Roll For Topic
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!
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 9, 2020 • 49min
Episode 41 — What Do You Do When You Feel Unenthused About the Game You’re Running?
Special guest (and former host) Chris joins Andy and John to talk about what you can do when you’re just not feeling very excited about your game.
Jun 25, 2020 • 49min
Episode 40 — How Do You Build or Choose a Setting for Your Game?
Do you like running games set in established, well-defined settings? Do you prefer coming up with setting details on the fly? Something in between? John and Andy talk through the big topic of finding or building the right setting for your game. Episode 40 appendix (show notes): RPG Alchemy Fate Condensed Dungeon World Swords Without … Continue reading "Episode 40 — How Do You Build or Choose a Setting for Your Game?"
Jun 11, 2020 • 40min
Episode 39 — How Do You Use Fear in Your Roleplaying Games?
What does fear look like when it crops up in your games, horror or otherwise? How can you use fear to motivate player characters and make for a fun, tense game? John and Andy discuss.
May 28, 2020 • 47min
Episode 38 — How Do You Use Maps in Your Game?
What role do maps play in the games that you run? While Chris is taking a few weeks of parental leave, Andy is joined by guest co-host John Corey to discuss the wonderful topic of maps. Note: the audio quality on this episode is a bit lower than our usual standard, for which we apologize; … Continue reading "Episode 38 — How Do You Use Maps in Your Game?"
May 14, 2020 • 46min
Episode 37 — How Do You Handle Character Death in a Roleplaying Game?
What do you do when a character in your game bites the dust? If character death happens, how do you work it into your campaign, and how do you address the topic with your players? Andy and Chris discuss this notoriously tricky subject.
Apr 30, 2020 • 39min
Episode 36 — How Do You Make Dungeons Feel Adventurous? (with John Corey)
Are the dungeons in your game mysterious, exciting experiences, or dull, slow-moving grinds? Andy and Chris are joined by John Corey to discuss ways you can inject a little bit of that “Indiana Jones” vibe into your dungeons.
Apr 17, 2020 • 39min
Episode 35 — How Do You Make In-game Travel Interesting?
Do you wince at the thought of roleplaying through a long journey? You’re not alone. Chris and Andy chat about what makes the difference between a travel sequence that is tedious, and one that adds something compelling to your campaign.
Apr 2, 2020 • 48min
Episode 34 — Social Distancing Special: How Do You Run an Online Game?
If you’re a GM stuck at home during this time of social distancing, you’re almost certainly giving some thought to running your favorite RPG online. What should you know going in? Andy and Chris are wondering the same thing, so they’ve convened a special panel discussion with returning guests Kyle and Murph to talk through … Continue reading "Episode 34 — Social Distancing Special: How Do You Run an Online Game?"
Mar 19, 2020 • 42min
Episode 33 – How do you run games when your group is just one or two players? (with Shel Kahn)
We’ve all been there. It’s game night and over the course of the day everyone is cancelling until you only have 1 or 2 players. Do you cancel? Do you play a board game instead?! Or do you embrace the smallness and see what happens? Shel Kahn joined us this week to roll on the … Continue reading "Episode 33 – How do you run games when your group is just one or two players? (with Shel Kahn)"
Mar 5, 2020 • 47min
Episode 32 – How Do You Handle Romance and Shopping in Your Games?
Donn Stroud joins us to talk about two things that are a major part of life that sometimes get missed in tabletop games: romance and shopping! Unsurprisingly, we had more to say about one of these things than the other. Appendix: Mothership and Dead Planet Lesser Key to the Celestial Legion – cowritten with James … Continue reading "Episode 32 – How Do You Handle Romance and Shopping in Your Games?"
