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PODCAST

Roll For Topic

GM/DM discussions on topics related to running tabletop games. Each episode is a 30-45 minute conversation about one specific topic chosen by rolling 1d10 on a table of topics. Roll for Topic"s regular cohosts are Andy Rau and Chris Salzman. If you or your GM is interested in being a guest, drop us a line!

leisure games

All Episodes

1:54:26

Holiday Special Part 1: Live Build-a-Dungeon (with...

Roll For Topic ·

2019/12/12

As a change of pace for the holidays, Andy and Chris team up with previous guest Kyle to design a dungeon one-shot on the fly! Will the end result be a masterpiece of adventure design or a hilarious trainwreck that features psychic whales, post-apocalyptic shopping malls, and something called a “hyperskeleton”? Tune in to find … Continue reading "Holiday Special Part 1: Live Build-a-Dungeon (with guest GM Kyle Latino)"

en-US

40:05

Episode 25 — How Do You Deal with Anxiety as a GM?

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2019/11/28

Call it stage fright, nervousness, or GMing anxiety, but all gamemasters must deal with it. What are some ways to minimize it? Andy and Chris discuss. Episode 25 appendix: Hotel Artemis. The Improv for Gamers book. The videogame Ion Fury. Junji Ito’s horror manga Uzumaki.

en-US

44:13

Episode 24 – Do You Read the Block Text in Your...

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2019/11/14

We’re joined by Aaron this week to talk about reading the written block text from adventures. When there’s block text in the adventure module you’re running, do you read it out loud? Verbatim, do you paraphrase, do you throw it all away because you know best?! Join us as we talk all about narrating at … Continue reading "Episode 24 – Do You Read the Block Text in Your Adventure? (special guest, Aaron)"

en-US

35:27

Episode 23 – How to Introduce Non-Gamers to Your Game

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2019/10/31

This week it’s just Andy and Chris jabbering about how to introduce non-gamers to your game. We talk about such things as: character creation, whether players should have to read the rules cover to cover, and when and how to introduce mechanics into the game. Appendix: The Adventure Zone’s MaxFunCon East Live show where they … Continue reading "Episode 23 – How to Introduce Non-Gamers to Your Game"

en-US

1:00:59

Episode 22 — How to Handle Doors in Dungeons (with...

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2019/10/17

Guest GM Al McWilliams joins Andy and Chris to talk about his Damage Dice Kickstarter, and to talk about the question that’s on every GM’s mind: How do you handle doors in dungeons? Episode 22 appendix: The Damage Dice Kickstarter project Gyld, Al’s company that makes cool gaming stuff Orcpub, a character generator for D&D … Continue reading "Episode 22 — How to Handle Doors in Dungeons (with guest Al McWilliams)"

en-US

50:51

Episode 21: What Elements from Other Media do You...

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2019/10/03

Audrey, who was on the show back in Episode 13, came back on to talk a bit about how the AADL RPG Fest went and then to help us think about what stuff from other media (videogames, movies, books, etc.) we bring into our tabletop games. Unsurprisingly a LOT of stuff came up in this … Continue reading "Episode 21: What Elements from Other Media do You Bring into Your Tabletop Games? (with Audrey Huggett)"

en-US

5:21

Episode 20 – The Shortest Episode: Running Halloween...

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2019/09/19

Andy is out sick this week so rather than skipping Chris decided to jump on the mic and blab about whatever struck his fancy for a few minutes, which happened to be running Halloween themed games! It’s only September; however, if you’re planning on doing something for Halloween now is the time to start prepping! … Continue reading "Episode 20 – The Shortest Episode: Running Halloween Themed Games"

en-US

44:02

Episode 19 — How to Run a Convention Game (with John...

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2019/09/05

Gamemastering a roleplaying game at a convention is a much different ball game than running for your home group. Guest GM John Corey returns as we discuss the fine art of running games at conventions! Episode 19 appendix: Ann Arbor District Library RPGFest U-Con Numenera Phoenix Dawn Command …which is different than Phoenix Command Dungeon … Continue reading "Episode 19 — How to Run a Convention Game (with John Corey)"

en-US

42:01

Episode 18 – 7th Sea Campaign Retrospective with Matt...

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2019/08/22

Matt, one of our first guest GMs, recently wrapped up a two-year campaign of 7th Sea, so we invited him back to reflect on what he’s learned. Also, we touch on the topic of using history to inform gaming. Episode 18 appendix: 7th Sea, second edition. 7th Sea, first edition. Eternal Lies.

en-US

24:45

Episode 17 – Reflections on Gencon 2019

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2019/08/08

As a change of pace from our usual format, we’re talking about Gencon 2019, from which Andy just returned! Chris and Andy discuss some GMing takeaways from the con. Episode 17 appendix (mostly games that Andy played at Gencon): Gencon, of course. The Mothership RPG. Band of Blades. Eclipse Phase. Cthulhutech. Delta Green. @geekteachin, who … Continue reading "Episode 17 – Reflections on Gencon 2019"

en-US

38:33

Episode 16 – How to Send Off a Player Who’s Leaving...

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2019/07/25

What do you do when one of your players has to leave the game for good? Hopefully, you give them a fun in-game send-off. Chris and Andy discuss what makes for a good farewell salute to departing players. Also: we want to hear your suggestions for topics to cover! Drop us a line if you’ve … Continue reading "Episode 16 – How to Send Off a Player Who’s Leaving Your Game"

en-US

41:26

Episode 15 – Theater-of-the-mind vs. Maps, Minis, and...

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2019/07/11

We’re joined by Murph to talk about how to bring the action at the table alive. Do you paint word pictures, or slap down some gorgeously painted miniatures? If you have any feedback, praise, or criticism, we want to hear about it! Visit our contact page for how to get your message directly to us. … Continue reading "Episode 15 – Theater-of-the-mind vs. Maps, Minis, and Other Visual Representations (with Murph)"

en-US

49:09

Episode 14 – How to Create and Use Monsters in a Game...

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2019/06/27

This episode we’re joined by Kyle Latino, our first returning guest (!), to discuss monsters. Listen as we all admit to just re-skinning existing monsters from the Monster Manual as needed. Episode 14 appendix: Fantasy Fun Council on itch.io – Kyle’s tables and supplements. Powered by the Apocalypse – the system all D&D DM’s secretly … Continue reading "Episode 14 – How to Create and Use Monsters in a Game (with Kyle Latino)"

en-US

39:45

Episode 13 — How to Prepare to Run a Roleplaying Game...

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2019/06/13

We’re joined by GM and librarian Audrey Huggett to talk about preparing to run an RPG. We also hear about Audrey’s successful efforts to bring roleplaying events to the library! Episode 13 appendix (aka show notes): Murder at Raccoon Ranch, a massive roleplaying/mystery event that Audrey hosted at her library. The In Between: Quest for … Continue reading "Episode 13 — How to Prepare to Run a Roleplaying Game (With Audrey Huggett)"

en-US

41:15

Episode 12 — How to Handle Randomness in Your Games

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2019/05/30

How do you incorporate random elements into your games? Do you rely heavily on randomness or do you downplay it? Andy and Chris discuss the fun (and occasional terror) that random elements bring to a roleplaying game. Episode 12 appendix (aka show notes): The D&D Starter Set, featuring the adventure “Lost Mines of Phandelver” which … Continue reading "Episode 12 — How to Handle Randomness in Your Games"

en-US

35:07

Episode 11 — How to Track Combat Details (with Jason...

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2019/05/16

What’s the best way to track and manage hit points and other details during an RPG combat scene? Guest GM Jason Matteson joins Andy and Chris to discuss this practical question! Episode 11 appendex (aka show notes): Habler’s Purse, a magic item that Jason created and makes available at the Dungeon Master’s Guide store (pay-what-you-want). … Continue reading "Episode 11 — How to Track Combat Details (with Jason Matteson)"

en-US

53:49

Episode 10 — How to Deal with Bored or Distracted...

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2019/05/02

What’s a GM to do when their players start getting bored or distracted during a game? Guest GM Greg Teachout joins Andy and Chris to discuss a challenge that every GM will face at some point. Episode 10 appendix: D&D 2nd and 5th editions. Pale Fire by Vladimir Nabokov. Save the Cat Writes a Novel … Continue reading "Episode 10 — How to Deal with Bored or Distracted Players (with Greg Teachout)"

en-US

47:26

Episode 9 — How to Manage the Power Level of an RPG...

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2019/04/18

How to you set the power level (and handle the power curve) in a tabletop RPG? Guest GM David Frees joins Andy and Chris to discuss. Episode 9 appendix (aka show notes): The D&D Expert Set. The Lore fantasy roleplaying game by GameFace Publishing (Dave’s game!). Hackmaster 5th edition by Kenzer and Company. Other games … Continue reading "Episode 9 — How to Manage the Power Level of an RPG (with David Frees)"

en-US

39:26

Episode 8 — How to Handle Consequences for Player...

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2019/04/04

What do you do when the PCs take actions that have severe consequences? How do you make sure that in-game consequences add to the game, rather than detract from it? Guest GM John Corey joins Andy and Chris to discuss! Episode 8 appendix (aka show notes): Microscope by Lame Mage Productions, one of John’s go-to … Continue reading "Episode 8 — How to Handle Consequences for Player Characters (with John Corey)"

en-US

49:55

Episode 7 — How to Keep Combat Scenes Moving (with...

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2019/03/21

It’s every GM’s worst fear: a combat scene that drags on forever as players lose interest. What are some tips for keeping combat scenes focused and interesting? Andy and Chris are joined by Caitlin Sanders to share their thoughts and experiences.

en-US

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