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Rolling Dice & Taking Names Gaming Podcast

Rolling Dice & Taking Names Gaming Podcast

By: Pickaxe
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Rolling Dice and Taking Names is a podcast where two seasoned tabletop gamers have discussions about board games, RPGs, and miniatures that are entertaining and informative to casual gamers and experienced hobbyists alike. The level of conversation would be similar to friends sitting around the kitchen table playing the latest game, discussing their likes and dislikes of a style of game, or just trying to make sense of the latest gaming news. In addition, special guests add their gaming knowledge to help the hosts sound more credible. Family friendly, informative and always striving to be entertaining.Pickaxe
Episodes
  • Episode 380: Obsession, Bomb Busters, Lincoln, El Grande and Top 3 Lord of the Rings Games

    Episode 380: Obsession, Bomb Busters, Lincoln, El Grande and Top 3 Lord of the Rings Games
    Jun 30 2026
    00:01:00 Intro00:04:00 Moving the Kids00:10:15 AI in Board Games00:16:30 Obsession00:20:15 Bomb Busters00:23:30 El Grande00:25:00 Neuroshima Hex00:28:30 Miniature Market00:30:00 Our Top 3 LOTR Games00:30:00 Lincoln00:53:30 Portal Games00:55:00 Guild Wars 301:03:30 Outro Even though our regular game night has been on pause for a few weeks, we still managed to squeeze in some great plays with family and friends. Marty kicked things off with Bomb Busters, a title getting a lot of well‑deserved praise. The way he described it reminded me a bit of Hanabi—that same feeling of relying on your teammates to guide you toward the right moves. There’s something deeply satisfying about working together toward a shared victory, especially when the puzzle finally clicks. He also finally got Obsession to the table, a game that’s been floating around one his radar for a while. I’ll admit it’s one I wasn’t familiar with, but that’s hardly surprising given how many games slip past me. Marty had some thoughtful pros and cons, but even with those caveats, it still sounds like something I’d love to try on a future game night, there’s a charm to that Victorian engine‑building vibe that’s hard to resist. And of course, El Grande continues to shine as a perfect introduction to area control, teaching new players the tension and timing that make the genre sing. Every cube, every power card—it all matters. Lincoln, on the other hand, offers a lean, card‑driven take on the American Civil War, capturing momentum, attrition, and asymmetry in a way that feels brisk yet thoughtful. If it weren’t for a few rulebook hiccups, this would’ve been one of those plays that makes you wonder why it took so long to get it to the table in the first place. Thanks for listening and until next time, keep rolling dice and taking names. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Episode 379: Zombie Princess, Chang’an, Comic Book Boom w/Chaz Marler

    Episode 379: Zombie Princess, Chang’an, Comic Book Boom w/Chaz Marler
    Jun 16 2026
    00:01:15 Intro 00:06:30 Chaz is back! 00:09:45 ⁠Fun collaboration⁠ 00:12:00 How has gaming changed over the years 00:40:00 ⁠Miniature Market⁠ 00:41:00 New Review System 00:47:00 ⁠Chang’an ⁠00:58:00 ⁠Zombie Princess⁠ 01:05:00 ⁠Portal Games⁠ 01:06:00 ⁠Comic Book Boom⁠ 01:17:30 Outro with Chaz In this episode, Marty is joined by Chaz Marler from ⁠Game Night Picks⁠. They talk about all the different ways the table top industry has changed over the past 10 years from content creation, to games, to the community. Marty and Tony review some new games using their new format. Shorter, more concise and with a numerical rating. Let us know your thoughts on the new format over on our ⁠Discord ⁠Channel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 39 mins
  • Episode 378: Castelnuovo 1539, Rebuilding Chicago, Toy Battle

    Episode 378: Castelnuovo 1539, Rebuilding Chicago, Toy Battle
    Jun 2 2026
    00:01:15 Intro00:06:30 Gencon 2026 Update00:10:30 Quartermaster General: WWII00:15:00 Moon Colony: Bloodbath00:20:15 Star Wars Unlimited Update00:21:45 Portal Games00:23:30 Rebuilding Chicago00:41:30 Castelnuovo 153900:55:30 Miniature Market00:56:30 Toy Battle01:01:30 Pragmata01:04:30 R-Type Dimensions III01:09:00 Sektori01:10:00 Outro For history fans who enjoy thoughtful, asymmetric challenges, Castelnuovo 1539 offers a compelling take on the “last stand” style of wargame. Blending classic conflict simulation with Euro‑style area control, this two‑player design places you with the Spanish defenders doing everything they can to slow an advancing Ottoman siege. The Spanish side isn’t trying to win outright so much as hold firm and make every step costly, creating a tense, measured experience where each decision carries real weight. With custom card decks and hidden wooden blocks shaping the flow of play, the game builds a steady, immersive pressure without ever feeling overwhelming. Shifting to a much lighter tone, Rebuilding Chicago and Toy Battle trade battlefield grit for creativity and quick, satisfying play. As the standalone follow‑up to Rebuilding Seattle, Rebuilding Chicago invites up to five players to reshape neighborhoods and guide a growing population after the Great Fire of 1871. It’s a warm, engaging tile‑laying puzzle with plenty of room for clever planning. And if you’re looking for something breezy to wrap up a game night, Paolo Mori’s Toy Battle delivers a delightful 15‑minute burst of abstract strategy. With charming toy‑themed troops and whimsical double‑sided maps like the Volcanic Jungle or City of Clouds, it pairs simple rules with just enough tactical bite to leave everyone smiling. We’re truly disappointed that we won’t be able to host the Strike tournament at Gen Con this year. It’s always a highlight for us, and we’ll miss the energy, laughter, and chaos that only Gladiators in an Arena, I mean, a bowl of dice can create. Thanks for listening and a special guest joins us for our next episode, assuming he is on his best behavior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 14 mins
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