2 Kobolds in a Trenchcoat

Solo TTRPGs are more than a backup plan when your group falls through, they might be the most flexible, creative way to play. If you’ve ever wanted to roleplay without scheduling headaches, tabletop prep, or waiting on anyone else, this episode opens up the world of solo adventures and why they’re quietly winning over players.

Shiv and Aely break down how solo play actually works, from oracle rolls and narrative prompts to journaling games that turn you into both player and GM at the same time. They compare classic choose-your-own-adventure style games with newer systems like Ironsworn, Journey Garden, and The One Ring’s Strider Mode, showing how each one creates a different kind of experience.

Whether you’re an experienced TTRPG player looking for a low-friction way to keep rolling, or a curious newcomer who wants to try roleplaying without the pressure of a group, this episode is a strong case for going solo. It’s creative, flexible, and surprisingly freeing, and it might be exactly what your hobby life needs right now.

Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!
Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909f

Intro & Outro
'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the DieHardDice Promo is
'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for World Anvil Promo is
'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

To use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10
Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.

We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

Most tabletop gamers are familiar with the classic D20 system, but the vast universe of dice mechanics holds far more secrets and surprises. In this episode of Two Kobolds in a Trenchcoat, Shiv and Aely explode the myth that D20 reigns supreme by dissecting unconventional systems like D10 pools, stress dice in Alien, the transformative Breathless mechanics, and the intricate custom dice of Star Wars: Edge of the Empire. They reveal how these systems enhance storytelling, heighten tension, and introduce fresh gameplay dynamics, whether you're a GM craving more narrative spice or a player looking for a thrill.

Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!
Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909f

Intro & Outro
'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the DieHardDice Promo is
'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the World Anvil Promo is
'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

To use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10
Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.

We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

When is it worth creating something from scratch? How do you ensure your big boss leaves a lasting impression and keeps your players on their toes? If you're tired of cookie-cutter monsters and predictable battles, this episode is your ultimate guide to crafting encounters that captivate and challenge at just the right moments.
Discover how to turn simple creatures into unforgettable foes by blending or adjusting stats, resistances, and abilities, making each fight feel personal and significant. Get insights on how to experiment with layered tactics, unpredictable bosses, and even enemy evolutions that adapt to your players' strategies, ensuring combat stays exciting and dynamic.

Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!
Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909f

Intro & Outro
'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the DieHardDice Promo is
'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the World Anvil Promo is
'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

To use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10
Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.

We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

The darkness of space hides secrets and danger, unlike anything you've explored before. In this episode, Shiv dives into Coriolis: The Great Dark, a standalone sci-fi fantasy game set on a battered, mysterious asteroid city forged from the wreckage of a shattered civilisation. If you love cosmic horror mixed with hard sci-fi and riveting faction politics, this episode is your ticket to a new universe of adventure.

We break down the core rulebooks' intriguing lore, from the desperate Diaspora fleeing a war-torn universe to the dark secrets lurking in the ruins of the Builders, and how these elements create a universe teeming with stories that matter. Shiv highlights why Coriolis appeals to fans of Alien, Blade Runner, and Symbaroum, with mechanics that favour immersive narrative and high-stakes risk-taking. Whether you're hunting artefacts, avoiding cosmic corruption, or navigating faction rivalries, this episode shows why Coriolis is a must-have for players craving a rich, challenging space exploration experience.

Perfect for GMs seeking a gritty, resource-management-heavy game, or players drawn to cosmic horror and atmospheric world-building. If you’re ready to explore a universe where danger lurks behind every asteroid and hope is a fragile beam in the dark, this episode will leave you eager to roll the dice. Get ready for a new dimension of sci-fi storytelling that’s as beautiful as it is deadly, because in Coriolis, the dark is only the beginning.

Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!
Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909f

Intro & Outro
'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Special Track
'Machinery of the Stars' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the DieHardDice Promo is
'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for World Anvil Promo is
'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
To use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10
Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.
We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10

The secret to overcoming the world-building block might be simpler than you think, and it’s not just about grinding harder or waiting it out. When even seasoned creators hit a daunting wall, what’s the secret to breaking through? Aely's solo spin on this episode reveals how to turn frustration into fresh inspiration, even when prompts seem impossible to crack. If you’ve ever stared at a blank page, feeling stuck on generating new lore, characters, or entire worlds, this is your must-listen remedy.

Aely shares personal stories from her own creative struggles during a major world-building challenge, including how she tackled a controversial prompt about a lost will that defied her established rules. You'll discover specific techniques like "adjacent thinking," using world-building prompts creatively, and leaning on tools like random generators, and how to turn their randomness into a win. She breaks down the importance of writing buddies and why just having someone to bounce ideas off can shatter even the most stubborn blocks. Plus, the episode dives into common misconceptions, such as the idea that autism and world-building are not barriers but rather different ways your brain can thrive.

Our friend Toni has created a great Paladin Subclass. If you need a new subclass option for your character, go check out the link below!
Support our friend Toni and buy their subclass - Oath of the Ancestors Paladin subclass! - https://ko-fi.com/s/d8117d909f

Intro & Outro
'Rainbows' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for the DieHardDice Promo is
'Soar' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

Music for World Anvil Promo is
'Amberlight' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
To use our promo code, visit the link belowhttps://www.dieharddice.com/pages/_go_?ref=13711:1281321&discount=Kobold10
Or use code Kobold10 at checkout.
We are now affiliated with World Anvil. To use our code, click the link for 10% off! - https://worldanvil.pxf.io/Kobold10