SAQ is a fortnightly D&D and TTRPG podcast. Hosted by Matt (bald) and Sidney (they/them), based in Melbourne, Australia. Join the newsletter at www.start-a-quest.com (http://www.start-a-quest.com) :)
In this episode, we explore stealing numbers from real life, translating them into D&D mechanics, and using unexpected real-world objects and situations to create drama. We even consider a rule where every time you roll a 1, you give the Dungeon Master twenty bucks (for charity!).
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-iztlPiXMUA (https://youtu.be/-iztlPiXMUA)
And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com (https://www.start-a-quest.com)
▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼
1. The XCOM problem https://waxwings.com.au/ludosophy/some-models-are-useful (https://waxwings.com.au/ludosophy/some-models-are-useful)
2. Dread TTRPG https://www.tiltingatwindmills.net/games/dread/ (https://www.tiltingatwindmills.net/games/dread/)
3. Star-Crossed TTRPG https://bullypulpitgames.itch.io/star-crossed (https://bullypulpitgames.itch.io/star-crossed)
4. Geek & Sundry's Dread actual play https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3YWMXjfFA0&list=PL7atuZxmT954X1GShT_jOY98YgS04FA3B&index=3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3YWMXjfFA0&list=PL7atuZxmT954X1GShT_jOY98YgS04FA3B&index=3)
5. Don't Say Vecna https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1264-free-level-20-d-d-adventure-face-off-against-vecna (https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/1264-free-level-20-d-d-adventure-face-off-against-vecna)
6. Best Friends TTRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/20630/best-friends (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/20630/best-friends)
7. Masks TTRPG https://magpiegames.com/collections/masks (https://magpiegames.com/collections/masks)
18 Oct 2026
When should the DM give advantage, a bonus, or change the DC?
DC is for the world. Bonuses are for the character. Advantage and disadvantage are for the Dungeon Master. In this episode, we explore the “walled garden” of difficulty in Dungeons & Dragons.
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2O6VxSFFlKw (https://youtu.be/2O6VxSFFlKw)
And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com (https://www.start-a-quest.com)
▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼
1. Night Witches https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/night-witches (https://bullypulpitgames.com/products/night-witches)
2. Deep Cuts https://bladesinthedark.com/node/ (https://bladesinthedark.com/node/)
3. Index Card RPG https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg (https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg)
4. Matrix games https://www.bastionland.com/2021/04/matrix-games-from-rpg-perspective.html (https://www.bastionland.com/2021/04/matrix-games-from-rpg-perspective.html)
5 Oct 2026
This sheet is not your D&D character; it's just a stat block
D&D character sheets are supposed to help us play the game — but what if we’ve been designing them backwards? We look at D&D character sheet design, playtesting, and what games like Pendragon, Fate, and Zombie World can teach us about making character sheets actually matter at the table.
Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PSUL2YJe6EU (https://youtu.be/PSUL2YJe6EU)
And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com (https://www.start-a-quest.com)
▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼
1. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world (https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world)
2. Fate Core https://fate-srd.com/fate-core (https://fate-srd.com/fate-core)
3. Dungeon World https://www.dungeon-world.com/ (https://www.dungeon-world.com/)
4. XCOM 2 https://2k.com/games/xcom/xcom-2/ (https://2k.com/games/xcom/xcom-2/)
5. Pendragon https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon-rpg/ (https://www.chaosium.com/pendragon-rpg/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
16 ratings
Contact Start A Quest!
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
