Running Games for Power Gamers

Power gamers. Min-maxers. Optimizers. Love them or dread them, they show up at nearly every table — especially in professional TTRPG games. But instead of trying to shut them down, what if we designed better experiences around them?

In this episode, I unpack what drives optimization, how to support high-performance play without alienating the rest of your table, and what to watch for when power gaming turns toxic. From encounter design and session pacing to party balance, roleplay, and session zero expectations — this is your full guide to running great games for players who love the numbers and the narrative.

If you’ve ever struggled with a player who outpaces the party, or wondered how to make everyone shine without nerfing a build, this episode is for you.