Nerdcognito

By INFAMOUS Media GroupLeisure Games

Nerdcognito episodes

October 28, 2024NanoNerdcognito: Exiting Bad Apples from Your Game (overtime w/ Randy!)
Randy dropped in and the gang just couldn't keep it to an hour! Listen to the overtime segment where the topic turns to the dark side... what happens when you have to remove a player from your group. The old kick to the curb is necessary and a part of the hobby, but how do you and your table handle this unpleasant task? Listen for insight, tales of those who got the boot, and more.

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28 min
October 22, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 247: Pre-New System Player Prep; Randy Nichols Co-Hosts!
This week, friend of the show Randy Nichols sits in and talks with Ryan and Bert about preparations a player makes when tackling a new system, new table, or both. The boys talk their rituals and TTRPG "study habits." Of course, they get to talking and get caught up in the conversation -- so once the chat about the news finishes discussing the pop gaming media's grumblings, they have to table the final topic for the future. (Fear not, it will release as a bonus nano episode later this week!)

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The News:
Steve Jackson's Fighting Fantasy LIVES!
The D&D Movie is STILL Pulling Eyeballs
Horrible pop gaming media headlines

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1 hr 5 min
October 15, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 246: Where's The Line? How Much Shock Is Too Much?
Extreme violence. Naughty bits. Gore. Uncomfortable situations. How much is too much at the table? Where is there a line? IS THERE a line? The gang weighs in. The news includes some surprising 2024 DND PHB information kicking off the week's update. After the news, the guys discuss player engagement and how to keep the focus on the table instead of on their tablets.

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The News:
Dungeons & Dragons 2024 PHB shocker
Sea of Legends... deckbuilding?!?
Monsters with "drops"
Former Blizzard dev drops new "stare at a screen" game

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1 hr 12 min
October 08, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 245: No-Prep v. Full Prep Dungeon Mastering
Ryan David does no prep. Bert does a lot. Kyle is in the middle. What session prep style is best, how does prep affect a game, and what ramifications does it have for your group at the table? Some interesting news with a new contender to dethrone the "horse." After, a DND DM is looking for an exit... but is he not enjoying the game because he isn't really playing it?!?
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The News:
"What a cute abomination!"
LEGO meets a "real" board game
Ghibli printable poster/game
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Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:
Bedrock Games: bedrockgames.net
Pick up Strange Tales of Songling!
Print: https://studio2publishing.com/products/strange-tales-of-songling
PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/300445/strange-tales-of-songling
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1 hr 8 min
October 01, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 244: WotC "Fudging" Sales Numbers?; Welcome to Jack!
The 2024 DND Players Handbook is the best selling Dungeons & Dragons supplement... EVER?!? Really? We dig into the numbers that are available and have some questions and commentary. This week we also welcome the Lost Lore Scholar, Jack into his seat as the newest host of Nerdcognito! After the news, all four of your friends, Ryan David, Bert, Jack, and Kyle discuss how #GatekeepingIsGood and why the mechanics of a system can actually vet your players.
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The News:
"New" Greyhawk maps
Drow can't be evil! Drizzt was wrong!
Ginny Di monetizing the stupidity of her fans
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Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:
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*We earn a small commission for each Amazon purchase at no additional cost to you!
1 hr 7 min
September 24, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 243: Comedy TTRPGs; WotC Allows Mid-Combat "Time Outs!"
The show picks up where we left off last week -- talking about comedy TTRPGs. Can funny have legs? Is a long-term comedy campaign sustainable? Then, we get buried in the news this week starting with a deep discussion on 2024 DND's new "time out" cleric spell; the one that allows you to short rest during a combat. Plus, woke warriors are forming yet another sensitivity reader company to give game designers a big progressive thumbs up. SweetBaby for tabletop?

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The News:
Wizards of the Coast further 'supers' D&D
Cultural approval, Indian-giving style
Rayman on the table?
Would you run 5e?
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1 hr 5 min
September 17, 2024Nerdcognito - Epiode 242: TTRPG Character Creation Chatter!
The gang pivots from talking about WotC, woke, or faux warrior drama this week and puts on their player character hats. What mindset, procedure, and thought process go behind the making of a character for D&D or any other TTRPG? Three very different perspectives and practices that offer insight into their game -- and hopefully yours! Plus, an extended trip through the news means we have to bump talk about comedy games until a future show!

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The News:
DND licensed Dice Cups from a great dice maker
Pre-generated "Boss" encounters at the table
Final Fantasy XIV TTRPG
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*We earn a small commission for each Amazon purchase at no additional cost to you!
1 hr 4 min
September 10, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 241: Not a Hero's Feast for the Eyes!
The Hero's Feast artwork from OneDND is the most Wizards of the Coast thing WotC has done... this week. We pick it apart, talk about "why?", and have a general good time because YouTube sensation The Dungeon Delver, Mr. Bill Silvey is guest hosting this week! This, plus one or two abysmal Reddit takes and the news makes for a great conversation about the hobby with lots of laughs!

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The News:
D&D Lifestyle Brand... Beer?
"I want to autokill everything..."
Cosplay at Universal Studios
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Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:
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1 hr 7 min
September 03, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 240: WotC to "Revise" Keep on the Borderlands; Building Intrigue as a DM
Continuing the path of destruction and erasure of the OG creators of D&D, Wizards of the Coast has announced that the new DND 5.5/OneDND starter set will include a new version of B2: Keep on the Borderlands, but "updated for modern audiences." Why are they intentionally scrubbing or rewriting classic content that has no need for revision? Then, after the news which includes even MORE reimaginings, the gang talks about how you can build layers of intrigue, mystery, and engagement as a Dungeon Master for the players at your table!

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The News:
...not just "Keep"
Diablo IV borrowing from D2!
Darkest Dungeon 2 meets XCOM?
That (cardboard) Treasure Chest (notebook) is a MIMIC!
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Grab The Village of Greenhaven for your table!

A complete forest town with NPCs, events, environments, shops, surroundings, and lots of random tables!

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/465184/The-Village-of-Greenhaven?affiliate_id=3908211

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Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:
Shop Amazon and Support the Show: https://amzn.to/3djotja
*We earn a small commission for each Amazon purchase at no additional cost to you!
1 hr 6 min
August 27, 2024Nerdcognito - Episode 239: WotC Forces OneDND on EVERYONE Using D&D Beyond
Well, Wizards of the Coast (with lots of Hasbro fingerprints) has stuck it to fans again -- this time, their 5e base. WotC has chosen to force the shift to OneDND and will auto convert all materials in D&D Beyond to the new platform, once again breaking their word about backwards compatibility. The SparkleTroll crowd is NOT happy. Can we utilize this move to save one or more 5e darlings and bolster our corner of the hobby? A detailed discussion between Ryan, Bert, and Kyle; and the stances the three take about saving (or not saving) the mainstream will surprise you!

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The News:
Civ VII Going Back to Basics
Dinosaurs and Knights!!
Games Workshop AI Hypocrisy
Pathfinder Wants Creators' Money!
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Grab The Village of Greenhaven for your table!

A complete forest town with NPCs, events, environments, shops, surroundings, and lots of random tables!

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/465184/The-Village-of-Greenhaven?affiliate_id=3908211

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Episode Sponsors and Affiliates:
Shop Amazon and Support the Show: https://amzn.to/3djotja
*We earn a small commission for each Amazon purchase at no additional cost to you!
1 hr 5 min