Tabletop Journeys

TBA

Not every game at Gen Con is a home run, and Michael Ross doesn't pretend otherwise. 🎯In this episode of Tabletop Cafe, Michael breaks down Gen Con 2026 Day Two: Friday, and it's a tale of two very different gaming experiences. First up: a Spaceballs-themed RPG that had everything going for it on paper. The IP, the humor, the Schwartz jokes... but it struggled under the weight of too many players and execution that didn't quite land. A for effort. D for execution. He still had fun. It just wasn't great. 😅But then? Friday night delivered. Flying solo from his crew, Michael snuck off to play the Marvel 616 RPG run by a convention gaming group called McKenzie's Marauders and walked away calling it his best convention experience with the system in four tries. Everyone got their moment to shine, the GM ran a tight comic-book-style story, and it reminded him exactly why he keeps coming back to Gen Con every year. 🦸‍♂️🎲Along the way, Michael digs into what makes or breaks a convention RPG session. Player count, table chemistry, group cohesion, and why gaming with your crew can rescue even a rough session. Real talk, honest takes, and genuine enthusiasm for the hobby. That's Tabletop Cafe.👇 Drop a comment below: Have you ever played the Marvel 616 RPG? And what's your max player count before a convention game starts to fall apart?And remember:✅ Like✅ Subscribe✅ Ring the Bell to never miss an Episode🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in the EpisodeMarvel 616 RPG: the superhero tabletop game Michael keeps returning to at conventionsMcKenzie's Marauders: convention gaming group out of Toledo, Ohio; look for their events!37 Zombies: referenced from the Thursday episode; another convention group worth seeking out🔗 Tabletop Journeys LinksPatreon: http://patreon.com/ttjourneysBluesky: @ttjourneys.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ttjourneysYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ttjourneysWebsite: https://ttjourneys.com/Email: podcast@ttjourneys.com#TabletopCafe #TabletopJourneys #GenCon2026 #GenCon #TTRPGPodcast #Marvel616 #MarvelRPG #SavageWorlds #TTRPG #RoleplayingGames #ConventionGaming #GameMaster #TTRPGCommunity #SpaceballsRPG #IndieRPG #ComicBookRPG #TableTopGaming #PodcastersOfInstagram #YouAreHavingFunDoingItRight

Gen Con 2026 is in the books and Michael is breaking it all down, one day at a time! 🏰⚔️In this episode of Tabletop Cafe, Michael kicks off his Gen Con 2026 recap with Day One: Thursday. He played not one but two Savage Worlds games run by Ron of the gaming group 37 Zombies. Sspoiler: he thinks Ron might be the closest thing to a lab-designed perfect GM he's ever encountered. High energy, cinematic action, spotlight moments for every player at the table... even when that table seats seven or more. 🎬🧟Michael also dips into the dealer hall, shares a quick look at his own GM-less tabletop RPG Action 12 Cinema (a d12-only love letter to over-the-top cinema), gives a warm shout-out to 37 Zombies' legendary Lori's Midnight Games, and delivers an extremely passionate endorsement of Weber's Grill French onion soup. 🍲 (He had it twice on Thursday. We're not judging.)Whether you're a Gen Con veteran, a Savage Worlds fan, or just someone who loves hearing about the magic that happens when a great GM gets behind a screen, this one's for you. And if you see 37 Zombies on your convention event list? Sign up immediately. Save Michael a seat.👇 Drop a comment below: What's YOUR must-play game or must-eat meal at Gen Con? And who's your favorite convention GM?And remember:✅ Like✅ Subscribe✅ Ring the Bell to never miss an Episode🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode37 Zombies Gaming Group — look for their events at your next convention!Action 12 Cinema — Michael's own GM-less TTRPG using only d12sWeber's Grill Restaurant, Indianapolis — French onion soup, apparently life-changing🔗 Tabletop Journeys LinksPatreon: http://patreon.com/ttjourneysBluesky: @ttjourneys.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ttjourneysYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ttjourneysWebsite: https://ttjourneys.com/Email: podcast@ttjourneys.com#TabletopCafe #TabletopJourneys #GenCon2026 #GenCon #TTRPGPodcast #SavageWorlds #TTRPG #DungeonsAndDragons #TabletopRPG #RoleplayingGames #ConventionGaming #GameMaster #IndieRPG #TTRPGCommunity #BoardGames #Action12Cinema #37Zombies #PodcastersOfInstagram #TTRPGTwitter #YouAreHavingFunDoingItRight

Preservations (S4 Ep. 4) – Keys to The Vault Ep. (Act 2.3)The plan is set. Now the crew must turn it into a mission.A prototype ship, hidden weapons, borrowed identities, and a destination already sliding toward chaos. Every choice must be made before the team crosses beyond Federation space. With rescue hours away and secrecy as vital as survival, the crew of the Dilamus Christian prepares for an operation that cannot carry Starfleet fingerprints.In this Star Trek Adventures 2E actual play, see how mission planning, equipment, character stakes, and hard constraints create tension before the first shot is fired. a practical showcase of TTRPG mission and adventure design.🌌 #ttrpg #roleplayerswanted #seekingGM #lookingforgame #SciFi #StarTrekAdventuresRPG2E #2D20 #TTRPG #StarTrek #ActualPlay #IDICYall #TabletopJourneys #CallYourBoysTTJ===================================Star Trek Adventures RPG is published by Modiphius Entertainment🛸 Star Trek and all related marks, logos, and characters are owned by CBS Studios Inc.🎲 Star Trek Adventures is published by Modiphius Entertainment.🎲 2d20 System Designer: Nathan Dowdell📊 Project Manager: Jim JohnsonBe sure to check out the Free Mission Brief Packs mentioned in this episode:📥 Star Trek Adventures Free Downloads: https://modiphius.net/en-us/pages/star-trek-adventures-downloadsSpecial thanks to B.C. Holmes. You can use their free tools to help build your campaign, just like AEGIS, with the links below.🌐STA Character Builder (BC Holmes): https://sta.bcholmes.orgTo support their incredible work, join their Patreon.👏 Special Shout Out: BC Holmes (https://www.patreon.com/c/bcholmes/posts)===================================Tabletop Journeys is hosted by Josh Newton and Lewanika Miller, with Michael Ross🎧 Listen & Watch:You can support the channel by sharing the episode with your friends and leaving a comment.If you would like to explore the galaxy alongside the Dilamus Christian and those serving aboard Asselin Station. or check out our Patreon pageTabletop Journeys Links:🧡 Patreon: patreon.com/ttjourneys🦋 Bluesky: @ttjourneys.bsky.social📘 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ttjourneys▶️ YouTube: / @ttjourneys🌐 Website: https://ttjourneys.com/📧 Email: podcast@ttjourneys.com📚 Check Our Library of Content:🌐 On DriveThruRPG: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/28665/tabletop-journeys-llc🌐 On DM's Guild: https://www.dmsguild.com/en/browse?keyword=tabletop%20journeys%20llccAnd remember:✅ Like✅ Subscribe✅ Ring the Bell to never miss an episode.

🕷️ Ever wanted to play Spider-Man, Captain America, or Wolverine in a tabletop RPG using the actual licensed Marvel system?

In this episode of Tabletop Cafe, host Michael takes you on a deep-dive mechanical breakdown of the Marvel Multiverse RPG, designed by Matt Forbeck. From the unique Marvel Dice System to the six-tier ranking structure, damage calculations, Karma, Traits, Tags, Powers, and where to start if you're brand new. This one's packed with everything you need to know.

Whether you're a lifelong Marvel fan, a seasoned TTRPG veteran, or just curious about superhero roleplaying games, this is your essential guide. Drop a comment below and tell us: Which hero would YOU play first? 🦸

⏱️Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
04:20 – The Marvel Dice System
09:20 – The Ranking Structure (Rank 1–6)
14:10 – The M.A.R.V.E.L. Ability Stats
17:20 – Action Checks & Damage Calculations
19:40 – Damage Reduction Explained
21:48 – Karma: The Meta Currency
34:09 – Traits & Tags
42:00 – The Cataclysm of Kang Adventure
45:08 – Starter Sets & Where to Buy

And remember:
✅ Like
✅ Subscribe
✅ Ring the Bell to never miss an Episode

🔗 Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode

🎲 Marvel Multiverse RPG — https://www.marvel.com/rpg
📦 Escape from Planet Hulk Starter Set — available from your local game store
📚 Core Rulebook & Expansions (Avengers, X-Men, Spider-Verse, Secret Wars)
🛒 Third-party adventures — DriveThruRPG.com

🗺️ Tabletop Journeys Links

Patreon: patreon.com/ttjourneys
Bluesky: @ttjourneys.bsky.social
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ttjourneys
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ttjourneys
Website: https://ttjourneys.com/
Email: podcast@ttjourneys.com

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