EXP-lore

In Episode 32 of EXP-lore, things get competitive as we put our knowledge to the test with a franchise-themed quiz. This time, it’s all about the money—specifically, which media franchises have raked in the most over the years. From films and games to toys, comics, and everything in between, we try to guess the highest-grossing franchises of all time. Expect wild guesses, heated debates, a few sur...

Episode 31: Off the Beaten Path(finder) This week we ditch the dungeon crawls and dragon hoards to see what happens when you leave the comfy safety net of D&D behind. From the crunch of Pathfinder to the sheer weirdness of indie storytelling games, we dive into the roleplaying experiences that blew our minds, broke our brains, and sometimes left us wondering what on earth we’d just played. We’...

For Episode 30 of EXP-lore, we’re fresh off the tabletop and ready to share the stories—because it’s time to debrief our recent Tabletop All-Dayer. A full day of dice, cards, and caffeine gave us plenty to talk about: the games we played, the highlights and the moments that made the event unforgettable. From epic victories to chaotic mishaps, we break down how it all went and what we’d do differen...

Forget balance, forget logic—this episode is all about pitting our favourite characters against each other in the most ridiculous “who would win?” battles imaginable. From unstoppable juggernauts to sneaky tricksters, nobody is safe from our hypothetical fight night. We also dive into the pop culture armoury to talk about our favourite weapons: the iconic, the overpowered, and the ones that are do...

Bonus Episode: Dyer Quest We’re back with a special bonus adventure! This time we crack open Steve Jackson’s legendary Fighting Fantasy gamebook The Citadel of Chaos —but with our own chaotic twist. Armed with dice, dubious strategy, and questionable ability, we brave the sinister halls of the Citadel… only to discover it might actually belong to Danny Dyer. Expect perilous encounters, strange sor...

Episode 28 of EXP-lore takes us back to familiar worlds with a fresh coat of paint, as we dive into the world of remakes in film and video games. Whether it’s a beloved classic reimagined for a new generation, or a remake that never should’ve left the drawing board, we’re asking what makes these do-overs work—or fail. From movie reboots to game remasters, we share our favourites, our frustrations,...

In this twenty-seventh episode of EXP-lore, we’re shuffling the deck, mixing the genres, and talking all things crossover. From Magic: The Gathering’s Universes Beyond to unexpected IP mashups, we explore what happens when beloved franchises collide. Do these crossovers expand the game, deepen the lore, or just feel like a cash grab? And what do we want to see?! We share our thoughts on the best a...

In this twenty-sixth episode of EXP-lore, we’re rolling out the battlefield and digging into everything terrain. From rocky outcrops and ruined cities to forests made of felt and cereal-box bunkers, we talk about how terrain shapes the games we play and the stories we tell. We cover the practical—storage, costs, and table space—as well as the creative—building, painting, and bringing battlefields...

In this twenty-fifth episode of EXP-lore, we’re unlocking extra content, downloading some opinions, and maybe installing a few hot takes—because we’re talking video game expansions and DLC.  From game-changing add-ons to cash-grab catastrophes, we share our favourite expansions that kept us playing long after the credits rolled—and the ones that made us wish we’d saved our money. Expect nostalgia...

In this bonus episode of EXP-lore, we’re cracking open a classic, sharpening our pencils, and diving headfirst into a dungeon of danger—because we’re tackling The Warlock of Firetop Mountain . Join us as Mike dons the mantle of narrator, trap-setter, and occasional goblin, guiding the rest of the crew through the legendary Fighting Fantasy choose-your-own-adventure book that started it all. Will t...

In this twenty-fourth episode of EXP-lore, we’re grabbing our walking sticks, shaking our fists at the sky, and getting nostalgic—because we’re talking about how our hobbies have changed over the years.  From the humble beginnings of pocket money armies to today’s premium-priced plastics, we look back on how games like Warhammer and others have evolved—from cost, to community, to the way we actual...

In this twenty-third episode of EXP-lore, we’re cheering for the little guy, the long shot, the dark horse—because it’s time to talk underdogs. 🐾🎮🥊 From scrappy rebels to overlooked champions, we dive into our favorite underdog stories across games, films, and beyond. Why do we love them? What makes a good one? And why does it feel so good when the odds get defied? But then—like a wild Tangela...

In this twenty-second episode of EXP-lore, we’re hitting pause on the deep dives and taking a moment to check in—because it’s time for a good old-fashioned hobby update.  From piles of shame to proud displays, we're sharing what we've been building, painting, playing, and procrastinating. Expect some new projects, unexpected detours, and a few too many half-finished minis staring at us from the sh...

Episode 21 – EXP-loring: A Q&A In this twenty-first episode of EXP-lore , we’re turning the tables and putting your questions in the spotlight. It’s time for our first-ever Q&A episode—because sometimes the best adventures start with “What if…?” 💬🎲🧭 We’ve gathered questions from our amazing community, Discord, and friends, and we’re diving headfirst into the weird, wonderful, and occasi...

Episode 20 – Lore of the Worlds In this twentieth episode of EXP-lore , we’re swapping dice rolls for deep lore dives and getting lost in the tangled, thrilling process of worldbuilding for tabletop RPGs. 🌍📜🎲 From crumbling kingdoms to star-faring civilizations, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we craft the settings, cultures, and conflicts that bring our games to life. Whether you’re buil...

Episode 19 – Buy Now, Cry Later In this nineteenth episode of EXP-lore , we’re swapping impulse buys for clever hacks and asking the age-old question: how do you keep up with your favourite hobbies without emptying your wallet? 💸🎲🧃 From the irresistible lure of limited-edition minis to that “just one more booster pack” feeling, we’ve all felt the sting of hobby spending. This week, we’re gettin...

Episode 18 – Choke Slam a Terminator In this eighteenth episode of EXP-lore , we’re turning our attention from dice rolls to data sets as we dive headfirst into the ever-expanding world of artificial intelligence. 🤖💥🧠 From Skynet nightmares to ChatGPT daydreams, we’re talking AI in all its forms—how it’s infiltrating nerd culture, reshaping creativity, and occasionally stealing our thunder (and...

Episode 17 – The AMoG Expo-reience In this seventeenth episode of EXP-lore , we’re swapping folklore for floor plans and trading legends for lanyards—it’s convention time! 🎲🎟️🧭 Fresh off our trip to the UK Games Expo, we’re breaking down our full AMoG Expo-reience: what we saw, what we bought, and what blew our minds. From massive minis to indie gems, chaotic demos to carefully curated stalls, w...

We were at the UK Games Expo this weekend just gone, so while we recover, enjoy this bonus episode of EXP-lore! We’re putting away the codices and picking up résumés—because it's job interview time, and the only qualification you need is imagination (and maybe a few questionable personality traits). 🧑‍💼🎭💼 That’s right—we’re playing FunEmployed , the party game where absurd job interviews meet...

Episode 16 – Better the Monster You Know In this sixteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re lighting the campfire, sharpening our stakes, and cracking open the cryptid files—because we’re talking monsters. 🐉👹🧌 From childhood terrors to mythological giants, we each reveal our favourite monsters from folklore, pop culture, and beyond. Expect a mix of the iconic, the obscure, and maybe even a few you’ve...

Episode 15 – Tournamoments In this fifteenth episode of EXP-lore, it’s time to lock and load, roll initiative, and maybe bring a snack—because we’re diving into the wild world of tabletop tournaments. 🎲🏆💥 Fresh from a recent Warhammer 40k tournament, we break down the highlights, lowlights, and hilarious misfires from the battlefield. From epic plays to minor disasters, we relive the moments th...

In this fourteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re swapping dice for dragons as we dive headfirst into the mythic realm of fantasy fiction. 🐉📚✨ From ancient epics to modern sagas, we explore the rich history of fantasy storytelling—how legends, folklore, and classic literature laid the groundwork for the genre we know today. We trace the lineage from Tolkien to tabletop, dissect the DNA of modern fa...

 🎲⚔️ Carrying on from where the boys left off last, escaping the besieged village of Leverac! 🚀 Will they get out? Why is the village under attack? When will the spend their Hero Points? Tune in to find out! 🏰🧙‍♂️ This is EXP-lore like you’ve never experienced before—let the quest begin! 🔮🎉   EXP-lore is hosted by: Mike Hearnden Dean Shickle David Weeks and Henry Adair   You can find out mor...

In this thirteenth episode of EXP-lore, we’re shuffling the deck and cracking open the board game cupboard to talk about our favourite tabletop pastime. 🎲♟️🃏 We dive into the world of board games—where our love for them began, what keeps us coming back to the table, and the gateway games we’d recommend to anyone looking to get into the hobby. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or someone who s...

In this twelfth episode of EXP-lore, we’re trading dice rolls for real talk as we dive into the world of women in tabletop gaming. 🎲💬💪 We have a frank discussion about inclusive gaming spaces, chatting about representation, visibility, and the power of seeing yourself at the table—whether that’s behind a DM screen or playing your favourite board games. ✨🧝‍♀️📚 Then, after the break, we lighte...