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Steeplechase was my first, and I had a blast. What should I pick up next?

44 points · submitted Dec 2023 by u/marktastic

Finally decided to give taz a shot after listening to mbmbam for a year. I started right after Steeplechase was ending so I was able to pretty much listen to the whole thing back to back. I thought it was awesome.

I'm about to go on a cross country road trip and looking for opinions for what series to pick up next. Things I liked best about Steeplechase:

  1. intro music
  2. general chemistry/goofiness
  3. atmosphere/story

Which series will give me similar vibes? If they are all gold, then what will make the most sense to listen to in a specific order? TIA

30 comments · 91% upvoted · other discussions

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Gobshite_ 93 points · Dec 2023

If you're into atmosphere I'd say Amnesty, if you're into story/funnies I'd say Balance.

abstergo_Nigel 38 points · Dec 2023

I think Amnesty has a lot of funny to it, it's just more understated. That theme tune is a banger though (do the kids still say banger?)

Halicadd 3 points · Dec 2023

Amnesty rocks. Definitely give it a go next.

[deleted] 2 points · Dec 2023

Hot take but Balance is just okay story-wise. The first half is basically an anthology series of short campaigns in fun settings and then it gets dark and serious in the last couple arcs with enough connective tissue throughout to make it seem like one big story. The only thing really tying the stories together at the beginning is the party's mission to find McGuffins everywhere they go.

atgrey24 53 points · Dec 2023

Balance is the definitive TAZ. The very first arc can be a little stilted, as it was their first time playing together, but it picks up pretty quickly. It starts as them just goofing around and making silly jokes, and they stumble backwards into accidentally creating one of my favorite works of fiction.

An absolute Must Listen. There's an episode "1.5" or something which is an edited down version of the first episode that cuts out a lot of boring set up and them learning to play, and is a better starting point.

Dukeish 16 points · Dec 2023

Yeah this is a non-question. There is other good TAZ, but there is Balance and then everything else.

ArtisticBathroom5031 7 points · Dec 2023

Not to mention they’ll have a whole different take on Bumpershoots after Balance

[deleted] 17 points · Dec 2023

[removed]

Commercial_Cookie780 3 points · Dec 2023

I would say go for Amnesty ov Ethersea. Amnesty will match the pacing a bit better IMO

HamHockShortDock 2 points · Dec 2023

This is a good take.

SenhorSus 10 points · Dec 2023

Balance absolutely. The most fleshed out world out of all the projects so far

Brando3141 8 points · Dec 2023

Balance for sure. Griffin creates a lot of lovable and memorable NPCs. Intro music is fun, but not one of Griffins. He starts creating music for the show around the 4th arc, but he has a real solid track list by the end.

And while it's true that there's a bit of a tone shift part way through: the campaign is split up into unique arcs that feel self-contained and satisfying on their own, and all add to the complete story.

Avarant 12 points · Dec 2023

Weirdly my first thought was Amnesty, but don't skip Balance

lildavydavy 8 points · Dec 2023

Amnesty is absolutely incredible.

nonchalantshallot 3 points · Dec 2023

Amnesty. I always tell people to start with Balance but you've already started and you honestly might be able to finish Amnesty in 1 long road trip as its half the length of Balance

golbrum92 4 points · Dec 2023

Currently on my 5th listen of Balance. I always try to get people to listen!

scdemandred 4 points · Dec 2023

TAZ Balance is where it all started, you should go there next. And frankly, there’s a whole subset of jokes from the fantasy layer in Steeplechase that won’t make sense until you’ve completed balance.

Bodongs 2 points · Dec 2023

If you've never listened to Balance you simply must. It's a little rough around the edges at first but that's part of the charm imo.

geekandthegreek 2 points · Dec 2023

Amnesty. Trust me.

buddhabash 3 points · Dec 2023

Balance is what made them what they are now, and it’s still their best

Nathan256 3 points · Dec 2023

I started with Ethersea and loved it! I haven’t seen as much love for it as some of the other seasons. Dust is also great, I wish it were longer form.

xXLordFamineXx 1 points · Dec 2023

Yes balance but I also really enjoyed "Graduation"

tbird20017 0 points · Dec 2023

I know there was a lot of bandwagon hating on that arc, but it was fine to me. My least favorite so far, but still a 7/10. Travis seemed scattered, and so focused on trying to be inclusive that he forgot the most important part – an interesting story with a good beginning, middle, and end. It wasn't a terrible premise, but being played by the Mcelroys absolutely made it better.

Also, I'd have to say that Dust Season 1 is probably my 2nd favorite. Pretty close to Balance for me. So I know Travis has it in him. I just think he got overwhelmed making Grad 40 episodes, or however long it was.

xXLordFamineXx 0 points · Dec 2023

It was his first time DMing so it's understandable. Griffins whole villain story was awesome. It was just a fun time.

Almostnotreally 1 points · Dec 2023

Amnesty all the way, mostly for duck’s great lie, and the thing about the waffles.

ArtisticBathroom5031 2 points · Dec 2023

For me it’s the French Onion Soup

kevren22 1 points · Dec 2023

I might have missed if they’ve announced what’s coming next, but I know they’ve mentioned returning to the world of Ethersea in n the future, so that could be worth a listen if you want to get caught up and then listen to a season on a live schedule.

Otherwise ditto to what most others are saying: Balance and then Amnesty. I’ve listened to Balance I think 6 times now and Amnesty 3 times and they just don’t get old.

chemistscholar 1 points · Dec 2023

Dadlands, hands down.