Tabletop Tangents

This episode, we talk about running Deadlands, the iconic setting that birthed the Savage Worlds system. We explore the balance between horror, humor, and history, the inevitable need for players to act like cowboys, and some of our experiences at tha table. Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face: https://open.spotify.com/show/...

This week we explore some of the parallels and fascinating aspects of sports as it relates to "our kind" of gaming. The game time decision of a con game, the psychology of performance, and our own experience as spectators and participants in various athletic endeavors. Stick with us, there really is something here worth talking about... Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX   Han Cluster...

This week, Chris and Tracy talk about the bells and whistles of gaming, whether it's an exquisitely produced board game like those from Chip Theory Games, or an amazing setup of 3D terrain, custom character sheets, and flawless minis like you'd get in a game by renowned Savage Worlds GM, Karl Keesler, we discuss what the "premium experience" brings to the table. And hey, we talk about those fancy...

This week we talk about the creation, management, purpose, and interaction with NPCs in our games. On the way we also tangent on "folding the fitted sheet" and Dot's crimes against nature when it comes to how she treats her books... Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ijwk9DT8ulqO8RVyrawhN Bit...

This week, we talk about our movie night marathon of the Oz movies, starting with Oz the Great and Powerful, progressing through the Wicked movies, into Wizard of Oz, and finally the uniquely creepy Return to Oz. Dot is an Oz scholar, and schools us as Chris and Tracy get everything wrong! Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face...

This week we talk about the different skills and strategies required of GMs when running one shots versus campaigns. Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ijwk9DT8ulqO8RVyrawhN Bite Size Tales: https://sites.libsyn.com/436095/site

This week Dot and Tracy talk about the contrast between the expectations of traditional and established genres, and the sometimes wildly different ideas of what we want to get out of them for ourselves. It's an esoteric conversation that delves into fantasy, sci-fi, cyberpunk, and horror. Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face:...

This week, Chris is absent, and Dot and I make him pay for it. After that, Dot and I discuss our favorite "feel good" movies, and the varied examples of what constitutes one. It's not just about listing them, it's about expressing why. Join our discord and be part of the discussion! Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face: https...

This week we talk about the trials and triumphs of pursuing creative endeavors. Our Discord: https://discord.gg/BFV9sJDDEX Han Cluster Sci Fi RPG: https://hancluster.com Resting Glitch Face: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ijwk9DT8ulqO8RVyrawhN Bite Size Tales: https://sites.libsyn.com/436095/site

This week, we talk about Bennies in Savage Worlds. It may seem simple, but Bennies are built into the game from the ground up, and do much more in creating the narrative at the table than just what the rules say on paper. We explore (and argue about) some of these subtleties, from the effect of Benny hoarding, to the effect they have on players and their heroes, to how and when they are given out....

This week, Dot is absent doing real-life work stuff, but Chris and Tracy soldier one, this time talking about Social Conflicts in Savage Worlds. We chat about how to set them up, when to use them, when NOT to use them, and best practices for getting the most out of them, even with shy players. Check out the Latest Han Cluster Adventure--The Lost Waltz by John Doom: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/...

This week, we talk about our personal gaming evolutions. From the very beginnings when we first started, what we learned and how it screwed us up. Then we move to our "adolescence" and into "maturity. The idea is to take stock of how we became the gamers we are, what we've gotten out of it, and what we're still hoping to explore. Join our discord and share your stories with us! Our Discord: https:...

In this episode, we tangent about all kinds of topics regarding con games versus home games, the difference in approach and style, introductions at the table about how much to say or not to say, and a particularly detailed "very special" tangent about Gen Con specifically.  Our Discord: https://discord.gg/2skmrtYyZU GoFundMe for our friend Aaron Acevedo: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-aar...

This is our first "movie talk" episode. We ask each other a few pointed questions about movies, what they mean to us, and share some pretty personal stuff in the process. The art we love helps expose who we are to both ourselves and to others, and we think that's pretty beautiful. Our Discord: https://discord.gg/2skmrtYyZU GoFundMe for our friend Aaron Acevedo: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-a...

In this episode we talk about some of the ins and outs of running combat in Savage Worlds, along with several tangents about GMing along the way. Our Discord: https://discord.gg/2skmrtYyZU GoFundMe for our friend Aaron Acevedo: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-aaron-acevedos-double-transplant-journey GoFundMe for Jodi Black's family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jodis-fight-against-pulmona...

This week we talk about reluctance and anxiety about running games, especially as a new GM. IThis nervousness never goes away, though, as Chris and Tracy attest. We talk about Dot's experiences with her first few games, and offer words of encouragement to those who feel that beautiful desire to share their love of gaming as a GM, but are paralyzed by fear and anxiety that they won't be "good enoug...

In our second episode we dive right into some of the amazing and not-so-obvious aspects of the Savage Worlds core mechanic. We explore running entire game sessions with only basic skill rolls, and talk about each of our introductions to the system (spoilers: it didn't initially click for Tracy!). This is an episode that should open the minds of both Savage Worlds beginners and seasoned GMs alike....

In our very first episode, we go over the purpose of our new podcast, introduce ourselves and explain a bit about our love for Savage Worlds, GMing, movies, and more! Welcome to Tabletop Tangents! Our Discord: https://discord.gg/2skmrtYyZU DTRPG Bundle for Aaron Acevedo: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/563946/aaron-ace-bundle GoFundMe for Jodi Black: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-jodi...