What We've Learned From Playing Ironsworn: Starforged | Podcast | Episode 1

Join myself and the amazing Steve Morrison of the Errant Adventures Podcast as we talk about what we've learned from 2 years and too many episodes of playing Ironsworn: Starforged.
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What’s that? You can download the original Ironsworn for free? I know, right? Get it here: www.ironswornrpg.com/

[@SentientSoup]

I have been playing solo Scarlet Heroes but now after watching you two I am under the impression your Compel move to sway us to play Starforged rolled a strong hit with a match!

[@thebadspot]

Do it!

[@shaneintheuk2026]

31:58 on the topic of getting random results that don’t feel right. I often think those rolls are just as important because they make you realise that you already have some strong views on what should happen next. A roll that is ’wrong’ is often followed by a ‘I wanted this’ which is what I go with.

[@thebadspot]

Yeah it’s a real “I don’t know what I want, but I know what I don’t want” type situation

[@drzachary]

I have a silly trick that has worked wonders for me. I’ll roll again, but I will record the first result in a list, because it’s just the Oracle answering a question that I haven’t asked yet! There will be a later point where, inexplicably, that initial unusable roll prompts the most narratively interesting action.

[@shaneintheuk2026]

It’s interesting that you get to road blocks and then rewind. Many of my games fail because I stop enjoying that scene or situation. I have short circuited stories by jumping forward and resolving everything in a single roll but I like the idea of rewinding better. Perhaps both have a place.

[@thebadspot]

I think so. It’s really what feels right in the moment I guess.

[@user-gz7gz6xm2j]

Definitely a good view. Not a bitter veteran gripe, but a good bit of contrasting views about your experiences. Thank again Bad Spot!

[@thebadspot]

Thanks for watching!

[@TroyBanks]

Two of my favorite Solo Artists, on one channel. Thanks for the convo. I started running my own table using Cairn. I don't do much prep. I just set up situations and see what happens. Thanks for all the great info. I especially like when you asked your player what do you see?....awesome.

[@thebadspot]

Awwww thanks for the kind words!

[@RollingOutlaw]

Great to see this as a video. Great convo and topics. I commented to Steve that I’d absolutely loose my mind and would love to see you guys do a quick co-op mini-series. You both got me to share this co-op GMing experience with my wife who absolutely loathes being ‘creative’ but loves playing ironsworn… where it almost becomes a puzzle and problem solving to make the oracles and plots make sense, it’s still being creative but it takes the immediate pressure off and just allowes you to enjoy something you never thought you’d be ‘good’ at.

[@thebadspot]

That is so awesome!

[@quikbeam03]

I'm in the middle of a DND game I'm dming where we've split the party into two groups of three who are now on different worlds. I'm considering using some Starforged mechanics for the next dungeon instead of planning it out in advance.

[@thebadspot]

That’s an interesting approach, let us know how it pans out!

[@luyandolove]

I hope this continues. I love the bad spot but what brought be to the channel was the other stuff you post! This seems right up my alley, especially as I have a Star forged campaign I’m setting up for myself soon

[@thebadspot]

We’re recording again next week!

[@MarkLittle-rq2bq]

I've done just about every genre to try and break the system (currently testing a Mech Space Opera - Meksworn) and so far I need to commend Shawn Tomkin on a surprisingly flexible game system. Regarding the overall lethal nature of IS/SF, it helps to only roll when there's a significant chance of failure. If not, don't roll - just narrate as you go. As far as the Oracle goes, I use them for inspiration only and do not permit irrational or illogical situations to occur unless such is the baseline for the campaign I'm currently running (i.e. - patently absurd where anything can, and most likely will, happen). I have rewound a few sessions as well...especially when the Oracle decides to throw something ridiculous my way.

[@thebadspot]

Meksworn! I need to see that in action…

[@st.johnmccloskey2612]

Great episode, I love this! Thanks Matt and Steve! Looking forward to the next one :)

[@thebadspot]

Awesome, thanks for watching!

[@OtakuShepherd]

This sounds like a great idea for a podcast! Hope you keep making more! 👍

[@thebadspot]

That's the plan!

[@tiantuatara]

You're making me want to go back to the most recent Starforged game I was playing. Thanks, this was fun.

[@thebadspot]

Do it!

[@shaneintheuk2026]

It’s really interesting to hear you articulate something that I have found when soloing after playing Ironsworn. It was already something I was thinking about because I really enjoyed SW because it tries to provide multiple mechanisms for challenges. Ironsworn/Starforged is more flexible because it’s almost freeform.

[@thebadspot]

Absolutely.

[@syncarn]

Great conversation guys! You definitely inspired me to play Starforged, and many lessons i have learned both from playing and watching have made their way to my dnd groups which has resulted in better games overall. Keep up the good work 🍻

[@thebadspot]

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@jimjones7980]

Is this podcast available anywhere as an audio feed that I can subscribe to with a podcatcher? You guys have great thoughts on the game and I'd love to be able to listen to it while on the go.

[@thebadspot]

I believe this episode is up on Steve’s feed. The others just live here I’m afraid!

[@macoppy6571]

How much of y'alls' character dialog is written before it is recorded vs. dialog that is directly improvised into the recording?

[@errantadventurespod]

Most of the dialogue in my show is improvised in the moment and then I edit out pauses or false starts. Very rarely do I "script" a scene other than my opening narration. That being said, it's a tool I may use more as I move forward.

[@thebadspot]

If mine is a quick scene, it's improvised, but if it contains important story information, or something specific, I'll write it ahead of time. I always try and keep the writing loose and don't overthink it!