Latest Metagaming Podcast Episodes
So Long and Thanks For All The Crits (Final Episode)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - October 01, 2022 02:00 - 18 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsI won't bore you with an overly-verbose description for this one. I'll only use this opportunity to say THANK YOU for accompanying us on this grand journey, and we hope that your next session is the best one yet. -Ivan & Steve
Ep 61 - Bright Lights, Big City (Playing In City Settings)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - September 21, 2022 11:00 - 56 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDo your players (or yourself as a player) behave differently when your PCs enter a city, village, or township? Today we're discussing some of the unique challenges of playing in a city setting. We go in-depth on how specific game times associated with city play differ from a traditional gaming ...
Ep 60 - Campaign Length (and Knowing When To Quit)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - September 14, 2022 11:00 - 48 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsTo have the problem of finishing a campaign milestone and have your players still wanting more, even though the story is over, is a much better problem to have than your players being bored because there is no end in sight. How many campaigns have you been a part of that have languished and die...
Ep 59 - No-Combat Sessions
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - September 07, 2022 12:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDo you ever run entire sessions without a combat encounter? This week we analyze how varying level of combat work in your TTRPG games. We discuss engaging the players in a way that simulates the thrill of combat but in social and exploration encounters. We also talk about the message of "might m...
Ep 58 - Alex Clippinger: Game Design & Adapting 5e
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - August 31, 2022 11:00 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThe incredible and prolific TTRPG designer, Alex Clippinger has joined us this week to give us an inside look into Cubicle 7's new project, Broken Weave, drop some game design knowledge, and talk through some of the benefits and pitfalls of adapting Dungeons & Dragons: Fifth Edition. This was a ...
Ep 57 - Factions, Guilds, & Other Affiliations
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - August 24, 2022 11:00 - 36 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsIs your TTRPG character affiliated with anything larger than themselves or the party they roll with (heheh puns)? This week we cover TTRPG factions, guilds, and other big-picture affiliations. We discuss how they can provide scope, inform character backstory, create fascinating and useful narrat...
Ep 56 - GM Fiat (And Deus Ex Machina)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - August 17, 2022 11:00 - 45 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsWhat would you do if your GM said "because I said so" during a session? Talking about when GMs flex their table authority 'just because.' There are two sides of the GM using unilateral decision making, and we investigate both the positive and the negative aspects of this contentious issue. We ta...
Ep 55 - Storybuilding Vs Storytelling
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - August 10, 2022 11:00 - 48 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis week we talk about the ancient and honored tradition of human storytelling, its base components, what defines a great storyteller, and how all of this applies to the TTRPG experience. We discuss how examining this discipline can improve our games, and how the idea of collaborative storytell...
Ep 54 - SPECIAL #RPGaDAY2022 Pt. 2
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - August 01, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsPart two of our special 2-part series where we give our answers (and encourage you to give yours) to the questions presented from #RPGaDay2022, an annual celebration of tabletop roleplaying games conceptualized by @autocratik which you can find at https://www.autocratik.com. In part one we answe...
Ep 53 - SPECIAL #RPGaDAY2022 Pt. 1
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - July 26, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsA special 2-part series where we give our answers (and encourage you to give yours) to the questions presented from #RPGaDay2022, an annual celebration of tabletop roleplaying games conceptualized by @autocratik which you can find at https://www.autocratik.com. In part one we answer the first 16...
Ep 52 - Taverns (and Other TTRPG Waypoints)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - July 18, 2022 15:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDiscussing everyone's favorite stomping ground, tabletop roleplaying game taverns. We cover a lot of ground ranging from tips and advice on how to keep your players on their toes, to how we think adding extra flavor to a tavern setting can prevent this part of gaming from becoming just another u...
Ep 51 - Lore
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - July 11, 2022 12:00 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis week we cover the importance of a tabletop roleplaying game's setting lore. We discuss why we think it's sometimes neglected and cover the potential risks of not being wholly acquainted with your in-game world. We touch on topics such as setting uniqueness, campaign scope, bringing real-wor...
Ep 50 - Ask A GM (Getting To Know Us: Redux)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - July 04, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsAt the behest of several listeners, we're finally doing a general "Getting To Know Us" episode. In this episode we talk briefly about our roots, who we are, and what led us to gaming. The majority of the episode is comprised of individual questions from listeners and friends of the show that had...
Ep 49 - Diseases, Curses, and Other Afflictions in TTRPG
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - June 27, 2022 19:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis week we cover incorporating diseases, curses, maladies, and other general afflictions into your tabletop roleplaying games. We analyze why we think this aspect of gaming doesn't get as much love as it should and talk about some interesting ways to make it work at your table. We go over how ...
Ep 48 - Life Skills Gained From TTRPGs
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - June 20, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsHaving a meaningful discussion about how skills and experiences at the tabletop roleplaying game table can apply to one's 'real life.' We cover career impacts, its influence on self-improvement and self-exploration, how it can aid in developing and nurturing strong interpersonal relationships, i...
Ep 47 - TTRPG Travel (Making It Meaningful)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - June 13, 2022 06:00 - 51 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsIn this episode we're asking important questions about traveling in tabletop roleplaying games. We go in-depth into the handwaving paradigm, why we think that is, and methods you can employ to make it a more meaningful part of your table experience. We also discuss some of our favorite travel s...
Ep 46 - Resuscitating A Campaign (After Time Off)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - June 06, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsWe talk about getting your campaign back on track after a layoff, whether that be a week, a month, a year, or beyond. We address some of the challenges of getting players re-bought in , how to set the table for the best possible return experience, and some of the things that can kill a campaign....
Ep 46 - Resuscitating A Campaign (After Time Off)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - June 06, 2022 09:00 - 42 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsWe talk about getting your campaign back on track after a layoff, whether that be a week, a month, a year, or beyond. We address some of the challenges of getting players re-bought in , how to set the table for the best possible return experience, and some of the things that can kill a campaign....
Ep 45 - Splitting The Party
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - May 31, 2022 13:00 - 56 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsIn this episode we cover some of the strategies behind, and the implications of, splitting your TTRPG party. We discuss how it can help expedite the action, but also increase work load and slow down your pacing. We go in-depth with several person and listener-sourced examples and dig into when s...
Ep 44 - Session Length (What's Ideal)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - May 23, 2022 08:00 - 40 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsNEW COVER ART This week we're talking about what makes for an ideal session length? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of shorter vs longer sessions. Do we still have it in us to run marathon sessions that last the whole weekend? Tune in for insights on how to structure your game...
Ep 43 - Bringing Roleplay To Non-TTRPG Activities
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - May 16, 2022 11:00 - 49 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsWe cover bringing elements and tools from your TTRPG kit into other activities like board games, video games, fantasy sports, sex, and much more. We cover some of the tenets of how ascribing meaning through narrative and roleplay can help you build better memories with the things you love. Tw...
Ep 42 - To BBEG or not to BBEG?
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - May 09, 2022 08:00 - 50 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis week we cover the story significance of adding a Big Bad Evil Guy (BBEG) to your campaign. We also discuss the non-literal interpretation of the concept, goal-oriented play, and providing context and significance to your in-game actions. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveag...
Ep 41 - House Rules
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - May 02, 2022 08:00 - 47 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDiscussing some of the more interesting house rules we know about, why we believe rules tweaking can benefit your games, and how sometimes customizing rules can be for all the wrong reasons. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
Ep 40 - Playing To Lose & Failing Forward
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - April 25, 2022 12:00 - 46 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis episode is about redefining how we view personal failure in our TTPRG sessions, and how reframing the concept can open up whole new worlds of opportunity for the players at your table. Also, listener feedback, and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@proto...
Ep 39 - Fudging & Rolling In The Open
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - April 18, 2022 08:00 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsClickity clack! When dice attack! This week we talk about the very contentious topic of fudging rolls. We also cover some alternative ways to use dice at your table and their impacts, including rolling in the open vs behind a screen, and player-facing systems of conflict resolution. A brief revi...
Ep 38 - Saying NO
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - April 11, 2022 09:00 - 58 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDiscussing the sometimes difficult but sometimes necessary act of telling your players (or even your GM) NO. When is it appropriate and when does it require an explanation? Also, we dig into listener feedback and TTRPG news. || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: passiveaggropod@protonmail....
Ep 37 - The Duality of Humor
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - April 04, 2022 13:00 - 55 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDiscussing the double edged sword that is the witting (and sometimes unwitting) inclusion of humor into your TTRPG sessions. We investigate where the line is when it becomes too much, the nature of the sliding scale of tone, and the possible implications they can have on your games. We also cove...
Ep 36 - DIY Publishing & Zines (/w Eric Swanson of Narrative Dynamics)
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - March 28, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsWe have a conversation with very special guest, Eric Swanson. Eric is a TTRPG developer, illustrator, editor, DIY publisher, and the list goes on! In this episode we discuss the impacts of crowdfunding, democratization of development, tips for getting your first product to market, and much more....
Ep 35 - Theater Of The Mind Vs Visual Aids
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - March 21, 2022 08:00 - 53 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsThis week we fall down the rabbit hole discussing the advantages of honing your skills using theater of the mind, and how it compares against using tactical maps, minis, and other player aids. We also do some follow-up on last week's episode on GM burnout and cover recent TTRPG news || Steve's...
Ep 34 - GM Burnout
Passive (Aggressive) Perception - March 14, 2022 16:00 - 58 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsDiscussing the tolls of mental exhaustion, and how that can translate in to affecting our games. We rap about some of the causes of, and coping strategies for, when you're feeling creatively burnt out || Twitter: @passive_podcast || Email: [email protected]
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