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Start A Quest!

Start A Quest!

By: Matthew Perkins & Sidney Icarus
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About this listen

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 :)

Matthew Perkins
Episodes
  • D&D spell cards should be more like UNO
    Apr 5 2026

    We break down TTRPG card mechanics through real examples. From Daggerheart and Zombie World to UNO and Index Card RPG. But why do most D&D spell cards miss the point?

    Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u3OA0dOsYog

    And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com

    ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼

    1. Matt's spell cards https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/173582/d-d-5th-edition-spell-cards

    2. UNO Draw 4 https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg

    3. Rock Paper Wizard https://www.unorules.com/http://unorules.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Uno-Action-Cards.jpg

    4. Zombie World https://magpiegames.com/collections/zombie-world

    5. Curse of Strahd https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/cos

    6. Through the Breach https://www.wyrd-games.net/through-the-breach

    7. Daggerheart https://www.daggerheart.com/

    8. Index Card RPG https://www.runehammer.online/index-card-rpg

    9. Decaying Orbit (Sidney's Game) https://storybrewersroleplaying.com/decaying-orbit/?v=8bcc25c96aa5

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    40 mins
  • Which RPG has the BEST chase rules?
    Mar 22 2026

    Why do most RPG chase scenes feel tedious? Because they focus on speed and distance instead of obstacles. In this episode we break down the difference between a chase and a chase scene, and why every great chase needs a swan.

    Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oD4YYSzkD0c

    And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com

    ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼

    1. Hot Fuzz chase scene https://youtu.be/cKt4YhasfBI?si=u-AF_OGk-zji8K5T&t=427

    2. Dogs in the Bark TTRPG https://www.olddog.games/Dogs-in-the-Bark

    3. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4E https://cubicle7games.com/our-games/warhammer-fantasy-roleplay

    4. Blade Runner TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/blade-runner-rpg/

    5. Alien TTRPG https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/alien/

    6. Band of Blades https://evilhat.com/product/band-of-blades/

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    38 mins
  • Fair combat does not exist in D&D
    Feb 22 2026

    Is D&D combat ever fair? We break down what “fair combat” actually means, how Dungeon Masters decide what monsters do on their turn, and why contest, challenge, and narrative lead to very different encounters. If you’ve ever wondered how monsters should behave in combat, this episode is for you.

    Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v9aPDlvKVfk

    And sign up for the newsletter: https://www.start-a-quest.com

    ▼▼ SOURCES MENTIONED ▼▼

    1. Kingdom Death https://kingdomdeath.com/

    2. The Monsters Know What They’re Doing by Keith Ammann https://www.themonstersknow.com/

    3. StarCraft (there's a wargame now!?) https://starcraft-tmg.com/

    4. Grimwilds TTRPG by Oddity Press https://linktr.ee/odditypress

    5. Kayfabe in wrestling https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kayfabe

    6. Gloomhaven https://cephalofair.com/pages/gloomhaven

    7. Gates of Krtstallia JTTRPG https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gatesofkrystalia-rpg/gates-of-krystalia-lumina-the-card-based-anime-ttjrpg?ref=profile_created&category_id=34

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    44 mins
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