Tabletopped Podcast

Hey all! Check out Nick in Dice Legenz's most recent episode where Vahid and Nick talk about how to make BBEGs!

Dungeon Master Tip: Designing BIG BAD EVIL GUYS The BBEG (Big Bad Evil Guy) is usually the final, exciting conflict in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. In this episode Nick from Tabletopped Podcast shares cl...

In this episode, we're tackling one of the most controversial topics in tabletop gaming—and no, we're not talking about "edition wars" or "alignment arguments." The hosts explore the art and science of crunchy game mechanics, diving into why complex systems aren't the enemy of good storytelling but rather a powerful tool for creating memorable narratives.

Topics Covered:

•What "crunch" really means and why it's not a dirty word in TTRPG design
•The mathematics of drama: how probability creates tension and uncertainty
•Character building as creative expression and problem-solving artistry
•Systems that do crunch right: Pathfinder 2e, GURPS, and Shadowrun
•Debunking "crunch kills roleplay" and other common misconceptions
•The social contract of complexity: when to embrace or avoid crunchy games
•Teaching complex systems to new players without overwhelming them
•How constraints and rules fuel creativity rather than restrict it

In this episode, we’re diving into the things that have been living rent-free in our heads lately—from dice-rolling daydreams to late-night reading binges. We’re talking cyberpunk aesthetics, revisiting Neuromancer and what it means for TTRPG worldbuilding, plus some of the coolest new D&D monsters we've come across and how they could shake up your next encounter.
Whether you’re looking for campaign inspiration or just want to hear what kinds of media are fueling our creativity, this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:
•The legacy of Neuromancer and how cyberpunk still hacks our imaginations
•New and weird D&D monsters that could derail your whole party (in a good way)
•Books that are shaping the way we think about storytelling
•Indie game discoveries and TTRPG ideas we can’t stop noodling on

So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and come hang out with us!

Join our seasoned panel of GMs—Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade—as we draw from over 50 years of Game Mastering experience to help you find the next perfect obsession.

LINKS!
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Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Theme music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Mitch Poulin

In this week's exciting episode of Tabletopped, we boldly go where no gaming podcast has gone before! Join us as Nick sits down with game designers Al Spader and Michael Dismuke to discuss their work on the the second edition of Star Trek Adventures!

In the episode:
•Al and Michael share their journey from Star Trek fans to official game designers
•Deep dive into the core mechanics changes in Star Trek Adventures 2.0
•How the team balanced staying true to Star Trek lore while creating engaging gameplay
•The challenges of updating the original system while keeping what fans loved
Behind-the-scenes stories from playtesting sessions

Today's Guests:
Al Spader: Lead designer for Star Trek Adventures 2.0, Al has been with the project since its inception and previously worked on numerous acclaimed RPG supplements.

Michael Dismuke: Writer and game designer specializing in narrative development, Michael has contributed to multiple Star Trek Adventures sourcebooks and brings his passion for storytelling to the 2.0 edition.

GMs, assemble! We're tackling another listener question from the Discord today, and it's a doozy: who gets to add to a backstory and how do GMs avoid becoming the ultimate backstory buzzkill?

Join our seasoned panel of GMs—Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade—as we draw from over 50 years of Game Mastering experience to help you navigate the terrors of deep space gaming.

Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Today we are taking listener questions from the discord! We answer questions about running horror, what games we have been playing, the longest TTRPG breaks we've taken, and more!

Join our seasoned panel of GMs—Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade—as we draw from over 50 years of Game Mastering experience to help you navigate the terrors of deep space gaming.

LINKS!
→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tabletopped's website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
→ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Check us out on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!

Today we have the cast from the upcoming actual play podcast, "Undiscovered Countries: an Unplanned RPG Podcast." We talk about GMing as a group, Ironsworn, how to build a world together and so much more!

In this episode of Tabletopped, we delve into the haunting world of "Our Haunt," the atmospheric indie TTRPG that's been sending shivers down our spines! Join our seasoned panel of GMs—Nick, Franco, Rio, and Shade—as we dissect whether this game is worth adding to your tabletop collection.

Join us as we explore:
• Using your players to inspire story beats
• Prepping to your weaknesses
• Callbacks and when to use them

Today we are giving an episode of our Patreon only bonus pod away for free! out wherever you get Tabletopped!