Storytellers need to remind themselves that player agency matters in all facets of the game, not just at the table. They should also be eager to court any source of player “buy in” and enthusiasm, which certainly should encompass the campaign’s theme and narrative, but it can also include game mechanics. If a player organically chooses to change their planned build, and instead focuses on the use of an overpowered magic item the Storyteller gives them, that isn’t agency, that’s the Storyteller dictating a character’s build for them, in essence. So long as reasonable guardrails are in place, the character-building game adds value to TTRPGs. 

Rob Wieland is back with vehicular violence on his mind. He looks at Gaslands Refuelled, a car combat game that’s easy to learn, hard to master and makes walking down the toy aisle at the store a challenge to anybody’s willpower.

Rob Wieland is back to talk about a game on crowdfunding that adapts one of the most popular genres in video games these days. Hollows sends players as monster hunters who are sent into nightmare realms over and over again to put down the creatures that created the terrible places in the first place through dynamic boss battles that encourage movement, tactical thinking and teamwork.

Rob Wieland joins us to talk about one of the most anticipated horror role playing game releases this year. Mothership has built up a ton of support over the years thanks to its support of third party creators. The offical first edition books are coming to Kickstarter backers and Rob discusses what makes the game work for him.