RPGBOT.Podcast

Farewell 2025, Hello 2026 As the dice finish rolling on 2025, we want to take a moment—before the initiative tracker resets—to say thank you . This year was packed with bold experiments, deep dives, hot takes, re-releases, masterclasses, actual plays, rule arguments that absolutely mattered , and more than a few moments where we stopped mid-recording and said, "Wait… does that actually work?" Than...

"Crunchy rules or simple vibes? Political intrigue or straight-up dungeon brawls? Survival in a dying world or low-power fantasy feels?" This remastered RPGBOT.Podcast dives into everything you love (and fear) about tabletop RPGs that aren't D&D or Pathfinder. From decision trees to help you find your perfect game match, to the storytelling magic of Powered by the Apocalypse, and the chaotic survi...

You survived the one-shot. No one died permanently. Only  some rules were misunderstood. Now comes the most dangerous phase of any tabletop experience: questions . In this episode, the RPGBOT crew sits down after the Pathfinder 2e one-shot to answer the things every new player asks—what worked, what didn't, what we forgot, and why Pathfinder 2e somehow makes rules discussions feel productive inste...

Every tabletop RPG player has had this thought at some point:  "If I had one Wish, I could fix everything." And every Dungeon Master has had the immediate follow-up thought: "If you cast Wish, I'm fixing you ." In this episode, the RPGBOT crew tackles the most powerful spell in the game—the one that can rewrite reality, end campaigns, summon divine attention, and turn a carefully planned epic into...

Nothing teaches a rules system faster than throwing it directly into danger. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew does exactly that by unleashing a  Pathfinder 2e one-shot designed to show how the rules actually work when dice hit the table. Expect missed attacks, clever teamwork, rules "aha!" moments, and at least one situation where the three-action economy proves it is both elegant and mildly terri...

Character creation in Pathfinder 2e is like walking into a fantasy bakery: everything looks amazing, you want  all of it , and somehow you leave with a perfectly balanced character instead of a chaotic pile of half-baked ideas. In this RPGBOT.Quickstart episode, we guide you through the PF2e character creation process step by step without analysis paralysis, spreadsheet-induced panic, or accidenta...

Ever wondered how many actions it takes to brew a cup of coffee in Pathfinder 2e? The RPGBOT crew did, and we're pretty sure we provoked an opportunity attack from the espresso machine. In this  RPGBOT.Quickstart episode, we bravely tackle Pathfinder Second Edition , learn how to read a character sheet without summoning a demon, and maybe, just maybe, figure out what the heck a "reaction" actually...

Have you ever wished you could travel back in time, wield 10th-level spells, and tell ancient archmages that "no seriously, this is definitely going to end badly"? Well congratulations, this episode is for you! Today we explore Netheril's majestic flying cities, magical decadence, and the absolute worst urban-planning decision ever: putting time portals in extremely obvious places. Grab your arcan...

Have you ever wondered what would happen if  Baldur's Gate 3 romance options escaped into your tabletop rules? Today, we dive into Astarion's Book of Hungers, where vampires are sexy, feats are thirsty, and WotC's DLC pricing… is definitely giving "gaslight, gatekeep, vampire spawn." The team reviews the digital-only D&D supplement Astarion's Book of Hungers , a Baldur's Gate-themed 32-page add-on...

Picture this: you've just rolled up to the dungeon entrance, everyone looks heroic… and then the rogue vanishes before initiative even begins. Classic. In this remastered RPGBOT.Podcast episode, we get delightfully sneaky about how to build the perfect scoundrel from level 1 through 10 without needing a 20-page backstory explaining why you stole the wizard's lunch (again). Show Notes In this episo...

There's a mystical moment in every adventurer's life when you stare deeply into your character sheet, question every subclass you've ever loved, and think:  "Is this really better… or did they just rename it again?" Welcome to the UA 2025 Subclass Update—where barbarians downgrade, fighters glow-up, monks chug things, and paladins summon skeletons with the enthusiasm of a dad discovering Bluetooth...

Show Notes In this episode of the  RPGBOT.Podcast , the crew dives into  Part 2  of their comprehensive review of  Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn , focusing on the new Background, Feats, and Epic Boons. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you've been enjoying our deep-dive breakdowns of Heroes of Faerûn , laughing through our subclass hot takes, or nodding solemnly during our very serious sandwich disc...

Have you ever watched your players stare at a clue for 25 minutes, slowly realizing they're not unraveling a mystery, you're watching them  invent a brand-new conspiracy theory? In today's remastered episode, we dive into the magical art of mystery design: how to build suspense, reveal secrets, and gently nudge players away from wildly incorrect guesses like "the butler did it" when you absolutely...

If you've ever wondered what happens when three grown adults argue passionately about grammar, moonbeams, seagulls, and the metaphysics of Strahd's horse, all before actually starting the podcast, this episode is for you. Join us as we journey into  Heroes of Faerûn , where the subclasses are shiny, the Rangers are frosty, and the Fighters are apparently running a full unionized workplace. Grab yo...

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 D...

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 ...

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 ab...

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...

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 s...

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...

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...

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...

Ever looked at a monster stat block and thought, "That's cool… but what if it was full of  wasp parasites , haunted by Victorian metaphors , and could bend reality like a jaded demigod?" Well buckle in, because Keith Ammann—monster maestro and author of Making Enemies —is back to teach us how to create RPG nightmares smarter than your party's wizard, sneakier than a rogue with reliable talent, and...

It's a day of celebration in the RPGBOT multiverse—because Keith Ammann has just released his new book, Making Enemies ! To mark the occasion, we're reopening the vaults and re-releasing one of our all-time favorite episodes: Keith Ammann Strikes Back . Join us as we revisit Keith's tactical genius, his deep-dive into creature combat, and the strategic secrets every GM should have at their fingert...

Ever outrun a demon deer with too many teeth, watched a mine explode for reasons you definitely didn't cause, and then discovered a whistle that works like a horror movie pause button? No? Then you haven't listened to Part 3 of the  Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream, where the RPGBOT crew learns the hard way that in Williams Holler, even the local wildlife deserves a GM intrusion. Support MD A...