Tabletop Tune Up

In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about the highs and lows of critical results. Whether it's a natural 20, an exploding damage die, or an incredible result on an old school crit chart, these extraordinary results can create extraordinary moments at your table. Join us as we discuss various options for critical success, and some of the pitfalls to watch out for when your dice turn on the players as well.

Character death in RPGs can be a gut punch — but it's also one of the richest storytelling tools in the game. Whether it's a heroic sacrifice, a tragic misstep, or the fallout of a risky choice, death can add weight, emotion, and legacy to your campaign — if handled well. In this episode, we explore how to turn character death into drama, story, and worldbuilding gold. Learn how to prepare for it, frame it with narrative power, and let it echo long after the final breath.

Running a game with a large table can feel like wrangling a small army—but it can also be hugely rewarding if you know how to manage the challenges. In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about the hurdles that come with oversized groups: scheduling nightmares, spotlight imbalance, scaling encounters, and keeping everyone engaged. From coaching player discipline to clever encounter design, we'll share tips for keeping the game moving, making sure quieter voices don't get lost, and balancing the chaos of extra characters. Plus, we'll talk about the surprising benefits—like bigger stories, wild synergies, and the joy of bringing all your friends to the same table.

This week Mark and Ben talk about mass combat--those great battles that decide the fates of great powers and make great stories memorable. We'll discuss methods to keep your focus on the player characters as well as interesting intersections with war games that let players play out grand strategies at scale. Although mass combat encounters can be complex, you can make it easier by abstracting the action into manageable sub-encounters, boss fights, or even meta-currencies that let your players feel like they're playing an important role in the chaos of battle. Join us for a discussion of one of the most challenging and rewarding kinds of encounters you can bring your players.

Join us for our 50th episode! In this episode, Mark and Ben reflect on the lessons and highlights of the Tabletop Tune Up podcast, and look ahead to new topics and games to be covered in upcoming episodes. If you're a new listener, you'll get a sense of what our GMing podcast is about, and if you're a longtime listener, we hope you'll enjoy our reflections on some of the episodes we've created for you. Here's to another 50!

This week it's another RPG review of the Broken Compass and Outgunned games from Two Little Mice. If you're someone who left every great action movie thinking "I want to play that RPG!" then this game is probably for you. Broken Compass and its refined descendent, Outgunned, are cinematic action games that focus on fast-paced, cinematic action. The mechanics are simple, which means they're fast, and the less you try to "win" as opposed to playing out a great cinematic scene, the more fun you'll have. We had a lot of fun with this game and we recommend giving it a try.

In this episode of Tabletop Tune Up, Mark and Ben talk about player-crafted items. Crafting is a part of many RPGs, but it's not often discussed in relation to the party's advancement or storytelling. This week we discuss a number of factors to think about when considering what kinds of items your players might craft. We consider the inputs necessary (time and materials) and how that can generate great stories, and we also talk about how to strike a balance between items that are overpowered (and unbalancing for your game) or underpowered (and hence not worth players' putting in the work). Join us for a fascinating conversation about how crafting can make your game richer and more engaging for your players' craftspeople.

What makes a good player character backstory? This week we discuss the ways backstory can open up new story possibilities and begin character journeys through your campaign. Backstories are about balancing the need for hooks that bring characters into the narrative with mysteries that are left open for the GM to build on with new surprises in the length of the campaign. Join us for a helpful discussion of the art of the player character background!

In this episode, Mark and Ben talk about Traveller. Its a system whose origins lie in the fateful summer of 1977 when another huge science fiction release (Star Wars) ensured it would gain instant traction with people hungry to embrace the stars. After several iterations, today's line of books is published by Mongoose publishing with great art, lots of technical details, and a wide range of adventures and sourcebooks. So, join us for a review of the highs and the lows, and if you've got a group of science-fiction enthusiasts at your table, we might be able to help you figure out if you want to give Traveller a try.

This week we conclude our two-part interview with Bob Gerard, GM, player, Storyteller, Pinballer, and Star Wars fan. We talk about all those things and how they contribute to making you a better GM. Whether you're bringing Star Wars to life with the Hero's Journey or you're replenishing your creativity, Bob's got some great ideas to share with you. We hope you'll enjoy this concluding interview episode. If you haven't heard the first part, it's worth going back instead of picking up in the middle, and if you haven't checked out Bob's podcast, we recommend you give Short for a Stormtrooper [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-for-a-stormtrooper-a-15-minute-star-wars-podcast/id1744259146] a try.

In this interview episode, Mark and Ben welcome their friend Bob Gerard, a podcaster, Star Wars superfan, storyteller, learning expert, and of course, a fellow GM. We ask Bob about his early experiences with role playing games, his thoughts on storytelling, and what it's like to visit Tokyo for the latest Star Wars Celebration. Our conversation with Bob ranged all over and we had to cut it into two parts, so tune in for part 1 this week and check out Bob's podcast Short for a Stormtrooper [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/short-for-a-stormtrooper-a-15-minute-star-wars-podcast/id1744259146] to get some great Star Wars discussion and exciting interviews.

This week we interview our friend Brandon Holland, a fellow old school GM who shares with us his insights on the importance of box text, early RPG influences, and the emergent magic of shared storytelling with great players. Join us for a discussion at the GM's table where we're all still learning how to do this unique role well.

In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the first and still much loved series of games published by Palladium Games. Their entry point to the system was the comic book-inspired Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Other Strangeness, and that led to titles in other genres that used the same system: Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas and Superspies, Beyond the Supernatural, and Palladium's runaway bestseller, Rifts. This was a series of games with fantastic highs and unfortunate lows, and whether you run any of these games for your group or not, we hope you'll put at least one of their games on your shelf soon.

This week we're talking about one-shots and convention games. With GenCon's schedule release fresh in mind, now's a good moment to talk about why short-form RPGs are special, offering unique opportunities to test new games, build communities around your favorite games, and explore exciting alternatives to your regular campaigns. You'll get practical tips on designing pre-generated characters, crafting a complete and engaging short story, and expertly managing your game's timing to ensure everyone has a great experience. We'll also talk about the unique challenges of running games at conventions, from preparing effectively to handling a table full of strangers. Tune in for strategies to create unforgettable short adventures that players will remember, whether it's a spontaneous off-week session with friends or a packed table at your favorite game convention.

In this episode, we saddle up and ride into the wide-open world of Western RPGs. The Western genre continues to captivate players, and we'll explore classic tropes like morally grey heroes, high-stakes showdowns, exploration, redemption, and the struggle against nature. You can create memorable campaigns from the stuff of history, or you can mashup the Western genre with gritty supernatural horror, inventive steampunk technology, or the familiar comforts of Sci-Fi Westerns like Firefly. Learn how to capture the unique feel of Western settings, from the loyalty of a cowboy's horse to the elemental motivations of frontier life. Tune in to discover how to harness the spirit of the West for your next tabletop adventure!

Whether it's a fortified castle, secret bat-cave, spaceship, or even a humble basement office, the right lair can give players a secure home, strategic advantages, and powerful story opportunities. We'll discuss how to introduce lairs meaningfully—through conquest, inheritance, or rewards—and explore the narrative and gameplay possibilities they open up. From maintenance headaches to hidden vulnerabilities, discover how lairs can enhance your game's depth and provide unique challenges. Tune in for ideas on designing memorable player lairs that feel like home, enhance storytelling, and enrich your RPG adventures.

In this episode, Mark and Ben discuss the power and pitfalls of dice in tabletop RPGs. Dice introduce suspense and uncertainty,  becoming the "third storyteller" at your table. Dive into Dice 101, and discover how probability affects the stories you tell at your table. We discuss the implications of averages on test rolls and effect rolls, and share storytelling tips for handling skill checks, group rolls, and damage calculations. Different dice mechanics can shape narratives in different ways, so we talk about techniques for adjusting rolls—static modifiers, advantage, exploding dice, and meta-currencies—to keep the suspense high and the story engaging. Tune in and get ready to master dice probability, balance your gameplay, and discover how you can let the dice help you tell your story.

In this episode, we dive into a crucial topic for every GM—how to handle and resolve conflicts within the group. From differing expectations about the game to personality clashes and in-game character disputes, conflicts can arise in many forms. We'll explore common sources of tension, like combat-focused players vs. storytellers, rules disagreements, and even external life stressors that spill into the game. Learn how to manage conflicts as the GM, from listening to players' concerns and helping them reach a consensus, to knowing when it's time to make a hard decision to preserve the group. By the end of the episode, you'll have strategies for de-escalating conflicts, rebuilding group dynamics, and ensuring that your sessions remain enjoyable and inclusive for everyone involved.

In this episode, Mark and Ben explore the exciting and collaborative world of co-GMing—trading off gamemastering duties with a friend. Co-GMing offers a way to prevent burnout, combine creative strengths, and make storytelling even more fun. We'll discuss the importance of working with the right creative partner, dividing things up, and tips for how to kindle that creative synergy. With a good Co-GM, you can work on big, ambitious campaigns and do things together that would be difficult as a solo act. Tune in for practical advice on how to co-GM successfully, with ideas for building a dynamic partnership and creating a memorable campaign that benefits from two brains, two perspectives, and a whole lot of creativity.

In this episode Mark and Ben tackle an often-overlooked but emotionally rich aspect of tabletop RPGs—romance! While romance in games can feel intimidating, especially with its potential for awkwardness, this episode breaks down how to handle it with care. From setting boundaries and ensuring player consent to avoiding cringe-worthy moments, they discuss strategies for making romance an engaging and respectful part of your storytelling. Learn how to approach romance with NPCs and fellow players, balancing humor and sincerity to create meaningful character development without derailing the plot. Mark and Ben also dive into the potential pitfalls, like unwanted advances or overshadowing the main story, and offer tips on maintaining clear communication at the table. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on how romance can enhance your RPGs and add depth to your campaigns while keeping things fun and respectful for everyone at the table!