RPGBOT.Podcast

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss designing custom monsters. How do we make a monster that's unique, exciting, and tells a cool story? How do we turn that into something in our games? Find Ash on StartPlaying. Games . If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support th...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to James Gregory, DM for the Roll Britannia Podcast, a UK-based Actual Play D&D podcast. We talk to James about Roll Britannia's playing D&D with your crazy friends, how James and his players keep the podcast going, and Roll Britania's meteoric rise in popularity in the two years since the podcast's launch. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and rev...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss running high complexity creatures. Complicated creatures are difficult for DMs/GMs to manage at the table, and can often turn what should be an exciting encounter into a frustrating slog for everyone. We offer some tips and ideas to help you get the most out of what should be your most interesting opponents. Find Ash on StartPlaying. Games . If you...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to independent TTRPG writer Alan Patrick. We discuss Alan's work as a writer, including for organized play groups, Wizards of the Coast, Adventurer's League, and other publishers including Frog God and Modiphius. Alan explains his writing process, his experiences as a writer, and shares some advice for writing and improving your own adventures. If you've...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss describing things. If you're anything like the folks on this podcast, you might struggle to find the words to describe important things in your game. We couldn't figure out how to do it better, so we brought in an expert to teach us. Find Ash on StartPlaying. Games . If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rat...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discus Kobold Press's latest supplemenet, the Book of Ebon Tides. We discuss the "Shadow Realm", its mercurial fey inhabitants, and all of the other great things in the book, including setting ideas and character options. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. It's a qu...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss traps and hazards. Traps have been a staple of dungeon fantasy games like DnD since its earliest days. How do we make traps fun, challenging, and interesting, without making them feel like they're unfairly punishing players? Find Ash on StartPlaying. Games . If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on ...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the first-ever Wizards Direct. We discuss product announcements for DnD's 2023 releases, the new digital/physical bundles, D&D Digital, and the beginning of the "One D&D" public playtest. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support t...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss 5-room dungeons. Johnn Four, creator of the 5-Room Dungeon, joins us to explain what a 5-room dungeon is and how you can use it to design excellent stories which go well beyond a dungeon crawl. Find Ash on StartPlaying. Games . If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podca...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the upcoming adventure Rultmoork from AAW Games. Jonathan G. Nelson and Thilo Graffe of AAW Games join us to discuss their latest long-form adventure, its unique mechanics around duality, and what players can expect from the adventure. Jonathan and Thilo also tease the title of their next big adventure! If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and revi...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss gold and wealth in TTRPGs. We look at the long-standing problem of making gold important in DnD 5e and how we can borrow ideas from other RPGs in order to make gold and wealth both meaningful and interesting in DnD. Find Ash on StartPlaying. Games . If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  ...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to Alex Kammer. Alex runs Gamehole Con and True Dungeon, is an avid TSR-era D&D collector, and also a D&D creator in his own right. We talk to Alex about all of the amazing things he's working on, including Gamehole Con and an project with Frog God Games. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  ...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss spellcasting and resource management around spells and magic. We look at things like vancian magic, spell slots, spell points, and other resource management systems use to just barely keep magic from ruining everything. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts , and rate us on Spotify or your favorite podcast app. It'...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the newly-released Spelljammer: Advemtures in Space for DnD 5e. We look at the new character options, the setting, the mechanics, the monsters, and the adventure and share our thoughts. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss crafting mechanics in TTRPGs. We look at crafting in DnD, Pathfinder, and some of our other favorite RPGs. We look at what works, what doesn't, why, and what tools are available to make crafting more interesting and worthwhile. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podca...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we catch up on general news half-way through 2022. We discuss general RPGBOT news, some minor TTRPG events and announcements, our success at the Ennies, and recent and upcoming conventions. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way to support the podcas...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss TTRPG survival mechanics. We discuss what we want from a survival game, what is currently available in games like DnD and Pathfinder, and what we can steal from other games to make survival work in our favorite TTRPGs. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. I...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss Pathfinder 2e's latest supplement, "Dark Archive." We look at the two new classes and the mountain of other character options, as well as the included adventures and DM resources, including all sorts of cool, spooky stuff. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app....

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss how Dungeon Masters can handle tactical decisions for monsters in combat. We examine creatures' stats and personalities and use those to offer suggestions for how you as a DM/GM can make tactical decisions which make sense for the creatures and feel threatening without feeling like you're abusing your players. If you've enjoyed the show, please rat...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to Casey Christoferson, art director of Frog God Games. We discuss what an art director does day-to-day, his history working in tabletop games, and the past, present, and future of art in tabletop RPGs. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcast app. It's a quick, free way...

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers! In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss Stranger Things and its representation of Dungeons and Dragons and the people who play. Stranger Things has introduced a wide audience to the wonderful world of Dungeons and Dragons, but without a guide it may be difficult for curious viewers to find their way into the hobby. We explain the tropes, the refer...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the newly-released Unearthed Arcana document, "Wonders of the Multiverse". We discuss glitchlings, fate clerics, card-based nonsense, rune carving, whatever happened to giants and their adoption process, and our predictions for what WotC is planning to release in the future. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts ,...

VOTE FOR RPGBOT IN THE ENNIES Voting for the Ennies  is now open. You'll find us under Best Online Content. We need your help to take home an award, so if you can spare a few minutes to support us we would really appreciate it. SHOW NOTES In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss villains and antagonists in TTRPGs. We talk about what makes antagonists interesting and effective in your game...

Vote for RPGBOT in the Ennies Voting for the Ennies  is now open. You'll find us under Best Online Content. We need your help to take home an award, so if you can spare a few minutes to support us we would really appreciate it. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the newly-released adventure compendium Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel. We discuss the setting of the intere...

Vote for RPGBOT in the Ennies Voting for the Ennies  is now open. You'll find us under Best Online Content. We need your help to take home an award, so if you can spare a few minutes to support us we would really appreciate it. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss tools in TTRPGs. We dig into how tools are implemented in games like DnD and Pathfinder, and we discuss how to...