Jud Kossum

Discover five tabletop RPGs that nail the gritty, low-magic feel of Sword and Sorcery better than D&D 5e ever could. ** Check out https://ScrybeQuill.com ** While D&D is the king of heroic high fantasy, its mechanical bloat and high-powered spellcasting often clash with the pulp traditions of authors like Robert E. Howard and Michael Moorcock. If you want to trade world-ending stakes for desperate survival, class-based skill trees for raw ingenuity, and balanced encounters for brutal consequences, it’s time to look beyond the d20 monoculture at systems actually built for the genre. Get the games: ============ CASTLES & CRUSADES PDF: https://bit.ly/3NWEz56 Physical: https://amzn.to/4tnAy8y ============ STREETS OF PERIL PDF: https://bit.ly/4vfYVHl Physical: https://bit.ly/4bPUnQj ============ BLACK SWORD HACK PDF: https://bit.ly/4m8KWyQ Physical: not currently available ============ VAGABOND PDF: https://bit.ly/4sa7Bw4 Physical: https://bit.ly/4seGjol ============ BARBARIANS OF LEMURIA PDF: https://www.ludospherik-editions.com/en_gb/barbarians-of-lemuria/ Physical: https://amzn.to/48jWYiX More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ============ Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ============ Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ============ Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ============ My website: https://shortreststudios.com ============ My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shop D&D, DCC, my video equipment and more in on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off dice and accessories at https://MistyMountainGaming.com with code shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off at Into the AM: https://intotheam.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 5% off at Zyltech: https://www.zyltech.com/?aff=138 ============ Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest ~~~~~~~~~~~~ We dig into the mechanics of five standout titles, including the streamlined "SIEGE Engine" of Castles & Crusades, the lethal dice-pool combat of Streets of Peril, and the old-school DNA of Black Sword Hack. I’ll also break down why Vagabond is the perfect bridge for modern players and why Barbarians of Lemuria remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of rules-light, cinematic S&S action. From 2d6 task rolls to career-based skills that replace clunky proficiency lists, these games prioritize narrative momentum and atmospheric tension over tactical math. Stick around for the honorable mentions where I shout out heavy hitters like Dungeon Crawl Classics and Hyperborea. Whether you're a GM looking to prune the "superhero" feel from your table or a player craving a barbarian-versus-the-world vibe, these recommendations will help you capture that classic fantasy feel. Don't forget to check out the links below for Scrybe Quill to automate your session notes and join our community on Patreon to support more deep dives into the TTRPG world. 00:00 Intro 00:55 Number 5 - Castles & Crusades 03:39 Number 4 - Streets of Peril 05:20 Number 3 - Black Sword Hack 06:48 Number 2 - Vagabond 09:11 Number 1

Combat in Draw Steel outshines D&D by reimagining nearly everything, but there’s still one thing 5e does better. ** Back The Scorched Basin on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/homieandthedude/scorched-basin?ref=7xtkoj ** Join the Adventurers Guild at https://patreon.com/shortreststudios or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCychTZf1Z2Womi56s_Ddk9w/join Where Dungeons & Dragons leans on tradition, MCDM’s Draw Steel tears down the old assumptions and builds something bold, fast, and tactical. From the moment combat starts, players aren’t just rolling dice—they’re making strategic choices that shape the flow of battle in a way 5e can’t quite match. More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ============ Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ============ Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ============ Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ============ My website: https://shortreststudios.com ============ My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shop D&D, DCC, my video equipment and more in on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off at Into the AM: https://intotheam.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off at https://MistyMountainGaming.com with code SHORTREST ============ Get 5% off at Zyltech: https://www.zyltech.com/?aff=138 ============ Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest ~~~~~~~~~~~~ One of the biggest changes comes with Draw Steel’s initiative system. Instead of each player waiting on their own turn in the order, sides alternate, and the group chooses which hero acts when. That means players can coordinate abilities, create combos, and actually plan together. Add in the game’s 2d10 “Power Roll” mechanic and the result is combat where attacks never miss—every strike lands, every ability matters. Unlike 5e’s swingy “whiff and wait” moments, Draw Steel ensures every roll has an impact, whether small, moderate, or massive. Perhaps the most game-changing shift, though, is how Draw Steel flips the idea of resources. While D&D is a grind of dwindling hit points and spell slots, Draw Steel rewards victories by making heroes stronger as the day goes on. Characters build momentum through Heroic Resources tied to their class, while the GM gains Malice to keep monsters dangerous. The effect is a combat loop that grows more dynamic and cinematic the longer adventurers fight. Yet even with all these innovations, D&D still holds one edge: those unpredictable, swingy dice moments that make the table cheer. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Reimagined Initiative 03:02 Dice Mechanics 04:39 Resource System 08:57 What D&D Does Better #mdcm #drawsteel #dnd #dnd5e

I talk with Pirate Borg creator Limithron about 5e bloat, the OSR, battle maps, ship combat, and his latest Kickstarter! Back it here: http://bit.ly/4fH2orh * Join the Adventurer's Guild for the full unedited interview at https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios * We discussed why the pirate genre is the perfect cure for modern tabletop exhaustion, moving away from "5e brain" expectations where every answer is stuck on a character sheet. By stripping away heavy mechanics like attacks of opportunity and constant perception checks, GMs are empowered to make rulings on the spot, allowing for an open-world, video-game-inspired flow that prioritizes the rule of cool and memorable, high-stakes storytelling. https://www.limithron.com Buy the Pirate Borg Core Book Physical: https://amzn.to/4xaxQVX PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/441728/pirate-borg-core-book?affiliate_id=3260793 Buy the Pirate Borg Starter Set Physical: https://amzn.to/4pQqiFz PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/555993/pirate-borg-starter-set?affiliate_id=3260793 * Join the Adventurer's Guild at https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios * The technical breakdown of the system focuses on meaningful design shifts, such as introducing a fifth Spirit stat to prevent "god stats" and replacing traditional magic scrolls with more dangerous, unpredictable arcane rituals. Luke explains how he cracked the code on naval combat by blending wargaming elements with roleplaying efficiency, ensuring every player has a meaningful action during ship battles. These design choices are built for busy adults who need information design that is clear and efficient, inspired by the "bullet list" philosophy found in games like Mothership, making the game accessible with as little reading as possible. The discussion also dives into the art of creating functional battle maps that offer multiple routes and strategic heights without cluttering the GM’s table with unnecessary props. Beyond the mechanics, the focus remains on why failure is essential to the TTRPG experience, creating cinematic moments that are far more interesting than simple success. From the philosophy of information hierarchy to the exclusive reveal of the "Parrot Borg" pamphlet adventure, the goal is to show how freeing yourself from crunchy, balanced RPGs allows for a more chaotic, fun, and ultimately memorable session at the table. Chapters 00:00 Escaping 5e Rules Bloat 00:44 Why Pirates? 01:28 The Cure for "5e Brain" 03:12 Solving the Ship Combat Problem 06:05 Reimagining RPG Magic & Stats 07:45 The Pirate Map Collection & Encounter Atlas 11:01 Luke’s Core Design Philosophy 12:44 The Best GM Advice 14:01 Why Failure is Actually Fun 15:06 Exclusive Scoop 16:04 Final Thoughts More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ============ Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ============ Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ============ Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ============ My website: https://shortreststudios.com ============ My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shop D&D, DCC, the gear I use to make these videos, and more in on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off dice and accessories at https://MistyMountainGaming.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest ~~~~~~~~~~~~ #PirateBorg #OSR #DnD #TTRPG #GameDesign

These D&D alternatives are designed for speed, offering skeletal rulesets, d6-only mechanics, and lightning-fast character creation that won't make your players crash out. Whether you want a d20-based system that feels familiar or a completely new framework, these games prove that moving away from 5e doesn't have to be a daunting quest. Buy the games: Dragonbane -------------------- Physical: https://amzn.to/3T8YyzC PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/418106/dragonbane-core-set?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ EZD6 -------------------- Physical: https://www.ezd6.com PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/397599/ezd6-core-rulebook?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Cairn -------------------- Physical: https://amzn.to/4bg4E7J PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/500476/cairn-player-s-guide-2nd-edition?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shadowdark -------------------- https://www.thearcanelibrary.com/collections/shadowdark-rpg ============ Nimble -------------------- https://nimblerpg.com ============ Knave -------------------- Physical: https://shop.swordfishislands.com/knave-2e/ PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/484910/knave-second-edition-2e?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Five Torches Deep -------------------- https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/264584/five-torches-deep?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Barbarians of Lemuria -------------------- Physical: https://amzn.to/48jWYiX PDF: https://www.ludospherik-editions.com/en_gb/barbarians-of-lemuria/ ============ Mörk Borg -------------------- Physical: https://amzn.to/3CV0KCZ PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/295910/moerk-borg-english?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Index Card RPG -------------------- Physical: https://amzn.to/4fi8tue PDF: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/366519/index-card-rpg-master-edition?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Explore games like Dragonbane, Shadowdark, and Nimble, each rated by how easily your group can transition from traditional fantasy mechanics. From the grimdark, stylish world of Mörk Borg to the DIY flexibility of Index Card RPG, these systems prioritize creativity and minimal GM prep over complex math. You'll find free quickstarts and rules-light options that range from 7-page PDFs to comprehensive box sets, ensuring there is a perfect fit for every type of adventuring party. Diving into these D&D alternatives allows you to focus on the story rather than the rules, with systems like Cairn and EZD6 offering deep tactical gameplay without the bloat. By going with a streamlined TTRPG system, you can get back to what matters: epic heroics, dangerous monsters, and unforgettable sessions at the table. Discover 10 RPGs that are fast as lightning compared to a sluggish D&D session. * Get 10% off dice and accessories at https://MistyMountainGaming.com/shortreststudios * * Join the Adventurer's Guild at https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios * CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:31 Dragonbane 01:51 EZD6 02:57 Cairn 04:11 Shadowdark 05:42 Nimble 07:44 Knave 09:21 Five Torches Deep 10:56 Barbarians of Lemuria 12:15 Mörk Borg 14:14 Index Card RPG More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ============ Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ============ Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ============ Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ============ My website: https://shortreststudios.com ============ My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shop D&D, DCC, my video equipment and more in on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest ~~~~~~~~~~~~ #TTRPG #DungeonsAndDragons #Dragonbane #Shadowdark #TabletopRPG #RPG #DND5e #MorkBorg

D&D has a "superhero" problem. While modern 5e focuses on high-power builds and predictable monsters, many players are craving the dark, lethal grit of classic pulp fantasy. I sit down with Joseph Wolf, a.k.a. Reaper Wolf, lead designer of Reaper Miniatures’ new RPG, Dungeon Dwellers. We discuss why modern games often feel like "Marvel AD&D" and how Dungeon Dwellers "fixes" the grit by removing the predictability of dragons, ditching rigid skill systems, and introducing a terrifyingly tactical initiative system. * Join the Adventurer's Guild at https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudios * Reaper Miniature's Website: https://www.reapermini.com/ Get the Dungeon Dwellers Player's Guide: https://www.drivethrurpg.com//product/571121/dungeon-dwellers-roleplaying-game-player-s-guide?affiliate_id=3260793 0:00 - The "Marvel-ization" of D&D 00:30 - Dungeon Dwellers 01:51 - Predictable Monsters Kill the Magic 03:38 - The Psychology of Scary GMing 05:21 - An RPG Like a "Peasant Stew" 06:28 - Why Joe Ditched the Skill System 08:34 - The Most Terrifying Initiative System 10:41 - Building the Perfect Monster (Tucker's Kobolds) 12:52 - A Tribute to Ed Pugh: The Mageslayer 14:49 - Does it Deliver the Grit? If you love Lankhmar and Conan, or you're just tired of your players never feeling truly scared, Joe makes a compelling case for why Dungeon Dwellers might be exactly what your table needs. Watch Next: https://youtu.be/k-_p0gYBUuM More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ============ Get 10% off dice and accessories at https://MistyMountainGaming.com/shortreststudios ============ Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ============ Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ============ Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ============ My website: https://shortreststudios.com ============ My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ============ Shop D&D, DCC, my video equipment and more in on my Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ============ Get 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudios ============ Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest ~~~~~~~~~~~~ #DnD #TTRPG #DungeonDwellers #ReaperMiniatures #OSR #TabletopRPG #ShortRestStudios

Kobolds—small, weak, and barely a threat, right? Not if you're running them correctly. Get 10% off your order at IntotheAM.com/ShortRestStudios https://patreon.com/ShortRestStudios We’re diving deep into what made Tucker’s Kobolds so deadly and how you can make your own D&D kobold encounters unforgettable. The Monsters Know What They're Doing: https://amzn.to/449k3Un MOAR! The Monsters Know What They're Doing: https://amzn.to/3FQrhm6 (More ways to support the channel below!) There’s a legendary Dungeon Master story about "Tucker’s Kobolds"—a group of terrifying, lowly kobolds that outmaneuvered, outsmarted, and outright humiliated high-level Dungeons & Dragons adventurers. These weren’t special kobolds with buffed stats or homebrew tricks. They were just played right. And if you use the same tactics in your D&D game, your players won’t just be fighting kobolds—they’ll be fearing them. More ways to support Short Rest Studios! ========================== Join this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCychTZf1Z2Womi56s_Ddk9w/join ========================== Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.me ========================== Short Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shop ========================== Join the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbe ========================== My website: https://shortreststudios.com ========================== My DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793 ========================== Shop D&D, DCC, my video equipment and more in on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudios ========================== Get 10% off at Into the AM: https://intotheam.com/shortreststudios ========================== Get 5% off at Zyltech: https://www.zyltech.com/?aff=138 ========================== Get 20% off with Homie and the Dude: use code ShortRest at https://hatdbuilder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We’ll break down key tactics—like ambushes, traps, and overwhelming numbers—that turn these creatures from cannon fodder into a genuine nightmare. Kobolds are weak, but they know they’re weak, and they use every dirty trick in the book to survive. Your players will never underestimate them again. So grab your DM screen, because we’re about to turn these scaly little underdogs into the stuff of legend. Whether you're running 2014 or 2024 D&D 5e, these strategies work—and they’ll make your players think twice before chasing a “harmless” kobold into the dark. Stick around for some expert tips, and if you love tactical monster play, make sure to hit like and subscribe for more ways to keep your players on their toes! 00:00 Kobolds are weak? 00:35 Change the way you run monsters 01:08 Tucker's Kobolds 03:23 How would they behave? 05:27 Overwhelm them with numbers 08:14 They want to win!