We have prayed to the gods of battle and we are fully prepared for this episode! Join DMs Glen, Brian, and Fulongamer as they welcome back DM Erik Tenkar, and the OG co-host of this august podcast, DM BadMike! After catching up with what's been going on and answering a round of emails, the quintet digs into the plate of 2e goodness set before them.
First, they discuss the FR deity Tempus, and then they talk about one of the D&D staple monsters, orcs. Then, finally, they circle back around to Tempus as they Brainstorm a temple complex.
Email from DM Ghostzapper (request for Fulon's XP tracker sheet)
Email from DM Mike (seeking advice for handling larger groups)
Email from DM OldHeadAlan (character backgrounds)
You can find us on Facebook (Thaco’s Hammer Podcast, 2e AD&D Podcast), Instagram (THACOs_Hammer), Tumblr, and Threads (@thacoshammer). We are the flagship of our own podcasting network GamerNation Productions, and our episodes will be on Spotify under the name Thacos Hammer. We will be uploading our old episodes a little bit at a time, so please be patient. We have an RSS feed for the new location, and that address is: https://anchor.fm/s/f67dd77c/podcast/rss. We still have our old episodes on archive.org, and the address is: https://archive.org/details/episode_archive. It has been reorganized, so you can find episodes much easier now. If you are looking for our Actual Play (AP) podcasts, you can go to https://archive.org/details/HammersOfTheDuchySession0. You can also email the show at thacoshammer@gmail.com, and you can leave a voicemail for the show at 734-623-0832. Please indicate in the voicemail if you’re calling for Thaco’s Hammer, because the number is shared with another podcast.
Join our Discord server and interact with the staff as well as your fellow gamers!! https://discord.gg/PYVktbur
Also, we now have T-shirts thanks to Zazzle.com, and they are designed by DM Glen and DM Cory!! Get yours today! Here are the links:
Design by DM Glen: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_t_shirt-235437242428047038
Design by DM Cory: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_shirt_1-235721719516592459
Rule Zero - God Talk: Tempus
Snipe Hunt - Orcs: What they have been, where they are now
DM Brainstorm - Temple of Tempus
We’re calling a conclave for this episode! Join DMs Glen, Brian, Fulongamer and our very special guest, Erik Tenkar as they bring you another helping of 2nd Edition goodness! After a spirited round of emails, they turn to matters at hand. First they explore the world of the barbarian shaman, then they examine the workings of the firbolg, then take that a step further by brainstorming a firbolg village.
Email from Mike B. – 2nd Edition staying power, sound quality
Email from DM RoboRob – DM/player argument destroying a friendship
Email from DM OldHeadAlan – Intro, compliments, requests for FR Rashamen, Aglarond and Thay reviews
You can find us on Facebook (Thaco’s Hammer Podcast, 2e AD&D Podcast), Instagram (THACOs_Hammer), Tumblr, and Threads (@thacoshammer). We are now part of our own podcasting network, GamerNation Productions, and our episodes will be on Spotify and Youtube under the name Thacos Hammer. We will be uploading our old episodes a little bit at a time, so please be patient. We have an RSS feed for the new location, and that address is: https://anchor.fm/s/f67dd77c/podcast/rss. We still have our old episodes on archive.org, and the address is: https://archive.org/details/episode_archive. It has been reorganized, so you can find episodes much easier now. If you are looking for our Actual Play (AP) podcasts, you can go to https://archive.org/details/HammersOfTheDuchySession0. You can also email the show at thacoshammer@gmail.com, and you can leave a voicemail for the show at 734-623-0832. Please indicate in the voicemail if you’re calling for Thaco’s Hammer, because the number is shared with another podcast.
It’s here! It’s live! Join our Discord server and interact with the staff as well as your fellow gamers!! https://discord.gg/PYVktbur
Also, we now have T-shirts thanks to Zazzle.com, and they are designed by DM Glen and DM Cory!! Get yours today! Here are the links:
Design by DM Glen: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_t_shirt-235437242428047038
Design by DM Cory: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_shirt_1-235721719516592459
People Skills – Shaman (Complete Barbarian’s Handbook)
Snipe Hunt – Giant, Firbolg
DM Brainstorm – The Firbolg Village
Its our golden anniversary, and we commemorate it in grand style! Join DMs Glen, Cory, Fulongamer and Brian as they (finally) take a trip into the Forgotten Realms! Wasting no time, they get right into it and talk about the Forgotten Realms Boxed sets (along with a little bit of history), then from there they segue into the Forgotten Realms Adventures hardcover book. Next up they talk about one of the rare ivory/white splatbooks, the Player's Guide to the Forgotten Realms, then they have a discussion about what era to run a Forgotten Realms campaign. And to wrap up, they opine about one of the best supplement series for the Realms, Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast.
Gettin' Out of Dodge - Forgotten Realms Boxed Set
99% Perspiration - Forgotten Realms Adventures Hardcover
Its In the Book - The Player's Guide to the Forgotten Realms
DM's Rag - Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast
In this episode, join DMs Glen, Brian and Cory as they clean out the email inbox. After discussing what they have been doing in terms of gaming, they get right down to brass tacks. The first email is from Dennis Payne about saurials and how they handle the communication aspect of such, then a voice mail from long-time contributor DM Cojo who asks about energy drain and how the hosts handle it. From there, we have an email from Nathan Bouvier with questions and statements about dungeon design, spellbooks, turning an adventure idea on its ear and how the players and DM deal with it, and suggestions (kinda) on things he wants to hear us cover. Before we get to another one DM Fulongamer joins the fun, and they handle another voicemail from DM Cojo who asked about using dragons in combat.
Join us for a special show, as DMs Glen, Brian, Cory, and GoodMike from our sister show at the time, Save or Die as we delve into one of the historical green splatbooks!
First, they handle a couple of emails, then they wrap up their discussion about PC alignment and what happens next when there is an alignment change in the game (either voluntarily or involuntarily). From there they sharpen up their blades to talk about the various axes in the game. Then, they tackle the main topic, the Vikings Historical Reference, only to be joined by DM Fulongamer as he also weighs in on the supplement. Finally, they wrap up with a rather spirited discussion about Linnorm Dragons.
Emails: Labyrinth of Madness and determining magical items for a high level party/Exotic monsters as pets/Faith-based casting
Rule Zero: PC Alignment, Part III: Changing Alignment; What happens next?
Loaded For Bear: Axes (hand/battle/two-handed/bardiche)
Option Package: HR1, Vikings
Snipe Hunt: Linnorm Dragons
Its yet another grab bag of topics! Join DMs Glen, Brian, and Fulongamer as they attack this buffet of randomly selected topics! After tackling a few emails concerning game balance, The Sword of the Dales adventure trilogy and doling out experience points, they get to the main courses. First up they present part 2 of the PC Alignment discussion, but this time they talk about it from the DM's perspective. Following that, they opine about the ways they balance role-playing and action in the games they run, then from there they discuss the main two Polymorph spells, and then they cross the finish line with a review of the Deck of Encounters.
Rule Zero: PC Alignment, Part II: How do you run it? (DMs)
It's in the Book: Balancing action and Role-playing: Is it a juggling act?
Magic Fingers: Polymorph Spells (Self, Other)
DM's Rag: Deck of Encounters, Sets 1 and 2
The streak of a full compliment of hosts continues in this episode! Join DMs Glen, Fulongamer, Cory and Brian as they fulfill a couple of listeners' requests.
After answering and discussing the emails they talk about the Dwarven Battlerager, then they give their opinions about alignment from the player's perspective. Next, they finally wrap up the Whole Cloth multi-part topic of character creation, then from there they discuss the 1st level spell Identify. Then from there they share opinions about the formidable Yuan-ti, and then finally, by listener request, they give a review of the rather deadly adventure from Dungeon Magazine #37, The Mud Sorcerer's Tomb.
People Skills - Dwarven Battlerager
Rule Zero - PC Alignment, Part I: How do you play it as a player?
Magic Fingers - Identify
Snipe Hunt - Yuan-Ti
DM's Rag - Dungeon #37 - The Mud Sorcerer's Tomb
We’ve got the hammer and tongs ready for this episode! Join DMs Brian, Fulongamer and Glen as they explore the intricacies of the forge, and the rise of a new legend! After taking care of some emails, we put on the heavy apron and fire it up. First, they discuss the blacksmithing NWP and the differences between the Armorer and Weaponsmithing NWPs, then they continue their God Talk series by getting into the working of the Artificer, Gond. Then finally, they Brainstorm about a legendary blacksmith, and the myriad problems that he has.
Email from DM Derek – Using social media to enhance and move a campaign forward
Email from DM Chris – FR Dragons power upgrade, using anime as D&D sources, favorite supplement by TSR aside from the “obvious” ones, biggest “fun” mistake made as a DM
You can find us on Facebook (Thaco’s Hammer Podcast, 2e AD&D Podcast), Instagram (THACOs_Hammer), Tumblr, and Threads (@thacoshammer). We are now part of our own podcasting network, GamerNation Productions, and our episodes will be on Spotify under the name Thacos Hammer. We will be uploading our old episodes a little bit at a time, so please be patient. We have an RSS feed for the new location, and that address is: https://anchor.fm/s/f67dd77c/podcast/rss. We still have our old episodes on archive.org, and the address is: https://archive.org/details/episode_archive. It has been reorganized, so you can find episodes much easier now. If you are looking for our Actual Play (AP) podcasts, you can go to https://archive.org/details/HammersOfTheDuchySession0. You can also email the show at thacoshammer@gmail.com, and you can leave a voicemail for the show at 734-623-0832. Please indicate in the voicemail if you’re calling for Thaco’s Hammer, because the number is shared with another podcast.
It’s here! It’s live! Join our Discord server and interact with the staff as well as your fellow gamers!! https://discord.gg/nxj98Ms6
Also, we now have T-shirts thanks to Zazzle.com, and they are designed by DM Glen and DM Cory!! Get yours today! Here are the links:
Design by DM Glen: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_t_shirt-235437242428047038
Design by DM Cory: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_shirt_1-235721719516592459
It’s In The Book – Blacksmithing NWP
Rule Zero – God Talk: Gond
DM Brainstorm – The Blacksmith In Town AKA The Legend of Chuck
It’s a full house in the episode! Join DMs Glen, Cory, Brian and Fulongamer as they take on the issues of the day. After taking some time to catch up and tackling several emails, they start off with the controversial Bladesinger Kit from the Complete Book of Elves, then talk about when and how to check morale in combat.
From there they (finally) wrap up the first Whole Cloth topic, as they put the finishing touches on the characters they have created. Next, they talk about gear specific to the Bard, and then bring it home with a final discussion on the Night Below boxed set of both the third book in the set, and an overarching review.
People Skills - Elven Bladesinger
It's In the Book - Morale Checks (DMG, pg 98)
Rule Zero - Whole Cloth: Creating Characters part V: The Finishing Touches
Loaded for Bear - Spec Gear: Bard
DM's Rag - Night Below, Book 3: The Sunless Sea
Our foray into the Underdark continues with DMs Glen, Fulongamer and Brian. After a trio of emails, the guys talk about the saurial race and the challenges of playing said race, then they talk about the methods of learning other languages. From there they discuss the classic mage spell Fire Shield, special gear for the priest, and they finish up with a discussion of the second book of the Night Below boxed set, Perils of the Underdark.
People Skills - Saurials
Rule Zero - Learning Languages
Magic Fingers - Fire Shield
Spec Gear: Priest
Night Below, Book 2: Perils of the Underdark
It's time for the crew to journey into the Underdark in this episode! Join DMs Glen, Brian and Fulongamer as they delve into one of 2nd Edition's most interesting boxed adventures, Night Below, which will be handled in three parts. But first the fellas discuss an article in Dragon Magazine about PCs investing their funds, and then the sticky topic of how to deal with wishes as a player and DM. From there fencing weapons are discussed, then they wax poetic about one of the most noble and powerful creatures in all of the D&D multiverse, the Gold Dragon. Finally, the first part of a three-part series discussing the Night Below boxed set is broached, The Evils of Haranshire.
Its In The Book - How to invest your loot (Dragon #268)
Magic Fingers - Wishes
Loaded For Bear - Fencing Weapons
Snipe Hunt - Gold Dragon
DM's Rag - Night Below, Book 1: The Evils of Haranshire
We were supposed to run our AP Podcast, but we decided to do a show (and a rather silly one at that) instead! Join DMs Glen, Brian, Cory and a guest to the show, DM Allie (and a last-minute joining from Fulongamer), as they host a show on the spur of the moment! After an email concerning the character level to insert new players into a game with well-established characters and a voicemail about clerical spell freecasting, they turn to the topics at hand. First, they talk about how PCs should handle navigating and surviving underground, they immediately segue into player personalities and how to deal with them as a DM, then shift topic to the subject of time passing in the campaign. From there, they discuss one of the most sought-after 1st level wizard spells, Magic Missile, then finally they turn to one of the most common foes in the D&D multiverse, the Orc just as Fulongamer tags in for his commentary on the subject, and we set a new record for people on the podcast at once!
Its In the Book - Navigation Underground
Rule Zero - Player Personalities and how to Handle Them as a DM/Time in the campaign
Magic Fingers - Magic Missile
Snipe Hunt - Orcs
Join DMs Glen, Cory, Brian and making his own return, Chrispy as they discuss what to do with high-level characters who want strongholds! After a voicemail about running a high-level character through a solo game and an email concerning tips for painting miniatures, they delve into the topics. First up is the Castle Guide, then they guys turn to the topic of attracting followers. From there they discuss what to do as a DM when construction of the stronghold is completed, and then wrap up with a discussion about another D&D staple monster, the Basilisk!
Option Package - DMGR2: Castle Guide
People Skills - Attracting Followers: How do you handle it as a DM?
It's In The Book - What To Do When the Stronghold is Completed (PC retirement, further adventures, etc.)
Snipe Hunt - Basilisk
Hope you're hungry, because we have a veritable smorgasbord of 2e goodness! Join DMs Glen, Cory, Fulongamer and Brian at the table as they devour course after course. After an appetizer of an email regarding a whimsical magical item, they dig into the topic of healing rules, then move on the part IV of Whole Cloth where the kit out the characters they have made. With that digested, they turn to the rather controversial topic of using black powder, finishing just in time for the main course. First up is the Tanar'ri, the 2nd edition nomenclature for Demons, and struggle through the final course, the Planescape Boxed Set.
You can find us on Facebook (Thaco’s Hammer Podcast, 2e AD&D Podcast), Instagram (THACOs_Hammer), Tumblr, Threads and Twitter (@thacoshammer). We are now part of our own podcasting network, GamerNation Productions, and our episodes will be on Spotify under the name Thacos Hammer. We will be uploading our old episodes a little bit at a time, so please be patient. We have an RSS feed for the new location, and that address is: https://anchor.fm/s/f67dd77c/podcast/rss. We still have our old episodes on archive.org, and the address is: https://archive.org/details/episode_archive. It has been reorganized, so you can find episodes much easier now. If you are looking for our Actual Play (AP) podcasts, you can go to https://archive.org/details/HammersOfTheDuchySession0. You can also email the show at thacoshammer@gmail.com, and you can leave a voicemail for the show at 734-623-0832. Please indicate in the voicemail if you’re calling for Thaco’s Hammer, because the number is shared with another podcast.
GamerNation Productions Discord server coming soon!
Its In The Book - Healing (DMG, pp 102-103 2nd printing, Page 74 1st printing)
Rule Zero - Whole Cloth, Creating Characters IV: The Equipment
Loaded For Bear: Black Powder: Do You Use It?
Snipe Hunt: Tanar'ri (2e Demons)
Getting Out of Dodge: Planescape Boxed Set
Join DMs Glen, Cory, Brian and Fulongamer for this devilishly good episode! After listening and discussing a voice mail from longtime emailer DM Cojo regarding kits and new emailer regarding the Deck of Many Things, they get down to the meat and potatoes. First they continue the Whole Cloth series by selecting the Weapon Proficiencies and Non-Weapon Proficiencies, then they dissect (verbally) the Tiefling. After that, they discuss the necessity of creating new Non-Weapon Proficiencies and how to do so, then have a brief debate regarding the 2e spell damage cap. Finally, they talk about the Baatezu, better known as Devils from previous editions.
You can find us on Facebook (Thaco’s Hammer Podcast, 2e AD&D Podcast), Instagram (THACOs_Hammer), Tumblr, Threads and Twitter (@thacoshammer). We are now part of our own podcasting network, GamerNation Productions, and our episodes will be on Spotify under the name Thacos Hammer. We will be uploading our old episodes a little bit at a time, so please be patient. We have an RSS feed for the new location, and that address is: https://anchor.fm/s/f67dd77c/podcast/rss. We still have our old episodes on archive.org, and the address is: https://archive.org/details/episode_archive. It has been reorganized, so you can find episodes much easier now. If you are looking for our Actual Play (AP) podcasts, you can go to https://archive.org/details/HammersOfTheDuchySession0. You can also email the show at thacoshammer@gmail.com, and you can leave a voicemail for the show at 734-623-0832. Please indicate in the voicemail if you’re calling for Thaco’s Hammer, because the number is shared with another podcast.
GamerNation Productions Discord server coming soon!
Rule Zero - Whole Cloth: Creating Characters IIIa: Choosing the Proficiencies
Its In The Book - The Tiefling
People Skills - Making New Proficiencies
Magic Fingers - The Magical Damage Cap: For or Against?
Snipe Hunt - Baatezu (2e Devils)
We’re trying to get some privacy for this episode! Join DMs Glen, Fulongamer and Brian as they delve deep underground! After finding the email box empty, the guys break out the torches and descend into the earth. First, they talk about the interesting Tunnel Rat kit from the Complete Book of Humanoids, then they address the best ways of dealing with the darkness while traveling underground. Finally to wrap up the show, they play some favorites.
You can find us on Facebook (Thaco’s Hammer Podcast, 2e AD&D Podcast), Instagram (THACOs_Hammer), Tumblr, Threads and Twitter (@thacoshammer). We are now part of our own podcasting network, GamerNation Productions, and our episodes will be on Spotify under the name Thacos Hammer. We will be uploading our old episodes a little bit at a time, so please be patient. We have an RSS feed for the new location, and that address is: https://anchor.fm/s/f67dd77c/podcast/rss. We still have our old episodes on archive.org, and the address is: https://archive.org/details/episode_archive. It has been reorganized, so you can find episodes much easier now. If you are looking for our Actual Play (AP) podcasts, you can go to https://archive.org/details/HammersOfTheDuchySession0. You can also email the show at thacoshammer@gmail.com, and you can leave a voicemail for the show at 734-623-0832. Please indicate in the voicemail if you’re calling for Thaco’s Hammer, because the number is shared with another podcast.
GamerNation Productions Discord server coming soon!
Also, we now have T-shirts thanks to Zazzle.com, and they are designed by DM Glen and DM Cory!! Get yours today! Here are the links:
Design by DM Glen: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_t_shirt-235437242428047038
Design by DM Cory: https://www.zazzle.com/thacos_hammer_shirt_1-235721719516592459
Join DMs Glen, Fulongamer and Brian as they tackle a mysterious and well-known artifact, Baba Yaga's Hut! After listening to a voicemail from DM Cojo that sparked quite a bit of conversation, our hosts turned to the topics du jour. First, they discuss armors made of unusual metals as described in the DMG, then they talk about a 1st level fighter's best friend (because he can't afford platemail), splint and banded mail armors. Then they go on a Snipe Hunt (but not on their home terrain) for the Lizard Man and their ruler, the Lizard King. Finally, they get into the adventure module, Baba Yaga's Hut, and all of the mysteries contained therein.
Its In The Book - Armor Made of Unusual Metals (DMG, pg 37)
Loaded for Bear - Splint and Banded Mail Armors
Snipe Hunt - Lizard Man/Lizard King
DM's Rag - The Dancing Hut of Baba Yaga
It's all hands on deck for this mixed bag episode! Join DMs Glen, Brian, Cory and Fulongamer as they dive into a couple of emails before turning to the topics du jour. Then, they discuss the various methods of creating backgrounds for PCs or NPCs and continue Whole Cloth that was started last summer, only with Cory and Fulon joining in. From there they talk about one of the most dangerous (and rewarding) magic items in the D&D multiverse: the Deck of Many Things. After that, a rousing conversation about the dangerous Doppleganger take place, and then they wrap things up with a discussion about an oft-maligned adventure in 2e, Terrible Trouble at Tragidore.
People Skills - Character Background Methods
Whole Cloth - Creating Characters, part III: Choosing the class and proficiencies
Magic Fingers - Deck of Many Things
Snipe Hunt - Doppleganger
DM's Rag - Terrible Trouble at Tragidore (DM's Screen adventure)
Join DMs Glen, Cory and Fulongamer as they talk about one of the more useful and polarizing Player's Option splatbooks, Combat and Tactics. After a bout of emails, they get down to brass tacks. After discussing the C&T supplement as a whole they move on to the weapon specialization rules, discuss the optional battlefield rules, debate about the merits of using static combat initiative numbers from 3e vs. changing combat initiative numbers in 2e, and put a nice bow on the show with a discussion about the stick-like blunt weapons (staves, clubs, etc.)
Hits and Crits - Emails from Harmbringer (novice players) and Eduardo Alvarez (rakshasas and RM3, Web of Illusion)
Option Package - Combat and Tactics Overview
People Skills - Weapon Expertise/Specialization/Mastery
It's In The Book - The Battlefield (Chapter 3, pp 56-69)
Rule Zero - Static Initiative Numbers (from 3e) vs. Changing Initiative Numbers (1e/2e)
Loaded For Bear - The Beatsticks (Staves, Clubs, Nunchaku, etc.)
You heard about it, you knew about it, some of you even talked about it and finally, the time has come… DM Cory is back! After a long absence, DM Cory returns to the fold! Join him alongside DMs Glen and Brian as they welcome him back to THAC0s Hammer. As if he never went away, the guys dive right into the subjects of the day without missing a beat.
They take on the Cavalier kit from the Complete Fighter's Handbook, discuss the various magical girdles, talk about hammers in melee and missile combat, riff on the vicious Rakshasa, and wrap it up with a discussion about the first Fighter's Challenge adventure module.
People Skills - Cavalier Kit (Complete Fighter's Handbook)
Magic Fingers - Magical Girdles
Loaded For Bear - Hammers, Big and Small
Snipe Hunt - Rakshasa
DM's Rag - Fighter's Challenge 1