The Dark Times: A Sci-Fi RPG Podcast

The Starfinder 2E GM Core is out! Sam and Stephen are having field days. This week they discuss the victory point subsystem introduced in the GM Core and how it has a big history in another favorite RPG of theirs: Star Wars Saga Edition. Don't forget! There's still time to enter our Rock The Stars Build Bounty! The new due date is NOW Tuesday, September 23rd at 12:00am PST. Please submit your Level 10 Starfinder Build w/ Bard Free Archetypes to our email below!Follow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unfortunately, this episode was recorded before the release of the Starfinder 2E GM Core. Tune in this week to hear about Exploration Mode in the Paizo ecosystem! Also this week, using the magic of forum posts, Sam and Stephen talk about narrative starship encounters! Don't forget! Our Rock The Stars Build Bounty is due September 9th at 12:00am PST. Please submit your Level 10 Starfinder Build w/ Bard Free Archetypes to our email below!Follow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Congrats to our Operative Build Bounty Winners Jack C and Marshall H! This week, Sam and Stephen talk about two current 1st edition exclusive Starfinder features and how they'd adapt them to 2nd Edition. Don't forget! Our Rock The Stars Build Bounty is due September 9th at 12:00am PST. Please submit your Level 10 Starfinder Build w/ Bard Free Archetypes to our email below!"Everything They Don't Teach You At Abdarcorp University", Contemplative Witchwarper by Lone Star StarfinderFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Starfinder 2nd Edition Player Core is finally here! This week, Sam and Stephen cover the traditionalist Kasatha. What's your favorite part of the Player Core so far? Don't forget to join our Patreon to vote on our Operative Build Bounty by Monday, August 11th, at 11:59pm. Our listener submitted builds are available at the link below.Galactic Operative BuildsFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special thanks to all the folks who submitted Galactic Operatives for our first ever Starfinder 2nd Edition Build Bounty! Join Sam and Stephen as they bite into these meaty builds and show you their juicy bits. Check out their submissions below and vote on our Patreon!Galactic Operative BuildsFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks Sarradi for providing an excellent post to talk about this week! Sam and Stephen talk about the why's and how's of hand-waving narrative logic for Starfinder 2nd Edition. Don't forget, our Smooth Operative builds are NOW due by July 15th 12am PST. These must have 1 level in Operative, be level 4, and contain either an Ancestry, Archetype, Background, or Faction from the newly released Galaxy Guide. Please send a PDF with a brief description of your build to thedarktimespod@gmail.com.Sarradi's Original PostFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shout out to the Starfinder from the Lone Star State for sending us a Build Challenge this week! This episode, Stephen talks about how to keep players immersed and caring about your world/homebase/ship or wherever you send player characters to after killing space goblins in space caves. Don't forget, our Smooth Operative builds are due by July 2nd 12am PST. These must have 1 level in Operative, be level 4, and contain either an Ancestry, Archetype, Background, or Faction from the newly released Galaxy Guide. Send a PDF with a brief description of your build to thedarktimespod@gmail.com.Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anyone like Jim Croce? Just me? Alright. Apologies for the late episode, Stephen is moving! This episode, Sam and Stephen talk about the Operative. Also thanks to Alex K for sending in Jchk, the Shirren Mechanic! Check their build out at the link below. Don't forget, our Smooth Operative builds are due by July 2nd 12am PST. These must have 1 level in Operative, be level 4, and contain either an Ancestry, Archetype, Background, or Faction from the newly released Galaxy Guide. Send a PDF with a brief description of your build to thedarktimespod@gmail.com.Jchk, Shirren MechanicFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Galaxy Guide is here! Sam and Stephen sink their fangs and other appendages into the Xenowardens and Astrazoans this episode! It's an incredible book with lots to enjoy. Support your favorite system by purchasing a pdf below or a physical at your friendly local game store!The Starfinder 2nd Edition Galaxy GuideFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holy Blorp! The Technomancer and Mechanic playtest dropped by Paizo! Sam and Stephen give you a meaty yet surface level look at these incredible classes, and how they change the game so far. Keep in mind this is a playtest, so they may change in the future. Also, Sam erroneously thought the feedback survey closed on April 30th, but in reality it closes on MAY 30th.Starfinder Tech Class PlaytestFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pronounced like Nebula and Caribbean... Get it? Whatever. This episode Sam and Stephen talk about the Galaxy Guide preview of the Space Pirate Archetype! Finally some good podcast food!Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Special thanks to u/WatersLethe for their Reddit post that inspired this episode. This week, Sam and Stephen talk about how genres may make gamemasters feel they have to pace their campaigns a certain way and why that's not the case.WatersLethe's Reddit PostFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sam and Stephen talk about their experience with NOVA! NOVA is a game about being badass mech pilots in a world where the sun exploded and shards pierced the earth. They also talk about WHY you should play more RPGs, and how that makes you a better storyteller AND gamemaster.NOVA by Gila RPGsLumen Jam 2Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Sam and Stephen talk about Paizo Live! More specifically, the preview at the upcoming Galaxy Guide, and how it provides insights on themes/genres for play, as oppose to fictional locations.Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Secrets of Magic gave us many things, but it especially gave us Time Mages. Sam and Stephen talk about the when and why of Timius Magius, aka the Time Mage.Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Witchwarpers! Truly the despised stepchildren of fate. This episode Sam and Stephen make sure you know all the cool perks of being the universe's plaything.Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TPKs! The Boogeymen of the TTRPG world. This week, Sam and Stephen discuss these potential outcomes of games and how gamemasters can equip themselves with all the tools to mitigate or avoid these nasty things entirely!Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year Dark Timers! We hope you had a good holiday season. This episode, Stephen goes into details on planets and how we can generate them, and what they really represent. In less impressive news, Sam brought a build!donjon SciFi World Generatoratomfullerene's Planet GeneratorStars Without Number & Sectors Without NumberMicroscopeTsching (The Sound of a Blade Being Drawn) Shirren Borai OperatorAlso Tsching PDFFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ho Ho Ho! Have you been a good listener? The Dark Times Podcast has brought you two new bundles of joy: Versatile Heritages! This week we talk about the Borai and the Prismeni, and what sets them apart from the average Vesk or Ysoki.Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode, we talk about HOW TO WRITE A CAMPAIGN! A question proposed by Lombarda on the Starfinder 2nd Edition subreddit. Thank you Lombarda! Stephen breaks down his Game Bible process, and goes into detail about how no campaign survives first contact with the players.Lombarda's Reddit PostFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/DarkTimesSWSEWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkBuy The Starfinder 2nd Edition Playtest Starfinder 2E SubredditSupport the showFollow us on Bluesky: thedarktimespod.bsky.socialWant to ask something/submit a build? Email us at: thedarktimespod@gmail.comLogo designed by: @MothPunkStarfinder 2E at PaizoStarfinder 2E SubredditSupport the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.