What Would The Smart Party Do?

What Would The Smart Party Do?

The UK's Premier RPG Podcast

Episodes

June 28, 2025 61 mins

Gaz is joined by Unconventional GMs co-host Guy Milner to talk about great adventures, scenarios and other things for ttrpgs. There has been a lot of discourse recently about scenarios being the thing that defines a game or it's designers, so the lads romp through some old and new examples of what is a good (or suboptimal) adventure. Drop a line with your favourites!

Mark as Played

Dirk the Dice, genial host of the Grognard Files joins Gaz this time to talk about humble beginnings, the games we used to play and how that's changed over the years. The tables get turned part way through as interviewer becomes interviewee, but that's no bother as a lovely chat on all things gaming transpires.

You can listen to the Grognard Files here

See great examples of Actual Play at Unconventional GMs, including Dirk th...

Mark as Played
March 22, 2025 62 mins

The long-awaited return of Cold City and Hot War gives the lads a perfect opportunity to talk to designer Malcolm Craig about the new versions of the game, inspiration for cold war Berlin, a deep dive into lazy-GM mechanics and much more!


For an Actual Play of the new game in action, go to the Unconventional GMs youtube channel.


Check out more details on the games on the Handiwork website.

Mark as Played
January 29, 2025 64 mins

This time Becky Annison and Josh Fox of Black Armada Games join us to talk about the new edition of Lovecraftesque, GMless games, design and small press publishing.


Find out all about Black Armada on their website.

Check out fast-paced Actual Play at Unconventional GMs!

Mark as Played
January 20, 2025 58 mins

Gaz is joined by (Stunt Ben) Guy to talk about pacing in games. How do you manage pace and get the most out of your sessions?

Check out Unconventional GMs for pace-filled games!


Mark as Played
December 23, 2024 69 mins

Hi All

It's been a minute, we've had a lot to deal with on the home front, but I've pulled out the stops and got you some Stunt Bens in to chat about reviews in gaming - how useful they are and what we want from them.

Have a great festive season - all the best!

Gaz & Ben

Mark as Played
September 14, 2024 66 mins

With a new edition of D&D on its way, more evolution than revolution, what elements could be done differently? The lads dive into other games and new ideas to see what could make the hobby's big player even better.

Mark as Played
September 2, 2024 81 mins

How do you prepare a new game for running at a convention, event or just with your friends? Gaz is joined by Stunt Ben, Guy from the Burn After Running blog and Craig from Third Floor Wars to give you all the advice you need and more!

Mark as Played
July 27, 2024 65 mins

We were delighted to have returning guest Jason Cordova on to talk about all things Brindlewood Bay, The Gauntlet and more!


The Gauntlet

Feat of a Black Dragon

The Darkened Threshold

Burn After Running

Unconventional GMs

Mark as Played
June 13, 2024 70 mins

How much should players contribute to the ttrpg experience? How much are they allowed too? The lads discuss getting more out of your gaming sessions.

Mark as Played
May 8, 2024 54 mins

Live From the Spring Kraken 2024 in Germany, Gaz joined forces with game designer Robin D Laws and fellow Unconventional GM Guy Milner to give a seminar on running adventures games for ttrpgs.

If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new ⁠⁠Unconventional GMs YouTube channel⁠⁠.

Mark as Played
March 25, 2024 64 mins

How do you put more character in your #ttrpg character? You don't have to go full method actor, here are some simple and actionable ideas to get you started.
If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new ⁠Unconventional GMs YouTube channel⁠.

Mark as Played
February 8, 2024 64 mins

Episode 186 – What Games Workshop Can Teach Us

There's a lot of crossover between geeky hobbies, and with the lads both working for the big Games Workshop back in the day, what can skirmish games teach us about RPGs?


If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new ⁠Unconventional GMs YouTube channel⁠.


Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 62 mins

Episode 185 – Cities (aka Fantasy Tripadvisor)

After wandering the wilderness and diving down dungeons, plucky adventurers wish to go to an enthralling city. Maybe your entire campaign is based around one location. The lads explore various cities from ttrgps and the merits and flaws thereof!


If you dig actual plays played with vim and vigour, check out the new Unconventional GMs YouTube channel.

Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 72 mins

Episode 184 – Hot War, Cold City (with Jon Hodgson and Malcolm Craig)

Joining the ‘cast this time, Jon Hodgson of Handiwork Games and RPG author and academic Malcolm Craig. The Cold War period and monster hunting in Berlin come to the fore as the lads dive into Hot War and Cold City among other great games from the Handiwork studio!

You can find out more about Malcolm Craig here. And here are some links for Handiwork Games:
Hot ...

Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 63 mins

Episode 183 – Unacceptable! (a.k.a. It’s Not You It’s Us)

There are a plethora of gaming events to go to these days and you meet all kinds of people and playstyles. Often this is a cause for celebration, a way to pick up new ideas and techniques. Sometimes though, it’s suboptimal. There are still some people who haven’t got the memo about gaming with others, and this time the lads aim to set things straight.

Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 63 mins

Episode 182 – How To GM with Justin Alexander

The lads are delighted to have returning Good Friend of the Show, RPG producer and designer at Atlas Games, Justin Alexander. He’s got a new book coming out, available in all good purveyors of such things, So You Want To Be A Game Master. Join for great insights, some not seen or heard before on the Alexandrian (or maybe anywhere!) and to get a unique precis of what is in this fine work...

Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 60 mins

Episode 181 – Gaming in Ukraine with Tasha from idearoll

Fresh from The Kraken gaming retreat, the lads have met old friends and made new ones. Chief among those is Tasha from the idearoll youtube channel, who joins them this week to talk about gaming events, the scene in Ukraine and challenges of the current environment. A great episode full of enthusiasm and community spirit!

You can find the idearoll channel below (in Ukrainian)...

Mark as Played

Episode 180 – Shadow of the Weird Wizard with Rob Schwalb

Returning special guest Rob Schwalb, creator of Shadow of the Demonlord, Punk Apocalyptica, D&D designer and more, returns to the show to tell us all about his design process and work on his new Kickstarter, Shadow of the Weird Wizard.


The Kickstarter project page is here:

Shadow of the Weird Wizard.

If you dig actual plays, check out the new Unconventional GMs YouT...

Mark as Played
January 23, 2024 55 mins

Episode 179 – Pendragon 6e with David Larkins

Returning special guest David Larkins, Line Editor for the King Arthur Pendragon RPG joins the lads to talk about the new edition, it’s starter set and get back to basics on what Pendragon is all about for new players and old hands alike!

If you dig actual plays then check out the new ⁠Unconventional GMs⁠ for games played in about two hours!

Mark as Played

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