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!
Latest episodes
May 23, 2024 • 37min
Episode 142 – Our Mount Rushmore of Gaming
Andy and Chris talk for a while about books and then talk about their own personal Mt. Rushmore’s of RPG Creatives:
May 9, 2024 • 32min
Episode 141 – How Do You Help Players with the Rules?
Do any of your players struggle to grasp the rules of the game you’re all playing? How can GMs help them? Andy and Chris discuss, along with discursions into the weirdness of everyday life and Andy’s recent GMing for a group of sixth graders.
Apr 25, 2024 • 60min
Episode 140 – Live from the AADL Game Con 2024!
Andy and Chris were on a panel with Phil Cameron at the AADL Game Con! We talked about “How to GM like a pro”. Thanks to everyone who came out! It was a lovely time. The panel is also on youtube if you want to watch us talk instead of listen.
Apr 11, 2024 • 33min
Episode 139 – When do you invite players to help you build the world?
Andy and Chris talk about sharing the narrative at the game table. It gets surprisingly philosophical! Also, Andy and Chris will be at the 2024 AADL Game Con on Saturday April 13th! Come say hi!
Mar 28, 2024 • 34min
Episode 138 – How Do You Spotlight Characters?
What does it look like to shine the spotlight on a particular character in a TTRPG? In this episode, we talk through some player feedback about our last episode, then move on to this important GMing practice. Show notes:
Mar 14, 2024 • 37min
Episode 137 – What Famous Person Would You Like to Game With?
Andy and Chris ponder what famous figure, past or present, would be most fun to have at the gaming table! We also check in on Andy’s Band of Blades game and Chris’ progress through The Lord of the Rings.
Feb 29, 2024 • 39min
Episode 136 – Band of Blades and One Gandalf is Enough
Join Andy and Chris as they talk about LotR and Andy’s Band of Blades game!
Feb 15, 2024 • 38min
Episode 135 – Dialect, Savage Worlds, and Campaign Length
Andy and Chris got to game in-person with each other! They talk about the experience of playing Dialect as a world building game for a campaign.
Feb 1, 2024 • 35min
Episode 134 – The Book of the New Sun, and Challenging Game Settings
We’ve all read books or watched movies that were difficult, but ultimately rewarding. With Andy having just finished Gene Wolfe’s Book of the New Sun, we talk about whether that kind of challenging but satisfying-in-retrospect experience has a parallel in RPG campaigns. What kind of value do we get out of dense, difficult settings and … Continue reading "Episode 134 – The Book of the New Sun, and Challenging Game Settings"
Jan 18, 2024 • 50min
Episode 133 — What Makes a Great First D&D Adventure?
As Andy prepares to run Stormwreck Isle, conversation turns to what makes a great D&D starter set or introductory adventure. What experiences do you think best embody D&D? Bonus content in this episode includes more discussion of The Thing, and (if you listen closely) the sound of Andy’s pet guinea pigs squeaking and chattering in … Continue reading "Episode 133 — What Makes a Great First D&D Adventure?"
