Tabletop Journeys
Tabletop Journeys
Tabletop Journeys
What 35 Years Behind the Screen Taught Josh Heath About Designing TTRPGs (Episode 271)
1 hour Posted Apr 10, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
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Show notes

What happens when a veteran designer with 35 years of GMing experience asks himself: "What if He-Man was a mechanic, not just a character?" The answer is Swords and Science, and Josh Heath of High Level Games joins us to break it all down.


Josh has spent decades studying how TTRPGs work, and that depth of knowledge shows in every design decision he made on this game. We dig into the Great Hero System, a brilliant concept that captures the DNA of 80s action cartoons like He-Man, She-Ra, Voltron, Thundarr the Barbarian, Power Rangers, and more. What evolves is a genuinely fresh tabletop experience where players aren't waiting to be the hero. They are the world the hero shows up to save.


🎲 In this episode:

The clever design problem Josh solved to keep every player at the table engaged

How the Great Hero System captures the feel of your favorite 80s cartoons mechanically

A deep dive into the dice pool system at the heart of Swords and Science

Josh's journey from lifelong He-Man fan to TTRPG publisher


Whether you're a seasoned game designer, an 80s cartoon enthusiast, or just someone who wants to roll dice and summon a legend at the perfect moment, this one's for you. πŸ—‘οΈβš‘


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πŸ”— Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode

Swords and Science: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/560739/swords-and-science-ashcan-edition

High Level Games: highlevelgames.ca


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