Essential Builds Archive

Welcome to Essential Builds, also known as How To Build Your Pop Culture Essence20 Player Characters.  Inspired by the live action remake currently in theatres, and by Rob’s review of Warrenguard yesterday,I decided to build the most popular dragon...

It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity. Or remorse. Or fear. And it absolutely will not stop—ever—until you are dead.  Assuming you are its target.  Even if you aren’t, your odds of...

I’m bringing Luke Skywalker to Essence20, like his father before him.  Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that does or does not turn popular culture icons into Essence20 Player Characters, but does not try.  In my Darth Vader build,...

You think I can’t bring the Dark Lord of the Sith to Essence20? I find your lack of faith… disturbing.  Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that turns popular culture icons to the Essence20 side of the force.  There...

When snakes threaten WWEternia, the Masters of the WWE Universe turn to Sgt. Slaughter, the Heroic Sergeant-At-Arms! Welcome to Essential Builds, maggots! This blog that turns popular culture icons —sometimes more than one mashed together— into Essence20 Player Characters. ...

It’s a good thing Essence20 settings are team-based, because today’s build needs a friend. Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that ties Essence20 strings to popular culture icons and makes them dance.  I’m Ryan Costello, one of the designers...

This build isn’t Steve Rogers! You’re right. It’s not.  Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that slaps wings on popular culture icons so they can soar into Essence20.  I’m Ryan Costello, one of the designers of the Essence20 system...

She’s here to eat nuts and kick butts, an attitude that helped her canonically beat some of Marvel’s biggest villains.  Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that turns unbeatable popular culture icons into bushy-tailed Essence20 Player Characters.  I’m Ryan...

Just to be honest up front, if you are a big Ultraman fan, you might be disappointed in this entry.  I know less about Ultraman than any other subject I’ve covered for Essential Builds (the blog that turns popular...

Hey, look! A Dungeons & Dragons build! Welcome to Essential Builds, the blog that turns popular culture icons into Essence20 characters, even if they’re characters from another RPG.  I’m Ryan Costello, one of the designers of the Essence20 system...