Splitting the Party: Out of Combat
Manage episode 491663657 series 3494314
In this episode, we're tackling one of the most dreaded phrases in tabletop gaming—and no, we're not talking about "rocks fall, everyone dies." The hosts explore the art and science of managing party splits outside of combat scenarios, diving into practical strategies that keep everyone engaged when your adventuring party decides to scatter to the four winds.
Whether you're a seasoned GM who's watched party splits derail entire sessions or a newer Game Master wondering how to handle your first "wait, we're splitting up?" moment, this episode delivers actionable advice with the kind of hard-won wisdom that only comes from managing countless scattered adventuring parties.
Topics Covered:
- Why party splits happen and when they're actually beneficial to your story
- Time management techniques that keep all players engaged during split scenarios
- The spotlight system: ensuring every player gets meaningful screen time
- Creative solutions for handling multiple simultaneous conversations and investigations
- When to say no to a party split and how to redirect without railroading
- Tools and techniques for tracking multiple party threads without losing your mind
So grab your dice, your favorite beverage, and maybe practice your pickup lines—we're diving into every way you can deal with a split party!
Join host Nick Perron as he draws from his expertise in the TTRPG space to explore the cutting edge of indie game design with creators who are pushing boundaries and making magic happen one dice roll at a time.
→ Tabletopped's Stuff:
→ Tabletopped's website
→ Patreon
→ Instagram
→ Twitter
Check us out on Patreon! We have a new monthly pod as well as behind the scenes clips that you can get on a secret Spotify feed! We will also be dropping some more treats from time to time!
Theme music by Mitch Poulin
204 episodes