‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright! And for showing kith and kin just how much you love them with gifts galore! To give you some inspiration and inevitably earn you the title of Best Gift Giver Ever, we’ve put together the most hyper-specific gift guide you could ever want. Whether you’re shopping for your friend who’s obsessed with steampunk pirates or the person looking to switch up their GM storytelling, or even your roommate who simply will not stop talking about those Bridgerton sex scenes, we’ve got you covered.
— Abby, Shenuque, Brian, and Elliot
For the Person Who Just Wants to Blend In and Definitely Doesn’t Crave Power Beyond Imagination
It’s just a normal briefcase. A totally normal briefcase that definitely isn’t filled with everything you need to investigate and capture supernatural Anomalies that threaten the lives and comfort of normal citizens. Why would you even suspect something like that? I mean…not suspect…suggest…why would you suggest something like that…
For the Geriatric Millennial Who Remembers Having a Subscription to Highlights Magazine
Wyrd Science is the magazine that every hobby wishes it had. Every issue of this magazine (yes, a PHYSICAL magazine) is packed full of interviews, articles, and reviews covering all of the coolest games and designers in the TTRPG and gaming community.
For the Person Who Thinks ‘Jumanji’ Sounds Like Fun But Wishes It Had More Violence
This comic series asks the question: what if you and your friends were pulled into your D&D game? It turns out, a lot of really bad stuff! This excellent series features incredible art by Stephanie Hans and takes a microscope to D&D—and why we play games in general—and weaves an epic tale filled with easter eggs that every TTRPG player will love. Plus, when you fall in love with the comic you can also play DIE RPG, the TTRPG developed in tandem with the comic (listen to our season on My First Dungeon).
For the Person Who Loves Pirates But Also Steampunk But Also Nature
Prepare to sail the high seas! This is a world filled with chainsaw-powered ships, cactus people, and living whispers. Everything in this book is so evocative and fresh which made it one of the few games this year to really set my imagination ablaze. Pair that with some killer storytelling mechanics and you’ve got yourself one hell of a game. Save 25 percent on any Wildsea items with code MYFIRSTDUNGEON! (Listen to our season on My First Dungeon.)
For the Person Who Strives to Become One of the Golden Girls Someday
Brindlewood Bay is a tabletop roleplaying game that combines Murder, She Wrote with H.P. Lovecraft. It’s “Carved by Brindlewood” mechanics are low-prep, but also succeed in helping you to craft, and your players to solve, a satisfying mystery (a notoriously difficult task for a GM). Spooooooooky!
For the Person Who Loves a Good Homebrew Monster
So, you’ve grown tired of the usual owlbears and beholders, have you? This set of fridge magnets will have you crafting devious beasts like a duck with the tail of a shark and one frog arm plus one lobster claw. It comes with more than 90 body parts, plus letters and words to identify your Frankenstein-esque creations for all to see.
For the Monster Fucker
This two-player RPG is all about meal making, courting, and bluffing. One plays as the ravenous Monster, and chooses whether to eat the meal or the meal-maker. One plays as the Monster’s Admirer, and chooses whether to cook something nourishing or deadly. Can you stomach it? J Strautman’s second game is an absolute stunner.
For the Person Who Really Wishes They Loved TTRPGs But Would Totally Play a Different Board Game If You Want
A card game?! In a TTRPG newsletter?! Absolutely! Scout is my current favorite card game and it’s one I carry in my bag at all times. It’s a rummy-inspired trick taking game with one important twist: once you pick up your hand, you can’t change its order. It’s a simple spin on a classic game, but one that is endlessly fun and easy to teach.
For the Person Who Asked for a Banjo for Christmas
Give them a taste of Appalachian jams with BE/HOLD’s latest album release, ‘Where They Landed’, available for preorder now. It is the score to a sci-fi horror film that doesn’t exist—I’m already sold, but, wait there’s more—in this film, aliens make first contact with earth in the hills of Appalachia.
For the Person Who Eats Fruity Pebbles While Watching ‘Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends’ on Saturdays
Yazeba’s Bed & Breakfast is a revolutionary game from the wonderful folks at Possum Creek Games. Play as one of the dozens of rotating guests and residents of the Bed & Breakfast, or as the heartless witch who owns it, and you’ll quickly find yourself falling in love with its simple and ever-changing mechanics. Our official recommendation is to buy two copies of this game: one to play and one to eat. It’s just that good.
For the Perma-GM Who Could Use a Little Help with the World Building
No, these writing dice are not specifically designed for TTRPGs, but they can be mighty helpful, nonetheless! There are nine dice corresponding to character dimensions, times, places, themes, conflicts, and points of view to help get the ol’ brain juices flowing and spark some new ideas to kick off your next game session.
For the GM Who Has Never Killed a PC
In 9 Lives to Valhalla you play viking death metal cats and every time you roll a die, SOMETHING DIES! This game is fast-paced and rewards creativity and boldness, plus you get to make all the cat puns you can think of. Also a good gift for the cat lady in your life who’s created deep lore for her cats. And does voices for them, too. Use code MYFIRSTDUNGEON for 10 percent off your order of 9 Lives to Valhalla and the adventure module Wreck of the Murderous.
For the Person Who Keeps “Borrowing” Your Dice and Not Returning Them, Noah!
Not sure what to get your gaming group Secret Santa this year? Why not try a set of creatively matched dice that definitely aren’t cursed. Ha ha, nope, no curses here!
For the Person Who Watches ‘When Harry Met Sally’ Every Single Night (No Judgement)
OK, maybe some judgement. But it comes alongside a hilariously fun three-person TTRPG by our very own Elliot Davis who is so graciously offering 10 percent off all his finest games all week long, no code necessary! Rom Com Drama Bomb is an asymmetric, GM-less, no-prep game with two players as people who probably shouldn’t fall in love and one evil villain who will stop at nothing to make sure they do.
For the Person Who Seriously Won’t Shut Up About That Carriage Scene
We get it, you’re horny! Keep those Regency-era hornies going with a subscription to the Bitcherton Patreon where you can follow along with the adventures and antics of the Bitcherton family and the inescapably horny Vicar Devoutly. Tiers start at just $3/month, but if you use code OHBITS10 before Sunday, Dec. 8, you can save 10 percent on your first month.
For Your Nephew Who Says He Wants to Listen to Your Podcast Even Though His Mom Thinks Some of the Content Might Be Inappropriate for a 12 Year Old
Give the gift that keeps on giving with a subscription to the Many Sided Media Patreon! Our new and improved Patreon features ad-free episodes, cast talkbacks and more bonus goodies delivered straight to your ears every month. And if you get your shopping done early (before Sunday, Dec. 8) you can save 10 percent off your first month with code MSM10 or 20 percent off your first year with code MSM20.
For the Person Who Likes TTRPGS
Why wear your heart on your sleeve when you can wear it on your forehead? Even better this most literal of gifts is 10 percent off now through Sunday, Dec. 8, with code TSN10!
🎙️ New From The Studio
My First Dungeon presents: Paint the Town Red Season Talkback with Zach Cox (Thursday 12/5)
Bitcherton | Episode 4 with Rekha Shankar — (Wednesday 12/11)
Talk of the Table (w/ Christopher Hastings) — (Monday 12/16)