Are you tired of players constantly metagaming and ruining the suspense in your tabletop role-playing games? Look no further, because in this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we delve into the world of secret rolls and how they can add a new level of excitement and uncertainty to your game. Whether you're a Pathfinder 2 or Dungeons & Dragons 5e player, we've got you covered with tips and tricks on how to effectively use secret rolls in your game. So buckle up, and get ready to take your campaign to the next level with the power of secret rolls.

Summary

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the use of secret rolls in tabletop role-playing games. We explore the mechanics of secret rolls in Pathfinder 2 and the lack of explicit rules for secret rolls in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. We highlight the benefits of secret rolls in preventing metagaming and creating suspense and uncertainty for players. We also provide practical advice for DMs on how to handle secret rolls, including paraphrasing information and lying when necessary. We discuss the use of secret rolls in knowledge checks and the potential for critical success and failure to reveal the outcome of the roll.

Overall, the episode emphasizes the importance of secret rolls in enhancing gameplay and creating a more immersive experience. In this conversation, Tyler, Ash, and Randall discuss the use of secret rolls in tabletop role-playing games, specifically focusing on Pathfinder 2e and Dungeons & Dragons 5e. They explore the benefits and drawbacks of secret rolls in different aspects of the game, including knowledge checks, hide and sneak actions, and social interactions. They also provide tips for building a homebrew campaign, including using random tables for inspiration and creating encounters with multiple monsters, interesting terrain, and complications. Overall, they emphasize the flexibility and creativity that secret rolls can bring to the game.

Links

• Cantrip Candles (Affiliate Link)

DnD 3.5 via d20srd.org

• Sense Motive

DnD 5e via DnDBeyond

• Deception
• Insight

PF2 via Archives of Nethys

• “Secret” tag

Previous Episodes

• 5-Room Dungeon

RPGBOT.net

• Encounter Builder

Other Stuff

• Asgard’s Random World Generator
• Kobold Fight Club
• Wattaboo.itch.io

Takeaways

• Secret rolls can prevent metagaming and create suspense and uncertainty for players.
• Paraphrasing information and lying when necessary can help DMs handle secret rolls effectively.
• Critical success and failure in knowledge checks can reveal additional information or lead to misinformation.
• Allowing players to metagame a little when they critically succeed can enhance the gaming experience.
• Secret rolls can enhance gameplay and create a more immersive experience. Secret rolls can add excitement and unpredictability to tabletop role-playing games
• Using secret rolls for knowledge checks can prevent metagaming and enhance the role-playing experience
• In hide and sneak actions, secret rolls can create tension and surprise for both players and GMs
• Social interactions can benefit from secret rolls, allowing players to make more nuanced decisions and adding an element of mystery
• When building a homebrew campaign, start with a setting or theme and gradually expand from there
• Encounters should include multiple monsters, interesting terrain, and complications to make them more engaging and challenging

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How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

• Twitter: @RPGBOTDOTNET
• Facebook: rpgbotbotdotnet
• Bluesky:rpgbot.bsky.social

Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
• Twitter: @GravenAshes
• YouTube@ashravenmedia

Randall James

• @JackAmateur
• Amateurjack.com

Producer Dan

• @Lzr_illuminati