What's included
1 live meeting
1 in-class hours per weekClass Experience
While no one can deny that Dungeons & Dragons is a beloved classic, the world of tabletop roleplaying is so much larger than a single game or system! In this class, we will delve into the wide array of tabletop RPG systems beyond D&D and the 5e system. We will discuss what types of games different systems work best for, why players might prefer one system over another, and how these systems can be used to represent different skills, actions, or in-game events. Explore Powered by the Apocalypse, Fate Core, and other dice-based systems. Experiment with systems using playing cards, tarot cards, specialized cards, and light/dark tokens to represent gameplay elements in a different way than dice. Each week, we will look at the game book (screen share of PDFs or hold up of tangible books where relevant), discuss the system and setting, look through character classes or playbooks (as relevant), and create a character for the game system. We will not playing the games during class time, though I will help direct learners to GMs/DMs who run these games on Outschool where relevant. Learners should instead think of these meetings as a "session zero" devoted to system and setting introduction and character creation. I am also always willing to set up a class for a game system if enough players want to try it! These games are subject to change based on learner interest. Games may be skipped or the order rearranged if students express a strong interest in exploring more games in a specific system, such as PbtA or Fate. Updates will be reflected on the class listing. Week 1—Root: The Roleplaying Game, a Powered by the Apocalypse system game about anthropomorphic animals using 2d6. Week 2—Heavy Metal Thunder Mouse, a FATE system game about mice in motorcycle games using 4 Fate/Fudge dice. Week 3—Kids on Bikes, a game about '80s childhood nostalgia and magical friends using polyhedral dice. Week 4—Cat, an Advantage system game about cats protecting their humans using 5 d6. Week 5—Primetime Adventures, a game about creating and performing a television show using a standard deck of playing cards. Week 5—Chill 3rd edition, a contemporary investigative horror game using a d10, a percentile die, and token turns. Week 6—Masks, a Powered by the Apocalypse system game about young superheroes using 2d6. Week 7—Imaginarium, a game about dreams and dreamers using a tarot card deck. Week 8—iHunt, a FATE system game about hunting monsters in a gig economy using 4 Fate/Fudge dice and 1 d6. Week 9—Pretty Fairy Princess, a game about being (you guessed it) a pretty fairy princess using a standard deck of playing cards (with special rules for using a tarot deck instead). Week 10—Kids on Brooms, a Kids on Bikes system game about magic-using kids and teens using polyhedral dice. Week 11—Changeling: The Dreaming, a World of Darkness game about the fae stuggling to live in the modern world, using up to 15 d10. Week 12—Thirsty Sword Lesbians, a modified Powered by the Apocalypse system game about LGBTQ+ inclusive love, swords, and adventure using 2d6.
Learning Goals
Students will learns about a variety of tabletop roleplaying systems currently available on the market which do not use D&D 5e mechanics.
Other Details
Parental Guidance
Some tabletop roleplaying games may contain age-appropriate combat/violence, monsters, and themes of romance. Learners are encouraged to examine their own boundaries and comfort level as we approach each game. Learners who are uncomfortable with the subject matter of a specific game (for example, if the learner doesn't wish to explore horror game content) may prefer to unenroll for that week and reenroll after. I am happy to answer questions about any of the games we will be covering.
Supply List
Learners do not need to bring any supplies to class. I will not distribute copies of the games shared in class. I will provide a link to the game discussed each week if learners wish to purchase the game for their own use.
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree from Kennesaw State University
I started playing tabletop roleplaying games almost 30 years ago, beginning with Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition and rapidly expanding into horror, scifi, and other fantasy game systems. I have worked in the a tabletop roleplaying game industry as a writer and editor for over 20 years. My husband and I opened a small roleplaying game publishing company in 2019, producing licensed materials for the contemporary investigative horror game, Chill 3rd Edition. I have extensive experience as a Game Master for players age 8+, and have even run a three-part actual-play game session that aired on YouTube during Dragon Con Goes Virtual in 2020.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$18
weekly1x per week
60 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-8 learners per class