POPULARITY
Categories
The Sidebars get some long-awaited answers about the seedy underbelly of Air, before taking a trip down, down, down into said underbelly.... and there's pig and pigeon stuff too. It gets weird.Featuring:Erika Jayne as Taryn GrimSeverin Gourley as Dexter ClementineKasia Wayfinder as Granny Sabinkaand Julz Burgisser as DMVisit www.fateofisen.com to learn more.Fate of Isen is one of the Feedspot top D&D podcasts in the world! Check out Feedspot here.If you like the show, please feel free to follow us on social media (@fateofisen) or support us on Patreon! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Intro, outro, and recap music by freesound user, Tyops, and ambient sound by TabletopAudio.com
Before the Civil War, John Fremont made a national reputation as "The Pathfinder" for helping to open up America's west coast. Emerging Civil War contributor Tonya McQuade has been on Fremont's trail, finding him in some of the most unusual places.The Emerging Civil War Podcast is hosted by Chris Mackowski. This episode is brought to you by Civil War Trails, the world's largest open-air museum, offering more than 1,500 sites across six states. Request a brochure at civilwartrails.org to start planning your trip today.
The exciting conclusion to Murder in Metal City! Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee Jocelyn Hamilton – Together in Electric Dreams (Dreams) John Godek – Xabi Fraglorious Rue Dickey – […]
Every RPG player knows the real game doesn't start when the dice hit the table. No, the real adventure begins when some nerds open a rulebook, stare at a character sheet, and argue about whether a Wookiee hacker with a moral crusade for droid rights is mechanically viable. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Quickstart series, the crew tackles FFG Star Wars RPG character creation in Fantasy Flight's Edge of the Empire. Randall decides the galaxy clearly needs a Force-sensitive Wookie slicer, Ash plans to become the smooth-talking Twi'lek pilot with questionable ethics, and Tyler guides them through the rules like Han Solo navigating an astroid field. Fewer explosions, though. The crew debates Wookie vocal acting, and give a lot of attention to character backgrounds, motivations, and that fancy "obligation" mechanic that Tyler has been gushing about for the past 5 seasons. Show Notes In Part 2 of the RPGBOT Quickstart guide to the Fantasy Flight Star Wars RPG, the hosts dive deep into character creation for Edge of the Empire, walking listeners step-by-step through how to build a playable character from concept to crunch. The episode begins with a quick refresher on the core elements that define a character in the FFG Star Wars: Unlike traditional D&D-style builds focused on race and class alone, Star Wars characters are shaped by several narrative and mechanical layers: species, career, specialization trees, obligation, motivations, skills, and equipment. Understanding the Core Pieces of a Star Wars Character Characters start from their background and motiviation, which are mostly narrative, but your motivation can provide a recurring source of bonus experience points used to advance your character. Ash selects "Freedom," while Randall chooses "Droid Rights." Next is choosing a species, which determines starting attributes, wound thresholds, strain thresholds, and sometimes special abilities. The group reviews options like humans, droids, wookiees, and other iconic Star Wars species, each bringing unique mechanical strengths. From there, players select a career, the Star Wars equivalent of a class. Careers such as Smuggler, Technician, Bounty Hunter, Colonist, Explorer, and Hired Gun are available in Edge of the Empire, with other careers available in other core books. Each career also includes specialization trees: talent grids that players spend XP on to get exciting new talents. The Obligation Mechanic One of the defining mechanics of Edge of the Empire is the Obligation system. Each character begins with one or more "obligations": debts, blackmail, criminal records, or personal responsibilities that can become recurring problems during play. Players can choose from a table of suggestions or work with the GM to create their own. We like a d100 table, so we rolled. Ash rolls Blackmail, suggesting their former Imperial ties might come back to haunt them, while Randall rolls Criminal, representing legal trouble tied to a mysterious identity issue in which he's wanted for his own murder. The hosts discuss how obligation works at the table, and also how you can get some extra goodies at character creation for taking on extra Obligation. Spending Experience Points The group also covers starting XP allocation during character creation. Players spend XP to increase attributes, train skills, and unlock talents from specialization trees. Tyler explains the economic balance behind XP spending: Improving characteristics is expensive but powerful, while skills can offer cheaper and more focused improvements. Talents are similarly powerful, but often more complex than straight numerical improvements. Players can also spend XP to unclock new specializations, including from different careers. Tyler, who is in fact a generous GM, gives Ash and Randall a big pile of extra starting XP so that Randall can get force powers without cutting into his slicing skills. Equipment and Starting Gear Finally, character spend starting credits on equipment. Ash and Randall spend some time eyeballing armor, weapons, and other goodies. Even simple purchases like blaster pistols can dramatically shape a character's early playstyle, and the meager starting credits (500 by default) don't go very far. By the end of the episode, the party has assembled a crew: A Twi'lek smuggler pilot with secrets and imperial entanglements A Wookie slicer fighting for droid rights and running from the law A ship, an NPC astromech droid, and a galaxy full of problems The perfect setup for Star Wars. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Send a textAddison and Rae from the best rock band from LA returns to the Pod!! We try three new drinks from Shake Up Cocktails, The Pathfinder and Phase Three Brewing! We catch up with the band and talk about them completing their new album, new songs they have dropped in 2026 and if they like licking tree bark!!! Just kidding. We also talk about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame noms, Ticketmaster being in court and what the hell is Delta 9. Segment 1 Top Shelf: Blind Rankings ( Sandwiches and Munchies) Drinks had 10mg Delta 9 THC Lemon Shake(Shake up Cocktails) & 10mg Delta 9 THC Mountain Doom (Coastalo) SodaSegment 2 Pub Talk: We learn more about rosecoloredworld, Addison and Rae. Drink had Double Nectar ( Phase 3 Brewing and Hop Station )Segment 3 Pop Culture: We Cultivate what is what in Tv, Movies and Music! Drink had Negroni (The Pathfinder) Non Alcoholic Mocktail Theme Song by Lost Like Lions Guest Links and Social Media:Instagram: @rcwofficialTwitter/ X : @thercwofficialFacebook: RosecoloredworldYoutube: RosecoloredworldOur Merch Store!!Hop Station Craft BarGet Beer, Cocktails, and fab food while enjoying darts, vintage games. Hop Station is hopping!Coastalos SodasUrban Artifact launched our own hemp derived THC brand Coastalo. Made with real fruit!!Niles BrewingUnique Beers and Cocktails! They host events and trivia weekly. Located in downtown Niles, Michigan!Perry Vine MeadsThe place to be in the Midwest to get your buzz on with the some of the finest meads ever!Shake Up CocktailsWant a zesty and fresh cocktail with the flavors of the fair? Go no further than Shake Up Cocktails!Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show
Our heroes pass through Flameford, home of the Sklar-Quah, on their way to the Thrallkeepers' Acropolis. We are Third Action, an Pathfinder Second Edition actual-play podcast running through the classic Curse of the Crimson Throne adventure path. Watch us live at 7:30 PM PST every Monday night @ https://www.twitch.tv/thirdaction ! Discord - https://discord.gg/JwuyMnV ResourcesCrimson Throne Harrow Point System Details: https://bit.ly/3a-harrowPathfinder 2nd Edition, Rise of the Runelords, and Curse of the Crimson Throne - Paizo - https://www.paizo.comFeaturing Custom Music By - Irene Chan ( https://www.irenechanmusic.com/ ), Schaianovus ( https://www.youtube.com/@Schianovus ) & Rina-Hime ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtES6-sQY2QUyxDSzamvfSA ), and Roman RajczykCurse of the Crimson Throne CastGame Master - Jason Hamilton Regan Belladonna - Char Cullen Tullios Couldarn / "Mayhem" - Wil Smith Felix Milos - Alex FrangisCrimson Throne Player Art - Avery Helm ( https://www.averyhelm.ca/ ) Rise of the Runelords CastGame Master - Jason Hamilton Asher Ford - Char Cullen Greshy Ironroot - Wil Smith Gunn Shough - Adam HigleyRunelords Player Art - Skyler Badalament-Tirrell ( https://www.patreon.com/Skyler/ )
The party had a plan. The Fighter would kick in the door. The Rogue would sneak behind the enemy. The Cleric would prepare a healing spell. And the Sorcerer? The Sorcerer would spend six minutes explaining why Fireball is technically the safest solution to every problem, including diplomacy, stealth, and emotional growth. Because Wizards study magic… Warlocks borrow magic… But a D&D 5e Sorcerer is what happens when magic studies you and decides you're the group's primary tactical error. Today on RPGBOT: Sorcerer Levels 5 - 20 optimization, where your spell list gets bigger, your decisions get more destructive, and your Metamagic makes the DM visibly tired. Show Notes In this episode, the hosts dive deep into D&D 5e Sorcerer levels 5 - 20, focusing on high-level spellcasting strategy and how to survive having fewer spells known than literally every other full caster in the game. The discussion begins with the defining problem of high-level Sorcerers: choice scarcity. Unlike Wizards who prepare spells or Clerics who access entire spell lists, the Sorcerer spell selection becomes a long-term commitment system. Every spell must justify permanent residence in your character sheet. A bad pick at level 7 can haunt you until level 17. The conversation then pivots to Metamagic combinations, the true engine of the Sorcerer's power. Twinned Spell, Quickened Spell, and Subtle Spell are analyzed not as flavor tools but as tools to get more power out of their limited spell selection. From there the hosts analyze essential Sorcerer spells from levels 5 - 20, covering staples like battlefield control, defensive reactions, and encounter-ending options. The episode stresses a core Sorcerer philosophy: your spell list should not just be diverse, it should be ruthlessly efficient. The episode closes by discussing late-game scaling, Sorcery Point economy, and why the optimized Sorcerer becomes less of a caster and more of a reality-editing problem for the DM. At tier 4 play, the class stops solving encounters and starts rewriting them. Key Takeaways D&D 5e Sorcerer levels 5–20 reward planning more than improvisation due to limited spells known Your spell list should focus on encounter-winning effects, not utility redundancy Metamagic optimization 5e is the class's real power — action economy beats raw spell damage Twinned Spell dramatically increases value of single-target spells Quickened Spell converts turns into burst rounds and enables combo casting Subtle Spell bypasses counterspell and social encounter restrictions The best Sorcerer spell choices high level 5e scale across multiple tiers of play Defensive reactions matter more than armor — positioning keeps Sorcerers alive Sorcery Points are a strategic resource, not a panic button A well-built Sorcerer removes threats before durability becomes relevant High-tier Sorcerers specialize in encounter control rather than damage output The optimized Sorcerer plays fewer spells — but each one reshapes the battlefield Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Randall: "So this is a Star Wars RPG where we're not Jedi, not heroes, and not important… we're basically the guy who owes Jabba rent." Tyler: "Correct. You're the reason bounty hunters have a 401k." Ash: "Finally! A system that understands my characters are emotionally complicated, morally questionable, and one hyperdrive failure away from eating space ramen." -The RPGBOT.Podcast cast, probably Show Notes In this Star Wars: Edge of the Empire RPG How to Play, the RPGBOT crew dives into the core concepts and themes of Fantasy Flight's narrative dice system, a tabletop RPG focused less on galactic heroes and more on desperate scoundrels trying to survive under Imperial rule. Unlike traditional D&D-style tabletop RPG mechanics, Edge of the Empire emphasizes storytelling consequences over binary success and failure. Using custom narrative dice pools, players roll not only to determine success, but also complications, advantages, triumphs, and catastrophic disasters. A blaster shot might hit, but now the Empire knows where you are. A failed stealth check might still reveal useful intel. Every roll advances the story. The hosts explain how the three core game lines: Edge of the Empire (scoundrels), Age of Rebellion (soldiers), and Force and Destiny (Jedi). They share identical mechanics but radically different narrative tones. Edge of the Empire specifically captures the Outer Rim survival fantasy: smugglers, bounty hunters, colonists, and criminals living paycheck-to-paycheck in a galaxy ruled by the Empire. A major highlight is the narrative dice system in Star Wars RPG, where opposed dice cancel symbols to create layered outcomes: success with threat, failure with advantage, or rare triumph and despair moments that dramatically alter scenes. This mechanic encourages cinematic storytelling reminiscent of Andor, Firefly, and The Mandalorian. The episode also introduces one of the system's defining features: the party ship. Players don't just own equipment: they share a starship that acts as a character, home base, and constant financial burden. Fuel, repairs, and debts ensure players stay motivated, reinforcing the "scrappy crew survival" tone. Finally, the hosts discuss why Edge of the Empire excels at collaborative storytelling. Instead of heroes destined to save the galaxy, players create flawed people navigating obligations, debts, and consequences, making it one of the most thematic RPG systems available. Key Takeaways Edge of the Empire focuses on scoundrels and survival rather than Jedi heroics The three core books share mechanics but offer different campaign tones (smugglers, soldiers, Jedi) The Fantasy Flight narrative dice system produces multi-layered outcomes (success + complication) Triumph and Despair create cinematic story moments beyond normal RPG success/failure Players share a ship that functions as a party hub and constant source of financial pressure The system encourages collaborative storytelling over tactical optimization Designed to emulate Firefly-style and Mandalorian-style adventures Force users exist but aren't required — the game works best as a crew drama Resource scarcity ("keeping players hungry") drives plot motivation One roll always advances the story — failure never stalls gameplay Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
"The Fourth Action" is a Roundtable discussion for Wayfinder Legends! In this episode, the Cast discusses their reactions to Saffron, plus DM tips for blending individual PCs into a pre-written adventure, and a big spoiler for Paizo's continued world-building of the Pathfinder multi-verse! Special Thanks:Theme Music - "Together We Rise" by Wind Rose (used with permission)Dice for the cast of Wayfinder Legends provided by Esty Way Gaming.Wayfinder Legends is a Red Dirt RPG, LLC production.JOIN THE PARTY! CAST:Jeremy - Boddy, a Hobgoblin seeking a new purposeHal - Plame, a charismatic and entertaining, young goblinEmily - Inara, a confident and hot-headed, young Kellish womanBrook - Fawin, an Aiuvarin (half-elven) born into privilegeStacy - Pathfinder 2e Gamemaster
We make our way down to Lower Argoron where we meet a laughable new friend. Gurdrug is more concerned about gold, and Arius is more concerned about bones. Get more great MNmaxed and PF2E content on our YouTubeTalk to us and other MNmaxed listeners in DiscordTo support MNmaxed, check out our PatreonAdditional audio is provided by TabletopAudio.comSupport the show
In episode 136 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer (and Danielle's co-designer on Tricky Kids), Steven Ungaro, who shares his “zero-to-three-games-in-a-year-hero” design journey. They discuss how discovering hobby games led him down the research rabbit hole many aspiring designers fall into, and how resources like the long-running Ludology podcast have evolved […]
Thanks for listening! You can find us at various places. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thehobbledgoblin Website: https://thehobbledgoblin.com/thg-podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehobbledgoblin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hobbled_goblin/?hl=en X formerly know as Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hobbled_Goblin Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thehobbledgoblin Become a member of the Goblin Horde on Discord: https://discord.gg/SrYudSF Our logo was created by the talented Tassiji Stamp: https://tassji_s.artstation.com/?fbclid=IwAR05hAwWjkzRyXwA6pvyshksystohtOhw0jt5dZ6ln5KTGc5y-F7nvpwRJU
If you've ever been told you look fine when you feel anything but, or found your people somewhere nobody expected, pull up a chair.More info, resources & ways to connect - https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/nicholas-ruchlewiczNicholas Ruchlewicz Survived a Traumatic Brain Injury. Then He Used Pathfinder TTRPG to Help Put Himself Back Together.On March 15, 2016 - the Ides of March, smack in the middle of Brain Injury Awareness Month - Nicholas Ruchlewicz was in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash that changed everything. He woke up not knowing where he was, seeing double, unable to control his own hands. Doctors had to tie them down because he kept pulling staples out of his own skull. He had a plate holding his pelvis together. He was living in his mom's basement with the handles taken off his wheelchair so he could fit down the hallway.That's where this story starts.In this episode, Nicholas walks us through what early recovery actually looked like... the speech therapy he fought tooth and nail because he "just hurt his legs," the 12 steps on a walker that were the hardest he'd ever taken, and the Pandora station full of Type O Negative and Opeth that his girlfriend played in the ICU and that you could literally watch lower his blood pressure on the monitors.The conversation gets really interesting when we get into how Nicholas found his way back through tabletop role-playing games. He'd already been playing Pathfinder before the crash. After it, rolling dice at a game store gave him a reason to get out of the house, a way to rebuild his cognitive function, and a community that showed up for him in ways he didn't expect... including visiting him in the hospital. He now runs organized play events up and down the East Coast, has run nearly 400 Pathfinder games, and uses the platform he's built to speak to political organizations and members of Congress about brain injury recovery and mental health.We also get into why TTRPGs specifically hit different from other hobbies when it comes to healing - the creative freedom, the social scaffolding, the way playing a confident character can quietly build confidence in real life. Nicholas has watched it help people work through social anxiety, find community, and feel seen in ways that are genuinely hard to manufacture anywhere else.He also shares a couple of practical life hacks from his recovery that honestly apply to everyone: the "1-2-3" pause technique and the Viktor Frankl principle about the space between stimulus and response being where your power lives.Nicholas's story is a good reminder that recovery is rarely linear and help shows up in unexpected places... sometimes in the form of math rocks and imaginary creatures, and a table full of people who are just glad you showed up.
Paizo’s Starfinder Society Developer Jessica Catalan updates Alex and James on the past, present, and future of SFS. Recorded live on Twitch. Listen Now! (mp3)
We began this series asking a simple question: Is the Pugilist balanced? We continued by asking: How much damage is too much damage? Today we ask the only question left: At what point does the DM legally become a victim? Welcome to the finale of the guide to Optimizing the D&D 5e Pugilist, where the class doesn't just punch monsters, it punches D&D's encounter design. Across three episodes we've had grapples that ignore physics, exhaustion that improves performance, and damage numbers that topple dragon gods. We have reached the final stage of optimization: not just winning fights, but ending them un assisted in a single turn. Show Notes In the final installment of the RPGBOT.Podcast's series on optimizing the Pugilist in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the hosts move from early-level performance into full class evaluation and overall design conclusions. After previously demonstrating extremely high damage output from low levels, the conversation now focuses on scaling, balance implications, and what the class actually does to a campaign over time. The episode revisits the central mechanical problem: Haymaker. The hosts repeatedly identify it as the feature that converts the Pugilist from a strong martial into a potentially disruptive one, since turning attacks into maximum damage fundamentally breaks the assumptions behind D&D 5e encounter math. As the episode continues, the class's core identity becomes clear. The Pugilist is not merely a striker; it is a layered combat engine combining advantage generation, forced positioning, resource recovery, and survivability. Features like Moxie, temporary hit points, and exhaustion mitigation allow the character to operate at peak output in nearly every encounter instead of pacing resources across the adventuring day. The conclusion of the series is less about banning the Pugilist and more about understanding its problems and how to make the class work at the table without causing problems. The class is effective, flavorful, and fun, but its mechanics change how D&D works around it. There's a real question about how much damage output is too much, and the Pugilist is clearly well past that line. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
We began this series asking a simple question: Is the Pugilist balanced? We continued by asking: How much damage is too much damage? Today we ask the only question left: At what point does the DM legally become a victim? Welcome to the finale of the guide to Optimizing the D&D 5e Pugilist, where the class doesn't just punch monsters, it punches D&D's encounter design. Across three episodes we've had grapples that ignore physics, exhaustion that improves performance, and damage numbers that topple dragon gods. We have reached the final stage of optimization: not just winning fights, but ending them un assisted in a single turn. Show Notes In the final installment of the RPGBOT.Podcast's series on optimizing the Pugilist in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the hosts move from early-level performance into full class evaluation and overall design conclusions. After previously demonstrating extremely high damage output from low levels, the conversation now focuses on scaling, balance implications, and what the class actually does to a campaign over time. The episode revisits the central mechanical problem: Haymaker. The hosts repeatedly identify it as the feature that converts the Pugilist from a strong martial into a potentially disruptive one, since turning attacks into maximum damage fundamentally breaks the assumptions behind D&D 5e encounter math. As the episode continues, the class's core identity becomes clear. The Pugilist is not merely a striker; it is a layered combat engine combining advantage generation, forced positioning, resource recovery, and survivability. Features like Moxie, temporary hit points, and exhaustion mitigation allow the character to operate at peak output in nearly every encounter instead of pacing resources across the adventuring day. The conclusion of the series is less about banning the Pugilist and more about understanding its problems and how to make the class work at the table without causing problems. The class is effective, flavorful, and fun, but its mechanics change how D&D works around it. There's a real question about how much damage output is too much, and the Pugilist is clearly well past that line. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Our heroes begin set out to subdue the foes of the Shoanti and earn the respect of the Quahs. We are Third Action, an Pathfinder Second Edition actual-play podcast running through the classic Curse of the Crimson Throne adventure path. Watch us live at 7:30 PM PST every Monday night @ https://www.twitch.tv/thirdaction ! Discord - https://discord.gg/JwuyMnV ResourcesCrimson Throne Harrow Point System Details: https://bit.ly/3a-harrowPathfinder 2nd Edition, Rise of the Runelords, and Curse of the Crimson Throne - Paizo - https://www.paizo.comFeaturing Custom Music By - Irene Chan ( https://www.irenechanmusic.com/ ), Schaianovus ( https://www.youtube.com/@Schianovus ) & Rina-Hime ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtES6-sQY2QUyxDSzamvfSA ), and Roman RajczykCurse of the Crimson Throne CastGame Master - Jason Hamilton Regan Belladonna - Char Cullen Tullios Couldarn / "Mayhem" - Wil Smith Felix Milos - Alex FrangisCrimson Throne Player Art - Avery Helm ( https://www.averyhelm.ca/ ) Rise of the Runelords CastGame Master - Jason Hamilton Asher Ford - Char Cullen Greshy Ironroot - Wil Smith Gunn Shough - Adam HigleyRunelords Player Art - Skyler Badalament-Tirrell ( https://www.patreon.com/Skyler/ )
Today the RPGBOT crew explains how to survive levels 1-4 without becoming a cautionary tale titled "Local Wizard College Denies Knowing This Child." We discuss the best low level sorcerer spells, metamagic optimization, and other essentials for a low level Sorcerer build. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT hosts dive into the chaotic beauty of the Dungeons & Dragons 5e sorcerer from levels 1-4, exploring how to construct a functional magical character before the class truly "comes online." Early sorcerer gameplay is defined by scarcity: limited spell slots, fragile hit points, and the emotional stability of a shaken soda can. The discussion begins with the identity crisis at the heart of the class. Unlike the wizards in D&D 5e, the sorcerer does not study magic: they are magic. This shapes both mechanics and roleplay. We also discuss picking the best Sorcerer subclass. Your subclass determines not only your features, but also your big thematic parts of your character: divine heir, chaotic anomaly, draconic nepo-baby, or walking cosmic accident. The hosts emphasize survival strategy first. At levels 1-2, your goal is not dominance — it's remaining alive long enough to become interesting. Spell selection becomes critical: choosing the best level 1 5e sorcerer spells like Shield, Mage Armor, and Chromatic Orb dramatically increases longevity. Bad spell selection, meanwhile, results in a character sheet that doubles as a memorial plaque. Metamagic arrives at level 3, transforming the class from fragile caster into tactical specialist. The conversation highlights best metamagic options for a low level sorcerer such as Twinned Spell and Quickened Spell, explaining how action economy manipulation creates disproportionate power spikes in early encounters. Suddenly the Sorcerer stops being a liability and becomes the party's artillery platform. The episode closes with practical advice: early sorcerers are specialists, not generalists. You cannot solve every problem, but you can solve a few problems spectacularly. Pick a lane (damage, control, or support) and commit. A focused build produces a memorable character; a scattered one produces a smear on dungeon flooring. Key Takeaways Early D&D 5e sorcerer levels 1-4 are about survival, not dominance Always take staple defensive spells like Shield and Mage Armor Subclass choice defines both mechanics and roleplay identity Metamagic at level 3 is the class's first real power spike Metamagic like Twinned Spell and Quickened Spell dramatically improve your spells Pick a specialization: blaster, controller, or support; don't split your focus until you can learn more spells Sorcerers excel when casting fewer spells more effectively Strong backstory enhances the experience of roleplaying a sorcerer in D&D 5e A bad spell list hurts more than low hit points Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Today the RPGBOT crew explains how to survive levels 1-4 without becoming a cautionary tale titled "Local Wizard College Denies Knowing This Child." We discuss the best low level sorcerer spells, metamagic optimization, and other essentials for a low level Sorcerer build. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT hosts dive into the chaotic beauty of the Dungeons & Dragons 5e sorcerer from levels 1-4, exploring how to construct a functional magical character before the class truly "comes online." Early sorcerer gameplay is defined by scarcity: limited spell slots, fragile hit points, and the emotional stability of a shaken soda can. The discussion begins with the identity crisis at the heart of the class. Unlike the wizards in D&D 5e, the sorcerer does not study magic: they are magic. This shapes both mechanics and roleplay. We also discuss picking the best Sorcerer subclass. Your subclass determines not only your features, but also your big thematic parts of your character: divine heir, chaotic anomaly, draconic nepo-baby, or walking cosmic accident. The hosts emphasize survival strategy first. At levels 1-2, your goal is not dominance — it's remaining alive long enough to become interesting. Spell selection becomes critical: choosing the best level 1 5e sorcerer spells like Shield, Mage Armor, and Chromatic Orb dramatically increases longevity. Bad spell selection, meanwhile, results in a character sheet that doubles as a memorial plaque. Metamagic arrives at level 3, transforming the class from fragile caster into tactical specialist. The conversation highlights best metamagic options for a low level sorcerer such as Twinned Spell and Quickened Spell, explaining how action economy manipulation creates disproportionate power spikes in early encounters. Suddenly the Sorcerer stops being a liability and becomes the party's artillery platform. The episode closes with practical advice: early sorcerers are specialists, not generalists. You cannot solve every problem, but you can solve a few problems spectacularly. Pick a lane (damage, control, or support) and commit. A focused build produces a memorable character; a scattered one produces a smear on dungeon flooring. Key Takeaways Early D&D 5e sorcerer levels 1-4 are about survival, not dominance Always take staple defensive spells like Shield and Mage Armor Subclass choice defines both mechanics and roleplay identity Metamagic at level 3 is the class's first real power spike Metamagic like Twinned Spell and Quickened Spell dramatically improve your spells Pick a specialization: blaster, controller, or support; don't split your focus until you can learn more spells Sorcerers excel when casting fewer spells more effectively Strong backstory enhances the experience of roleplaying a sorcerer in D&D 5e A bad spell list hurts more than low hit points Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
The rogue Nexus-9 replicant finally surfaces to hunt her victim as Matt tries to stop her. The finale to Case File 01: Electric Dreams.Join us on our Discord: https://discord.gg/tQGJVsrnNpFollow us on Blue Sky and X @BlackLodgeRPG and on Mastadon @ BLTNRecorded on 2/26/26Free League's Blade Runner: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/blade-runner-rpg/"Dances and Dames"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/In session music provided by Tabletop RPG Music: www.patreon.com/tabletoprpgmusicStatic Sound Effect by necrodigits and available from Pixabay at: https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-radio-static-1-wav-35283/Flickering Light Sound Effect by Freesound and available at:https://pixabay.com/sound-effects/film-special-effects-flickeringlight-90411/(00:00:00) Intro and Pathfinder chat(00:04:45) Trivia (three for the price of one)(00:09:18) Recap(00:11:22) Start of session(01:10:17) Fade to Black(01:12:26) Post-adventure discussion(01:36:02) Disaster strikes
On the March 6 episode of Friday LIVE, we are back at the Mill Coffee and Tea in Lincoln's Haymarket. Host Genevieve Randall will have lively conversations with: Two of the leading actors from the ensemble bringing The Music Man to the Lied Center for the Arts (1:30), Artist Cindy Weil about her "Only Wool" exhibition at Kearney's Museum of Nebraska Art (10:03), Fremont's Pathfinder Chorus about an upcoming show (23:52), artists Stacy Larson and Lauren Krusso who's work is being shown at the LUX Arts Center (31:39), the executive director for the Carnegie Arts Center, Kyren Gibson, about their newest exhibition (39:08), and with Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra's conductor Ed Polochick, as well as harpist and featured soloist Julie Smith (46:02). You will also hear poetry by Nebraska's State Poet, Jewel Rogers (19:43).
The party reunites at Keeper's Keep victorious, changed, and burdened by what they've uncovered.Support the show Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MortalsAndPortals Discord: https://discord.com/invite/tG5WJCWxjD Wiki: https://mortalsandportals.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MortalsandPortals Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MortalsandPortals/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortalsandportals/ Email: mortalsandportals@gmail.com
Last episode we discovered the Pugilist can punch above its weight class. This episode we discovered the Pugilist can punch above the entire encounter budget. Today on RPGBOT: One character becomes a professional wrestler air-dropping enemies from low orbit One character summons eldritch tentacles to commit mathematically irresponsible violence One character crits often enough to make the Rogue question their life choices Welcome back to our D&D 5e Pugilist build guide, where "balanced combat encounter" is more of a philosophical suggestion. Show Notes In Part 2 of the RPGBOT.Podcast deep dive into the Pugilist class in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the hosts shift from theory into practice by building actual characters and analyzing low-level combat performance (levels 1–10 gameplay). After previously discussing the core mechanics like Moxie points, exhaustion gameplay, and Haymaker damage, the episode explores how subclasses dramatically amplify the class's effectiveness, especially during tier 1 and 2 where balance matters most. Each host builds a different Pugilist archetype: A grappling-focused wrestler leveraging shove-prone and movement manipulation A spell-augmented "Hand of Dread" pugilist combining melee and warlock magic A critical-hit boxer maximizing burst damage and counterattacks The discussion highlights a major mechanical theme: the Pugilist excels at advantage generation in D&D 5e combat. By knocking enemies prone, grappling, or using subclass features, the class reliably attacks with advantage, dramatically increasing DPR (damage per round). Once Haymaker is added to the equation, damage spikes sharply. The hosts compare expected damage output to standard design math ("dude-stop damage"), demonstrating that even basic tactics can nearly reach or exceed a full party's intended damage output — especially when combining Hex, advantage stacking, and bonus attacks. The episode also examines character optimization choices such as species, feats, and ability scores. Strength and Constitution dominate builds, while backgrounds and feats further push survivability and burst damage. The result is a martial class that plays less like a traditional striker and more like a hybrid of barbarian durability, monk mobility, and rogue-style burst damage. Ultimately, Part 2 reinforces the earlier conclusion: the Pugilist's real power isn't just numbers — it's how its mechanics interact. The combination of resource refresh, exhaustion mitigation, grappling control, and burst damage allows players to reshape encounters in ways most classes simply cannot at early levels. Key Takeaways D&D Pugilist subclasses drastically increase power at levels 1–5 Grapple + shove prone creates reliable advantage in D&D combat Haymaker turns consistent hits into extreme burst damage Spellcasting options (like Hex) push DPR beyond normal martial scaling The class frequently approaches or exceeds expected 5e damage per round math Tier 1 encounters struggle against optimized Pugilist builds Strength + Constitution are the optimal Pugilist ability scores Moxie point recovery enables aggressive play every fight Exhaustion mechanics become a benefit instead of a drawback The class blends control, durability, and burst damage into one role Basic tactics alone can approach "dude-stop damage" Subclasses determine whether the Pugilist breaks balance… or demolishes it Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Last episode we discovered the Pugilist can punch above its weight class. This episode we discovered the Pugilist can punch above the entire encounter budget. Today on RPGBOT: One character becomes a professional wrestler air-dropping enemies from low orbit One character summons eldritch tentacles to commit mathematically irresponsible violence One character crits often enough to make the Rogue question their life choices Welcome back to our D&D 5e Pugilist build guide, where "balanced combat encounter" is more of a philosophical suggestion. Show Notes In Part 2 of the RPGBOT.Podcast deep dive into the Pugilist class in Dungeons & Dragons 5e, the hosts shift from theory into practice by building actual characters and analyzing low-level combat performance (levels 1–10 gameplay). After previously discussing the core mechanics like Moxie points, exhaustion gameplay, and Haymaker damage, the episode explores how subclasses dramatically amplify the class's effectiveness, especially during tier 1 and 2 where balance matters most. Each host builds a different Pugilist archetype: A grappling-focused wrestler leveraging shove-prone and movement manipulation A spell-augmented "Hand of Dread" pugilist combining melee and warlock magic A critical-hit boxer maximizing burst damage and counterattacks The discussion highlights a major mechanical theme: the Pugilist excels at advantage generation in D&D 5e combat. By knocking enemies prone, grappling, or using subclass features, the class reliably attacks with advantage, dramatically increasing DPR (damage per round). Once Haymaker is added to the equation, damage spikes sharply. The hosts compare expected damage output to standard design math ("dude-stop damage"), demonstrating that even basic tactics can nearly reach or exceed a full party's intended damage output — especially when combining Hex, advantage stacking, and bonus attacks. The episode also examines character optimization choices such as species, feats, and ability scores. Strength and Constitution dominate builds, while backgrounds and feats further push survivability and burst damage. The result is a martial class that plays less like a traditional striker and more like a hybrid of barbarian durability, monk mobility, and rogue-style burst damage. Ultimately, Part 2 reinforces the earlier conclusion: the Pugilist's real power isn't just numbers — it's how its mechanics interact. The combination of resource refresh, exhaustion mitigation, grappling control, and burst damage allows players to reshape encounters in ways most classes simply cannot at early levels. Key Takeaways D&D Pugilist subclasses drastically increase power at levels 1–5 Grapple + shove prone creates reliable advantage in D&D combat Haymaker turns consistent hits into extreme burst damage Spellcasting options (like Hex) push DPR beyond normal martial scaling The class frequently approaches or exceeds expected 5e damage per round math Tier 1 encounters struggle against optimized Pugilist builds Strength + Constitution are the optimal Pugilist ability scores Moxie point recovery enables aggressive play every fight Exhaustion mechanics become a benefit instead of a drawback The class blends control, durability, and burst damage into one role Basic tactics alone can approach "dude-stop damage" Subclasses determine whether the Pugilist breaks balance… or demolishes it Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Send a textAfter a tremendous and near-deadly adventure through the Shadow Plane, our Pathfinder heroes finally return home. Their time in the Electric Castle has ended, though Aslynn's reign of terror is far from over...This is our final episode in our 16 part epic journey through the Pathfinder Society Scenario #4-11: Prisoners of the Electric Castle. We hope you enjoyed this one as much as we did! Uniting our Pathfinders again with a former fallen hero was a great experience, and you'll be hearing from all of our characters again in our next scenario!As always, thank you for tuning in, and we'll see you for the next adventure!Like what you hear? Don't forget to follow us online!FacebookInstagramTwitterIf you enjoyed this episode, we'd love to hear from you! Leave a review or share us on your favourite podcasting site, and check out our social links for exclusive content!
Thanks for listening! You can find us at various places. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thehobbledgoblin Website: https://thehobbledgoblin.com/thg-podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehobbledgoblin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hobbled_goblin/?hl=en X formerly know as Twitter: https://twitter.com/Hobbled_Goblin Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/thehobbledgoblin Become a member of the Goblin Horde on Discord: https://discord.gg/SrYudSF Our logo was created by the talented Tassiji Stamp: https://tassji_s.artstation.com/?fbclid=IwAR05hAwWjkzRyXwA6pvyshksystohtOhw0jt5dZ6ln5KTGc5y-F7nvpwRJU
Dank Peters Mutter erfahren unsere jungen Detektive, wie eigentlich eine Kinderwunschklinik funktioniert – und es ist auch nur ein bisschen awkward! Dann wartet in Frau Bramftls niedergebranntem Haus eine ungeheure Entdeckung.Du hörst die Kerkerkumpels, das Pen & Paper Hörspiel. Die Geschichte, die du hörst, ist live improvisiert. Ob unseren Charakteren eine Aktion gelingt, entscheiden die Würfel!Intro/Outro:Sprecherin: Carolin SabathSound- & Musikquellen:"Egg Chamber" by tabletopaudio.com"River of Blood (No Creatures)" by tabletopaudio.com"Weirder Things" by tabletopaudio.com"Winter Encampment (Ambience Only - No Activity)" by tabletopaudio.comAll sounds from tabletopaudio.com are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0).Mehr Infos zu unseren Aktionen und Werbepartnern findest du auf https://kerkerkumpels.de/links/aktionen/Unsere allgemeinen Datenschutzrichtlinien finden Sie unter https://art19.com/privacy. Die Datenschutzrichtlinien für Kalifornien sind unter https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info abrufbar.
At last our heroes find the Professor’s killer! But wait, he was trying to save the universe? Clearly there is more to the story. Join our Intrepid Heroes as they solve the mystery of the Murder in Metal City! Cast: Jason Keeley – GM Alex Speidel – Patsy Van Dyne Isis Wozniakowska – Voss Seltee […]
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:54 Sly Flourish News: Greed, Heroism, and Wonder; Do the Eight Steps work for other RPGs?; new secret project packet next week 00:04:12 Patreon Question: Character Creation During Session Zeros for Traveler Online 00:06:51 Kickstarter Spotlight: Stoneshatter Tomb 00:08:38 Commentary: More Dragonbane Thoughts 00:22:15 Commentary: Daggerheart Review Article and Thoughts 00:37:15 Commentary: Discord Enshittification 00:46:41 DM Tip: Move Steps Forward 00:54:07 Patreon Question: What Makes You Play 5e? 01:00:03 Patreon Question: Character Creation During Session Zeros for Traveler Online 01:02:49 Patreon Question: Managing Challenge with Sidekicks Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Greed, Heroism, Wonder Do the Eight Steps Work for Other RPGs? Pathfinder 2 Bundle Stoneshatter Tomb Kickstarter Daggerheart, a Dishonest Review Full of Lies Communities are not fungible
You know how every +1 sword in 5e feels like it came off the same enchanted assembly line? "Congratulations adventurer — your reward is… statistically adequate." This week, the crew grabs a metaphorical chisel, carves glowing symbols into that boredom, and asks: What if your weapon didn't just hit harder — what if it screamed cosmic philosophy while doing it? From axiomatic swords enforcing universal order to anarchic axes overthrowing alignment conventions, we dive into Pathfinder 2e rune system mechanics, shamelessly loot them for D&D 5e magic item customization, and then escalate into tone-bending chaos where you might play villain henchmen or survive horror scenarios for fun. Because nothing says "balanced campaign design" like rewriting metaphysics with Nordic graffiti and then handing the party an axe that hates bureaucracy. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew examines one of tabletop fantasy's most persistent mechanical gripes: magic items in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition often feel numerically incremental rather than creatively transformative. The discussion pivots toward Pathfinder 2e's rune system, positioning it as a compelling model for deeper customization through layered item enhancement rather than static bonuses. The hosts unpack the distinctions between fundamental and property runes, emphasizing how property runes add unique mechanical effects to weapons and armor, producing gameplay that's both expressive and modular. They explore how these mechanics could be translated into homebrew D&D campaigns, addressing balance through level-based restrictions, rarity adjustments, and vulnerability considerations. Attention shifts toward practical experimentation — allowing multiple runes per item, adjusting enhancement bonuses, and porting armor runes to broaden defensive options. The conversation also touches on systemic design trends like emerging magic item pricing guidance in OneD&D, which could make cross-system adaptation easier for DMs. In true RPGBOT fashion, the episode expands beyond mechanics into narrative structure: The crew suggests using rune-inspired item shifts as gateways for tonal experimentation, recommending session-zero communication, short tonal arcs, villain-perspective one-shots, or survival-horror side stories to re-energize campaigns. The result is an episode that blends TTRPG system design analysis, cross-system mechanical hacking, and campaign tone strategy, demonstrating how rules innovation can reshape storytelling possibilities at the table. Key Takeaways Standard D&D 5e magic item mechanics often rely on numeric scaling rather than narrative identity. Pathfinder 2e rune mechanics provide modular item customization through layered enhancements. Property runes introduce unique combat and thematic effects beyond simple bonuses. Use level restrictions and rarity mapping to maintain balance. Experiment with multiple runes per item for player agency. Extend rune logic to armor for broader gear diversity. Price transparency (e.g., OneD&D item costs) supports homebrew adaptation. Rune mechanics illustrate modular system design principles applicable across TTRPGs. Discuss tonal changes openly with players before implementation. Run experimental arcs or villain POV sessions for variety. Horror survival scenarios can reframe player motivation and stakes. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
You know how every +1 sword in 5e feels like it came off the same enchanted assembly line? "Congratulations adventurer — your reward is… statistically adequate." This week, the crew grabs a metaphorical chisel, carves glowing symbols into that boredom, and asks: What if your weapon didn't just hit harder — what if it screamed cosmic philosophy while doing it? From axiomatic swords enforcing universal order to anarchic axes overthrowing alignment conventions, we dive into Pathfinder 2e rune system mechanics, shamelessly loot them for D&D 5e magic item customization, and then escalate into tone-bending chaos where you might play villain henchmen or survive horror scenarios for fun. Because nothing says "balanced campaign design" like rewriting metaphysics with Nordic graffiti and then handing the party an axe that hates bureaucracy. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew examines one of tabletop fantasy's most persistent mechanical gripes: magic items in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition often feel numerically incremental rather than creatively transformative. The discussion pivots toward Pathfinder 2e's rune system, positioning it as a compelling model for deeper customization through layered item enhancement rather than static bonuses. The hosts unpack the distinctions between fundamental and property runes, emphasizing how property runes add unique mechanical effects to weapons and armor, producing gameplay that's both expressive and modular. They explore how these mechanics could be translated into homebrew D&D campaigns, addressing balance through level-based restrictions, rarity adjustments, and vulnerability considerations. Attention shifts toward practical experimentation — allowing multiple runes per item, adjusting enhancement bonuses, and porting armor runes to broaden defensive options. The conversation also touches on systemic design trends like emerging magic item pricing guidance in OneD&D, which could make cross-system adaptation easier for DMs. In true RPGBOT fashion, the episode expands beyond mechanics into narrative structure: The crew suggests using rune-inspired item shifts as gateways for tonal experimentation, recommending session-zero communication, short tonal arcs, villain-perspective one-shots, or survival-horror side stories to re-energize campaigns. The result is an episode that blends TTRPG system design analysis, cross-system mechanical hacking, and campaign tone strategy, demonstrating how rules innovation can reshape storytelling possibilities at the table. Key Takeaways Standard D&D 5e magic item mechanics often rely on numeric scaling rather than narrative identity. Pathfinder 2e rune mechanics provide modular item customization through layered enhancements. Property runes introduce unique combat and thematic effects beyond simple bonuses. Use level restrictions and rarity mapping to maintain balance. Experiment with multiple runes per item for player agency. Extend rune logic to armor for broader gear diversity. Price transparency (e.g., OneD&D item costs) supports homebrew adaptation. Rune mechanics illustrate modular system design principles applicable across TTRPGs. Discuss tonal changes openly with players before implementation. Run experimental arcs or villain POV sessions for variety. Horror survival scenarios can reframe player motivation and stakes. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Livestreaming as always Friday at 2pm UK time (9am Eastern)! In this week's show, D&D at London's O2 Arena, Paizo accidentally leaks its own release news, and Neopets withdraws 'unapproved' quickstart rules. D&D Fan Expo: London Main Show Is Coming This August Legends of Avantris Announces Neon Odyssey, a 5E Space Opera Project Paizo Accidentally Reveals Pathfinder: Feybound Book Neopets Says TTRPG Playtest Was Released Without Their Approval Hasbro Lawsuit Over Magic Card Overprints Voluntarily Dismissed Critical Role Hires Former Hallmark Channel Executive Alyssa Zeisler to Run Beacon Platform
Didi Braguinha e André Rumjanek convidam Ximu e Vinzaum para uma conversa franca sobre Dungeons & Dragons, suas transformações recentes e o momento atual da Wizards of the Coast. O debate passa pelas mudanças do D&D 2024, a relação entre sistema, comunidade e mercado, além das tensões entre design criativo e decisões corporativas. Em pauta estão a Open Game License, o impacto do digital, o D&D Beyond e o papel da marca como propriedade intelectual que extrapola o RPG de mesa.A discussão aprofunda temas como evolução de regras, agência do jogador, letalidade, campanhas longas e o que mantém D&D como referência absoluta do hobby, mesmo diante de alternativas como Pathfinder e sistemas mais modernos. Entre críticas e elogios, o episódio reflete sobre desenvolvimento de jogos, influência da comunidade e os caminhos possíveis para o RPG mais famoso do mundo continuar relevante sem perder sua essência.Para saber mais sobre este episódio e os jogos mencionados: O Futuro de Dungeons & Dragons: Regras, Mercado e ComunidadeSe você ainda não conhece ou faz parte, fale conosco no nosso Fabuloso Discord.E para as redes sociais: Fabuloso Podcast no InstagramFabuloso Podcast no YouTubeFabuloso Podcast no TikTokPara comprar camisa do Fabuloso (e outras):Deselegante
Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. "Children's ministry is arguably one of the most difficult ministries to lead, but it is also the most rewarding," writes David Reneau. "We get the sacred opportunity to be some of the first people to tell little children — the next generation — about Jesus. We get to plant the seeds, tend and water the soil, and watch the first little tender sprouts peek out of the ground as our kids begin their faith journey and discover their calling." What are the best ways to maximize this opportunity? In this episode, I talk to David Reneau about how to make the most of your congregation's children's ministry. Reneau is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and lead pastor at Encounter Church in Toccoa, Georgia, with over 17 years of hands-on children's ministry experience. He is author of Next-Level Kidmin: The Children's Pastor's Practical Guide to Building a Thriving Ministry. Sponsor Ad This episode of the Influence podcast is brought to you by Gospel Publishing House, distributors of The Heart of a Pathfinder. You're not just leading for now; you're building for what's next. How big would you dream if you saw your ministry through a generational lens? Melissa Alfaro challenges us to approach leadership through the lens of a pathfinder. She calls ministry leaders to do the hard work of clearing the path so future generations can step into their call. For more information about The Heart of a Pathfinder visit GospelPublishingHouse.com. Show Notes 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad 02:05 — How do we keep the gospel central to our Kidmin leadership? 04:36 — What are the three fundamental elements of children's ministry? 16:51 — What are the best practices for recruiting, training, and even firing volunteers? 27:15 — How do you decide whether a Sunday school model or a small group model is the best fit for you congregation's children's ministry? 30:15 — How do you plan a children's church service that keeps the kids' energies at appropriate levels throughout the service? 35:37 — Give us a few ideas about how to pick the best curriculum. Also, how do we incorporate action — evangelism, missions, compassion — into our lesson planning? 41:41 — How do we do the work of ministry in a way that doesn't kill the work of God in us personally? 44:31 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging? 45:35 — Conclusion
You know how most D&D characters are born fully formed at level one — parents dead, personality optional, and a backstory written five minutes before initiative? Yeah — not today. Today we're rolling childhood trauma on random tables, getting adopted by gnomes after fatal alchemy accidents, committing crimes we didn't commit, and possibly dying before Session One even starts. Because life path character creation doesn't just ask: "Who are you?" It asks: "What if your wizard got fired, drafted, divorced, marooned, or eaten by bureaucracy before the campaign began?" So grab some dice — we're not building characters. We're speedrunning their entire existential crisis. Show Notes This episode explores life path character creation systems — an alternative to traditional menu-driven D&D character building — examining how different RPGs integrate backstory directly into mechanics and narrative identity. The hosts contrast standard Dungeons & Dragons character creation, where mechanics and story can exist independently, with life path approaches that embed history into character structure and development. Instead of assembling a build from selectable options, lifepath systems simulate formative experiences through randomized or semi-structured progression. Life path creation is framed as a form of "session negative one" — a prologue where the character's life unfolds before play begins. Characters might be recruited, drafted, fired, injured, or otherwise transformed during creation, sometimes even dying before gameplay begins (famously in Traveller). This approach produces characters with rich histories and emotional weight while removing optimization control — emphasizing emergent narrative over build efficiency. The conversation examines multiple implementations: D&D (Xanathar's Guide) Random tables generate birthplace, family structure, and life events. These tools help players — especially newcomers — construct organic backstories and roleplaying hooks without mechanical impact. Pathfinder (Ultimate Campaign) A background generator integrates story and mechanics through traits, flaws, and narrative modifiers tied to ancestry, upbringing, and experiences — encouraging characters built from story outward rather than optimization inward. Traveller Presented as the canonical lifepath system, characters advance through four-year career terms determined by rolls and stats. Players attempt education, military service, or careers and face survival checks, advancement, injury, debt, or social gain — producing veterans shaped by experience rather than archetype selection. Across systems, the hosts emphasize that lifepath creation trades predictability for storytelling power — generating flawed, surprising, and memorable characters that feel lived-in before session one begins. The episode ultimately frames lifepaths as a creativity engine: Excellent for players who struggle with backstories Great for emergent storytelling Occasionally traumatic for min-maxers Because sometimes you wanted to be an astronaut — and instead you lost a leg in character creation. Key Takeaways Life path character creation vs traditional D&D character creation Menu-driven builds separate mechanics from narrative, while lifepaths integrate backstory-driven RPG character generation into mechanics and identity "Session Negative One" storytelling approach Lifepaths act as playable prologues generating history through simulated events Randomization encourages emergent roleplay Tables and rolls produce unexpected backgrounds that spark creativity and character depth Optimization vs storytelling tension Lifepaths prioritize narrative authenticity over build control, often frustrating min-max players D&D Xanathar's system — narrative only Useful for generating flavor and roleplay hooks without mechanical changes Pathfinder background generator — mechanical integration Traits, flaws, and story feats connect upbringing to gameplay bonuses Traveller — full simulation lifepath model Career progression, survival checks, and aging create veteran characters with lived histories Ideal use cases Players struggling with creative backstories Groups seeking collaborative storytelling depth Campaigns emphasizing narrative immersion Core philosophical takeaway Characters don't begin at Level One — they arrive shaped by experience Lifepaths transform character creation from assembly to biography Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
We delve into Upper Argoron, looking to bee-line down into Lower Argoron. Along the way we face some giant opposition.Get more great MNmaxed and PF2E content on our YouTubeTalk to us and other MNmaxed listeners in DiscordTo support MNmaxed, check out our PatreonAdditional audio is provided by TabletopAudio.comSupport the show
- Aston Martin Slashes 20% of Workers Amid Financial Struggles - Lucid Cuts Workforce and Lowers 2026 Production Targets - Wayve Raises $1.2 Billion for Autonomous Tech - “Jay Leno Law” Exempts Classic Cars from Smog Tests - Nissan To Launch Dual Pathfinder Strategy By 2030 - Hyundai Unveils Unmanned Robot for Firefighting - Tesla Sues California Over Autopilot Name Change - Tesla Battles Trademark Squatter Over Cybercab Name - Genuine Parts Company Splitting into Two Public Entities
- Aston Martin Slashes 20% of Workers Amid Financial Struggles - Lucid Cuts Workforce and Lowers 2026 Production Targets - Wayve Raises $1.2 Billion for Autonomous Tech - “Jay Leno Law” Exempts Classic Cars from Smog Tests - Nissan To Launch Dual Pathfinder Strategy By 2030 - Hyundai Unveils Unmanned Robot for Firefighting - Tesla Sues California Over Autopilot Name Change - Tesla Battles Trademark Squatter Over Cybercab Name - Genuine Parts Company Splitting into Two Public Entities
A roadmap for D&D Beyond reveals new upcoming features, the OGL architect claims AI could replace game designers, and is it better to have more classes or subclasses in a TTRPG like D&D or Pathfinder?Follow Neopia Quest for updates: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GGNQ_2026_1_226D&D Beyond roadmap article: https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2132-d-d-beyonds-2026-development-roadmapEmail your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.comBen: @TheBenByrneDael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwinEditor: @jberrt Topics:00:00 - Intro07:29 - D&D Beyond roadmap23:03 - Neopets TTRPG disaster28:47 - Can AI replace game designers?37:41 - Pathfinder playtest40:53 - Classes vs subclasses
The party wakes up and finds the city's celebrations haven't quite gone to plan.
Our heroes reach the Kallow Mounds, where they play a friendly game of sredna. We are Third Action, an Pathfinder Second Edition actual-play podcast running through the classic Curse of the Crimson Throne adventure path. Watch us live at 7:30 PM PST every Monday night @ https://www.twitch.tv/thirdaction ! Discord - https://discord.gg/JwuyMnV ResourcesCrimson Throne Harrow Point System Details: https://bit.ly/3a-harrowPathfinder 2nd Edition, Rise of the Runelords, and Curse of the Crimson Throne - Paizo - https://www.paizo.comFeaturing Custom Music By - Irene Chan ( https://www.irenechanmusic.com/ ), Schaianovus ( https://www.youtube.com/@Schianovus ) & Rina-Hime ( https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtES6-sQY2QUyxDSzamvfSA ), and Roman RajczykCurse of the Crimson Throne CastGame Master - Jason Hamilton Regan Belladonna - Char Cullen Tullios Couldarn / "Mayhem" - Wil Smith Felix Milos - Alex FrangisCrimson Throne Player Art - Avery Helm ( https://www.averyhelm.ca/ ) Rise of the Runelords CastGame Master - Jason Hamilton Asher Ford - Char Cullen Greshy Ironroot - Wil Smith Gunn Shough - Adam HigleyRunelords Player Art - Skyler Badalament-Tirrell ( https://www.patreon.com/Skyler/ )
In episode 135 of Game Design Unboxed, we chat with freelance game designer Kristen Mott, whose game design journey began with creating games for her kids to play at home to supplement homeschooling. We talk about how kids are great built-in playtesters, how her children's interests were her thematic inspiration for designs, what kids learn […]
*Episode Contains Pathfinder Adventure Path Extinction Curse Books 4-6* Today Tyler, Ryan, and Sam finish their discussion about Paizo's second Pathfinder 2e Adventure path, Extinction Curse! Reminder, if you plan on playing this adventure path with your friends, BEWARE ALL THE SPOILERS. Otherwise, join them as they expand their circus, fight some dinosaurs, and go check on people who haven't been seen for a few weeks! Website: TabletopTravelGuide.com Email: TabletopTravelGuidePodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @tabletoptravelguide Patreon: Tabletop Travel Guide Podcast Theme Music By: Raymond Gramke
Join the RPGBOT crew as they wrap up their Pulp Cthulhu experiment — answering listener questions, unpacking mechanics, debating wizard builds, and confirming once and for all that Pulp Cthulhu is less "existential dread" and more "Indiana Jones punches Nazis with a jetpack." Show Notes The finale Q&A session closes out the RPGBOT Quickstart series on Pulp Cthulhu with a reflective, mechanics-focused discussion on how the system actually played at the table. Framed as a conversation between players and Keeper, the episode explores whether the rules felt intuitive, what stood out, and how pulp action changes the traditional Call of Cthulhu experience. The discussion opens with character advancement — a system largely inherited from Classic Call of Cthulhu. Skills that succeed during play are marked, and during the development phase players roll to see if they improve — ironically increasing faster in weaker skills than stronger ones. This reinforces the system's organic growth model and is supplemented in Pulp by rewards like bonus Luck for completing story arcs. From there, the hosts explore how survivability mechanics shift the tone. Luck emerges as a defining feature of pulp play, enabling cinematic survival and bold risk-taking. The group reflects on moments where characters survived explosive stunts specifically because Luck allowed them to — a core distinction from the deadlier classic ruleset. Combat mechanics and optimization debates dominate the mid-episode. The team examines whether investing in unarmed combat can ever compete with firearms, concluding that while high damage bonuses and melee weapons help, impaling weapons and guns remain significantly deadlier due to extreme success multipliers. This highlights the game's grounded lethality — fists can work, but physics (and dice math) favor bullets. The Q&A also ventures into magic, psychic powers, and build decisions. Spellcasting is contextualized as powerful but dangerous, balanced by sanity costs and narrative risk. Psychic abilities, meanwhile, shine in investigation-driven play, especially those focused on information gathering rather than raw damage. Beyond mechanics, the episode emphasizes tone. Pulp Cthulhu thrives on cinematic improvisation and narrative escalation — encouraging Keepers to "yes-and" player creativity while maintaining credible stakes. The system sits between absurd heroics and genuine peril, echoing adventure films where quips and danger coexist. Balancing that tone is presented as the central challenge for running the game effectively. The session concludes with reflections comparing Classic and Pulp styles. Players note that pulp's higher success rates and survivability foster emotional investment and character attachment, contrasting with the grim inevitability of failure common in classic play. Ultimately, the Q&A serves as both debrief and endorsement — showcasing Pulp Cthulhu as a system that rewards boldness, supports cinematic storytelling, and invites players to lean into chaotic adventure while still respecting cosmic horror roots. Key Takeaways Character advancement mirrors Classic Call of Cthulhu — succeed during play, roll during development, and weaker skills grow fastest. Completing story arcs can reward extra Luck, reinforcing heroic pulp progression. Luck fundamentally changes survivability, enabling high-risk cinematic actions. Guns dominate combat efficiency due to impale mechanics and damage scaling. Melee can compete with investment and weapon choice, but fists alone lag behind ranged lethality. Psychic and investigative abilities often outperform damage powers in mystery-focused play. Spellcasting offers powerful tools but trades stability for sanity and narrative risk. Pulp tone encourages improvisation and cinematic problem-solving over tactical rigidity. Keeper skill lies in balancing absurd heroics with meaningful stakes. Compared to Classic, Pulp promotes character attachment through higher success and survivability. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Every tabletop party eventually meets the same terrifying monster: Not a dragon. Not a lich. Not even a gelatinous cube. No — it's the moment the GM says: "Okay… what do you say to the Duke?" Suddenly the barbarian who decapitated three ogres can't order soup, the bard becomes a hostage negotiator, and someone is Googling "how to Persuasion check in real life." This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast dives headfirst into the chaotic intersection of roleplay, mechanics, and social awkwardness — breaking down how social skills in TTRPGs, navigating complex social encounters, and roleplaying character interactions can turn conversations into some of the most memorable moments at the table. Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew explores the nuanced world of social skills in tabletop roleplaying games, unpacking how conversation, persuasion, deception, and negotiation function as core gameplay pillars alongside combat and exploration. The discussion centers on the challenge of translating real-world communication into structured mechanics — and how systems like D&D social interaction checks, Pathfinder diplomacy mechanics, and broader TTRPG roleplay frameworks attempt to balance player performance with character capability. The hosts examine how navigating complex social interactions in TTRPGs often requires collaboration between players and Game Masters. They discuss the importance of establishing expectations around roleplay depth, whether tables prioritize immersive acting or streamlined dice-driven resolution. Through examples ranging from tense political intrigue to comedic tavern banter, the episode highlights how roleplaying character personality traits, leveraging skill proficiencies, and creative problem-solving in narrative encounters can shape outcomes without drawing a weapon. Attention is also given to GM facilitation strategies, including setting clear stakes for social encounters, rewarding clever dialogue, and avoiding binary success/failure outcomes. The conversation underscores how layered NPC motivations, faction dynamics, and evolving story consequences elevate social encounter design for Game Masters beyond simple skill checks into meaningful storytelling tools. Ultimately, the episode frames social play as a vital storytelling engine — encouraging players to embrace vulnerability, experimentation, and collaborative narrative building. Whether negotiating peace treaties, bluffing through palace intrigue, or convincing a dragon not to eat you, mastering tabletop roleplaying social mechanics expands the emotional and strategic scope of any campaign. Key Takeaways Social encounters are a core gameplay pillar alongside combat and exploration in modern TTRPG design Balancing player roleplay ability vs character skill stats is essential for fairness and immersion Clear expectations at Session Zero help define roleplay depth and mechanical reliance Dice rolls should support narrative outcomes — not replace meaningful interaction GMs can improve engagement by defining stakes, motivations, and consequences for NPCs Layered social encounters encourage creative problem-solving beyond combat solutions Rewarding clever dialogue and character-driven choices strengthens table investment Failure in social situations should create story complications, not dead ends Strong social play enhances campaign tone, character development, and group collaboration Mastering TTRPG communication and persuasion mechanics leads to richer storytelling moments Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
Jhuls attempts to rescue his long lost love from the clutches of his former crew.Support the show Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MortalsAndPortals Discord: https://discord.com/invite/tG5WJCWxjD Wiki: https://mortalsandportals.miraheze.org/wiki/Main_Page YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MortalsandPortals Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/MortalsandPortals/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortalsandportals/ Email: mortalsandportals@gmail.com
In the thrilling conclusion of the RPGBOT.Pulp Cthulhu Actual Play, our heroes discover that Luck points are real, sanity is optional, and jetpacks are — scientifically speaking — extremely explosive plot devices. Bjorn steals the Necronomicon with telekinesis, Murray forgets who he is, everyone falls in love with the villain thanks to eldritch karaoke mind control, and the final boss fight is resolved using the timeless tactical doctrine of: "What if we shot the jetpack?" Featuring heroic sacrifice, catastrophic math, spontaneous dismemberment, and a helicopter extraction that arrives precisely when pulp cinema demands it — this episode delivers the important lesson that Call of Cthulhu isn't about surviving intact. It's about surviving spectacularly. Show Notes The finale opens with table banter and a brief plug for ongoing Pulp Cthulhu play opportunities before the Keeper resets the stage and reviews key mechanics — including luck recovery, spending luck for survival, and sanity system nuances. The players regain luck and receive a reminder of how it can modify rolls, negate damage, or even prevent death — rules that soon prove critical. A sanity check against newly transformed ghast enemies immediately escalates tension. Randall's character loses significant sanity and enters a bout of insanity, gaining amnesia and temporarily forgetting context and equipment while acquiring an "insane talent" that grants unusual resilience to pain. This mechanical disruption reinforces Call of Cthulhu's psychological stakes and introduces roleplay chaos at the outset of combat. Combat begins in the ritual chamber where Scarlet Arachnus attempts to complete her summoning. Gunfire exchanges with the ghasts while Arachnus deflects harm through magic. Randall lands a devastating critical hit on one creature, while Tyler pivots toward objective play — targeting the ritual itself. The Necronomicon becomes the center of the encounter as telekinesis is used to wrest control of the artifact from the villain, disrupting her casting momentum. The encounter spikes in complexity when Arachnus unleashes Siren Song, charming allies and nearly turning the party against itself. Iowa succumbs completely, while Tyler resists. Surrounded and nearly dead, Tyler resorts to a desperate solution — coordinating with Randall's jetpack maneuver. The resulting detonation obliterates Arachnus and the ghasts, collapses magical support sustaining the enemies, and nearly kills the party in the process. Randall survives only by spending luck to avoid certain death. After the blast, the ritual collapses, the remaining threats dissolve, and the survivors secure the artifact. Extraction arrives via helicopter — a fitting pulp cinematic conclusion — as the buried ruins vanish beneath the sand, ensuring their secrets remain hidden. The episode closes with post-session reflections on system feel and character impact, cementing the adventure as a chaotic but successful demonstration of Pulp Cthulhu's tone and mechanics. Key Takeaways Luck mechanics are central survival tools and dramatically influence outcomes Sanity loss meaningfully alters gameplay through narrative and mechanical disruption Insanity effects can produce both hindrance and unexpected advantages Objective-focused play (stealing the artifact) can end encounters faster than damage trading Mind-control effects reinforce Mythos horror stakes beyond physical threats Pulp tone encourages cinematic risk and heroic sacrifice Improvisation and environment use can resolve otherwise lethal encounters Narrative pacing culminates in high-stakes chaos followed by cinematic resolution Actual Play effectively demonstrates mechanics through emergent storytelling The finale showcases how Call of Cthulhu balances horror tension with pulp heroics Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.net TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games BlueSky: @GravenAshes YouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG Amateurjack.com Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
The Sidebars take a moment to recover from their harrowing encounter at the sky farm and use unconventional means to get more information out of the (mysterious? frustrating?) doctor and professor. Featuring:Erika Jayne as Taryn GrimSeverin Gourley as Dexter ClementineKasia Wayfinder as Granny Sabinkaand Julz Burgisser as DMVisit www.fateofisen.com to learn more.Fate of Isen is one of the Feedspot top D&D podcasts in the world! Check out Feedspot here.If you like the show, please feel free to follow us on social media (@fateofisen) or support us on Patreon! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ Intro, outro, and recap music by freesound user, Tyops, and ambient sound by TabletopAudio.com
We go over level 17. We then put our plan in action to intercept a grave giant currier who traffics in shadow ash. After that encounter, we put together some clues and head deep under the city of Yled.Get more great MNmaxed and PF2E content on our YouTubeTalk to us and other MNmaxed listeners in DiscordTo support MNmaxed, check out our PatreonAdditional audio is provided by TabletopAudio.comSupport the show
06 Subaru Impreza Timing Belt 19 Pathfinder transmission replacement 98 Lumina engine misfire 03 Trailblazer fuel gauge fix 03 F150 Axle play