The GM Tim Rating System
Rate Your Next Adventure
The GM TIm's Rating System
Explore our unique rating system designed to help you guage the usefullness of the best books and movies for your next game night. Use the dice to help you discover hidden gems that can enhance your storytelling experience.
Why not just stars?
When l started the Appendix Lit: Book Club, I was trying to find new inspiration for my games while broadening my reading palatte. Because nothing is the same, there had to be some quick-form way to tell the difference between what was helpful and what wasn’t. The classic 1-5 stars style didn’t succeed its Insight check because it was too judgemental I wanted a subjective rating style.
Ask almost any gamer, they rarely play without a complete set of dice, even if they don’t need them all. I based my rating system on that. You might not use a d4 all the time, but it’s still in your collection – even if it’s not your favourite. This dice rating system places how likely we are to use whatever is inspiring from books, movies, or whatever, in games, not if it is ‘good’ or not.
The Rating System Explained
d4 – The Caltrop: These books are like the d4 dice—rarely used, still essential. They might offer the odd unique NPC or environment, though not for everyone.
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 appeal, much like the d8 dice. They cater to niche interests and provide fresh perspectives on familiar tropes.
d10 – The Dual Purpose: These books are versatile and just waiting for the right person to be inspired. They often blend the d6 and d8 qualities and leave you eager for more.
d12 – The Underrated: Like the dice these books are hidden treasures that feel good to use. They usually offer rich content and, once discovered, become indispensable.
d20 – The Powerhouse: These books are the cornerstone of any collection, capable of inspiring entire adventures. While comprehensive, and can sometimes be overused, they 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 and minning project.
We read it, now lets think about it.
Where we do the chatting about the books.