Our old enemy, nuance

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. In our latest episode Iain and Ava tackle a dilemma that has been “haunting” a listener for years. In answering it they discuss if it is ever possible to know the intent of a designer and when it is ok to act in a thematic way when playing a game versus ‘how the game should be played’. They also dive into using music around the gaming table and discuss the benefits, and draw backs, of setting the atmosphere this way. Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedGame of Thrones: The Board Game Cosmic Encounter InisAntiquityTwilight ImperiumDiplomacyLords of VegasMariaFriedrich Dead of WinterOther things mentionedThe Score: C Thi Ngyuen Agency as ArtAsk us a questionhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSegTjz9poSm_5FyBsIfetvOceE_Tazdfc4wFnYHujLLRI1mQA/viewform?usp=headerOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. This episode Iain is back behind the mic along with Ava to talk one of his favourite topics, players in RPGs. They answer a question from a listener about why there is so little advice for players in most RPGs but lots for the GM. They delve into what it takes to be a good player in an RPG, which RPGs excel at giving good player advice, and the techniques you can use to make your games sing. Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedApocalypse WorldBlades in the Dark - Iain’s GuideMothershipA Quiet YearAgonDeathmatch IslandWanderhome - Belonging outside BelongingDIEInto the Oddhttps://www.bastionland.com/For the QueenThe Time we HaveOther things mentionedUnconventional GMsHow to get into RPGs - Iain’s pieceDungeons & Drag QueensTim’s Writing CoursePlay UnsafeImprov for Gamers - Evil Hat book Iain mentionsOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Ask us a questionGoogle FormTim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. In this episode Tim and Ava dive into the tricky issues around board gaming friendships and what to do when they go wrong! They also debate the merits of expansions and muse on how many is too many. If you have questions for our next episode, please get in touch through our socials. Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedTerraforming Mars: PreludeAgricola: All Creatures Big & SmallForest ShuffleFeast for OdinPower GridConcordiaCosmic Encounter Magical AthleteRootSea, Salt, and PaperBattlestar Galactica Other things mentionedRejection Sensitivity Dysphoria Thus Spake Kishibe Rohan Ask us a question!Question FormOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. In this special guest-hosted episode, Ava is joined by 18th centuryist and actual play academic Dr Emily Friedman to talk about setting up game groups in restrictive communities and using games in education environments. Dr Em has a huge range of experience to draw on and brings exciting ideas and fascinating points of view to the usual chaotic agony aunting. We end up mentioning everything from Twilight Imperium to the Brontës' juvenilia, by way of comics, academia, anecdotes and board game arena.Games mentionedDIETwilight ImperiumHeartTriangle AgencyMahjongShakespeare - Avalon HillSeven Part PactTeethFor the QueenOh Captain, my CaptainLittle WarsOther things mentionedThe Actual History of actual playFolger Shakespeare LibraryBoardgame arena Evan Torner MetatopiaFort Circle GamesPatricia Matthew on BridgertonDragon Magazine Emma - Jane AustenOur SocialsMusic by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Emily FriedmanBlueskyWebsiteCritical ProfPatreonTim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. It’s a rare triumvirate as Tim, Ava, and Iain answer questions about the etiquette in finishing a game that you aren’t entirely enjoying and how to be a good trans ally at the table (and maybe some advice about silly voices in RPGs). Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedJohn CompanyOther things mentionedDr. Emily FriedmanMeguey BakerOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. It’s been a while and we are delighted to be back recording answering your ludological questions. One this episode Ava and Iain tackle questions about big box games, second editions, and ice breakers at a hen party! Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedMottainaiGlory to RomeCastle of Burgundy Special Edition Castle of Burgundy original edition Twilight Imperium LisboaMarvel UnitedZombicideBarbecubesTigris & EuphratesCatanMagical Athlete DuneWiz WarFury of Dracula El GrandeWavelengthMonikersCross CluesCodenamesTeam 3Other things mentionedButtonshyCarl Chudyk2001: A Space Odyssey Vital LacerdaThe Complexity of Depth CMONCult of the OldRestoration GamesOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. Tim and Ava are back from the UK Games Expo with a special themed episode around the convention itself. They answer a question about why you should go to the con in the first place and then move on to discussing how to deal with the sheer scale of the event on a personal level. Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedNone this episode, unusual for usOther things mentionedAva’s piece on ExpoTim’s piece on ExpoDragonmeetAireconMind Games OlympiadKnightmare LiveThe Dark RoomOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. Tim and Iain answer a question from a listener about how to help re-onboarding family members when it comes to board games. They also debate the ways to avoid analysis paralysis and talk about our own experiences with it.  Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedWingspanLacunaTwilight StruggleCarcassoneMagical AthleteThe Resistance: AvalonInto the OddArcsRootOther things mentionedBeyond CataclysmDavid ParlettBuridan’s AssOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. The 3 hosts are back together for the first time since the dawn of this podcast and we have some spicy topics to talk about. We tackle a hypothetical university course on the art of games, and what we would include in the syllabus. We also have a chat about how to manage a board game library and the benefits of doing so. Our show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedCatanCan’t StopAcquireEl GrandeDominionPuerto RicoTrain - Brenda Romero DaybreakMolly HouseTwilight StruggleVotes for WomenThe MindApocalypse WorldBlades in the DarkAlice is MissingBluebeard’s BrideOther things mentionedGames: agency as artThe ScoreThe ForgeBlackmoor - the pre-D&D setting Iain was trying to remember. When we were WizardsGame WizardsCritical RoleEdinburgh Board game libraryAncient Robot GamesCards or DieOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite

Welcome to “But, Why Vikings?”. Each episode your hosts Tim Clare, Ava Foxfort, and Iain McAllister will answer a variety of tabletop related questions sent in to them by listeners. From tabletop etiquette to historical mysteries there is no question too esoteric for this group of gaming agony aunts. Ava and Tim, the dream team, are back behind the mics for another episode of questions and queries. This time round they tackle mixed priority tables for RPGs and answer a question about humour in games and what makes them laughOur show notes links to games and sources we mention in running order. Games will have their BGG entry linked to, though we recognise that is not the only source of information on games. Games mentionedPathfinderCall of CthulhuBlades in the Dark - Forged in the Dark Vibes - Forthcoming from MacGuffin and Co Out of SortsMonikersCosmic EncounterBeyond The SunTaco Goat Cheese PizzaJiangnanOther things mentionedSession ZeroOur Socials⁠Music by Fae Spencer on Pixabay⁠Tim ClareBlueskyWebsiteAva FoxfortBlueskyWebsiteIain McAllisterBlueskyWebsite