FEAR!!!

Greetings, citizens!

Ghosts and goblins everywhere...
Life's no fun without a good scare...
Come with us and you will see
This, the Coalition Deadboys Halloween special!



We're glad to present you with a special guest host today: the legendary Joe! It's great to welcome him back for this episode, especially given that we wanted to do something special for Halloween.

So, what is fear? What scares you? In a game, we're used to fighting goblins, kobolds, banshees and all sorts of hellish creatures, but does that really scare you? In this episode, we go through what a GM can do that can unnerve a player, if not outright frighten them. Also, we talk about what scares us in other media.

Sleep well, Citizens.
Carry on.

Episode 43 - Wait. What Happened to September?

Well, this sucks.

But I think all you out there in listener-land understand that September is a difficult time to figure out schedules for three people, what with college schedules, work schedules and life in general. Plus, when the CS leadership is sending you out on raids peacekeeping ops, we have to listen.

On tap for this week, we've got something a little different. Strictly speaking, it doesn't have to do with Palladium games, except peripherally. Some of the games you might expect based on our previous conversations, but you might be surprised by some of them.



Anyway, enjoy this week's episode. We're planning on getting back into a more regular recording schedule. I wonder how long it's been since I started saying that? If anyone can remember the first time, we can wire you 20 credits. All the rest of you are D-Bees!

Carry on, citizens.

Episode 41 - Archetypes we Love, Part One of … Many

Greetings, Citizens!

This week's topic is a beefy one, and one we know we'll not get to the end of in just one episode. So, we're going to break it up into several different parts. The trick is that we don't know when those other parts will come (Click the "archetypes" tag for the others as they become available).

Thieves. Tanks. Gandalf-ey wizards. Luke Skywalker. What do they all have in common? They're all based on a sort of archetype. In this episode, we start to scratch the surface of what archetypes we like and why we like them. Also, Matt gives us a good idea of what O.C.C.s and R.C.C.s are great fits for the type of character you might want to play. Well, as long as you tend to play along the same lines as Maddy and Jeff…


Carry on, Citizens!

Episode 40 - The Savage Rifts in Our Broadcasting Schedule

Hi, Citizens.

We really blew it last month, didn't we? I suppose it was inevitable, what with the end of the school year and all, plus trying to coordinate the schedules of three very busy people. Fortunately, Matt gets to do the coordinating. I (Jeff) just bring the computer and recording equipment.

Regardless, I'm sure you heard the news about the Rifts for Savage Worlds Kickstarter, which successfully funded (with over 54 times what they were aiming for). To be sure, it's an amazing time to be a fan of Rifts or any Palladium Books game.



Basically, we just spend a good share of the time geeking out about the fun times we've had in Savage Worlds systems, and things like that. It's a total nerdfest. But hey, that's what makes us fun, right? And Maddy's here, so she keeps Matt and I under control. Mostly.

Carry on, citizens!

Episode 39 - Cliques and You!

Greetings, Citizens!

So, first things first. Let's set the record straight. There are perfectly good explanations as to why we've not posted anything for such a long time. So the first: two weeks ago, I (Jeff) was going to post another CDAPS episode, but I had a seizure, and that threw pretty much everything off for me. It sucks, but they happen. Then in the middle of last week, I was planning to buckle down and get this episode ready and posted, I had a niece. She's cute as a bug, too.

Anyway, here we are again. We have the wonderful Maddy, the tolerable Matt and the insufferable Jeff in the CS broadcasting studio to discuss various aspects of cliques within roleplaying games and why they tend to pop up. Along with that, you'll get a taste of some of the epic fails we've seen as gamers and GMs in the past, too.

Again, I'm sorry about the delays. As fans of Palladium, we shouldn't be strangers to it, but it's still no fun when it happens. I'll try to do better in the future. (Kevin, please don't take that the wrong way. Love your stuff, keep it coming :) )

Carry on, Citizens!

Episode 38 - The Heat of Battle!

Greetings, Citizens!

Question: What happens when your favorite Deadboys don't manage to post an update to their blog for a freaking WEEK AND A HALF?
Answer: Two updates in a day! Woo hoo!

This topic is one we've been asked several times to address. What do you do to speed up combat?

Let's be honest, we all want the hot intensity of a Gorge R.R. Martin battle scene or some climactic battle from Brandon Sanderson, but sometimes the excitement of the scene falls apart because of a really slow pace. But that's not actually your fault, nor is it that of your players! Even the system isn't completely to blame. The real issue here is how you can work within the existing framework of the game to allow for the fast-paced, exciting battle you want.

Granted, we're not experts in … well, pretty much anything, but we've got some experience. We this episode will hopefully give you a few tips and tricks to speed up combat and make it more exciting while still maintaining the epic, heroic feel you're (probably) aiming for.

Carry on, citizens!

Episode 37 - History Lessons!

Greetings, Citizens!

Yes, I'm late. I know. I'm flaying the skin off my own back in penance right now. Again. I promise it won't happen for at least three more hours.

Anyway, we have a fun-filled episode for you today, and that's partially because it was left up to the Fates. Some of you (many?) have asked us to talk about some of Matt's previous games and flesh out the story lines and other things about the campaigns. Well, today's your lucky day!

As you can probably tell, we really enjoyed making this episode. You can probably also tell that we only scratched the surface with this one, so we're considering making it an occasional feature. That'll also make it so you can understand what's going on in our CDAPS episodes if things get too … rowdy.

Until next time,
Carry on, Citizens.

Episode 36 - We Suck, and That's Okay!

Greetings, Citizens!

The title kind of says it all, right? Everyone sucks at something (except for us--it's not like we're ever late putting out episodes…), and Matt brings a novel idea to the table this week: it's okay if you don't have mad skills in everything! We can all improve at something, even if we think we're perfect. Maybe especially then…

Except us. We're perfect.

So sit back and enjoy as we discuss some solid advice from Brandon Sanderson about … well, letting yourself suck.

Carry on, citizens!

Episode 35 - Reiterating, Chauvinism is NOT Cool

Greetings, Citizens!

Now, you may have read the title and read  a little snark into it. I'd be lying if I (Jeff) said I didn't intend any, especially with the chosen intro and outro music this episode. That being said, it isn't our intention to downplay or justify the overt (and sometimes not so overt) chauvinism and objectification of women within nerd culture. A Chainmail Bikini is NOT equal to an actual suit of armor!!  Recently, with such projects as The Hawkeye Initiative, this issue has gained a wider audience, but there's still a lot of ground to make up.

The Coalition States have long been held up as the standard for bigotry and inequality. But this podcast is going to make that leap and take a stand against the objectification of women, especially in "nerd culture," where it seems to be so pervasive. Another article you can take a look at is this one on the Artifice. Don't be intimidated by how long it seems--most of the page is made up of comments.

Please comment on this post. I know we didn't ask for any responses on this topic within the recording, but this is an issue that affects each and every one of us in the hobby. Whether you love or hate the scantily-clad images of post-apocalyptic females, your opinion on this matter is one that really can make a difference in the way people see our subculture.

Carry on, citizens.

Episode 34 - Why Do We All Love Bad Guys So Much?

Greetings, Citizens!

Sorry about the little technical glitch last week. We still don't know what the problem was, and we don't expect to ever find out. So, you can sleep better at night knowing that the Coalition States have all the technology you need, we just don't always know how to fix it when things go wrong.

This weeks episode is a lot of fun. Think of a villain. Go ahead. Now think about why you like him or her so much. There are a lot of different reasons for each person, and Nate, Matt and Jeff flesh out some of their favorite villains and why they like each one of them. It's a great discussion, and one that you absolutely won't want to miss if you feel that your villains are two-dimensional or are falling flat.

Carry on, citizens.

Episode 33 - The Deadboys' Top Ten RIFTS World Books

Season's greetings, citizens!

Yes, I know we're a bit behind schedule, but fear not! With that slight delay comes (what we hope) is one of our best episodes yet!

The three of us were all excited to discuss our top three RIFTS world books (although we didn't set out to focus on RIFTS…), and that excitement shows through in a big way. This episode is certainly one where we want your input and feedback.

PLEASE comment below and tell us what your favorite world book(s) are and why. There have to be more opinions out there than just ours. Alternatively, you can send us an email at coalitiondeadboys@gmail.com and let us know. You can also send hate mail/flame mail/feedback to that address, too.

Again, thank you for your patience, and have a happy holiday!

Carry on, citizens.

Episode 32 - Deutchland, Deutchland, Uber Alles!

Greetings, Citizens!

Today, we managed to make a trip across the Atlantic Ocean, and we're now in the beautiful New German Republic! And although they treat D-Bees with a little more respect than we do back home, it's almost like being back in Chi-Town! What with all the power armor … the three of us have been in mecha heaven!



Anyway, while recording this, the folks we hitched a ride with got a little tanked on the local brews and  are now in the hands of the Splugorth. Can't really say I'm upset about it -- those guys were jerks. But still… I'm not sure how we're going to get back to the CS now. We'll check in again in about two weeks.

Until then, carry on, citizens.

Episode 30 - Getting Back Together with Nate

Hello, Citizens!

Well, Nate is fresh back from the gaming show in Vegas, and he's here to tell us all about it. 

Unfortunately, I wasn't in on this one, so that's all I can say. I'll be just as surprised as you while I listen.

Carry on, citizens!

Episode 29 - Crit or Get Off the Pot!

Hello, citizens!

We're here again today to bring you a redux of what Matt learned at Salt Lake Comic Con at the feet of the master, Tracy Hickman. You know, the guy that's done more for the roleplaying hobby than anyone except maybe Gygax, Holmes or Steve Jackson. Essentially, the idea can be summed up as "crit or die," or what I like to call "crit or get off the pot."


We also solicit feedback from you about romance in your games and at your table. What have you noticed works well, not so well, or not at all? What makes things awkward? Do things get weird when a couple comes to the table and a romantic tangent comes along? Let us know what you think.

Carry on, citizens!

Episode 28 - Somebody Blew Up Our Recording Studio

Greetings, everyone!

Sorry this is coming out so late. As I explain in the episode, we had to record from the sub-sub-sub basement in a back quadrant of Section D, so you know what that's like. Kind of noisy and we only get mono recording capabilities. But be that as it may, we still wanted to get you something this week!



Realistically, there isn't much going on this week, as I'm still trying to establish a firm communications link with Palladium. As soon as that comes to life, I'm sure we'll be able to furnish you with a lot more up-to-date information and exciting speculation as to what's going to happen in the future. As it is, there are a lot of really fun things on the horizon, all of which will be great to stroke beards (real or imagined) for months to come.

As always, the Coalition States appreciates your time and loyalty. Keep checking back!
Carry on, Citizens.


P.S.: Last week's release of LOT16 is behind schedule due to the D-Bee attack. We've got people working at a fairly quick pace to repair the broadcast facilities so we can get that out, but we may not be able to put that out until a little bit later. Look for it next week, or at least an update as to what's become of it.

Episode 27 - The Deadboys are Going Rogue!

Hello again, Citizens!

First off, I (Jeff) want to apologize for this post being late. I've been having some technical difficulties and haven't been able to get it up until now.

So, here's the question of the day. How useful is a rogue, really? When you've got a barbarian that has an absurd amount of M.D.C., how big a role does a rogue character play within a party?



As Matt points out, Palladium makes a huge rules distinction between fighting classes like a barbarian and a roguish/thief class: one of the main ones is that if you want to play a roguish character, one thing you can't really do is get hit. Palladium is good about limiting the power of a rogue, but what about a barbarian? Listen as we chat about how other players can work with a combat-heavy character that can "discover" all the traps within a dungeon for themselves and contribute to the story.

Carry on, citizens.

Episode 25 - Like an Over-Saturated Super-Sponge

Greetings, Citizens.

Has it been two weeks already? The time really goes by quickly here in the Deadboys Studios.

Anyway, in discussing what to talk about this week, we came up with an interesting topic: what is it with all the superhero stuff? There are good points on both sides of the argument about whether we've got too much or not enough. But for the sake of argument, let's take a deeper look at it.



It's interesting to look at how the culture has come to dominate the media in the last ten or so years, but we should also be asking ourselves whether we're setting ourselves up to just get burned out. Being careful about re-running the same campaign is a given, but sometimes campaigns (especially in a game with a long-standing group) need some spice to them. Take a listen for what we have to say about this, and some good storytelling ideas, as well. As always, this is an interesting topic.

Carry on, Citizens.

Episode 23 - Metahumans Rising and Other Strangeness

Greetings, subjects!

And yes, you read that right. The Coalition has reorganized slightly, and you've all lost your citizenship. the best way to get it back is to back the Metahumans Rising Kickstarter, as it's the fastest and lets the CS know your information. Or we could get it the old-fashioned way. But that involves a lot more bullets, so it's better for all of us if you go look at the Kickstarter.

But today, you're in for a treat. We have with us the creator of said project, and he answers questions and gives insight into what makes Metahumans Rising such a great and unique game. (Spoilers: the mechanics are different than most games out there!) There are a lot of reasons to be interested in this game, and we were pleased to have him on the show.



After letting Dave get back to his normal life, the three of us (again, you read that right. Jeff and Matt are joined today by Matt's player, Lee) discuss different systems that we'd be interested in playing, the various reasons we'd like to play them, etc. In all, I think this is our best episode yet, and I hope you enjoy it!

Also, by way of housekeeping, we're planning on using this episode as this week's release, and resuming two weeks from Friday. That means you can look for a new episode on or very close to July 31.

Carry on, Subjects!

Short Hiatus and a Kickstarter Project

Hello, everybody.

Well, since today is Saturday, you probably guessed that something's a little off this week. Without getting too bogged down in specifics, let me just say that we weren't able to record an episode for you this week. :( However, we're planning on being back next week, and we're in the process of putting together an interview with the creator of Metahumans Rising, a project that's been on Kickstarter now for a couple weeks.

That's the other thing I wanted to mention in this week's blog--Metahumans Rising can provide players with a lot of similar experiences as Heroes Unlimited and its expansions, but it uses a different system. It focuses on the Bronze Age of comic books, and encourages players to experiment and flesh out their character's backstory with a mechanic called Willpower. This allows characters to do things they couldn't normally do, much like Force/Destiny Points do in FFG's Star Wars game. Another thing that Metahumans Rising offers is what the creator calls a "complete incomplete setting." The world is complete in that it has places and features like North America, full cities, corporations and organizations, but the world is also incomplete because it needs players and characters to function. At the GM's discretion, organizations, people, corporations and anything else can be changed or overlooked to serve the story, and therefore the world can be as broad or as focused as you and your group would like.

Personally, one of the things I look forward to seeing the most out of this game is the character creation aspect. I do like the fact that in Heroes Unlimited there's no beefcake guy out there with a big S on his chest that swoops in all the time. Fortunately, Metahumans Rising looks like it vies for a more balanced approach between external and internal conflict--something the very best comics are able to master beautifully.

If I haven't linked to it enough already, you can go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/housedok/metahumans-rising to pledge support for this project. It's going to be great.

Anyway, that's really all there is this week. As far as Kevin's weekly update, I'm going to assume he was on a caffeine high when he wrote it, since he says he was up until 3:00 A.M. finishing work on Robotech: Expeditionary Forces. That's work ethic right there. However, he also wanted to spread the word about the deadline extension for Christmas in July Grab Bags, now running through Monday. I personally haven't gotten one of these (funding issues), but have been assured that they are AMAZING to get. Therefore, I would encourage each and every one of you that has the chance to take a long, hard look into picking one (or two) of these up.

That's about all I have to say. Carry on, citizens.

Episode 22 - The Players of Atrophy

Greetings!

Today, we're back to our standard--just Jeff and Matt on this one, but we actually did a good job of it!



There were a lot of S.D.C. items this week, but the weekly update came out after we recorded, so we weren't able to analyze that. We also address listener mail before launching into the topic of conversation for the week.

The topic this week is simple, but it's one that not a lot of GMs want to discuss: players who aren't causing enough disruption to get themselves kicked out of the game, but enough of a ruckus to slow and stop the game in progress. Matt cites three specific archetypes he's seen, and we discuss the pros and cons of having each kind of player in your game, as well as some actual-play stories we remember from back in the day.

Anyway, that's it for this week. I hope the delay of a couple hours wasn't too onerous for you, fair listener.

Carry on, citizens.