some Mmos (wow, Lotro) doesn't help or i simply get old lol. Greeting.
Got initiated into Roleplaying back in the 90's, Local dude I knew trough a friend was looking for sommone replace sommone who left his roleplay group. I was a warhammer miniature fan, and the games he was hosting then was Warhammer fantasy ... and so i got pulled in... The first Roleplays I learned : Warhammer, Call of Cthulhu, Legend of the 5 rings, ... Its only after college and we drifted apart I branched out... D&D, GURPS, FATE, Exalted, Savage worlds, Vampire:tm, N.E.W, O.L.D., pathfinder ect... So Ive learned alot of systems over the years, and thought I had it down, but you still managed to give me few new tips ! thanks !
Man, GMing is a part time job. I've got a lot of respect your method, much more complicated than just hitting start on a controller.
I learned D&D just the way you said, for the most part. I wanted to play, played a few times and had moderate fun but a long run of terrible GMs, so I basically taught myself to be a GM so that I could actually have fun with it. I have since taught myself nWoD (Vampire: the Requiem, Werewolf: the Forsaken, Mage: the Awakening, etc), HERO System (the generic system that Champions runs on), Shadowrun, The One Ring, Dragon Age (and the AGE system in general), and I'm currently learning Runequest (the fantasy cousin of Call of Cthulhu). I have personally followed the exact sequence that you discussed, with the exception of the combat practice. That is a GREAT IDEA! Thanks for this!
Wow, that's exactly what I needed! We want to try out the new Witcher Pen and Paper game, but I wasn't sure how to go about learning the system. Thanks Seth!
The more I come to your channel the more I see the actual value of it. Thanks for your effort and true help. Respect.
Learning Call of Cthulhu 7ed here.
Seth, I enjoy your channel for both your personality and the information you provide. Your module reviews are helpful when preparing, and you even have videos where you cover the things I struggle with like actually preparing to run a module or system you've never been exposed to before. Keep up the great work!
Thank you very much. Happy to help.
Thanks Seth! I'm super new to GM-ing and my soon to be players never tried rpg before. We are all really excited to start playing CoC! I'm learning so much and getting inspiration from your videos. Wish me luck guys
Real useful advice
Thank you so much
I’m prepping a Chronicles of darkness game to GM for *my* GM, who’s expert in most of CofD. He’s very supportive but tbh I sometimes feel overwhelmed with this vast RPG system
if i may offer advice, start small at low level.... and then i realize this is three months old, how is it going?
Brilliant! Effing Brilliant!
I'm an old gamemaster too (63!) and I've been getting a lot of good advice from your various videos, but this one is superb!
While I've been doing some of these things, getting a group of new people playing has always been problematic for me; and I believe, you've just shown me why. Several of these steps appear obvious but I have been skipping them or just haven't even thought of them.
Be that as it may, I love cheat sheets too, however I never thought about delving into one so early in my perusal of the game. Another "cheat sheet" I came up with (I'm going to have to find another name, now) is to make several simple 1-10 lists of common things on one or two pages that happen or are needed in practically any game: NPC names, dungeon dressing, wilderness dressing, rumors, weather, tomes, quirks, dirty tricks, unusual events, riddles, even reasons for why the bad guys left the party alive.
So, thanks again, and if you ever find yourself in the Seattle area I'd sure like to know about it!
Now I'm going to go back and loop this thing two or three times just for starters, until these tips sink in...
Happy to be of help.
My first system was shadowrun because I was a goth punk in my youth, and it hit all the right buttons for me.
I don't have very good reading retention, so this is so helpful! I figured out a few of your tips on my own, but there was so much here I could use!
Thank you, this was brilliant.
Thank you for the cheat sheets Seth! These have been immensely helpful for both me and my players.
Thanks for the great video! This was super well timed, I'm trying to set up a Call of Cthulhu group with some friends and it's our first RPG, so this helped me a lot.
Thanks for making this video. I was just thinking about how to approach a new game that I've been interested in and this is super helpful.
Just getting back into TTRPG'ing. Loving your content sir. And special thanks for making your cheat sheets available. Many sincere thanks form across the pond. All the best.
I'm glad I found this channel. Very informative and presented very well. Thank you!
As always a great and very informative video.Your channel is by far one of the BEST ever when it comes to RPG's.
This video is just what I needed! Not for myself but my players always have problems with learning new systems...
Keep up the great work seth!
Awesome work, cheers for this. I've been playing for decades, yet I still have a poop time learning new systems.
Happy New Year, Seth, and many thanks for your wise and wonderfully entertaining videos. Your players are lucky to have you. All the best for 2019 and beyond!
What I did to learn Call of Cthulhu was watching your videos on it. They have been very helpful.
Awesome video! I've played a bunch of a "new" games for my various groups, but I've never thought of it systemically like you have. I think I'm gonna give your approach a try with the next "new" game I run. Thanks, Seth!
Our group is actually getting ready to dive into new system, and I find this video very helpful. Definitely going to use some of those advices
Me and a few friends are transitioning over from 5e to Cyberpunk, and those cheat sheets are SUPER helping. Thanks!
Happy to be of help. Hope you and your group enjoy Cyberpunk, choomba.
Thanks Seth, for this video. I am jumping back into RPF's after having 8-9 years away from it. This will give me a nice step by step process to work thought.
This is super useful so far, I've been working up the inspiration to start on WHFRP.
Been looking everywhere for a hollow earth cheat sheet. Thanks!
My friends and I are all going to try Traveller 2 this weekend. None have us have played this rule-set before and we all got obsessed with the rule system after finding your videos. Wish us luck!
Great advice for a little game learning methodology. I have done a lot of these things when learning a new system, but never really had a set of steps outlined like this. Thanks!
*Rides into the darkness*
Rides off into the darkness.
Oi, you two, get back here right now!
@@clockworkpotato9892 You can't keep us from our love! *Spurs on his mount*
@@das_ttv3411 Oh yes I can!
*LOADS HARPOON GUN*
Very timely video. Just got my CoC Keeper book and getting ready to learn it.
Been wanting to try out a bunch of new systems with my friend, so we can try to get a group together. This is the video I didn't know I needed to watch! Been bingeing your stuff lately. Really helpful fun videos man, thank you.
An excellent video, thank you for sharing it with us. Another step that I often use is to look on TH-cam for tutorials videos of live play. As well as (sometimes) being entertaining, they can be very illuminating; especially for new systems and settings.
This is very solid advice. I've been an RPG Geek for 15+ years. I would add a few things. I have a few steps that are pretty much done once and makes the learning hills of pretty much all RPGs much smaller. I have learned a large number of games over the years because of what steps I took before these steps.
My first game was Werewolf the Apocalypse (White Wolf system). I played two sessions, then found 3 people who had also never played and started GM'ing. Steep learning curve!
Thank you seth, you're my new favourite rpg dm channel ❤
You are a real mater in making new masters! Thanks for this content!
I learned all the games I've played (except maybe one or two) by running them. I had a run of learning new games when I was writing pretty consistent reviews of out-of-print games for Knights of the Dinner Table magazines and we were trying out new games every couple of months for a while. We'd always start with character creation (myself, the gm, included) and sometimes that could be a bear (I'm looking at you, Aftermath!).
I especially like your Step 9: Pre-Game Review of Missed Rules. That's one I need to do yet usually forget. I agree with not retroactively making changes of earlier game rules mistakes.
In my own Lost Game Safari reviews, I tried to explore the rules enough to give readers a bit of idea of character creation and how the game ruled worked. I need to get back into that.
Excellently done, as always. Thanks for sharing.
I love your videos, thank you so much for letting us access your chetsheets; That was the first thing I looked for lol
Seth, another awesome video. Keep up this most excellent work! I do a few things much like this in learning a new system. Although I don't have a specific friend that I have used over the years to help learn aspects of the rules like combat I usually find someone. Different rules systems have a bigger learning curve than others. The problem I find is in keeping different rules systems separate from each other in my head. I have found cheat sheets are pure gold in helping avoid the interjection of rules from one system to another during game sessions. Then there is the introduction of house rules! I typically avoid these until I feel the group has the core rules down. Even then I allow the players a lot of input as to what house rules we keep.
Currently trying to make a jump from D&D to Cyberpunk Red. The video was very helpful! Thank you!
Sharing your Cheat Sheets! You rock, thank you Seth Skorkowsky
.
Immediately liked the video due to the introduction.
"High five themselves because they have no friends and ride off into the darkness" 😂
I'm sure the rest is good, but that was golden
The rest of the video was also excellent. Belated thanks Seth!
Pratchett referred to those people who dump salt onto food without tasting it as "Autocondimentors", which always stuck with me 😂.
I think Mustrum Ridcully was one...
Given current events in the industry writ large, this is more relevant than ever.
Tnx Seth for rules. Love your channel. You have been BIG help for me :) Learing dnd, CoC and general tips from your videos :). Wish you well.
Thanks for providing that 2020 cheatsheet, it's definitely helping me with putting a game together for some friends.
Nicely timed for the CoC Starter set coming out.
Great video, especially for someone like me who always feels super intimidated with all the rules to RPGs and worries about holding up the game for other players. And thank you so much for putting your cheat sheets into the description; the ones I have tend to be related to character stuff, mostly page numbers and what feats would be good for my character ranked by importance or the like.
I was actually going to ask if you could link them 😅
Always excellent. Thank you so much. Making my CoC character now. I have already ran my first game - the darkness under the hill. But I wished I followed your advice first!
This was a very helpful video for someone looming to branch out from dnd 5e. Thank you!
This will really help! Thanks Seth. I love your content. I’m gonna use this method once CyberPunk Red comes out. I want that to be my friends first foray into the Cuberpunk world!
The one on one rules session was a great tip to sus out how the rules function.
there seriously need to be more videos like this. espeacilly with some games being super intimidateing.
I really enjoy your videos. They made me go get CoC 7th, and that was a great decision. But sometimes... Sometimes I fear you might be one of the elder gods. Not just because of your mythos insight, but because "Seth Skorkowsky" is equally as hard to pronounce as all the other names the mad Arab wrote down in the Necronomicon (or, out of fear for consequences, did not).
Wow, this is so relevant right now! #opendnd
This is great advice. I'm preparing to run a game my group has never tried before (Shadowrun 5e) and not only is it going to be our first time playing the game, it's my first time acting as the GM. I'll admit I'm a bit nervous but I'm definitely going to run through these steps with my buddy first.
You r an inspection to the gameing community. I think ur videos r very helpful.
I have been dming for 22 yrs and I have discovered that with ur videos I have been able to improve and for that I am thankful.
Also is it possible that u could do a video on world/campagin setting design I have made my own but would love to see ur thoughts and compare to see if done it right
Again thanks for all ur help my players r having a better game as well and I just really enjoy ur videos.
Clell lightner.
Dude I just wanna say, that I would kill to be in a game with you. You seem like the best GM I've seen since Mercer.
Nicolas Collini
Mercer is not a normal GM, he is an actor, a professional voice actor and they also script some of the action for the video format.
Sorry, but in my humble opinion he is creating unrealistic expectations. It’s fun to watch but it’s not realistic in actual everyday tabletop gaming.
Seth is the best GM. I care not for your wrong opinion.
@@GenX-RadRat None of that changes that he's a damn good DM, though.
@@LordVader1094 Fair enough
I am currently learning Conan as well, and while I have been playing RPGs for a very long time, I did find myself trying to learn this game by myself. I always start with building a character after reading the rules as well. Great video! Thanks for putting me back on track. With your permission I'd love to share this on the QuestWise FB page to help others.
Conan has been one of the trickier RPGs to learn. It's a fun game, but the rule-book isn't the easiest to follow at times.
Feel free to share away.
Thanks a lot for your videos in general. I love them. Very informative and funny at the same time. Please keep it up!
Greetings from Germany
Always great tips and advice.
Been watching this channel for months and this is one of the best videos yet. Lot of meat in this one and I found it incredibly helpful. Learning pulp Cthulu now as I get ready to run Two-Headed serpent and the idea of a practice session/combat never crossed my mind. Which is silly when there are four mods in the Pulp book.... Any way, Thanks Seth!
The Combat Practice has really saved us from a lot of in-game problems. Combat stalling during a game session can totally kill the mood. Getting to practice the rules without any worry of losing your character or ruining the story allows you to try out some of the options you normally might not try in a real game. It's also kind of amazing how many rules you think you know before hand, but seem to go right out your head the instant the combat starts.
Have fun with Two-Headed Serpent. We had a blast with it. I'm working on my Calcutta Chapter review at the moment. That was a rough one for us, so hopefully you can learn from my mistakes. We cleared Chapters 8 and 9 in a single marathon session. The whole final game ended up being the best campaign finale I've ever run. It was more to do with the players being awesome than anything that I did, but once it was over and the smoke cleared, all of us were like, "Holy shit, now THAT'S how you end a campaign!" The only thing I did to really help that was that I instructed all the players to give themselves one badass focus on a skill they would do better than anyone else. One was a pilot, one was a demolitions expert, another a weird scientist, and another a tracker. In that final game, every one of them took the spotlight and saved the day with their primary skill. I couldn't have set that up any better if I'd tried. Not everyone lived through it, but everyone was happy with the results. Best of luck on it.
@@SSkorkowsky That sounds amazing! I really hope to bring the same pulpy excitement to my table. They are primarily pathfinder/DnD players so I feel the pressure of getting it right for them. I did watch your chapter one review and it looked awesome so you sold me on it, and Pulp Cthulu there. I had been running a few classic mods for CoC (Deadlight, Blackwater, Haunting) for a couple of them so I think I'm ready for the next step. Thanks for responding and looking forward to future videos!
Learning CoC after years away. These Cheat Sheets are fantastic! Thanks...
Wonderful advice! Thanks man!
This was very helpful, thank you very much!
Great video ,Seth. I teeter totter between generic systems like GURPS and new RPG systems. What works for me is allowing myself a lot of time ,trial and error.Whether playing or GM ing I try to write up any important rules points I have picked up from a session to use the next time.
Great video. My group developed something very similar. I, however, like to do practice combat with the pre-gen characters before I create a character.
Always excited from a new video from you and especially when I saw the title for this one. One of my goals for sure this year is to learn all those games I got last year and still haven’t played yet!
Good ideas! I'm thinking about learning a new system, so it was useful stuff.
Nice job as always Seth.
Great video, Seth... you're one one the best!
thank you for this - starting from scratch (first time TTRPG) with Traveller
Have fun storming the galaxy.
great video, thanks a lot Seth!
After about the third game, you pick them up pretty quick, but still a super useful guide.
True
I'd like to see more RPG primers for different systems for experienced role players on youtube. Not necessarily a complete "how-to" but enough to give me a good idea of the type of system.
There plenty of "how to play D&D" where they explain what is an RPG and shit like that, and there are some videos about other systems that will focus on the theme and what you do in the game but don't talk about mechanics. Tell me how actions are resolved, the dice mechanics, the basic of combats and mechanics that are unique to the game. I know what an RPG is and I know what the dice are.
Oh. please, under 10min (or 10:01 for youtube algorithm).
This kind of videos would be great to help me decide if I want to pick up a new system or if I'm invited to join a game with experienced players where I'm gonna be handed a pre-made character.
Also, those RPG books that start with character creation drives me insane! Explain to me the basic rules first because telling me that this class get a +1 bonus to their recovery bonus or that I can inverse my combat bonus doesn't tell me anything if I don't know what those things or how the game works. This is a huge pet peeve of mine; I know most RPGs book have been doing this for 40 years, it doesn't mean it is a good idea. And the logic that "the first thing you want to do to play a game is to create a character" doesn't make sense; the first thing you want to do is to understand the game. If I had to read chapter 5 to understand chapter 2, your book is made wrong!
Great advice! I’m in the process of learning CoC now and it mainly bc of this channel. I’ve been playing d&d since 2nd edition and CoC reminds me of all the % checks I would use back in the day.
How about crossing game mechanics over... for example using CoC chase mechanics in my 5e campaign?
I already homebrew a handful of rules. I just think the idea of a thrilling chase is always cool.
I love your videos and your audio books. Yes I see this video is older but new to me.
Thank you very much.
Thanks. Helpful as I'm thinking of picking up 7th Ed Call of Cthulhu (also thanks for your review) for a group of 5. Some stuff here I wouldn't have considered..
I would LOVE a video on how to create a Cheat Sheet.