Tabletop Hot Takes

FINALE of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series)The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly!Link for Games Involved - full download and review links for all as much as possible!Bracket - The full bracket to see the whole thing if ya want.-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Want to vote on Bracket placements for the final round? Go Here and fill out the form. Rank your faves and least faves!Part 3 of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series)The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly!Link for Games Involved - full download and review links for all as much as possible!-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Part 2 of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series)The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly!Link for Games Involved-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Part 1 of the Ultimate Gamerunner Name Elimination Tournament. (4-Part Series)The highest effort shitpost imaginable. We kinda went ham on this one, honestly!Link for Games Involved-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Aria and Funky discuss Scum & Villainy, a game system they are both quite familiar with and played/ran in a years-long campaign. They have a lot of thoughts on this one. So settle down for a long conversation about a pretty good system for doing stuff in space.-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Funky watched the movie, Aria didn't. They talk about it, and one reason why it's so great. They get into theme, classic boy band arrangements, and Caramell Dansen.-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Many moons ago, Professor Funky stumbled upon his signature way to start a campaign. He shares it now with the world at large. -----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? Got a question? Want to share a hot take you can't put anywhere else?Email us at:[email protected]

Aria and Funky discuss session zeroes, how prevalent they are, what sorts of things to include in them, and taco bell.-----------------------------------------We guested on another podcast!Go listen to Moviestruck with Sophia Ricciaridi at https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/episodes/moviestruck-episode-123-the-fifth-element-1997-feat-tabletop-hot-takes-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to [email protected]

Aria has an early christmas present for y'all. A lesson on better role playing!Do YOU want to be a better role player? Of course you do!Lucky for you, Aria has some classic tips and tricks.-----------------------------------------We guested on another podcast!Go listen to Moviestruck with Sophia Ricciaridi at https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/episodes/moviestruck-episode-123-the-fifth-element-1997-feat-tabletop-hot-takes-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? [email protected]

What even IS a space opera? Aria and Funky attempt to find out. Along the way they discover the truth about Sandy Cheeks, and Horse Opera.-----------------------------------------We guested on another podcast!Go listen to Moviestruck with Sophia Ricciaridi at https://moviestruck.transistor.fm/episodes/moviestruck-episode-123-the-fifth-element-1997-feat-tabletop-hot-takes-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------What to reach out to us? [email protected]

Funky and Aria discuss their feelings on playing Superintelligences. Make sure to listen all the way to the end. This episode has an extended blooper section. We get into 1960's Batman, Sandy Cheeks, and being the smartest person in the room.-----------------------------------------Our PatreonFunky's itch.io-----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss their Favorite Stories in Gaming™. Funky gets too emotional, and Aria gets too right.This was a really fun episode for us, and we may continue it in the future as a series.Y'all should share your Favorite Stories in Gaming™ too. This is a really fun concept we found from Matt Colville at https://youtu.be/T9jxVbg_RWQ?si=8ZWMjjn18h77slUq.-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------

SPAAACE GHOOOSTS!!Aria and Funky talk about using random tables to create settings, specifically galaxies of explorable planets and solar systems. They talk about knowing where the river is in New Orleans, wombats, and how perfect is the enemy of done.You can follow the link here for a LOT of reference material from Funky that he used for all this. If you are curious about any further details, or just wanna ask questions, feel free to reach out to us at tabletop.hot.takes@gmail.com-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss Pathos. Why does it not belong on Funky's table? Is Pathos a cat?They get into equity in the spotlight, Trotskyists, and cool warrior-poets.-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss Noodle Incidents. What they are, how to use them for fun and profit, and being in silly moods.-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------

Funky and Aria discuss Heroism. What it really means, sleep-deprived writing, and Funky's awesome grandmother are all brought up. Funky's audio was pretty messed up for this episode as he tried to figure out a new system. Many apologies are given for this.-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------Stuff Referenced in this Episode:Behind the Bastards

Funky and Aria discuss Aria's Unified Theory of Cohesive Game Designtm. They get into hackable systems, generic systems, and the hopeful first sponsor of the podcast.-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------Systems Referenced in this Episode:Cortex PrimeHack! The RPGApocalypse WorldGURPSForged in the DarkFATEDraw Steel!Battle Systems

Funky and Aria discuss exploiting game writing for fun, not-fun, and profit. We explore the world of why numbers are stupid, the Greater Seattle Polycule™, and carrying hundreds of ceramic plates around. ----------------------------------------------------Our Patreon----------------------------------------------------

Clickbait title aside... Funky and Aria discuss what plagiarism really is, and why you should maybe do it actually. All kinds of niche media abound.----------------------------------------------------------Our PatreonGurren Lagann - Cuz we mentioned it... sorta... Mostly I just wanted an excuse to say the line...Leverage - You REALLY should know more about LeverageBurn Notice - If you feel you want to know more about Burn NoticeYokohama Shopping List - You should know more about Yokohama Shopping ListFuture Boy Conan - In case you want to know more about Future Boy ConanThe Elder Scrolls | Morrowind - In case you don't know what Morrowind isBad Medicine for Dr. Drugs - DriveThruRPG link for Bad Medicine for Dr. DrugsBlades in the Dark - DriveThruRPG link for Blades in the DarkShadowrun - DriveThruRPG link for all Shadowrun productsRyuutama - DriveThruRPG link for RyuutamaDetail Diatribe: The Anime that Inspired Wind Waker - Video by Overly Sarcastic Productions about Wind Waker and Future Boy ConanApocalypse Keys - A Doomsday TTRPG by Evil Hat - Link for Apocalypse Key on Evil Hat's websiteDM of the Rings I:The Copious Backstory - Twenty Sided - DM of the RingsPale | Beyond a Doubt - Link for Pale, by Wildbow Y'all should read Worm too.Monster of the Week - DrivethruRPG link for Monster of the Week

Funky and Aria discuss bad games they know with good lessons to learn from them. This delves into pandas in World of Warcraft, 17th century england, and the eponymous classic movie Equilibrium-----------------------------------------Our Patreon-----------------------------------------Systems Referenced in this Episode:Clockwork & Chivalry 2nd EditionTails of EquestriaHackmasterShadowrun

MAKE YOUR ALIENS WEIRDER!! JUST DO IT! Funky and Aria discuss weird alien people and why they should be weirder. This includes Tolkien, The Doctor, elves, and planets miniaturized into people.------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakes------------------------------------------------------------------------

The second in our series about Genres. We pick right up with mysteries. We explore the required baseline for mysteries and how they can and can very much NOT work in TTRPGs.------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakes------------------------------------------------------------------------Mystery Novel Structure Simplified - ZARA ALTAIR AUTHOR - Blog post about mystery structure25 Things You Need to Know About Writing Mysteries - Chuck Wendig blog post about mystery writingMystery Tropes - TV Tropes - TV Tropes page on MysteriesEssential Elements of a Mystery Story - Article on essential elements of a mysteryDetectives by Overly Sarcastic Productions - Video about detectives and a bit about the mystery genre in generalLinks for the systems mentioned:Brindlewood Bay - Miss Marple style mysteriesApocalypse Keys - BPRD style mysteriesScion 2e - Game about the children of old gods adventuringPromethean: The Created - Call of Darkness game about created lifeformsFirefly: The RPG - long out-of-print game for running games in the Firefly universeLeverage: The RPG - long-out-of-print game for running games in the Leverage worldBlades in the Dark - modern heist game for running crews in the world of Duskvol

Funky and Aria discuss Gender, Sexuality, and TTRPG history. They chronicle changes to approach of gender in society and games alike.------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakes------------------------------------------------------------------------The First Female Gamers - Medium article about the first female gamers and their experiencesThe Trouble with Gender in LARP - Blog post by queer game designers about gender in LARP communities and games.Gender | Dungeons & Dragons Lore Wiki | Fandom - Wiki post about gender expression in D&DOut of the Dungeons: Representations of Queer Sexuality in RPG Source Books | Analog Game Studies - Blog by queer game designers about queer representation in TTRPGsDragon Magazine Issue 10 - Weights & Measures; Physical Appearance and Why Males are Stronger than Females in D&D by P.M. Crabaugh

Funky and Aria discuss one way to categorize players. They cover the difficulty of ungendered words to describe mean people, Funky having a bit of a breakdown, and trying to not break Shadowrun.------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakes------------------------------------------------------------------------Matt Colville - Kinds of Players - Matt Colville breaks down his categorization of players that Funky pulls from heavily.

Professors Funky and Aria begin their series on the Eras of Role Playing. They discuss Gary Gygax, Dave Arneson, their epic friendship, and eventual rivalry They even mention writing on napkins, and promise not to sue each other.------------------------------------------------------------------------Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakes------------------------------------------------------------------------The Ambush at Sheridan Springs - The article by Jon Peterson on the corporate machinations at play in Sheridan Springs.Arneson V. Gygax Lawsuit Filings - The best link we could find for info on this lawsuit.Advanced D&D - Rulebook for Advanced D&D on DriveThruRPGD&D Basic - Rulebook for D&D Basic Set on DriveThruRPGPlaying at the World - Jon Peterson's Blog. I couldn't find the Internet Archive link for the book. Many apologies. I believe in our listener's abilities more than mine...Chainmail - Full rules of Chainmail available on DriveThruRPGKriegsspiel - The International Kriegsspiel Society. Great resource to play it and learn more about the modern play of an ancient game.Ironsides - The Ironsides page on BoardGameGeek. I couldn't find an official link.

We review the small, and very accessible, TTRPG Let's Rob RJ McIlhenney and Steal Her Golden Quill. We cover why it's great, how we could play it with our coworkers at Starbucks, and get bleeped a LOT!Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakesLink for the system:Let's Rob RJ McIlhenney and Steal Her Golden QuillLinks for systems mentioned:Tails of Equestria

The beginning of a series exploring genres. We begin with a 101 course into the term of genre. We then explore the Horror genre, how it can work, how it can fail, and some spooky hot takes. We talk about some favorite horror movies and systems, and chat about amish playing TTRPGs.Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakesSources:Alien - Look out! Its a man in a suit! Truly an apex predator.Hot Fuzz - Nick Frost couldn't make a horror film if he TRIED!Sunshine - Sci-Fi Horror Film with low, but impactful, gore.Event Horizon - Go to hell. Catch some rays. Have some laughs!Cabin in the Woods - Horror subversion dialed to 11!Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil - Its a good movie. Watch it. Alan Tudyk is in it.Quote by Alfred Hitchcock - Quote by Alfred HitchcockHorror - TV Tropes - TV Tropes page of the Horror genreHorror Genre - The "Four Core Framework" of Horror.Three Elements of Horror | Story Empire - The three core elements of Horror.Links for the systems mentioned:Ten Candles - A one-shot game meant strictly for horror gamesDread - A Horror game played with a Jenga tower. When the tower falls, so does your character.Little Fears - Children know the truth, and the adults never will. The monsters under the bed are real, and they are terrifying.

After last episode, we decided we needed to talk about one of the most polarizing and essential systems in a TTRPG: The resolution systemOur Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakesLinks for the systems mentioned:Or8cle - A GM-less TTRPG played with a Magic 8-Ball. Short and easy to run.Dread - A Horror TTRPG played with a Jenga tower. When the tower falls, so does your character.Lasers & Feelings - Mostly a discussion piece for the power of a simple system and how it can define the system as a whole.Camp Kingdom Come - A GM-less card-based TTRPG with very different from normal subject matter. A good exploration of how GM-less play can work.ImproVeto - More of an exercise for improv people, but can be a great tool for learning and growing as roleplayers.Let's Rob RJ McElhenny and Steal Her Golden Quill - Another GM-less game utilizing cards. Explored further in a next episode.

Some of the most unique TTRPGs we have found in our travels. This only scratches the surface of the good, weird stuff out there. There will be a part 2 and onward in the future.Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakesLinks for the systems mentioned:Terror Thirteen: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/63498/Terror-Thirteen?term=terror+thirteenTotally Real Human Adults: https://crlegge.itch.io/totally-real-human-adultsVisigoths Vs. Mall Goths: https://necromancy.itch.io/gothsRod, Reel, and Fist: https://kumada1.itch.io/rod-reel-fistAdeptus Evangelion: https://www.mediafire.com/download/o69miv64p6ifc0i/Adeptus+Evangelion+Beta+Draft+005.rar

We discuss a favorite game of Aria's (and soon to be Funky's too), Ryuutama. It's a fabulous exploration of exploration and pastoral fantasy.Our Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakesDriveThruRPG link for Ryuutama - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/151366/Ryuutama--Natural-Fantasy-Roleplay

We talk perspectives on one of the oldest discourses in TTRPGsOur Patreon - patreon.com/TabletopHotTakesBibliography:Keep on the Borderlands - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/17158/B2-The-Keep-on-the-Borderlands-BasicGamedeveloper - https://www.gamedeveloper.com/disciplines/the-dungeon-master-an-interview-with-gary-gygaxBleak Spirit - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/296546/Bleak-SpiritMatt colville video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-fM9UQIaLE&list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_&index=91

We talk about or favorite and least favorite mechanics or ideas from any TTRPG for an easy first episode.Our Patreon - https://patreon.com/TabletopHotTakes?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_linkLinks to DriveThruRPG for all the games we mention:Shadowrun - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?filters=1700_0_0_0_0&src=fid1700Scion 1e - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/25833/Scion-HeroScion 2e - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/246765/Scion-Second-Edition-Book-One-Origin