Finding the Right System

You've created the perfect world. You've got the lore, the characters, the history and the atmosphere. But what happens when your favourite RPG system doesn't quite fit?This week on **Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat**, we're tackling the relationship between setting and system, and why choosing the right rules can make all the difference to the stories you want to tell.From the high fantasy heroics of D&D to the dangerous magic and corruption of Symbaroum, we explore how different mechanics shape the worlds we play in and the decisions our characters make.We discuss adapting established settings, modifying existing systems, and whether D&D 5e really needs to be the answer to everything. Along the way, we wander through Daggerheart, Dragonbane, Mothership, Coriolis, World of Darkness and even the possibility of bringing Welsh mythology's Mabinogion to the tabletop.Because sometimes you've found a system you love and need a world to match.And sometimes you've fallen in love with a setting, only to discover that the rules are getting in the way.**So, which comes first: the setting or the system?**OUR FRIEND TONIOur friend Toni has created a great Paladin subclass! If you need a new subclass option for your character, check out their Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass:https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fMUSICIntro & Outro:'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)Die Hard Dice Promo:'Soar' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)World Anvil Promo:'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)DIE HARD DICEUse our promo code Kobold10 at checkout:https://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10WORLD ANVILWe are now affiliated with World Anvil. Use our link for 10% off:https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

What happens when your D&D character dies, retires, or simply isn't working out anymore?This week on Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat we're talking about the challenges of introducing a brand-new character into an already established adventuring party.Do you need to replace the healer? What happens when two players want to play the same class? And how do you convince a group of battle-hardened adventurers to trust the mysterious stranger who's suddenly joined their ranks?We explore character replacements, party dynamics, working with your GM, avoiding familiar character tropes, and why your shiny new adventurer doesn't necessarily need to fill the gaps left behind by their predecessor.There's also a look back at our own campaign experiences, the awkward adjustment from familiar characters to completely different personalities, and the possibility of introducing your new character at your old character's funeral. Because nothing says fresh start quite like turning up to collect a debt from the deceased.Sometimes the hardest part isn't creating a new character.It's figuring out how they belong in a story that's already being told.New character, new dynamics, same chaotic adventuring party.OUR FRIEND TONIOur friend Toni has created a great Paladin subclass! If you need a new subclass option for your character, check out their Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass:https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fMUSICIntro & Outro:'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)Die Hard Dice Promo:'Soar' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)World Anvil Promo:'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)DIE HARD DICEUse our promo code Kobold10 at checkout:https://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10WORLD ANVILWe are now affiliated with World Anvil. Use our link for 10% off:https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

What makes a great dungeon crawl?This week on Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, we're heading underground to talk about one of the classics of tabletop RPGs: the dungeon crawl.From sprawling underground fortresses and shifting labyrinths to traps, puzzles, rival adventurers and rooms you really shouldn't have opened, we explore what makes a dungeon worth delving into and how GMs can keep one interesting across multiple sessions.We talk memorable dungeon experiences, building challenges for different character levels, competing factions, hidden routes, strange inhabitants and giving players reasons to explore beyond simply finding the next monster to hit.There's also Indiana Jones, Moria, evil doppelgängers, resetting goblins, suspiciously convenient MacGuffins and the terrifying prospect of discovering that the dungeon you carefully mapped last time has completely rearranged itself.Because sometimes you enter a dungeon looking for treasure.Sometimes you leave with a magic item and a level up.And sometimes you're just trying to work out which member of the party is the evil mirror version.Grab your torches. We're going dungeon crawling.OUR FRIEND TONIOur friend Toni has created a great Paladin subclass! If you need a new subclass option for your character, check out their Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass:https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fMUSICIntro & Outro:'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)Die Hard Dice Promo:'Soar' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)World Anvil Promo:'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)DIE HARD DICEUse our promo code Kobold10 at checkout:https://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10WORLD ANVILWe are now affiliated with World Anvil. Use our link for 10% off:https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

Could Batman actually work in D&D? What about Aragorn, Goku, Hulk, or your favourite anime character?This week on Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, we're taking characters from anime, comics, films, and TV and asking what happens when you try to squeeze them onto a character sheet.Some translate surprisingly well. Others need enough multiclassing to make your DM quietly leave the table. And then there's Goku.We talk classes, subclasses, power levels, homebrew, wildly unbalanced characters, and why recreating every ability isn't necessarily the best way to bring an iconic character into your game.Instead, maybe the trick is to work out what actually makes that character *feel* like themselves. Pick the themes, abilities, and personality traits that matter, then build something that captures their spirit without accidentally creating a level 20 nightmare who can flatten the campaign before lunch.So, take inspiration from your favourites. Just don't overdo it.Your DM will thank you.OUR FRIEND TONIOur friend Toni has created a great Paladin subclass! If you need a new subclass option for your character, check out their Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass:https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fMUSICIntro & Outro:'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)Die Hard Dice Promo:'Soar' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)World Anvil Promo:'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)DIE HARD DICEUse our promo code Kobold10 at checkout:https://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10WORLD ANVILWe are now affiliated with World Anvil. Use our link for 10% off:https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

How prepared does a GM actually need to be?This week on Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, we're digging into GM prep, from planning long-term campaigns and keeping track of player abilities to having a Plan B when the party murders the NPC who was supposed to give them the next quest.We talk overpreparing, underpreparing, mysterious dice rolls, adapting encounters when players are missing, keeping useful information at your fingertips, and knowing when to stop planning and let the players take the wheel.Because sometimes you've got an intricate campaign mapped out months in advance.Either way, the game goes on.OUR FRIEND TONIOur friend Toni has created a great Paladin subclass! If you need a new subclass option for your character, check out their Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass:https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fMUSICIntro & Outro:'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)Die Hard Dice Promo:'Soar' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)World Anvil Promo:'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)DIE HARD DICEUse our promo code Kobold10 at checkout:https://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10WORLD ANVILWe are now affiliated with World Anvil. Use our link for 10% off:https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

Every great RPG character begins somewhere.Maybe they’re inspired by a favourite film character, a relationship from real life, an old hero you never got to finish playing, or a bizarre idea that arrived fully formed at two in the morning.This week on Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, we explore where character inspiration comes from and what happens after that initial spark.We discuss building characters around contrasts, using real sibling dynamics to create believable relationships, playing the opposite of your previous character, and borrowing familiar ideas without simply copying them.Along the way, we encounter a laid-back adventurer inspired by Zangief and Ivan Drago, a warrior who doesn't realise he's been dead for fifteen years, a potentially horrifying Fey Pinocchio, Ghost Rider, Scooby-Doo party dynamics, and the extremely important question nobody asked:If the Star Trek crew were D&D characters, what would they be?Somewhere beneath all the tangents is a simple truth:Inspiration gives you the first version of a character. Playing them turns them into somebody new.Open the character vault, raid your favourite stories, and join us as we create several more heroes we'll probably never actually get to play.OUR FRIEND TONIOur friend Toni has created a great Paladin subclass! If you need a new subclass option for your character, check out their Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass:https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fMUSICIntro & Outro:'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)Die Hard Dice Promo:'Soar' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)World Anvil Promo:'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley, released under CC-BY 4.0.[www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au)DIE HARD DICEUse our promo code Kobold10 at checkout:https://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10WORLD ANVILWe are now affiliated with World Anvil. Use our link for 10% off:https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

Some RPG systems are a perfect fit. Others turn a fun game into homework, improv, or a GM test you never signed up for. If you’ve ever wondered why one game clicks instantly while another leaves you overwhelmed, this conversation breaks down exactly what to look for before you sit at the table.Shiv and Aely unpack the hidden reasons a system works or fails for different players, from narrative-heavy games that demand on-the-spot creativity to crunchy systems that need the right group, the right expectations, and the right amount of structure. They dig into what makes a system feel playable, what makes it feel stressful, and why the “best” game is often the one that matches how your brain actually works.Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fIntro & Outro'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for the DieHardDice Promo is'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for World Anvil Promo is'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auTo use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

The Fighter is not the “basic” class, it’s the smartest pick if you want a martial character that’s easy to play, hard to break, and wildly more versatile than people give it credit for. Shiv and Aely make the case for why Fighter is one of the best entry points into D&D, and why its simplicity is exactly what makes it dangerous.They break down why Fighters stay satisfying all the way from level 1, from Action Surge and Second Wind to the ridiculous combat turns you can pull off with the right build. Aely talks through favorite subclasses like Battle Master, Champion, Echo Knight, Cavalier, Eldritch Knight, Rune Knight, and even the underused Arcane Archer, while Shiv pushes the conversation into what Fighter could be if more subclasses leaned into tactics, leadership, and flair.If you’ve ever wondered whether Fighter is too plain to be fun, or you want inspiration for building a martial character with real personality, this one is essential listening. Simple doesn’t mean shallow, and this episode proves it.Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fIntro & Outro'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for the DieHardDice Promo is'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for World Anvil Promo is'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auTo use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

Solo TTRPGs are more than a backup plan when your group falls through, they might be the most flexible, creative way to play. If you’ve ever wanted to roleplay without scheduling headaches, tabletop prep, or waiting on anyone else, this episode opens up the world of solo adventures and why they’re quietly winning over players.Shiv and Aely break down how solo play actually works, from oracle rolls and narrative prompts to journaling games that turn you into both player and GM at the same time. They compare classic choose-your-own-adventure style games with newer systems like Ironsworn, Journey Garden, and The One Ring’s Strider Mode, showing how each one creates a different kind of experience.Whether you’re an experienced TTRPG player looking for a low-friction way to keep rolling, or a curious newcomer who wants to try roleplaying without the pressure of a group, this episode is a strong case for going solo. It’s creative, flexible, and surprisingly freeing, and it might be exactly what your hobby life needs right now.Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fIntro & Outro'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for the DieHardDice Promo is'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for World Anvil Promo is'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auTo use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

Most tabletop gamers are familiar with the classic D20 system, but the vast universe of dice mechanics holds far more secrets and surprises. In this episode of Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, Shiv and Aely explode the myth that D20 reigns supreme by dissecting unconventional systems like D10 pools, stress dice in Alien, the transformative Breathless mechanics, and the intricate custom dice of Star Wars: Edge of the Empire. They reveal how these systems enhance storytelling, heighten tension, and introduce fresh gameplay dynamics, whether you're a GM craving more narrative spice or a player looking for a thrill.Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909fIntro & Outro'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for the DieHardDice Promo is'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auMusic for the World Anvil Promo is'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.auTo use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10