The GM Tim Rating System
Rate Your Next Adventure
Explore a unique way to help you gauge the usefulness of a book, or movies, play, song, might be used for your next game night. Forget star ratings, ignore critics who often think one way all the time. Instead, use the dice to discover hidden gems that could unlock entirely new adventures at your table!
Why not just stars?
I started the Appendix Lit: Book Club to find new inspiration for my games, while broadening my reading palate. As with anything rated, I needed a quick shorthand to tell what was helpful and what wasn’t. The classic 1-5 stars style didn’t succeed in its Wisdom (Insight) check because it was too judgemental. I needed a different style of subjective rating.
Ask almost any gamer and you’ll rarely find one who plays without a complete set of dice, even if they don’t need them all. I based my rating system on that. That d4 might not be used the whole session, yet it has a place in your collection. This dice rating system ranks how likely it is to spark something for a game. We try to avoid considering if it is ‘good’ or not.
The Rating System Explained
d4 – The Caltrop: These books are like the d4, rarely used and not always easy to handle. Still, they might offer one unexpected NPC, a weird setting detail, or a concept that sparks something when you least expect it. They may not be for everyone, they have a spot in your toolkit.
d6 – The Workhorse: Much like the versatile d6, these books are universally usable and often become staples in your collection. They are reliable and easy to reference.
d8 – The Cool One: These books stand out with their unique flavour, just like the d8 dice. They cater to niche interests and can introduce bold or fresh perspectives on familiar tropes.
d10 – The Dual Purpose: These books are adaptable and often serve more than one creative goal. You might even pull a system mechanic from them. They often combine the practical usefulness of a d6 with the creative spark of a d8, offering something for multiple play styles.
d12 – The Underrated: These books can be easy to overlook. Like the d12, they sit quietly in the background until they are exactly what you need. They offer deep value, rich content, or surprising inspiration once you spend time with them. Many become quiet favourites.
d20 – The Powerhouse: These books are the cornerstone of any collection, capable of inspiring entire adventures. Like the dice, these sources can be overused. However they are usually comprehensive rarely fail to deliver.
Full Set – The Complete Package: These books offer everything you need to craft full campaigns. They are the ultimate resource, providing endless inspiration and making you want to create epic adventures.
New TIMspiration project.
Using books to inspire our games!
Where we do the chatting about the books.