Episode notes
In today's episode, Nick and the crew talk about their hot takes on the hobby.... and a movie review? In this episode, you'll discover: What Nick Thinks ALL players should do Shade's Anti-Rule Rhetoric Whether Franco likes the Cohen Brothers Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website → Patreon →…
Podcast
Tabletopped
Nick Perron · Leisure & Travel · English
Welcome game masters! Each week Nick Perron dives deep into the art of running role-playing games with guests experts to get tips for everyone from first-time players to seasoned veterans. Join us to find out what makes a great story and an even greater campaign!
More from Tabletopped All episodes →
-
S4 · E11 · 5 Oct 2026 · 45 min
Horror Game Master Tips: Building Fear in Your TTRPG Campaign
Want to run a horror TTRPG that actually scares your players? In this episode, we share horror game master tips for building fear, tension, and dread at the table, whether you're running Call of Cthulhu, D&D, or any other tabletop roleplaying game. We cover: How to build atmosphere and pacing in a horror campaign Using player uncertainty and limited information to create dread Balancing tension and release so scares land Whether you're prepping a one-shot for Halloween or a long-running horror campaign, these tips will help you run scarier, more memorable sessions. If you enjoyed this…
-
S4 · E10 · 21 Sep 2026 · 48 min
How to Get Non-TTRPG Players to Try Playing
In today's episode Nick talks to Alice Corvo about how to get someone who isnt a ttrpg player to try out the hobby. In this episode, you'll discover: What stops people from trying ttrpgs How to design for a new player What you can do to make the most inviting table possible Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website →…
-
S4 · E9 · 9 Sep 2026 · 50 min
Is Optimal Play Killing our Tables?
In today's episode Nick, Mac, and Danny talk about what is optimization in ttrpgs? Is it killing our tables? What does Optimal mean anyway? In this episode, you'll discover: Where optimal play comes from in ttrpgs Can you design for optimization and still have a diverse way to play? Are failure and optimization compatible? Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's…
-
S4 · E9 · 24 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
From the Vault: An Ode to Crunch - A Defense of Mathematical Storytelling
In this episode, we are pulling a favorite interview from the archives to talk crunch. Special guest Derek Kane-Gervais is interviewed as we dive deep into the world of rules-heavy RPGs and explore how probability curves, character optimization, and mechanical complexity can enhance rather than hinder the storytelling experience. 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:…
-
S4 · E7 · 29 Jul 2026 · 50 min
Practical Magic Systems: What Rules Matter?
In today's episode, Nick and the crew talk about making magic systems and enforcing "the rules" of "the world" and then pivot to talk about how this effects all decision making at the table. In this episode, you'll discover: What's important in a magic system What is a "hard" decision as a GM What happens when the tabletopped crew dont have a strict topic to follow Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! →…
-
S4 · E6 · 13 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 17 min
System Review: Daggerheart
In today's episode, Nick and the crew talk about Daggerheart! In this episode, you'll discover: How is Daggerheart different than other TTRPGs? Is it a good replacement for D&D? What makes this system great? Check out the Echoes of memory Discord HERE Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website → Patreon →…
-
S4 · E5 · 29 Jun 2026 · 52 min
Be True to Yourself: How to Be a Consistant Roleplayer
In today's episode, Nick and the crew talk about how to drop into your character in a comfortable way. In this episode, you'll discover: Why Nick has been having trouble with Roleplaying What to use as a character compass Are characters just whatever decisions you make? Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website → Patreon…
-
S4 · E4 · 15 Jun 2026 · 49 min
Backrooms and Liminal Spaces
In today's episode, Nick and the crew talk about how to build liminal spaces in your TTRPG campaign In this episode, you'll discover: What are liminal spaces? Ideas on how to run them. What is Franco's favorite Kurt Vonnegut Novel!? Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website → Patreon →…
-
S4 · E3 · 1 Jun 2026 · 57 min
This Is Important: How To Create Buy-In
In today's episode, Nick and the crew talk about how to get your players to take game events seriously. In this episode, you'll discover: How to create buy in Early vs late game tactics How can we as players help? Joining us is host Nick Perron in conversation with Shade, Franco, and Rio. Together, they bring their combined 75 years of ttrpg hobby experience to bear to answer your questions and talk about this hobby we love. LINKS! → Tabletopped's website → Patreon → Instagram →…
Take it with you
The Melo app keeps playing with the screen off, works in the car and on your watch, wakes you to your station, and browses the whole catalogue offline. Free, no ads, no account.
