Plot Points
204 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 57 ratingsPlot Points is a monthly podcast which discusses table-top role-playing games and their supplements as literature. Our quirky panel discusses games old and new, spotlights innovations in the hobby, and links to literature.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Goodbye My Friends Ep 265
February 29, 2024 18:53 - 2 minutes - 2.32 MBLadies and Gentlemen, people of all genders, and gifted woodland animals, this is Ben Riggs, Brad Davies, and Sarah Babe coming to you with a very special message. Since starting Plot Points in September 2013, we have put out 264 episodes. Today, we announce that Plot Points is going dark. Running this podcast has been a tremendously fulfilling experience, and we can only hope that our listeners have gotten as much enjoyment from it as we have. We’ll maintain our email (plotpointsemai...
Barkeep on the Borderlands Ep 264
January 26, 2024 20:53 - 54 minutes - 35.8 MBOne last call for alcohol! Ben, Brad, & Sarah dive deep into OSR darling and Zinequest champion, Barkeep on the Borderlands! If you want to talk about this more, here is a (functional) link to the Discord: https://discord.gg/Q66gVjc9
The Response to the End of the Golden Age of TTRPGs
January 17, 2024 20:26 - 54 minutes - 36.4 MBWell. That blew up and went everywhere. Ben responds to some comments and thoughts here on episode 263. With him as always is Dr. Scott! If you want to talk about this more, here is a (functional) link to the Discord: https://discord.gg/Q66gVjc9
D&D as Postmodernism and WotC Layoffs Ep 262
January 04, 2024 03:14 - 45 minutes - 30.8 MBIs D&D a postmodern medium? Scott & Ben also chew over the WotC layoffs. Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!
Sunset on the Golden Age of TTRPGs Ep 261
December 15, 2023 14:31 - 52 minutes - 40.3 MBWe have lived in a bright and fortunate time as TTRPG fans for over a decade. Have recent events brought that to an end? Historian Ben Riggs & academic Dr. Scott Bruner reflect. Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!
Reading the DMG Aloud 37 Ep 260
December 08, 2023 11:55 - 41 minutes - 28.6 MBBen & Scott continue, and to be frank repeat a little bit, of the section on henchmen from the 1st edition DMG. Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!
Play a Mutant Amphibian in the 21st Century! Ep 260
November 12, 2023 13:12 - 1 hour - 47 MBThis week, game designer Julian Kay talks to Sarah, Ben, & Brad about his current RPG hotness, Mutants in the Now, which takes a modern look at playing a mutant animal with the martial arts skills of your choice! Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!
Reading the DMG Aloud 36 Ep 259
November 01, 2023 19:58 - 46 minutes - 31.6 MBLearn the secrets of the steward and the castellan in this week's episode of Reading the DMG Aloud with historian Ben Riggs & academic Scott Bruner! Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can’t get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It’s poppin’ and hoppin’ over there!
Reading the DMG Aloud 35 Ep 258
October 20, 2023 21:37 - 50 minutes - 34.2 MBBen Riggs and Scott Bruner chew the fat on whether or not there will be an OGL for 6th edition D&D. Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can't get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It's poppin' and hoppin' over there!
Lovecraftesque 2nd Edition Crowdfunding Campaign Interview Ep 257
October 11, 2023 19:55 - 41 minutes - 28.1 MBAn interview with the creators of a GM-less RPG of eldritch horror, Becky Annison & Josh Fox! Back their crowdfunding campaign here!
Reading the DMG Aloud 34 Ep. 256
October 06, 2023 10:30 - 47 minutes - 32.3 MBOur intrepid hosts once again wade into the wilds of the 1st ed Dungeon Masters Guide. What setting is implied by Gygax's text? Like what we do? Support us on Patreon! Can't get enough of Scott? Join us on Discord! It's poppin' and hoppin' over there!
Reading the DMG Aloud 33 Ep. 255
September 27, 2023 19:58 - 46 minutes - 31.5 MBWe take a break from the 1st edition DMG this week to ask a different question: Is the 4th ed Player's Handbook the greatest intro to the game in its history? Join us over on Discord! It’s booming over there! Here’s a link!
Reading the DMG Aloud 32 Ep. 254
September 20, 2023 20:39 - 50 minutes - 35.5 MBRPG historian Ben Riggs and RPG academic Dr. Scott Bruner continue their long chew on the Sage section of the 1st editin AD&D DMG! Join us over on Discord! It's booming over there! Here's a link!
Reading the DMG Aloud 31 Ep. 253
September 12, 2023 19:46 - 51 minutes - 39.8 MBHistorian Ben Riggs & RPG academic Dr. Scott Bruner chew over the sage from the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide! Here's a link to the Matt Colville video where he talks about The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings as D&D models: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkXMxiAGUWg&t=2s Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)
Candela Obscura Review Ep- 252
June 29, 2023 01:25 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBWe're back with Sarah Babe of Encounter Party and gamer about town Brad Davies to review the new quickstart rules from Critical Role, Candela Obscura!
Reading the DMG Aloud 30 Ep 251
May 31, 2023 21:27 - 45 minutes - 30.8 MBIt's a celebration today as we recognize the graduation of Scott Bruner, Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin! We also discuss sages! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)
Reading the DMG Aloud 29 Ep 250
May 26, 2023 03:01 - 47 minutes - 31.7 MBWe talk about the D&D movie a mere two months after it came out, and then march on with our merciless read-aloud of the 1st edition Dungeon Master's Guide. Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)
Reading the DMG Aloud 28 Ep 249
April 27, 2023 01:27 - 48 minutes - 32.7 MBWe continue our unrelenting and merciless recitation of the 1st edition Dungeon Master's Guide. This week! Gem cutters and heavy cavalry! Oh my! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)
Reading the DMG Aloud 27 Ep 248
April 20, 2023 01:16 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBHobilar? Hobilar? What the heck is a hobilar? Harken and enjoy the 1st edition DMG's rules for expert NPCs as read and commented on by RPG historian Ben Riggs and RPG academic Scott Bruner! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA)
Reading the DMG Aloud 26 Ep 247
March 23, 2023 02:04 - 42 minutes - 28.7 MBHaberdashers! Teamsters! And more! Oh my! Harken and enjoy the 1st edition DMG's rules for expert NPCs as read and commented on by RPG historian Ben Riggs and RPG academic Scott Bruner! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!
Reading the DMG Aloud 25 Ep 246 ver 2.0
March 02, 2023 02:45 - 54 minutes - 38.9 MBWe're back! Hear Ben & Scott talk over the equipment list in the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!
ENnie Nominees Peter Petrusha & Craig Campbell Ep 245
July 19, 2022 03:20 - 33 minutes - 24.6 MBHear friends of the show Craig Campbell (Good Strong Hands) and Peter Petrusha (Rest in Pieces) talk about their experience being nominated for ENnies this year! Vote for the pair of them here! At last! Ben's book on D&D history, Slaying the Dragon, is available for sale here!
Reading the DMG Aloud 24 Ep 244
July 17, 2022 21:21 - 36 minutes - 26.8 MBHear about armor and Armor Class in the 1st edition DMG with Ben Riggs and Scott Bruner! Join us on Discord! It’s booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben’s book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It’s just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on...
Reading the DMG Aloud 23 Ep 243
July 01, 2022 02:37 - 49 minutes - 34.9 MBToday, we start with the value and uses of gems and stones. Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!
Reading the DMG Aloud 22 Ep 242
June 27, 2022 14:53 - 50 minutes - 36.6 MBToday, we finally conclude our alignment discussion by talking about changing alignment! Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff E...
Reading the DMG Aloud 21 Ep 241
June 01, 2022 19:58 - 58 minutes - 42.7 MBAt long last, we wrap up our discussion of alignment with alignment languages. Here's a link to the article on RPGs and religion Ben referenced in the episode. Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's sh...
Reading the DMG Aloud 20 Ep 240
May 27, 2022 01:43 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBWe continue our discussion of alignment, diving down on the alignment graph! Join us on Discord! It's booming over there! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookpl...
Reading the DMG Aloud 19 Ep 239
May 13, 2022 02:10 - 55 minutes - 39.1 MBContinuing with alignment! Historian Ben Riggs & academic Scott Bruner read aloud the section of the DMG on alignment. We now have a channel on Discord! (https://discord.gg/95nH7AdnyA) Come on over to chat. Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered...
Reading the DMG Aloud 18 Ep 238
May 01, 2022 01:13 - 42 minutes - 29.4 MBWhat's your alignment? Historian Ben Riggs & academic Scott Bruner read aloud the section of the DMG on alignment. We now have a channel on Discord! Come on over to chat. Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire y...
Reading the DMG Aloud 17 Ep 238
April 13, 2022 18:33 - 53 minutes - 37.8 MBLet's talk Lycanthropes! We now have a channel on Discord! Come on over to chat. Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!
Reading the DMG Aloud 16 Ep 237
April 01, 2022 02:52 - 49 minutes - 35.3 MBListen as Scott and Ben discuss Gygax's thoughts on the monster as PC... Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes! Already preordered the book? Click here to acquire your Jeff Easley bookplate! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon!
Reading the DMG Aloud 15 Ep 236
March 25, 2022 00:42 - 52 minutes - 37.1 MBOnce again, RPG academic Scott Bruner and RPG historian Ben Riggs convene to read and chew over the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Preorder Ben's book on TSR history by clicking here, and you will receive FOR FREE a bookplate featuring art by D&D icon Jeff Easley and signed by Ben. It's just our way of saying thanks for preordering the book! See the bookplate in this episode's show notes!
Reading the DMG Aloud 14 Ep 235
February 27, 2022 11:33 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBOnce again, RPG academic Scott Bruner and RPG historian Ben Riggs convene to read and chew over the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Interested in Ben's book? Preorder it from the store of your choice here! Check out his current book on RPG theory here! Ben started a YouTube channel with his friend Eliza about what to play after D&D. Check it out here! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Reading the DMG Aloud 13 Ep 234
February 20, 2022 12:23 - 57 minutes - 41.9 MBBen and Scott finish up with spies and start in on thieves as they plunge ever deeper into the 1st edition AD&D Dungeon Master's Guide! Interested in Ben's book? Preorder it from the store of your choice here! Check out his current book on RPG theory here! Ben started a YouTube channel with his friend Eliza about what to play after D&D. Check it out here! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Reading the DMG Aloud 12 Ep 233
January 30, 2022 12:43 - 54 minutes - 44.4 MBHear about the paladin's warhorse and spying as academic Scott Bruner and historian Ben Riggs continue their tortoise-like read-aloud of the DMG! Interested in Ben's book? Enter here to win an early reader's copy! Ben started a YouTube channel with his friend Eliza about what to play after D&D. Check it out here! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Reading the DMG Aloud 11 Ep 232
January 23, 2022 12:09 - 54 minutes - 38.2 MBOnce more, Scott Bruner & Ben Riggs return to discuss the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide, this time covering everyone's favorite topic, followers for upper-level PCs! Ben’s book the collapse of TSR and sale to Wizards is available for preorder here! Want to read more Ben now? His book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Reading the DMG Aloud 10 Ep 231
November 27, 2021 00:45 - 54 minutes - 32.9 MBAgain, Scott Bruner & Ben Riggs return to discuss the 1st edition Dungeon Masters Guide! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Shanty Hunters -Ep 231
November 14, 2021 23:32 - 59 minutes - 42.5 MBExplore the seas! Discover shanties! Watch them come to life before your very eyes! Experience a game like no other from RPG luminary Tristan Zimmerman! Back it on Kickstarter here! Ben's book on the failure of TSR is finally available for pre-order here on Amazon or through your friendly local bookstore. Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Trista...
Reading the DMG Aloud 9 Ep 230
October 30, 2021 02:42 - 48 minutes - 41.6 MBWhich races love money and a good time the most? Why are those the axes Gygax chose to judge races in the first place? Weirder questions and thoughts follow in this episode with Scott Bruner and Ben Riggs! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Secrets of the Vibrant Isle- Ep 229
October 27, 2021 01:22 - 43 minutes - 31.9 MBBehold Secrets of the Vibrant Isle! The solo RPG on Kickstarter right now by revolutionary game designer Craig Campbell! Explore the wonders and dangers of the island upon which you've been shipwrecked! Click here to learn more!
Raccoon Sky Pirates! Ep 228
October 01, 2021 01:44 - 57 minutes - 43.4 MBPlay a trash panda! Raid suburbs for the garbage that is rightfully yours! Check it out here!
Catching up with Pelgrane Press- Ep 227
July 30, 2021 19:50 - 47 minutes - 33.5 MBOne of our favorite publishers is Pelgrane Press. Geek journalist extraordinaire Ben Riggs sat down with Pelgrane co-owner Cat Tobin to see what the publisher of 13th Age and Dracula Dossier is up to!
What if Evil Tech Cultists Ruled the Galaxy?- Ep 226
July 08, 2021 14:53 - 42 minutes - 28.6 MBSynthicide: Sharpers in the Dark takes the setting from a bestselling game of grimdark cyberpunk and translates it into the brilliant Forged in the Dark game system. Listen to find out more in this interview with creator, Dustin DePenning! Click here to support it on Kickstarter!
Now with More Bards! Satine Phoenix & Jamison Stone Center Setting on Bards Ep 225
April 30, 2021 20:10 - 52 minutes - 39.3 MBThese bards go to eleven! Gamer glitterati Satine Phoenix and Jamison Stone of Apotheosis Studios are Kickstarting a campaign of intrigue and art, songs and spycraft, portraying a city in which art and abomination abounds! Click here to check out the Kickstarter! Image courtesy Apotheosis Studios.
A Long Look at Amy Vorpahl's Candlekeep Deconstructed Ep 224
April 10, 2021 15:55 - 55 minutes - 76.2 MBA D&D adventure with a rocket ship? Probe "Kandlekeep Dekonstrukted" by Amy Vorpahl, part of Candlekeep Mysteries for 5E! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
Monte Cook Kickstarts Product so New There's No Word for It Ep 223
March 30, 2021 00:39 - 52 minutes - 48.6 MBImagine running an adventure online, and instead of books, notes, and PDFs, everything is in a single app, right before your eyes. Now imagine the app has art from world-class artists, and design from RPG luminaries. That is what the brilliant and bodacious designers of Monte Cook Games have created: an adventure made to be run online. Explore more at The Darkest House Kickstarter today! Image courtesy Monte Cook Games.
An RPG of Maximum Ecstasy with Minimum Effort- Ep 222
March 26, 2021 01:17 - 49 minutes - 44.1 MBCity of Winter and Fall of Magic are story games centered around journeys in fantasy worlds. Play revolves around gorgeous, hand-made scrolls, and mechanics so simple and elegant that they bring one to question where RPGs end and storytelling begins. Furthermore, these games get to the good stuff of RPG play with shocking speed. We probe these questions and more with the games' designer, Ross Cowman! If you're interested, City of Winter is on Kickstarter right now. Play a demo here now! I...
Mountains of Madness Panel- Ep 221
January 22, 2021 02:22 - 1 hour - 75.1 MBHear a stellar panel of nerds discuss the Appendix N text, At the Mountains of Madness by HP Lovecraft! Included are 7th edition Call of Cthulhu designer Mike Mason, RPG academic Scott Bruner, and the regular Plot Points crew! Never tried Call of Cthulhu? Hie thee forth to Chaosium.com for all your sanity-blasting needs! If you want to see the most eye-goggling and disturbing edition of At the Mountains of Madness yet published, check out this edition illustrated by Francois Baranger and...
Reading the DMG Aloud pt 8- Ep 220
January 15, 2021 02:40 - 57 minutes - 48.5 MBAn impenetrable table! Rolling attributes! Hear the 1st edition DMG read aloud with RPG academic Scott Bruner and host Ben Riggs! Eighth in a series! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Image courtesy Wizards of the Coast.
The Homeric RPG! Agon Ep 219
January 08, 2021 02:50 - 1 hour - 57 MBInspired by epic poetry and pulp television, John Harper & Sean Nittner's Agon takes an old system, dice pools, and makes it new to produce a play style more Greek than Gygax! Ben’s book on RPG adventure design, Encounter Theory, is on DriveThruRPG. Click here to pick up this essential volume! Like Plot Points? Support it on Patreon! Check out Agon here! Wanna hear more epic Agon adventures featuring our own Sarah Babe? Click here to experience Theatre of the Mind Players actual play...