Plot Points

By Ben Riggs

What's Plot Points about?

Plot 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.

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Plot Points episodes:

02.29.2024
Goodbye My Friends Ep 265
Ladies 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...
01.26.2024
Barkeep on the Borderlands Ep 264
One 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
01.17.2024
The Response to the End of the Golden Age of TTRPGs
Well. 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...
01.04.2024
D&D as Postmodernism and WotC Layoffs Ep 262
Is 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!
12.15.2023
Sunset on the Golden Age of TTRPGs Ep 261
We 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!...
12.08.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 37 Ep 260
Ben & 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...
11.12.2023
Play a Mutant Amphibian in the 21st Century! Ep 260
This 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...
11.01.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 36 Ep 259
Learn 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...
10.20.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 35 Ep 258
Ben 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'...
10.11.2023
Lovecraftesque 2nd Edition Crowdfunding Campaign Interview Ep 257
An interview with the creators of a GM-less RPG of eldritch horror, Becky Annison & Josh Fox! Back their crowdfunding campaign here!
10.06.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 34 Ep. 256
Our 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!...
09.27.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 33 Ep. 255
We 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!...
09.20.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 32 Ep. 254
RPG 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!
09.12.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 31 Ep. 253
Historian 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...
06.29.2023
Candela Obscura Review Ep- 252
We'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!
05.31.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 30 Ep 251
It'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)
05.26.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 29 Ep 250
We 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)
04.27.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 28 Ep 249
We 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)
04.20.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 27 Ep 248
Hobilar? 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...
03.23.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 26 Ep 247
Haberdashers! 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!...
03.02.2023
Reading the DMG Aloud 25 Ep 246 ver 2.0
We'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!
07.19.2022
ENnie Nominees Peter Petrusha & Craig Campbell Ep 245
Hear 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...
07.17.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 24 Ep 244
Hear 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...
07.01.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 23 Ep 243
Today, 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...
06.27.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 22 Ep 242
Today, 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...
06.01.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 21 Ep 241
At 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) ...
05.27.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 20 Ep 240
We 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...
05.13.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 19 Ep 239
Continuing 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...
05.01.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 18 Ep 238
What'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...
04.13.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 17 Ep 238
Let'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...
04.01.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 16 Ep 237
Listen 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....
03.25.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 15 Ep 236
Once 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...
02.27.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 14 Ep 235
Once 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...
02.20.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 13 Ep 234
Ben 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...
01.30.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 12 Ep 233
Hear 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...
01.23.2022
Reading the DMG Aloud 11 Ep 232
Once 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...
11.27.2021
Reading the DMG Aloud 10 Ep 231
Again, 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...
11.14.2021
Shanty Hunters -Ep 231
Explore 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...
10.30.2021
Reading the DMG Aloud 9 Ep 230
Which 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...
10.27.2021
Secrets of the Vibrant Isle- Ep 229
Behold 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!
10.01.2021
Raccoon Sky Pirates! Ep 228
Play a trash panda! Raid suburbs for the garbage that is rightfully yours! Check it out here!
07.30.2021
Catching up with Pelgrane Press- Ep 227
One 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!
07.08.2021
What if Evil Tech Cultists Ruled the Galaxy?- Ep 226
Synthicide: 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...
04.30.2021
Now with More Bards! Satine Phoenix & Jamison Stone Center Setting on Bards Ep 225
These 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...
04.10.2021
A Long Look at Amy Vorpahl's Candlekeep Deconstructed Ep 224
A 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!...
03.30.2021
Monte Cook Kickstarts Product so New There's No Word for It Ep 223
Imagine 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...
03.26.2021
An RPG of Maximum Ecstasy with Minimum Effort- Ep 222
City 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...
01.22.2021
Mountains of Madness Panel- Ep 221
Hear 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?...
01.15.2021
Reading the DMG Aloud pt 8- Ep 220
An 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...
01.08.2021
The Homeric RPG! Agon Ep 219
Inspired 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...

What's Plot Points about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Plot Points episodes:

Goodbye My Friends Ep 265

Barkeep on the Borderlands Ep 264

The Response to the End of the Golden Age of TTRPGs

D&D as Postmodernism and WotC Layoffs Ep 262

Sunset on the Golden Age of TTRPGs Ep 261

Reading the DMG Aloud 37 Ep 260

Play a Mutant Amphibian in the 21st Century! Ep 260

Reading the DMG Aloud 36 Ep 259

Reading the DMG Aloud 35 Ep 258

Lovecraftesque 2nd Edition Crowdfunding Campaign Interview Ep 257

Reading the DMG Aloud 34 Ep. 256

Reading the DMG Aloud 33 Ep. 255

Reading the DMG Aloud 32 Ep. 254

Reading the DMG Aloud 31 Ep. 253

Candela Obscura Review Ep- 252

Reading the DMG Aloud 30 Ep 251

Reading the DMG Aloud 29 Ep 250

Reading the DMG Aloud 28 Ep 249

Reading the DMG Aloud 27 Ep 248

Reading the DMG Aloud 26 Ep 247

Reading the DMG Aloud 25 Ep 246 ver 2.0

ENnie Nominees Peter Petrusha & Craig Campbell Ep 245

Reading the DMG Aloud 24 Ep 244

Reading the DMG Aloud 23 Ep 243

Reading the DMG Aloud 22 Ep 242

Reading the DMG Aloud 21 Ep 241

Reading the DMG Aloud 20 Ep 240

Reading the DMG Aloud 19 Ep 239

Reading the DMG Aloud 18 Ep 238

Reading the DMG Aloud 17 Ep 238

Reading the DMG Aloud 16 Ep 237

Reading the DMG Aloud 15 Ep 236

Reading the DMG Aloud 14 Ep 235

Reading the DMG Aloud 13 Ep 234

Reading the DMG Aloud 12 Ep 233

Reading the DMG Aloud 11 Ep 232

Reading the DMG Aloud 10 Ep 231

Shanty Hunters -Ep 231

Reading the DMG Aloud 9 Ep 230

Secrets of the Vibrant Isle- Ep 229

Raccoon Sky Pirates! Ep 228

Catching up with Pelgrane Press- Ep 227

What if Evil Tech Cultists Ruled the Galaxy?- Ep 226

Now with More Bards! Satine Phoenix & Jamison Stone Center Setting on Bards Ep 225

A Long Look at Amy Vorpahl's Candlekeep Deconstructed Ep 224

Monte Cook Kickstarts Product so New There's No Word for It Ep 223

An RPG of Maximum Ecstasy with Minimum Effort- Ep 222

Mountains of Madness Panel- Ep 221

Reading the DMG Aloud pt 8- Ep 220

The Homeric RPG! Agon Ep 219