Shows
GURPStalkWhat's the Frequency?What are Frequency Rolls and how can we use them effectively?Che and Pat discuss the frequency of appearance mechanism in GURPS, which determines how often NPCs like allies, contacts, patrons, and dependents show up in adventures. They discuss how to apply frequency rolls for NPCs, advantages, and disadvantages in open-world GURPS campaigns without defined adventures. Pat explains that GMs need to determine when to make these rolls based on their campaign structure rather than relying on the vague concept of "per adventure". They emphasize that these mechanics create opportunities for roleplaying and complications while taking p...
2025-10-0627 minGURPStalkEnhancements and LimitationsEnhancements and Limitations? What the heck are all these modifiers about?Pat and Che discuss GURPS Limitations and Enhancements, particularly how they can be used to create supernatural abilities and powers. Pat explains that limitations like "costs fatigue" or "unreliable" can reduce point costs and balance abilities, while enhancements like "reduced time" or "ranged" can modify abilities to work differently. They agree that while these mechanics might seem complicated to newcomers, they're valuable tools for fine-tuning characters, and recommend mastering the basic system before diving into these options.GOT A...
2025-09-2929 minGURPStalkAt DisadvantageWhy are Disadvantages at the heart of roleplay?This episode Che and Pat are discussing character creation in GURPS with a focus on disadvantages as meaningful roleplaying elements rather than just point sources. They emphasise that disadvantages should reflect character depth, create interesting dilemmas, and be limited to a reasonable number to maintain playability while adding flavour to characters. The conversation also covers adapting content from other game systems to GURPS, creating custom disadvantages, and the importance of self-control rolls in gameplay.Big thanks to Frank T for the call-in!
2025-09-2259 minGURPStalkTaking AdvantageWhat are Advantages and how on Earth do you select them for your campaign?In this podcast episode, Pat and Che discuss the different types of Advantages in the game system, categorised as mental, physical, and social, with further classifications as mundane, exotic, or supernatural. They review specific examples including Absolute Timing, Acute Senses, Affliction, Allies, and supernatural abilities like Blessed and Psychometry, explaining how these function in gameplay and how frequency roles determine how often social advantages like allies appear in long-form campaigns.The hosts also address listener questions about character advantages/d...
2025-09-1536 minGURPStalkForgotten TraitsWhat's all this stuff about social background at the beginning of the Basic Set rulebook? In this episode, Pat and Che discuss approaches to starting and maintaining roleplaying campaigns in GURPS, emphasizing the importance of establishing setting context, social backgrounds, and character goals before gameplay begins.They explore how often overlooked elements like status, wealth, cultural familiarity, and language skills can enrich the gaming experience and help players create grounded characters with meaningful connections to the game world. The hosts also address listener questions about adventure preparation.Big thanks to...
2025-09-0849 minGURPStalkCharacter PointsCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:What are Character Points and what can I spend them on? What's the point of these points?Pat and Che discuss the mechanics of character creation in GURPS, focusing on point allocation for attributes, advantages, and disadvantages. They explored different campaign settings and power levels, comparing their experiences with GURPS's character level descriptions.We talk about the point-based character creation system in GURPS, explaining how players can allocate points to attributes like strength, dexterity, IQ...
2025-09-0127 minGURPStalkCombat OrientationCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:Isn't the GURPS combat system fiddley and difficult? Isn't it really complicated to run fights?We discuss the combat system in GURPS, emphasizing its simplicity and effectiveness. Pat explains the simplicity and ease of use of the GURPS combat system, highlighting its one-second round concept. He emphasized that while GURPS is often perceived as a reality simulator, it is actually a fictional system designed to simplify combat actions into basic, simple tasks. We...
2025-08-2529 minGURPStalkGetting DiceyCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:What's is it with GURPS and the 3d6 roll low mechanism? Isn't that complicated and fiddley to deal with?We discuss the mechanics and simplicity of the GURPS (Generic Universal Role-Playing System) dice rolling system, particularly the 3D6 method. We emphasize that the system's bell curve nature mirrors real-world statistics and is intuitive once understood. Che highlights that while GURPS might seem complex due to its many options, it's actually straightforward, requiring only basic math skills.
2025-08-1829 minGURPStalkCharacter StartsCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic:We've got our campaign idea fleshed out. How do we avoid analysis paralysis when our players sit down to make characters?We discuss character creation in role-playing games, focusing on a structured process that involves collaboration between the Game Master and players. We explore how this process can empower players to create characters that align with their vision while also fitting within the game's setting. We emphasize that our discussion is not meant to criticize...
2025-08-1129 minGURPStalkCampaign StartsCo-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss today's topic: We're going to run our long-form game using the GURPS Fourth Edition rules. How do we get started setting up a campaign?We discuss the challenges and joys of adapting existing game settings to GURPS for long-form play, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the system's strengths while acknowledging time and work constraints. We discuss setting up a long-form campaign, focusing on the basic interrogatives of "who," "what," "when," "where," and "why." We emphasize the importance o...
2025-08-0433 minGURPStalkIs it really GURPS?We're here to talk about GURPS - the Generic Universal Role-Playing System published by Steve Jackson Games - and using it to run long-form roleplaying campaigns. Co-hosts Che Webster (Roleplay Rescue) and Patrick Mullen (Cry Havoc T2K) discuss topics arising from using the game system. The show is aimed at intermediate users of the rules who wish to progress towards deeper and more immersive role-play in whatever fictional worlds they imagine.This episode we deconstruct the name: GURPS. Is it really Generic and Universal? What about Role-Playing? Is is a System?CONTACTS:
2025-07-2836 min
Roleplay RescueWorld First T2K with Patrick MullenThis one’s a conversation with a new friend. My guest hails from Florida, USA, and this is probably the beginning of a sequence of chats I’d like to have with him.Our focus was on what my guest calls, "world first" play and we specifically take his currently running Twilight 2000 campaign as an example. Yes, we talk GURPS and we talk modern post-apoc but that's not quite the point: this is about methodology.Big thanks up front to Patrick for coming to talk!Game on!Pat's T2K...
2025-05-3156 minRoleplay RescueEclectic ThoughtsThis one’s an eclectic collection of thoughts emerging from listener messages and the ongoing experience of running games in the wake of recent episodes.When I started this podcast, it was really about getting my concern about losing gamers to the experience of play - of people giving up the play which enriches our lives under the pressures of modern living. At the same time, I was aware that the title - Roleplay Rescue - implies that the show is about recovering the art and depth of roleplaying. Strangely, all these years lat...
2025-05-2421 min
Keep off the BorderlandsUnsung Heroes (AAA) (episode 62)So, this is the last episode of Anchorites Appreciate Arneson month wherein I talk about Patrick Dowling, creator of the BBC show The Adventure Game. There's a mystery unboxing and a few call-ins from Che Webster of Roleplay Rescue, Listen of Updates From the Middle of Nowhere, Joe Richter of Hindsightless and Jason of Nerd's RPG Variety Cast. The Adventure Game theme was composed by Ferdinando Carulli, performed by Julian Bream and John Williams.Get the trifold edition of Osseous at https://drive.google.com/open?id=184r9bvk0KxZ6xkjAAMmKzQXayFSxoB7v
2019-10-2817 min