3RPG Podcast

Description: On this week's episode, the 3RPG hosts reveal their least favorite spells and how to rework them into arcana worthy of your precious spell slots. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 5:07 - The List 7:05 - #10 Chris - Identify, Sandra - Detect Traps, Jay - 'Elemental Clutter' 12:10 - #9 Chris - Create Food/Water, Dark Vision, Jay - Fireball 17:32 - #8 Chris - Stone to Flesh, Sandra - Familiars, Ja...

Description: In this episode, Sandra and Jay talk with fellow podcaster and gamer Isaac Shaker about his pod, his homebrew world and much more. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:25 - How and why TTRPG? 5:05 - Player vs. DMing. 7:23 - Rotating DMs? 9:32 - Isaacs Homebrew world 11:46- Tech, Gods & Plato 14:54 - Setting the Stage Podcast 20:09 - Systems for Introducing new Players 26:16 - Other Worlds to...

Description: The 3RPG hosts are giving all the love to caster classes this week by sharing our top 10 spells and how we abuse them in our own games. Comments: Joni Mitchell Controversy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joni_Mitchell_blackface_controversy DOMINUS! aka ERA - Ameno (sorry not sorry for the 90's earworm) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xUnSVTh8fI And because we love you all... the li...

Description: What happens when you have a group eager to play but zero new story ideas? You turn to the classics for inspiration! Whether theming an entire campaign in an established IP or borrowing story elements to enhance your own, join the 3RPG hosts as they share their favorite franchises and movie picks for an epic (and quick) adventure. spoiler warning - while we make every attempt to not r...

Description: Join Jay and Sandra as they go head to head with fellow tabletop host Dave Townsend of Games With Dave. Comments: For more about Katadancon and how to be a part of it: https://tabletop.events/conventions/katahdin-con-2026 Pamola - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pamola Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 2:11 - Enter: David Townsend 5:26 - Who, what, when is Games With Dave? 7:29 - 28 Interviews in...

Playing with the passage of time is part of storytelling, but what if you want some of those details are still essential? Queue the montage! In today's episode, the 3RPG hosts break down the what, when, hows of planning a riveting sequence without boring your players. Comments: - Sandra's character did not, in fact, die that night. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 5:25 - What is a montage? 12:15 - Risks of...

Dogs, pigeons, and hippos, oh my! Join the 3RPG hosts as they tackle the tricky balance of allowing pets in your game without letting the menagerie take over the table. Comments: - 1:45 - This opens up a much larger discussion about cultural appreciation vs. appropriation. for a great entry into this topic, we recommend: A Taste of Culture: Discussing Cultural Appreciation | Nora Brue | TEDxRansom...

Description: Who knew that leveling was such a hot topic that it needed two episodes? Jay, Sandra, and Chris did! Join the 3RPG hosts as they fight their way to the top of the leveling curve and finally demystify the quest for ultimate POWAH! Comments: - Mammatus Clouds: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mammatus_cloud Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 6:12 - Level up method 9:24 - Levels after dying? 13:30 - I...

Some stats are so commonly used that they almost feel like a requirement, but this leads to the entire group jumping to make the same roll. In this episode, the 3RPG hosts discuss ways to make common checks more interesting and impactful. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 8:45 - Perception vs. Insight 15:15 - Is perception too powerful? 19:47 - Risk of locking information behind a roll 23:23 - Solutions to...

Some gaming nights are pure magic, while others can feel like herding cats with all the sudden breaks, interruptions, and immersion breaking habits. Join the 3RPG hosts as they discuss ideas for keeping your table both fun and orderly. Comments: We spent a stupid amount of time looking for the 'Snakes and Fire' PSA video mentioned in the intro, but the internet failed us. On the plus side, we now...

Though fantasy is the most common entry point for new TTRPG players, it is far from the only genre represented at the table. Join the 3RPG hosts as the grill TTRPG designer Seiya Kubota on his biopunk title: Synesthesia Synthetica. Comments: For more about Synesthesia Synthetica or Seiya's upcoming projects, please visit: https://synesthesiasynthetica.com/ https://bsky.app/profile/kubotaproduction...

Description: Leveling is a common feature of most types of gaming, but is it necessary and are there more innovative ways to grow a character beyond experience points and gated abilities? Hosts Jay, Chris, and Sandra explore why we love leveling, and how innovation can lead to better storytelling. Comments: Intermission book suggestion: Moldoror by Isidore Ducasse https://www.goodreads.com/book/sh...

Description: All storytellers dream of creating 'the big reveal', but how do you fool your players without fumbling the ball? On today's episode, the 3RPG team discusses how to plan, execute and delivery on a proper twist. Comments: The Happening - awesome drunk movie night pick. The clip being quoted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1PK4qYzNkI Timestamps: 00:00 Intro - Ball movers 6:51 - Types o...

There are many reasons to celebrate holidays and festivals, so why don't we use them more often in our campaigns? In this episode, the 3RPG hosts kick back, relax, and discuss how to add some seasonal spice to your world (pumpkin or otherwise). Comments: ** The game Jay mentions in the intro is not Sunderland, it's Sunderfolk: https://www.dreamhaven.com/games/sunderfolk ** For more on Sema and the...

Description: Say the word 'spring' and most conjure thoughts of warmer days, renewal, and hope, but what if the equinox offered horrors beyond imagining? Join the 3RPG hosts as they ruin yet another beloved holiday season for your next campaign! Comments: ** Sandra stands corrected, Sbarro pizza lives! https://sbarro.com/ ** Nyaight of the Living Cat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4REA4evnf5M T...

GMs and players often put their heart and souls into their campaigns, which can make it hard to move on to new ideas. In this episode the 3RPG hosts explore the reasons why ending beloved elements can lead to better storytelling, and how to do so while keeping the game fun. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 3:55 - The source of 'kill your darlings' 6:13 - Story ownership around the table 8:01 - Creative chu...

Why settle for boring ol'goblins when you could be killing your party with something truly horrifying? Join the 3RPG team as they crack open their favorite monster lore in search of baddies worthy of your intrepid (and tasty) adventuring party. Comments: ** PNW brown squirrel - https://wdfw.wa.gov/species-habitats/species/tamiasciurus-douglasii ** for the 'campaign charades' transcript excerpt, sc...

Voice acting isn't required to play a great character, but it can be a lot of fun. In today's episode, learn the tips and tricks to transforming your vocal persona for better immersion and better drama. Comments: Because the 'Perfect Strangers' theme is, well, perfect... here you go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz29uticRHQ Taking20 - My Rules for D&D Voices - https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Description: Two DMs, two very different worlds. Join the 3RPG hosts as they give a guided tour and explain what keeps their tables full, year after year. Comments: Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 7:05 - Welcome to Nyestrya (Chris's world) 13:11 - Scariest thing in Chris's world 16:55 - Why visit Nyestrya? 19:37 - 'Sponsor' Barbag 23:18 - Struggle Meals! 29:55 - The Balance of Aksio (Jay's TTRPG) 32:10 -...

History is full of amazing events that can be reimagined for your next campaign, so why the hesitation? In this episode, the 3RPG team tackles the most common reasons why GMs shy away from history, and why you don't need to be a professor to run an outstanding era game. Comments: Ken and Robin Talk About Stuff: https://www.kenandrobintalkaboutstuff.com/ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 05:45 - 4 types of h...

Grab a drink and cozy up to the fire as 3RPG shares the tales of their favorite (mis)adventures! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 3:58 - Where did you come from, where did you go? 5:58 - Character sheets (Jay) 7:07 - Writing and D&D amalgamation (Sandra) 11:31 - Combo moves (Chris) 14:55 - Ambiance level up (Sandra) 19:10 - All wizards (Jay) 20:33 - Story reveals (Chris) 23:18 - Puritans in a sex shop...

Labeled 'M' for mature, join the 3RPG hosts as they explore love in TTRPG, and how to (safely) turn up the heat on your next campaign. Comments: 21:34 - Episode 20: Uppies for Downtime 25:20 - Slaanesh - https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Slaanesh Timestamps: 00:00 Intro - What is love (baby don't hurt me!) 5:01 - History of love 10:30 - Romance in campaigns (should you & getting buy-in) 17:...

Description: Play or DM long enough and you'll amass a bag of holding's worth of bad decisions. Join the 3RPG team as they spin a cautionary tale of woe and ruin. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 4:20 - Too many NPCs 8:31 - Matching stakes to your table 11:11 - Blanking in the moment 18:13 - Micromanaging 22:16 - Players playing like a GM 26:49 - "Sponsor": B.A.R.D.S Underpants 29:40 - Messing up your lore...

Conditionals are for more than just ruining your players' day (or week, or month)! Join the 3RPG team as they explore the deeper narrative effects of inflicting your party with curses, plagues, insanity, and so much more! Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 4:24 - What are conditionals? 8:34 - The big list of common conditionals 12:57 - Favorite conditions 19:35 - Avoiding 'lose-a-turn' mechanics 22:38 - Nove...

Next level stories need next level methods to keep the narrative fresh and unpredictable. In this episode, the 3RPG crew shares their favorite non-conventional storytelling tips, and also how to avoid the dreaded lore dump. Comments: Tanuki Games - Tapestry - https://www.drawyourownadventure.fun/ See Chris's Tavern Menu below Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 1:38 - What is non-conventional storytelling? 6:...