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Hear ye, noble Cabalists, and gather close for another telling of Lords of the Dungeon! There's only a few days remaining on our 2025 fundraiser and we could really use your help! Jump over to Kickstarter and support the Cabal in 2026. In this eve's council, the Lords speak of reviving the clash of steel and the dance of strategy upon the field of battle. And when that tale is told, they turn their minds to a thornier matter: how a wanderer might kindle inspiration within a realm or saga that stirs not their heart. Join us, friends, and let the stories begin. Support the Cabal on Kickstarter now! https://www.thesecretcabal.com/kickstarter
Send us a textMass Effect: Andromeda - Episode 4This Week: Go to Havarl and solve some problemsNext Week: Head to Kadara and fight some criminalsSupport the showContact: http://linktr.ee/squelchcast Support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Squelch or https://www.twitch.tv/dan0play Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/HwPPtX627k
Featuring: Michael "Boston" Hannon and John "Musim" Beauchamp Running Time: 1:08:11 Music by MusiM: Homepage | Bandcamp Livestream: YouTube This month on Picking Up the Pixels we chat about all the RPGs we played in 2025! We cover this year's new releases, anything we checked out from years past (or, in some cases, many years ago), and a few related to RPG games. We also chat about the RPGs we're looking forward to in 2026! See you all next year!
What do you get when you mix 40 years of Dungeons & Dragons lore, a 288-page setting book, and three podcasters who can't agree on how to pronounce "Myth Drannor"? Chaos. Pure, lore-filled, map-crossing, Elminster-cheese-eating chaos. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew dives headlong into Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn, a sourcebook that's equal parts nostalgia trip and travel brochure for DMs who think "Sword Coast" is just too mainstream. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, hosts Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely crack open the 288-page Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn sourcebook from Wizards of the Coast, exploring what's new, what's reimagined, and what's just plain weird in the most iconic D&D setting of all time. Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerun (affiliate link) The crew discusses how the book merges setting material and short adventures, offering 51 one-shots that span the breadth of Faerûn, from the frozen wastes of Icewind Dale to the desert empires of Calimshan, and even the Fey-touched Moonshae Isles. Along the way, they highlight new DM tools, renown systems, and bastion support, while poking fun at typos, timeline contradictions, and the ever-mysterious fate of Karlach from Baldur's Gate 3. The review covers: How Adventures in Faerûn expands beyond the Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide to become a true campaign-scale setting book. 51 new adventures—mini-campaigns that span levels 1–13 across multiple regions. Deep dives into the Dalelands, Icewind Dale, Calimshan, and the Moonshae Isles, with highlights on lore, adventure hooks, and design philosophy. The new renown and bastion systems, adapted for Faerûn's cultures and factions. Smart mechanical updates for survival horror (Icewind Dale) and environmental challenges (Calim Desert lightning storms). A surprising technological twist in Calimshan, where "mechanical wonders" push the setting toward Eberron-style magitech. Philosophical debates on epic vs. heroic fantasy, timeline sanity, and whether the word "wonk" is, in fact, a real word. Key Takeaways A True Return to the Realms: Adventures in Faerûn successfully modernizes the Forgotten Realms setting for the 2024 ruleset while honoring 40+ years of D&D lore. Massive Replay Value: With 51 one-shot adventures and regional micro-campaigns, this book can sustain countless play sessions. DM-Friendly Design: The addition of DM Toolboxes, renown tables, and bastion options helps DMs run localized adventures or full-scale journeys across the continent. Lore for Every Taste: Whether you love the snowy peril of Icewind Dale, the sizzling intrigue of Calimshan, or the mythic eco-fantasy of the Moonshae Isles, there's a region tailored to your campaign style. Respectful Revisions: The update smartly removes dated elements (like Calimshan's old slavery lore) and replaces them with creative world-building and inclusive modernization. New Adventuring Philosophies: Players are encouraged to embrace "main character energy"—epic fantasy with unique character backstories tied to Faerûn's iconic legacy. Tyler Still Can't Spell: The first typo in the book arrives in the opening sentence—and the RPGBOT crew finds that deeply relatable. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you enjoy deep dives into tabletop worlds, expert analysis of D&D mechanics, and chaotic lore debates about elves, cheese, and lightning sand—support the show on Patreon.com/RPGBOT. Members get ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes discussions, and early access to new RPGBOT.Reviews. 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
Welcome to our One Hundred and Fifty Fourth episode!Our podcast is dedicated to all things board games, RPGs, CGs and more.Pour your favourite beverage, pull up a comfy chair 'cuz we are ready to roll.In this week's episode, we talk about all the games we played at our board game day. Until next time, on a Double Double ‘n Dice!--------------The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://www.chosic.com/download-audio/29284/Music: Gamers, produced by Sascha EndeLink: https://ende.app/en/song/69-gamersLicense: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Send us a textContact us: tripledpodcast@dm-north.comCheck us out on www.dm-north.comSupport us at ko-fi.com/dmnorthtvJoin the dmNorthTV DiscordNeed a dice bag? Contact Jocelyn and/or visit JoceStitch Etsy store
War is terrifying enough when you know who the enemy is. In this episode, a Navy corpsman serving in Iraq finds himself in the middle of a violent attack—burning Humvee, trapped Marines, gunfire, RPGs, and bullets slamming into his body armor as he tries to drag the wounded to safety. At some point, he goes down… and that should've been the end of his story. But it wasn't. Between the chaos of the battlefield and waking up in a surgical unit in Fallujah, he remembers something else: a familiar figure shaking him awake… in full World War II Marine combat uniform. A man who'd already died nearly a decade before. Was it shock, trauma, or a last desperate dream in a dying brain? Or did a father who'd worn the same emblem on his chest come back to pull his son out of the fire one last time? realghoststoriesonline #paranormalpodcast #battlefieldghost #militaryghoststory #iraqwar #neardeathexperience #guardianfrombeyond #worldwar2marine #combatmedic #trueghoststory #afterlifeencounter Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:
You ever look at your sword, then at the wizard's spellbook, and think "wait a minute, why does their magic missile hit harder than my greatsword?" Well, friends, today we fix that. We're diving deep into the art of the Fighter: the tank, the tactician, the unsung hero of every adventuring party. Sharpen your blades, tighten your greaves, and prepare to discover why hitting things really, truly is an art form. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives head-first into one of tabletop RPGs' most versatile and beloved classes: the Fighter. From mastering combat maneuvers to optimizing subclasses like Champion, Battlemaster, and Eldritch Knight, Tyler, Randall, and Ash break down what makes Fighters the cornerstone of Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder 2e alike. They cover how to build effective martial characters, balance offense vs. defense, and add flavor to roleplay beyond just swinging a sword. Whether you're a new player building your first character or a veteran min-maxer chasing the perfect attack roll, this episode will help you unleash your inner warrior and make every round of combat feel legendary. Key Takeaways Fighters are deceptively complex — easy to start, endlessly deep to master. Subclass choice defines flavor and playstyle, from the straightforward Champion to the tactical Battlemaster or arcane Eldritch Knight. Action economy is king — Fighters excel at leveraging extra attacks and bonus actions effectively. Feat selection matters — learn when to go Great Weapon Master, Sharpshooter, or Dual Wielder. Roleplay opportunities abound — even "simple" Fighters can have rich motivations and heroic depth. Pathfinder 2e Fighters get strong defensive options and customizable feats that reward strategic planning. Optimization tip: balance Strength/Dexterity investment with survivability; raw numbers aren't everything. Team synergy makes Fighters shine—working with spellcasters and support characters amplifies their battlefield control. Join the RPGBOT Patreon Love what you hear? Support the show and level up your RPGBOT experience by joining us on Patreon.com/RPGBOT! Get ad-free episodes, behind-the-scenes discussions, and exclusive access to live recordings with Tyler, Randall, and Ash—plus bonus content for the truly dedicated tacticians out there. Your support helps us keep bringing you the best in tabletop gaming advice, optimization guides, and chaotic banter every week. So grab your dice, polish your armor, and join the RPGBOT adventuring party today! 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
Episode Summary Miriam talks with Gabe and Kato from the Astoria Food Pantry, a radical food pantry that has food, books, and RPGs, about how the project works, how giving away shit for free is cool, how awesome mutual aid distros are, and how we could sure use more of them, especially ones with RPGs. Find them at https://www.astoriafoodpantry.com/ or on IG @astoriafoodpantry. Find DMDM's 3D-printed Tourniquets at dmdm.icu Host Info Miriam can be found making funnies on the Strangers' Bluesky. Publisher Info This show is published by Strangers in A Tangled Wilderness. We can be found at www.tangledwilderness.org, or on Twitter @TangledWild and Instagram @Tangled_Wilderness and Blue Sky @tangledwilderness.bsky.social You can support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/strangersinatangledwilderness This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-69f62d for 40% off for 4 months, and support Live Like the World is Dying.
The final finale of our first Riftlings arc! What happens when the world turtle finishes laying it's egg? Where will the Shell Islanders go? What's Jella figured out about the Skreegulls, and what's happening with the rest of the Leviathans around the Riftlands?FIND OUT! Plus, some hints about our next arc - and info about how to enter to win a free game as a gift!
Mike, Crystal, and Chigg discuss Nostalgic Horror at our live panel at GenCon. We discuss how nostalgia is used within the horror genre and how effective it is at pulling audiences into the story. We also talk about different RPGs that use nostalgia as a vessel for storytelling and world-building.
You know that moment when your fighter drops their sword, pulls a crossbow, reloads, drinks a potion, and still has the audacity to say "I attack"? Yeah, this episode's for you. The RPGBOT crew tackles the ancient art of drawing a weapon, a rule so universally ignored that half your table just gasped realizing it has rules. Join Tyler, Randall, and Ash as they descend into the action-economy abyss to figure out when, how, and why your adventurer is technically unarmed. Join the RPGBOT Patreon Want to listen ad-free, catch live recordings, and watch Ash slowly lose his sanity as Randall invents new ways to break Pathfinder 2e? Join the RPGBOT Patreon today. You'll support our work and unlock behind-the-scenes chaos, exclusive Q&A sessions, and bonus content for game masters and players alike. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler Kamstra leads Randall James and Ash Ely on an unexpectedly deep exploration of the rules and philosophy of drawing a weapon across Dungeons & Dragons 3.5e, Pathfinder 1e, Pathfinder 2e (Remaster), and D&D 5e. The crew debates whether drawing weapons adds realism, tension, or just unnecessary math to the game. Along the way, they uncover the shocking truth that Pathfinder 2e's remaster quietly changed the Interact action, making it possible to swap items in one action without littering the battlefield with dropped swords. They also revisit old edition quirks like Base Attack Bonus (BAB), Quick Draw feats, reload mechanics, ammunition management, and why 3.5e thought wizards might ever draw a dagger. Expect jokes about pizza, plantains, Foundry VTT sponsorships, and Randall's insistence that pork rinds are the amateur cracklins of the RPG world. Whether you're a Pathfinder purist, a D&D veteran, or just someone who's ever forgotten to "draw your weapon before you attack," this episode delivers insight, laughter, and the occasional existential crisis over action economy. Key Takeaways Drawing a Weapon Actually Matters: In Pathfinder 2e Remaster, the Interact action now lets you swap items — finally freeing players from the "drop your sword" meta. D&D 3.5e Was Simulating Pain: Early editions punished level-1 characters for daring to pull out a sword. D&D 5e Basically Shrugged: The free item interaction rule was so buried and incomplete that nobody ever enforced it. Quick Draw Remains King: In both 3.5 and PF2e, Quick Draw feats remain the ultimate tool for GISH builds and thrown-weapon enjoyers. Foundry VTT Is the True Hero: Foundry automatically handles elevation, distance, and now even angular math — proving that maybe software can love you back. Balance Through Action Economy: PF2e's strict weapon-draw and reload rules balance martial and spellcasting characters, preventing martial supremacy in early rounds. Ash Is Mad About the Remaster: Discovering the "swap" rule mid-episode triggers a live existential meltdown. Randall Still Thinks Pizza is a Weapon: …and may be right. Read More on RPGBOT.net If you want to optimize your characters, master the Pathfinder 2e remaster, or finally understand why the action economy hates you, head over to RPGBOT.net. You'll find detailed guides on character optimization, mechanics deep dives, and edition-spanning analysis — all written by the same nerds who argued for 30 minutes about whether a Totino's pizza counts as a magical item. 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
Join us on this episode of Titterpigs as we sit down with the brilliant Avery Alder, designer of The Quiet Year, Monsterhearts, Dream Askew, and more. We dig into identity in RPGS, vulnerability at the table, and how her games create a space for reflection, tension, and unexpected beauty. It's an insightful, thoughtful conversation with an innovative voice in tabletop RPGs.Check out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/titterpigs?fan_landing=true&view_as=publicYou can Email us at titterpigspod@gmail.comwith your comments, questions, or soundbites.Episode Intro by Dr. Mitch. You can follow Dr. Paul Mitchener on Bluesky @thetweedmeister,bsky.social for more ukulele goodness and also to check out his many TTRPG offerings. Most especially Liminal Give us a follow on all our socials:Twitter:@TitterpigsFacebook:facebook.com/TitterpigsBluesky:@titterpigs.bsky.socialScott:Twitter @HailOrcusdorkusMastodon dice.camp/@orcusdorkusBluesky @orcusdorkus.bsky.socialYouTube at OrcusDorkus' RPG ShenanigansKeith:Twitter @DM_ModocMastodon dice.camp/@ModocBluesky: @modoc.bsky.socialand his blog Rolling Boxcars BlogThis episode's music: by Tunetank from Pixabay
Hey Now Cabalists! The 2025 Secret Cabal fundraiser is live on Kickstarter now! Jump over and snag volume 2 of the zine, some Secret Cabal swag, and support the show while you're doing it. Today the Founders get into some of the awesome games they've been playing, including Shackleton Base, Onward, Kluster, Nevada City, Clank! Legacy 2, and feature Speakeasy from Vital Lacerda and Eagle-Gryphon Games. Then after Stevie S takes over the newsman duties for Tony, the gang takes a bunch of questions from listeners. Shackleton Base: 00:13:03, Onward: 00:21:30, Kluster: 00:31:54, Nevada City: 00:39:48, Clank! Legacy 2: Acquisitions Incorporated Darkest Magic: 00:46:22, Speakeasy Review: 00:56:18, News with Stevie S: 01:34:53, Short Topic Extravaganza: 02:19:40. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. Support the Cabal on Kickstarter now! https://www.thesecretcabal.com/kickstarter
Send us a textMass Effect: Andromeda - Episode 3This Week: Head to Aya, make first contact, Quest around Voeld Next Week: Go to Havarl and solve some problems! Support the showContact: http://linktr.ee/squelchcast Support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Squelch or https://www.twitch.tv/dan0play Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/HwPPtX627k
Can an open table completely change the way you run RPGs? The Jaunty Mantis crew dives into The Alexandrian's Open Table Manifesto to explore how it reshapes campaigns, players, and prep. In this episode of the Jaunty Mantis podcast, Jesse, Matty, and Chris unite to explore The Open Table Manifesto from thealexandrian.net , and how it can revolutionize the way we run tabletop RPGs. From rotating player pools to emergent sandbox storytelling, the gang talks character creation challenges, scheduling nightmares, mega-dungeons, Shadowrun woes, and how to design sessions that end cleanly—even if you're lost in the dungeon. They share personal experiences, critiques of modern systems, GM philosophies, and ways to build an inclusive, dynamic gaming community using open tables. Plus: meatball demons, mech-back combat, vampire morality, surprise frogs, and accidental softball dating lessons. Read The Open Table Manifesto here: https://thealexandrian.net/wordpress/38643/roleplaying-games/open-table-manifestoMusic by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
Get in touch with us!What if rebellion began as an act of love? Demon: the Fallen was the final game in the original World of Darkness line, and we chart it's - painfully - short history. Was it fun to play fallen angels from the dawn of time, or was this just more angst hiding under a different colour of trenchcoat? Join us to find out!Contact us at:EMAIL: roll.to.save.pod@gmail.comFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rolltosavepodWEBSITE: https://rolltosave.blogHOSTS: Iain Wilson, Steve McGarrity, Jason DowneyBACKGROUND MUSIC: David Renada (Find him at: davidrendamusic@gmail.com or on his web page).TITLE, BREAK & CLOSEOUT MUSIC: Xylo-Ziko (Find them on their web page).
This time, we continue our discussion of RPGs by suggesting Role Playing Games that share popular boardgaming mechanisms, as well as giving Tom tips for getting a game started. Plus, we have a new Tale of Boardgaming Horror, and we close the show with some Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops. 00:50 - A Story About Mail 02:22 - Eric at PAX Unplugged (inc. Hot Streak) 06:50 - Gift Guides, Dice Tower West and East 08:02 - RPGs for Boardgame Fans (detailed notes below) 37:55 - Tale of Boardgaming Horror 43:03 - Fromaggio 48:35 - Gnomic Parlament 52:13 - Carnuta 54:49 - Magic Number 11 56:54 - Insurrect10n -- Julie's Notes Where to go to get core book pdfs? DriveThruRPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/ Itch.io https://itch.io/ Cooperative play (yes the overwhelming majority of TTRPGs are cooperative) some extra cooperative leaning Heckin' Good Doggos https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/405426/heckin-good-doggos Teatime Adventures https://www.snowbrightstudio.com/teatime-adventures Dice rolling - Also many many many ttrpgs use dice. Here are some examples D20 - D&D/Pathfinder https://www.dndbeyond.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorCdKoS-xSfI4e05Us81YGA4tHt8CmmaOWNN-9VTcnsAfXS5pBS, https://paizo.com/pathfinder d100 (percentile): Call of Cthulhu https://www.chaosium.com/call-of-cthulhu-rpg/ Symbol-based dice: FFG Star Wars. https://www.fantasyflightgames.com/en/starwarsrpg/ , Fudge dice: Fate https://evilhat.com/product/fate-core-system/ Area control Beak, Feather, & Bone https://possible-worlds-games.itch.io/bfb Faction/War Song of Ice and Fire RPG http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/101026/A-Song-of-Ice-and-Fire-Roleplaying-A-Game-of-Thrones-Edition Mutant: Year Zero https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/139453/MUTANT-Year-Zero--Roleplaying-At-The-End-Of-Days Numenera: Destiny https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/240655/Numenera-Destiny Coyote and Crow https://www.allplay.com/board-games/coyote-and-crow-the-roleplaying-game/ Action points - Level Up D&D PbtA Using Action points Feng Shui https://atlas-games.com/fengshui C&S: Rebirth Mythras Deck builder/Bidding Ok not really but Redigo is "Hand Management" https://letsplayredigo.com/ Games using a standard deck of cards Castle Falkenstein https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/2370/castle-falkenstein Games using a custom or proprietary card deck - mostly they are being used instead of dice Dragonlance: Fifth Age https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/186462/dragonlance-fifth-age-dramatic-adventure-game-saga Clockwork Dominion https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/489608/courier-repacked My Closest Pick Torg Eternity:A Thousand Faces of Adventure http://torg-gamereference.com/ Pick up and Deliver Solo/journal: Courier https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/489608/courier-repacked Delivered! https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/441018/delivered-a-solo-journaling-rpg One shot Delivery Dragons https://shardsofblue.itch.io/delivery-dragons Worker Placement? Become a GM Questions? Tales of Horror? tom@dicetower.com
#metroidprime4beyond #nintendoswitch2 #sega #metaphorrefantazio #dispatch #lovelyindies #gtmrestart #podcast ¡Ración semanal de tu podcast favorito! Con la participación de: ✔️ Ramiro Díez · @Ramisfactions ✔️ Juan Pedro Prat · @JuanpePrat_ ✔️ Dan Puerta al Sótano · @dan_chaos ✔️ YugitaChan · @YugitaChanE ✔️ Javier Bello · @Javi_B_C ✔️ Roberto Barragán · @rbarragan_ ✔️ Caye Romero · @cayeromero Intro musical de GTM Restart creada por Pitypob · @pitypob2 ✌ Cuña publicitaria cortesía de Javier Bello · @Javi_B_C ⚙️ Edición y Montaje: Javier Bello · @Javi_B_C GTM LINKTREE: https://linktr.ee/gtmediciones ‼️Consigue nuestros libros‼️ · El Arte de Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 https://www.gtm-store.com/product/libro-arte-clair-obscur-expedition-33-artbook-coleccionista-alicia/ · Almas Oscuras: Berserk contra Dark Souls https://www.gtm-store.com/product/libro-almas-oscuras-berserk-dark-souls-estandar/ · Generación PKMN https://www.gtm-store.com/product/libro-generacion-pkmn-ampliado-hierba-alta/ · El Libro Hueco: Las páginas oscuras del vacío https://www.gtm-store.com/product/el-libro-hueco-las-paginas-oscuras-del-vacio/ Canal de Yugita-chan: https://www.youtube.com/@YugitaChan Canal de Dan: https://www.youtube.com/@Dan-PuertaAlSotano Music promoted by No Copyright: https://bit.ly/33JkJQc Video provided by: warmlightmusic: https://www.youtube.com/@warmlightmusic9137 ================ ACTUALIDAD - Sega registra ventas inferiores a lo estimado y lo relaciona con las ediciones definitivas de sus títulos. - Los co-directores de Dispatch reflexionan sobre lo que la industria debería o no tener en cuenta sobre el éxito del título. - Katsura Hashino, director de Persona y Metaphor: ReFantazio reflexiona sobre la evolución de los RPGs japoneses. IMPRESIONES - Nuestro mercenario espacial favorito, Robe Barragán, lleva demasiado tiempo esperando para embarcarse en su nueva misión. Ya ha terminado Metroid Prime 4: Beyond y nos contará qué le ha parecido. LOVELY INDIES - ¡Ultimo Lovely Indies del año! Caye nunca falla a su cita y vuelve a traernos una buena lista de juegos con lanzamiento dentro del mes de diciembre mientras yo intento hacer preguntas absurdas entre medias. · Sleep Awake: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2446540/SLEEP_AWAKE/ · ROUTINE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/606160/ROUTINE/ · Randal's Tuesday: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3110450/Randals_Tuesday/ · Skate Story: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1263240/Skate_Story/ · UNBEATABLE: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2240620/UNBEATABLE/ · Death Howl: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2825880/Death_Howl/ RECTA FINAL - Como siempre, cerraremos hablando de los juegos que nos han ocupado esta semana junto con la ración de caspa habitual que tanto os gusta de postre. ================ 0:00 CUÑA PUBLICITARIA 0:54 INTRO 15:18 SEGA Y SUS RESULTADOS EN 2025 41:03 DISPATCH 55:01 LA EVOLUCIÓN DEL JRPG 1:21:55 METROID PRIME 4 BEYOND 2:04:56 LOVELY INDIES DICIEMBRE 2:18:47 SLEEP AWAKE 2:21:43 ROUTINE 2:25:48 RANDAL'S TUESDAY 2:33:51 SKATE STORY 2:39:58 UNBEATABLE 2:50:17 DEATH HOWL 2:58:12 RECTA FINAL ================ GTM (Games Tribune Magazine) 2025 @GamesTribune www.gamestribune.com
Happy American Thanksgiving! We're taking the week off but as a very special treat we're pulling one of our favourite Pantheon episodes out from behind the paywall. To celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary it's our deep-dive into Sakura Wars for the Sega Saturn! If you can find 3 entire hours to sneak away from your family this Thanksgiving, it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions and packed with history and context for one of Sega's most important franchises. All the original show notes, including the further reading, are included below so please enjoy this blooming episode of Pantheon of the Blood God! -------------For our $10-and-up patrons, it's the longest Pantheon episode yet. Sakura Wars never came out in the West but its massive success in Japan in the late 90s and early 2000s gives it an often-unseen influence on RPGs. Can this forgotten SEGA franchise surpass the language barrier and make its way into the Pantheon? We talk about: For the last time, it's not a visual novel The history of western theatre in Japan Subversions of gender essentialism The single set of footprints in the sand is when Sakura Wars was carrying the Saturn and also fighting Satan. Further Reading:The Origin of Visual Novels - Bowl of Lentilshttps://youtu.be/7wOtv-J7tOI?si=tRyGSp0Hzd1Yyc4r25 Years With an Invisible Elephant in the Room - Tom Jameshttps://freelansations.medium.com/25-years-with-an-invisible-elephant-in-the-room-6e5402c93960Skies of Arcadia 2019 Developer Interviewhttps://youtu.be/BPngEZ80xnU?si=jMX2dffTcaR0BaS1Sakura Wars Retrospective Playlist - Matt Bhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMXcpj1mOa7AYfYPMZ80LzAwE3zl-ftVSakura Wars - Kimimi (not mentioned in the episode but good coverage of the series)https://kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/sakura-wars-corner/Timestamps: 6:56 - Our History with Sakura Wars 18:00 - Development and History 2:08:00 - SPOILERS BEGIN 2:11:00 - SPOILERS END 2:38:48 - Verdict Music Used in This Episode: Move Out! - [Sakura Wars] Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan - [Sakura Wars] Blooming Maidens - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's Arcade, Chugs shares his latest time with Ninja Gaiden 4, Crow Country, Pokémon Legends Z-A, and Ghost of Yotei. Meanwhile, Uno has officially finished Expedition 33, sparking a deep discussion about the state turn-based RPGs and this year's GOTY battle.In gaming news, CD Projekt Red announces Cyberpunk 2077 has surpassed 35 million copies sold, Far Cry is getting a TV show produced by Always Sunny's Rob Mac and directed by Alien Earth's Noah Hawley, former EA/Activision producer Bryan Walker claims AAA titles need to sell at least six million units just to break even, Call of Duty has never been outsold by a FPS in the US in the last two decades and a physical copy of Fortnite just sold at auction for $42,000.Get the AEW SP Game Used from Upper Deck: https://bit.ly/3XpHOmx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Get in touch with us!Welcome to the Hollow Men - a Hunter: the Reckoning dramatised solo actual play.In this episode, we meet our protagonist, Courtney Webster, whose meeting at a bar with a contact doesn't go exactly as planned.All music and soud effects from Epidemic Sound.Thanks to the following for lending their wonderful voice talent to this episode: Karen Pope, Heather Haneman, Troy Coady and Havliah Coady.Contact us at:EMAIL: roll.to.save.pod@gmail.comFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rolltosavepodWEBSITE: https://rolltosave.blogHOSTS: Iain Wilson, Steve McGarrity, Jason DowneyBACKGROUND MUSIC: David Renada (Find him at: davidrendamusic@gmail.com or on his web page).TITLE, BREAK & CLOSEOUT MUSIC: Xylo-Ziko (Find them on their web page).
Get in touch with us!Welcome to the Hollow Men - our Hunter: The Reckoning solo actual play. In this episode we interoduce you to the world of the Hollow Men as well as providing a walk through of character creation. If you want to skip the boring rulesy bits just listen to the first twenty minutes or so and then you can bounce to episode 1!Thanks to Heather Haneman for voicing The Messengers in this episode!All messages and sound effects from Epidemic Sound.Contact us at:EMAIL: roll.to.save.pod@gmail.comFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rolltosavepodWEBSITE: https://rolltosave.blogHOSTS: Iain Wilson, Steve McGarrity, Jason DowneyBACKGROUND MUSIC: David Renada (Find him at: davidrendamusic@gmail.com or on his web page).TITLE, BREAK & CLOSEOUT MUSIC: Xylo-Ziko (Find them on their web page).
Get in touch with us!Welcome to the Hollow Men - a dramatised Hunter: The Reckoning solo actual play. Courtney deals with the fall out from the fight at the Depot, and the fact that the police officer helping her appears wrong to her Second Sight.All music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound.Thanks to our voice actors Karen Pope, Heather Haneman, Havilah Coady, Melissa Andres, Jon Cohen and Anna Chapman. Contact us at:EMAIL: roll.to.save.pod@gmail.comFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/rolltosavepodWEBSITE: https://rolltosave.blogHOSTS: Iain Wilson, Steve McGarrity, Jason DowneyBACKGROUND MUSIC: David Renada (Find him at: davidrendamusic@gmail.com or on his web page).TITLE, BREAK & CLOSEOUT MUSIC: Xylo-Ziko (Find them on their web page).
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:43 Sly Flourish News: Sly Flourish Books 20% off with Free Shipping 00:02:11 Sly Flourish News: Favorite 2025 Products, Running Shadowdark's Scarlet Minotaur, Patron Obsidian Vaults 00:05:16 Kickstarter Spotlight: Beast RPG for 5e 00:09:08 D&D & RPG News: Shadowrun 5e Bundle of Holding 00:12:09 D&D & RPG News: Dyson Commerical Maps of 2025 00:13:43 Commentary: RPGs of 2026 00:30:48 DM Tip: Prepping New Campaigns 00:46:48 Patreon Question: Roll Dice in the Open 00:49:24 Patreon Question: Is Shadowdark Still the Best D&D Starter Set? 00:53:02 Patreon Question: Improvising Failing Forward 00:57:26 Patreon Question: Trends in RPGs Post OGL 01:01:53 Patreon Question: Playing RPGs is Boring Links A20% off Sly Flourish Books with Free Shipping! Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Favorite RPG Products of 2025 Running Shadowdark's Scarlet Minotaur as a One-Shot Beast Kickstarter Shadowrun Bundle of Holding 5e Essentials Universe Mega Dyson 2024 Commercial Map Pack
Somewhere in the galaxy, a radioactive dragon just wants a hug. Unfortunately, it kills everyone it touches. Welcome to Starfinder 2e, where your best friends are undead, your space pirates have tricorn hats, and your digital ghosts won't log off. The RPGBOT crew dives into Paizo's new Alien Core, exploring the weirdest monsters, creepiest factions, and why Paradox 17 knows you're listening right now. Play Paizo Games with Ash Ely Want to explore the horrors of Paradox 17 or negotiate with an Abyssium dragon who just wants a friend? Book a game with Ash Ely on StartPlaying.games and experience Starfinder 2e, Pathfinder 2e, or your favorite tabletop RPGs with a professional GM who knows every monster in the book, probably because they created a few. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, hosts Randall James, Tyler Kamstra, and Ash Ely dive into Starfinder 2e's Alien Core, the first major bestiary of Paizo's new edition. They unpack factions, dragons, and otherworldly horrors, comparing it to Pathfinder 2e's Monster Core while exploring how easily these creatures can jump between systems. Materials References in This Episode Starfinder 2e Alien Core (affiliate link) RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Starfinder Galaxy Guide Starfinder GM Core Starfinder Player Core Key Takeaways Alien Core is Starfinder 2e's Monster Manual, but weirder, smarter, and full of story inspiration. Factions like the Corpse Fleet and Dominion of the Black make excellent recurring villains. The new dragons embody four magical traditions and range from tragic to terrifying. Undead get a sci-fi twist—digital ghosts, irradiated zombies, and vacuum-frozen nightmares. Paradox 17 is pure cosmic horror genius, perfect for high-level campaigns. Even Pathfinder GMs should buy Alien Core—the compatibility is seamless, and the storytelling potential immense. Paizo proves again why they're the gold standard for deep, mechanically rich monster design. Read More at RPGBOT.net Want to optimize your next Starfinder or Pathfinder character? Check out RPGBOT.net for in-depth guides, optimization breakdowns, and articles on game mechanics, build theory, and storytelling tools for every TTRPG player or GM. 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
Guys, just wait, JRPG 3.0 is coming so soon. Just you wait!!THINGS MENTIONED:00:00 Intro, old people haircuts and skinny jeans9:20 Persona Director Says ‘JRPG 3.0' Is Coming To Re-Shape The Genre ‘At A Fundamental Level' – Kotaku19:00 "AI will be involved in nearly all future production," says Epic Games boss, so having Steam games disclose whether they were built with AI makes "no sense" - eurogamer25:15 Steam Is For Products, Not Art – aftermathFurther reading: CD Projekt's PC Game Storefront GOG Gets Behind Horses After Valve Steam Ban: 'Players Should Be Able to Choose the Experiences That Speak to Them' - IGN31:00 What we're playing87:00 Outro, Wordatro and goodbyesTori's on bluesky: toridp98Nathaniel's on Discord: nathanbasedNoah's onlineOur show is a proud member of The Worst Garbage network of podcasts. Find all the rest of the great shows on the network at TheWorstGarbage.online.Join The Worst Garbage Discord channel!Our intro/outro music are by GEIST and our show art is by@tristemegistus. We curate your gaming news together and Noah, Tori and Nathaniel take turns producing the show. You can follow the show on Twitter @Press_StartPod, on tumblr at press-startpod.tumblr.com and on bluesky @press-startpod. Email us thoughts about RPGs, what you wanna hear us talk about, game recs and other stuff at heypressstart@gmail.com. We'd also appreciate if you left us reviews on your podcast app of choice! Good text reviews will be read out on the show.
Friend of the show Ben Dixon is back to talk about his new novel Vengeance and Honour, a sword and sorcery adventure for older teens and up. Fans of Dungeons and Dragons, fantasy RPGs, and Choose Your Own Adventure stories will LOVE this book, as its full of action, adventure, friendship, and just enough immature … Continue reading "216 – Vengeance and Honour by Ben Dixon"
Somewhere in the galaxy, a radioactive dragon just wants a hug. Unfortunately, it kills everyone it touches. Welcome to Starfinder 2e, where your best friends are undead, your space pirates have tricorn hats, and your digital ghosts won't log off. The RPGBOT crew dives into Paizo's new Alien Core, exploring the weirdest monsters, creepiest factions, and why Paradox 17 knows you're listening right now. Play Paizo Games with Ash Ely Want to explore the horrors of Paradox 17 or negotiate with an Abyssium dragon who just wants a friend? Book a game with Ash Ely on StartPlaying.games and experience Starfinder 2e, Pathfinder 2e, or your favorite tabletop RPGs with a professional GM who knows every monster in the book, probably because they created a few. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, hosts Randall James, Tyler Kamstra, and Ash Ely dive into Starfinder 2e's Alien Core, the first major bestiary of Paizo's new edition. They unpack factions, dragons, and otherworldly horrors, comparing it to Pathfinder 2e's Monster Core while exploring how easily these creatures can jump between systems. Materials References in This Episode Starfinder 2e Alien Core (affiliate link) RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Starfinder Galaxy Guide Starfinder GM Core Starfinder Player Core Key Takeaways Alien Core is Starfinder 2e's Monster Manual, but weirder, smarter, and full of story inspiration. Factions like the Corpse Fleet and Dominion of the Black make excellent recurring villains. The new dragons embody four magical traditions and range from tragic to terrifying. Undead get a sci-fi twist—digital ghosts, irradiated zombies, and vacuum-frozen nightmares. Paradox 17 is pure cosmic horror genius, perfect for high-level campaigns. Even Pathfinder GMs should buy Alien Core—the compatibility is seamless, and the storytelling potential immense. Paizo proves again why they're the gold standard for deep, mechanically rich monster design. Read More at RPGBOT.net Want to optimize your next Starfinder or Pathfinder character? Check out RPGBOT.net for in-depth guides, optimization breakdowns, and articles on game mechanics, build theory, and storytelling tools for every TTRPG player or GM. 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
This episode we review the 2022 fantasy anime Management of a Novice Alchemist. Also we're on that Fortnite high like a bunch of nine year olds, Mike reviews a few classic RPGs, and Matt is still holding onto hope for Linux on the desktop like it's 2006.
Ever chased a glowing orb through three dungeons, only to find out it's just... a really fancy paperweight? Congratulations, you've met a MacGuffin! This week, the RPGBOT crew dissects the mysterious art of the object that drives your players forward, whether it's the One Ring, the Orb of Shiny Plot Device, or the legendary Sandwich of Ultimate Power. Grab your notes, your dice, and your vague sense of purpose, because we're going beyond the plot twist. Randall James' Melancon Before you roll for insight, roll on over to Amazon and grab Randall James' novella Melancon—a hauntingly beautiful story that pairs perfectly with a rainy game night and a cup of something strong. Support an indie author, dive into a darkly poetic world, and show Randall some love. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive deep into the narrative tool that keeps players moving: the MacGuffin. Whether it's a cursed relic, a kidnapped noble, or a mysterious prophecy, MacGuffins are storytelling fuel for Dungeon Masters and Game Masters across systems like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder 2e. The hosts unpack what makes a good MacGuffin (and what makes a lazy one), explore how player agency and motivation interact with narrative devices, and share practical tips for integrating MacGuffins into campaigns without making them feel hollow or forced. Expect examples from movies, famous campaigns, and some spicy opinions on whether The Deck of Many Things is secretly the best—or worst—MacGuffin ever written. Key Takeaways A MacGuffin isn't the story—it's the spark. It gets the party moving, but your players should define what it means. Player motivation matters. Tie your MacGuffin to personal stakes or relationships to avoid "fetch quest fatigue." Use narrative misdirection wisely. A twist should feel earned, not like a reroll on your own plot. Every system benefits from good pacing. Pathfinder 2e, D&D 5e, or your favorite indie TTRPG—MacGuffins can unify a campaign arc when used thoughtfully. Don't overcomplicate it. Sometimes, the shiny rock is just a shiny rock… until the players make it legendary. Support Indie Creators This holiday season, put your gold pieces where your heart is: support independent tabletop roleplaying game creators. Buy a zine, back a small Kickstarter, gift a module, or leave a review for your favorite indie game. Every little gesture helps the storytellers who keep our tables full of wonder, chaos, and laughter. 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
Ever chased a glowing orb through three dungeons, only to find out it's just... a really fancy paperweight? Congratulations, you've met a MacGuffin! This week, the RPGBOT crew dissects the mysterious art of the object that drives your players forward, whether it's the One Ring, the Orb of Shiny Plot Device, or the legendary Sandwich of Ultimate Power. Grab your notes, your dice, and your vague sense of purpose, because we're going beyond the plot twist. Randall James' Melancon Before you roll for insight, roll on over to Amazon and grab Randall James' novella Melancon—a hauntingly beautiful story that pairs perfectly with a rainy game night and a cup of something strong. Support an indie author, dive into a darkly poetic world, and show Randall some love. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Tyler, Randall, and Ash dive deep into the narrative tool that keeps players moving: the MacGuffin. Whether it's a cursed relic, a kidnapped noble, or a mysterious prophecy, MacGuffins are storytelling fuel for Dungeon Masters and Game Masters across systems like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder 2e. The hosts unpack what makes a good MacGuffin (and what makes a lazy one), explore how player agency and motivation interact with narrative devices, and share practical tips for integrating MacGuffins into campaigns without making them feel hollow or forced. Expect examples from movies, famous campaigns, and some spicy opinions on whether The Deck of Many Things is secretly the best—or worst—MacGuffin ever written. Key Takeaways A MacGuffin isn't the story—it's the spark. It gets the party moving, but your players should define what it means. Player motivation matters. Tie your MacGuffin to personal stakes or relationships to avoid "fetch quest fatigue." Use narrative misdirection wisely. A twist should feel earned, not like a reroll on your own plot. Every system benefits from good pacing. Pathfinder 2e, D&D 5e, or your favorite indie TTRPG—MacGuffins can unify a campaign arc when used thoughtfully. Don't overcomplicate it. Sometimes, the shiny rock is just a shiny rock… until the players make it legendary. Support Indie Creators This holiday season, put your gold pieces where your heart is: support independent tabletop roleplaying game creators. Buy a zine, back a small Kickstarter, gift a module, or leave a review for your favorite indie game. Every little gesture helps the storytellers who keep our tables full of wonder, chaos, and laughter. 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
No one can remember how Doc Miller ended up in the Wayne Rehabilitation Centre - and the calls they're getting sound wrong. The voices sound off. Doc doesn't seem to want them there. Or maybe it's not really Doc at all...The escape is on. But the real problem isn't the guards. It's the sound in the ceiling.Something's up there. Watching. Waiting...PLAY THE DUST WORLD RPG NOW:We've released the epic RPG Dust world and we want your help. Dust World PBTA is RPG Empire's sci-fi western game that's simple, fast, and Powered By The Apocalypse. Are you ready? Enter The Gun-Filled Lands Of An Obliterated Civilization. Play as gunslinging anime-inspired heroes on their mission to discover the truth behind the lost civilization and its technology. GET THE GUIDE NOW:https://www.therpgempire.com/shop/p/b2ck9ai8u8d7i6j5xs48oojt742uq2Dust world RPG Podcast is an actual play Role-playing podcast like the Adventure Zone Podcast or Critical Role. The setting is a sci-fi western a few hundred years after a great war burned the earth and a virus called white horse dissolved most organic matter into dust creating the wastelands.Dust World RPG is a Powered By The Apocalypse game. Dust World is a Tabletop Role-Playing game created by Paul Parnell Copywrite 2020. The setting was created by Paul Parnell and Michael Yatskar. The game was written by Paul-Thomas Parnell and Dumaresq de Pencier.OTHER PROJECTS FROM THE RPG EMPIRE:Strangers in the Pines: A Monster Of The Week actually play roleplaying podcast inspired by things like Gravity Falls, Stranger Things, and Fringe. It takes place in a small strange town called Pine Forge nestled in the Blackwood national park in Northeast Oregon, USA, and follows, the exploits of 3 unusual high school students as they try to unravel the mysteries of the Strangers in the Pines.https://www.therpgempire.com/strangers-in-the-pinesCONNECT WITH US:Join our Discord Server to chat with us and talk all things RPGs: https://discord.gg/2jnyGv9Follow and send us DMs on Instagram: @theRPGempireJoin the Empire!
Send us a textIn Episode 97 of Playin' and Slayin', Ty and Troy settle in for a cozy, late-year catch-up: games played, hobby progress, Kickstarters backed, and a little Adepticon/DepthCon narrative plotting. They also expand the library segment into a mini year-end reading chat, talking Malazan, Primal Hunter, Critical Role's Mighty Nein animated series, and more of their favorite books and media from the year.There is also a video version of the podcast: https://youtu.be/A_gxT7qQejQOur theme music is by *FADEBACK*
Ever had a game session so draining that even your dice lose levels? In this episode, the RPGBOT crew resurrects one of D&D's most dreaded mechanics: energy drain, and the undead horrors that made it famous. From the White Box to Pathfinder 2e, Tyler, Randall, and Ash relive decades of pain, permanent debuffs, and emotional damage, all in the name of understanding why we're so glad energy drain is (mostly) dead. Grab your holy symbol, chug a potion, and prepare for a nostalgic necrotic nosedive. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you want to keep your creative energy undrained, support the RPGBOT.Podcast on Patreon. Patrons get ad-free episodes, early access to our Masterclass recordings, and exclusive bonus content from Tyler, Randall, and Ash. Join us today at patreon.com/rpgbot — and help keep our hit points (and our humor) at full strength. Show Notes The RPGBOT crew takes a dark, funny journey through the history of energy drain — one of tabletop RPGs' most punishing and misunderstood mechanics. Starting with OD&D's dreaded Wight, they trace how "losing levels" evolved across editions — from instant death in AD&D to hit point maximum reduction in D&D 5e and drained conditions in Pathfinder 2e. Along the way, Ash shares stories from her Ravenloft campaign, Tyler explains why undead needed to be terrifying, and Randall asks the eternal question: "Did anyone actually have fun with this rule?" Covered Topics: How energy drain first appeared in the OD&D White Box The connection between Wights, vampires, and permanent level loss Why AD&D and 3.5 made energy drain one of the most hated mechanics ever Pathfinder 1e and the dawn of "negative levels" D&D 5e's kinder, gentler approach — max HP reduction instead of level loss Pathfinder 2e's drained and doomed conditions, and how they replace energy drain The evolution of innervation and life drain spells How modern systems preserve undead flavor without destroying players' progress A philosophical question: Should tabletop games hurt this much? Plus: a tangent about Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and how much punishment is too much Mentioned Creatures & Mechanics: Wight, Vampire Spawn, Shadow, Ghoul, Varghoul Innervation / Enervation spell Negative levels, Hit Point Maximum reduction, Drained condition Resurrection penalties in 3.5e and Pathfinder 1e Afflictions, Fortitude saves, and Constitution death spirals Key Takeaways Energy drain began as a brutally punishing mechanic — losing levels in OD&D and AD&D could erase hours of play progress instantly. Pathfinder 1e softened the blow with temporary negative levels, while still terrifying players with math-heavy penalties. 5e and PF2 modernized the concept into simpler, narratively cleaner effects like HP maximum reduction or the drained condition. Undead identity survived — even as the math got easier, the flavor of losing your vitality to a vampire or wight remained iconic. Players prefer tension over punishment. Modern systems preserve danger without making players rage-quit. Energy drain mechanics reflect evolving design philosophy — from simulationist suffering to storytelling sustainability. DM takeaway: Make undead scary through story and tension, not through math that kills fun. How to Play Holidays This Christmas season, while you're recovering from your own levels of exhaustion, the RPGBOT.Podcast is re-releasing our "How to Play" Series for Pathfinder 2e — perfect for new players and GMs ready to explore the system over the holiday break. And if your friends are just starting out in Dungeons & Dragons, introduce them to the Remastered Series of How to Play Dungeons & Dragons from RPGBOT.Podcast. Whether you're new to Pathfinder, new to D&D, or just want to survive another undead encounter, these episodes are your ultimate player's guide. 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
Jamie and Don, freshly back from PAX Unplugged 2025 in Philadelphia, have been getting into some board, card, and dice rumbles lately, and they wanted to dig into the many styles of combat systems in board games. Deterministic versus random, complex versus streamlined, dice versus cards - there's a lot of ground to cover. Also, our yearly fundraiser is currently running on Kickstarter! Support us now at https://www.thesecretcabal.com/kickstarter
Bib Fortuna takes the stage — calm, composed, he's been practicing for this moment — and takes a deep breath before revealing the next era of video game conferences. "We all know E3 has come and gone, but it's time for something truly new. I present: Steve-B."Check out Skull and Scones at https://skullandscones.com!Discussed: Steve B, Bib Fortuna and Ben Quadinaros, Kirby Air Riders, the genius of Sakurai's design, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, the emotions evoked by older RPGs, the increasing popularity of Pokémon ROM hacks, Dispatch, a brief history of choice-driven games, Brendon and Stephen's Siskel and Ebert momentFind us everywhere: https://intothecast.onlineBuy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.onlineJoin the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast---Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.onlineProduced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social---Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/---Timecodes:(00:00) - Intro (02:32) - Kirby Air Riders | All That Dragoon (35:11) - Break (35:12) - Tiding from Joseph to Ava! (36:29) - Heads or Tails? (36:36) - Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake | Heads (58:17) - Break (59:17) - Pokémon Lazarus | The ROM Hacks are ROM Back (01:23:07) - Break (01:23:09) - Dispatch | Oh, you know... (02:09:51) - Wrapping up ---Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:Ed AJ-RockSamantha DNorth HeroSam HSnzznBertitoJ-RockGregory Mark SCmndr BiscuiticemanChristian HRydan BCaleb HArden FEye of the DuckKaleNathan EJ. H. AjoelchronoMellowMatthew BRobin LPSeekingSeakingJimmerszoey!Vinny MMattKerry KBrian MNoah DZach DChristopher TDHugo WToddChris BLukerfuffleStephen YDaniel GEric FTaran WBrendan OChris ZClayton MZach RGriffinDylan NFederico VTigerz RevengeLogan HAlan RJohn AMike LmattjanzzDavid MHeavyPixelsKaleb HTyler JCorey ZSusan HBarry TRobert RChris JBrett Allen HDan SJack SGarrett CjimiiboJohn HDirch FJim EJim WTristan LEvan BAwfulHanzomin2Aaron GJean HTodd Nred_wagonNeilPeter BJohn VvErik MRedmage77Joshua JTony LDanny KGibson GKate Duncan BRichard MDaniel NSeth MJamesAndy HDemoEmmaLyn ECorey TCaleb WJake LJesse WMike TCodesMatt BWesleymebezacAlex LSergio LninjadeathdogRory BA42PoundMooseRobert MMichael WAndrewthis_JUSTINRyan O14.3 billion yearsBrendan KMegan BSecretAgentKoalaNoah OArcturusAndrew WhepaheChase ALoveDiesNick QChris MRBKaren HAdam FScott HAlexander SMatt HMurrayDavid PJason KMicah OKamrin HAndrew DKyle SPhilip N ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Send us a textMass Effect: Andromeda - Episode 2This Week: Eos Questing, Clear the Vault, Establish your Outpost, Head Back to Nexus Next Week: Head to Aya, make first contact, Quest around VoeldSupport the showContact: http://linktr.ee/squelchcast Support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Squelch or https://www.twitch.tv/dan0play Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/HwPPtX627k
That's a wrap on The Kids Table Season 2! This celebration episode is split into two halves. First, Allison & Ryan reflect on Season 2 of the campaign, Allison's surprise cameo, the vision behind the show, and decisions regarding where TKT is headed. Then, the the cast of Season 2 is reunited to answer your questions all about their experience being a part of The Kids Table and what they're looking forward to in Season 3! Welcome to Area of Effect, a podcast from the creators of The Kids Table, where we discuss how tabletop RPGs benefit kids and answer your questions about playing TTRPGs with the kids at your table! About us: When kids are at the table, everyone wins! Playing TTRPGs levels up kids' critical thinking, creativity, communication, collaboration, & confidence. That's why we create our kid-inclusive D&D show, tips for playing with kids, and campaigns to bring the adventures home! Our Kids' Adventures: Our Website Support Our Work: Patreon Follow Us: YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook #actualplay #dungeonsanddragons #familyshow
Brandon Adler is an American game director and producer whose career has been defined by his work on some of Obsidian Entertainment's most acclaimed role-playing games. After serving in Iraq with the U.S. Air Force, my guest studied Game Art & Design at The Art Institute of California. He joined Obsidian as a tester for Neverwinter Nights 2 before working his way up through various disciplines on games such as South Park: The Stick of Truth, Fallout: New Vegas, and Pillars of Eternity. Known for his meticulous attention to world-building and player choice, he has helped uphold Obsidian's reputation for crafting richly written, deeply reactive RPGs. And now, as game director on The Outer Worlds 2, he's leading the studio's next ambitious chapter in interstellar satire and storytelling.Become a My Perfect Console supporter and receive a range of benefits at www.patreon.com/myperfectconsoleTake the Acast listener survey to help shape the show: My Perfect Console with Simon Parkin Survey 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week I'm joined by my friend Brett to have a chat about "Rule Zero", or "The Golden Rule of RPGs" or whatever you may know it as. As with any Me and Steve conversation, it wanders and meanders, but it was certainly a fun one to have! Links for Brett / Studio 404 Website -- https://www.studio404games.com/ Totalcon -- https://www.totalcon.com/ In Darkened Dreams LARP -- https://indarkeneddreamslarp.wordpress.com/ FASA Games (Earthdawn) -- https://fasagames.com/ d20 Network Spotlight: I Should Roll -- https://ishouldroll.com/ Game of the Week Brett B: Draw Steel -- https://shop.mcdmproductions.com/ Steve S: Aisles of the Lost -- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/546828/aisles-of-the-lost?src=newest_recent&affiliate_id=2018399 *We have an affiliate link with Drive-Thru RPG. All this does, is give us a small percentage of your purchase cost on Drive-Thru as a "referral bonus". It does not cost you, as a consumer, anything extra.* We greatly appreciate the donations of our Patreon supporters: Eric Witman, Jeff McKinney, Joshua Gopal-Boyd, Dave Smith, Brett Bowen, Nate Doverspike, and Dec! Y'all make keeping this going possible! As always folks, have fun, be kind to each other, and go play some rpgs! Join the conversation on our Discord! Me And Steve RPG Discord https://discord.gg/5wWNcYW You can reach us at meandsteverpg@gmail.com On Facebook as Me and Steve RPG Podcast On YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpps0vVXLSGrOdM8i4ntFiQ On BlueSky @meandsteverpg.bsky.social Our Drive-Thru RPG affiliate link https://www.drivethrurpg.com/?affiliate_id=2018399 Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/MeandSteveTalkRPGs We are proud members of the d20 Radio Network! http://www.d20radio.com/main/ d20 Radio Discord Server: https://discord.gg/aj3JdFtSM8 #ttrpg #tabletoproleplaying #indieRPG
Jaunty Mantis here — and today we're tackling a massive 96 oz steak of an RPG. We read the entire Draw Steel book so you don't have to. Is it genius? Is it too much? Let's find out. Welcome back to The Jaunty Mantis — the show where insectoid fantasy creatures dissect tabletop RPGs with ungoverned cylinders and way too many analogies. In this episode, Jesse and Matty review MCDM's Draw Steel, a massive tactical heroic fantasy RPG that does a lot — sometimes maybe too much. We walk through ancestries, classes, kits, perks, complications, and the cinematic skill system, sharing what works, what overwhelms, and how this beefy tome stacks up against 4E D&D, Pathfinder, and modern playstyles. Is Draw Steel is a masterpiece, a monster, or the 'Old 96er' steak you'll never finish?. Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:03 Sly Flourish News: When to Cheat at RPGs, 2025 Favorite RPG Products, Finished Two Campaigns, Next Campaigns 00:06:25 Sly Flourish News: Apperance on Solo RPG Podcast 00:07:20 Kickstarter Spotlight: Temple of the Lightbringers by MT Black 00:09:22 D&D & RPG News: Pax Unplugged, Lots of Daggerheart, Nothing for D&D 00:18:33 Commentary: Favorite RPG Products of 2025 00:32:51 Patreon Spotlight: Dwarven Forge VTT Backdrops 00:35:52 DM Tip: Run Great Campaign Endings 00:50:21 Patreon Question: Running Cohesive Campaigns 00:54:07 Patreon Question: Why Are the Eight Steps In Their Current Order? 01:00:09 Patreon Question: Factions in a Homebrew Setting Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: When and How to Cheat when Running RPGs Favorite RPG Products of 2025 Temple of the Lightbringers Kickstarter Daggerheart Announcements at PAX Unplugged Dragonbane Core Set Tales of the Valiant Game Master's Guide Daggerheart Core Set Chessex 24" Battle Mat Staedtler 315-9 Medium Point Wet Erase Marker (Black) Ending Campaigns
Ever accidentally make a deal with the devil in a three-piece suit, get hit in the face with canned soup, and still manage to save an Appalachian town from a coal-eating mountain? The RPGBOT crew did, and somehow, it's not even the weirdest part of their charity stream. Grab your molasses taffy, kiss your dynamite goodbye, and prepare for the most chaotic train robbery–slash–exorcism this side of the Blue Ridge. It's the Old Gods of Appalachia finale, and nobody's walking away clean. Support MD Anderson Cancer Research This series raised funds for the MD Anderson Cancer Research Center, one of the world's leading hospitals dedicated to ending cancer through research, treatment, and education. The fight doesn't stop when the dice stop rolling. You can continue that mission right now by visiting https://mdanderson.donordrive.com/participants/9351 to give what you can. Every contribution supports life-saving work and honors those who continue the battle against cancer every day. Because together, we can help make cancer history. In Part 1, Jessie and Isaiah arrived in Williams Holler, where labor, faith, and eldritch horror were all part of the same sermon. In Part 2, the pair unearthed cursed coal, Tommyknockers, and a very bad reason to keep digging. In Part 3, they barely escaped the mines—only to find not-deer, haunted orchards, and a preacher whose god might be listening a little too closely. Now, in Part 4, it all comes crashing down—literally. Our heroes steal a train, strike a deal with a devil in a suit, and decide the only way to save Williams Holler is to blow the mountain itself to hell. With flaming undead, eldritch roots, and GM-donated chaos (plus one extremely aggressive can of Campbell's Chunky Soup), this finale is a combustible mix of tension, sacrifice, and Appalachian legend. Highlights include: Jessie and Isaiah team up with Jam for one final run into the mines. A mysterious Railroad Man appears, offering a deal with infernal fine print. The players literally hijack a train to ram into a coal-fed, living mountain. The long-awaited Giant GM Intrusion arrives—turning the mountain into a wrestling ring for titans. The crew makes emotional sacrifices as Jam races to plant dynamite before it's too late. Reverend Timit returns—with canned soup as his chosen weapon of faith. The mountain collapses, salvation comes at a cost, and the town must decide what living free really means. The episode wraps with heartfelt thanks to donors, reflections on Cypher System mechanics, and a moving reminder of why these charity events matter. Key Takeaways Chaos is the point – Trains, devils, and GM intrusions combine into one unforgettable finale. The Cypher System encourages cinematic storytelling – Fast, flexible, and fueled by narrative moments over crunch. Community storytelling makes charity shine – Every donation shaped the game, creating real-time chaos and connection. Emotional stakes matter – Jessie, Isaiah, and Jam's story lands because it balances horror with heart. The mountain is more than a monster – It's a metaphor for endurance, corruption, and the cost of labor. Reverend Timit's soup throws deserve their own rulebook. The crew raised over $1,000 for cancer research – Proof that gaming communities can make a real-world difference. Shout Out to the Old Gods and Monte Cook Games Special thanks to Steve Shell, Cam Collins, and the DeepNerd Media team for creating Old Gods of Appalachia, and to Monte Cook Games for crafting the Old Gods of Appalachia Roleplaying Game that makes this Appalachian nightmare come alive at the table. Experience it yourself: Listen to the award-winning Old Gods of Appalachia podcast at OldGodsofAppalachia.com Buy the RPG from Monte Cook Games: montecookgames.com/old-gods-of-appalachia-rpg Play your own story of coal, faith, and fire—and see how long you can survive the holler. The mountain may have fallen, but the Old Gods are far from silent. 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
Welcome to our One Hundred and Fifty Third episode!Our podcast is dedicated to all things board games, RPGs, CGs and more.Pour your favourite beverage, pull up a comfy chair 'cuz we are ready to roll.In this week's episode, we talk about more Zombicide and SWU.-----Jocelyn and Kim are doing board game day and we want to hear from you of what we should play! Take a look at Kim's board game collection and send us 5 games you think we should play (at least with 4 players). -----Until next time, on a Double Double ‘n Dice!--------------The following music was used for this media project:Music: Lobby Time by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://www.chosic.com/download-audio/29284/Music: Star Citizen - Discovery Of The Nyx System, produced by Sascha EndeLink: https://ende.app/en/song/13438-star-citizen-discovery-of-the-nyx-systemLicense: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)Send us a textSend us a text Contact us: tripledpodcast@dm-north.comCheck us out on www.dm-north.comSupport us at ko-fi.com/dmnorthtvJoin the dmNorthTV DiscordNeed a dice bag? Contact Jocelyn and/or visit JoceStitch Etsy store
Ever want to turn into a giant octopus just to ruin a pirate's day? Or turn into a squirrel just to steal your party's rations? On this week's RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into the wild world of Wild Shape, from tactical bear hugs to flying reconnaissance pigeons. Spoilers: size matters, and no, nobody knows how many hit points a badger has without googling it. Old Gods of Appalachia RPG Stream Now on YouTube The wait is over. RPGBOT's full video stream of the Old Gods of Appalachia charity game is now rolling out on YouTube. Head over to the RPGBOT YouTube channel to relive the Appalachian horror, dice rolls, and deeply questionable character decisions in glorious widescreen format. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew unpacks the power and potential of Wild Shape in Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Whether you're playing a Circle of the Moon powerhouse or a nature-loving spellcaster who just wants to turn into a fish when things get rough, the episode explores how to choose the right form in combat, exploration, social encounters, and everything in between. You'll learn which beasts shine at different levels, how damage resistance and hit point pools can change a battle, and when it's better to be utility-focused instead of combat-ready. The discussion also highlights how Wild Shape synergizes with spellcasting, feat choices, and party composition for optimized Druid builds. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE RPGBOT.net Articles Wild Shape: A Practical Guide - DnD 5e - RPGBOT Wild Shape: A Practical Guide - PF2 Druid Handbook - Pathfinder - RPGBOT Druid Archetypes Breakdown - Pathfinder - RPGBOT Druid Handbook: PF2 Class Guide - RPGBOT Druid 5e: DnD 5th Edition Class Guide - RPGBOT RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes Familiars, or Why You Shouldn't Throw the Housecat at a Kobold Other References Fingies Key Takeaways Wild Shape isn't just about being a tanky bear. There's a form for every occasion—combat, scouting, infiltration, utility, and more. Circle of the Moon Druids dominate early-level combat, but all Druids can use Wild Shape creatively at any tier of play. Consider your party's needs before choosing your form. Sometimes turning into a giant eagle is more useful than mauling goblins as a dire wolf. Study the stat blocks. The best Wild Shape Druids know their options ahead of time and keep a "beast cheat sheet" at the ready. Spellcasting and Wild Shape can play nicely together, especially with the right feats and subclass abilities. Did you enjoy this deep dive into Druid mastery? Support more episodes like this by joining the RPGBOT Patreon. Patrons get access to ad-free episodes, live recordings, bonus content, and more. Become part of the RPGBOT community today and help us keep delivering top-tier tabletop RPG insights. 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
Hey Now Cabalists! The 2025 Secret Cabal fundraiser is live on Kickstarter now! Jump over and snag volume 2 of the zine, some Secret Cabal swag, the new Steve-Boy, and support the show while you're doing it. Today the gang dives into some of the great games they've been playing, including Atlas Lost Rise of the New Sovereigns, Slay the Spire, Leaders, Magical Athlete, Dice Miners, and feature Phoenix New Horizon from Jorge J. Barroso and Devir. Then after Tony T lays down his award-winning tabletop gaming news segment, the gang discusses the importance of player interaction in board gaming. Atlas Lost: Rise of the New Sovereigns: 00:09:26, Slay the Spire: 00:20:11, Dice Miners: 00:36:58, Leaders: 00:46:10, Magical Athlete: 00:56:03, Phoenix New Horizon Review: 01:03:23, News with Tony T: 01:38:23, Player Interaction: 02:33:07. Check out our sponsors Restoration Games at https://restorationgames.com/ and Game Toppers at https://www.gametoppersllc.com/. Support the Cabal on Kickstarter now! https://www.thesecretcabal.com/kickstarter
Send us a textMass Effect: Andromeda - Episode 1This Week: Prologue, First Planet, Nexus Quests, Land on EosNext Week: Eos Questing, Clear the Vault, Establish your Outpost, Head Back to NexusSupport the showContact: http://linktr.ee/squelchcast Support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/c/Squelch or https://www.twitch.tv/dan0play Join our Discord at https://discord.gg/HwPPtX627k
This time, we go fishing for Role Players, linking some popular aspects of RPGs to our favorite boardgames. Plus, our latest collection of Roses, Thorns, and Hula Hoops. 00:47 - Getting Cold 01:45 - Eric at Pax Unplugged 03:47 - Games at Tom's Daughter's Wedding? 05:10 - BGG Con, Dice Tower East, West, Cruise 06:37 - Fishing for Role Players 14:58 - Stat-Heavy Games: Pathfinder ACG, Mage Knight 17:48 - Character Building: Origin Story, Elder Scrolls, Too Many Bonews, Artisans of Splendent Vale 20:12 - Story-Based Character Progression: Call to Adventure, Tales of the Arabian Nights, Near and Far 22:17 - Campaign (Descent) vs. Combat: Wrath of Ashardilon, Wander the Cult of Barnacle Bay, Massive Darkness, Monster Hunter 27:36 - Silly: Dungeon Fighter, Dungeon Quest, Cora Quest, Munchkin, Talisman 30:31 - Exploration: Mansions of Madness, Clank Catacombs 32:57 - Storytelling: Mice and Mystics, Stuffed Fables, Tainted Grail, Oathsworn, Agemonia 35:03 - Video Games: Elden Ring, Bloodborne, Skyrim, GWENT 37:38 - Improvisational Storytelling: Freelancers, Wandering Galaxy, Adventure Party, Aye Dark Overlord, Once Upon a Time 41:22 - Teasing Next Time: RPGs for Boardgamers 42:27 - Rove 46:08 - Night Soil 49:04 - Mezen 52:50 - Gingerbread House 55:37 - Severton 1:00:35 - Spot It Catan Questions? Tales of Horror? tom@dicetower.com Julie's Tales of Myth and Legend Preorder: https://gamefound.com/projects/van-ryder-games/tales-of-myth-and-legend-preorder?refcode=tMZTh1PtbUec1Vko4OGdaw
I'm pulling a Retronauts and calling this "Part One" because we barely even got around to talking about the games themselves; instead, Victor, Eric, and Nadia wax philosophical about the seemingly-universal appeal of card games, the stories that can be told with a deck of cards, and how they fit perfectly into the systems and structure of both tabletop games and video games. Maybe in Part Two we'll talk about actual specific video games. Maybe Part Two will be the upcoming Mega Man Battle Network 2 Pantheon episode! Who can say? Go and get a tarot reading and find out! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Corpse Party cancelled Octopath Traveler 0 Impressions Canadian Cooking Shows and Human Anatomy Timestamps: 6:20 Main Topic - Card-Based RPGs 26:44 - History of Decks of Cards 1:17:42 - Random Encounters 1:21:12 - The Tavern - Octopath Traveler 0 Impressions 1:30:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Valedictory Elegy (for guitar) - [Baten Kaitos Origins] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Alexa Ray Corriea chats with Josh Sawyer, Studio Design Director at Obsidian Entertainment. Together they discuss his thoughts on developing RPGs; what he learned from working at legendary studio Black Isle Studios; how to successfully adapt Dungeons & Dragons to video games; writing for games with dialogue stacks; parsing and implementing feedback while keeping true to your creative vision; and balancing RNG to improve player experiences. This episode is supported by Xsolla iam8bit Episode Host: Alexa Ray Corriea Producers: Claudio Tapia and Josh Chu, The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing and leaving us a rating and review. Follow us: linktr.ee/AIAS Please consider supporting game dev students with: AIAS Foundation