RPGBOT.Podcast

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we talk to Ennie Award Winning Game Designers Johan Nohr and Pelle Nilsson, famous for their work on Mörk Borg. We discuss the history of Mörk Borg, their success fostering a creative community, and how they encourage and support independent content creators. We also get a little peak at the upcoming CY_BORG. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the first ever D&D Direct. We discuss the newly announced product releases, compare them to our predictions in previous episodes, and share what we're excited to get our hands on. 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 podca...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss voicing characters. We discuss the do's and don't's of using real-world accents, and we propose other options which are often easier than mimicking real accents so even the most amateur voice actor (like Tyler) can give their character a distinct voice. Special thanks to @CyberCollosus for this week's question of the week. Please remember to suppor...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the award-winning ALIEN RPG from Free League Publishing. We examine the setting and the mechanics of the game, and discuss Random's recent playtest of the Chariot of the Gods cinematic scenario. 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...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, discuss experience and advancement systems in tabletop RPGs. We discuss classic experience point, milestone leveling, and other ways of tracking experience. We also look at RPGs that use that experience differently from DnD/Pathfinder, such as by using it to purchase specific improvements. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcas...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss Mörk Borg and the recent supplement Mörk Borg Cult: Hertic, both from Free League Publishing and Stockholm Kartell. We explore the setting, themes, and mechanics of the award-winning Mörk Borg RPG, and then dig into the new Mörk Borg Cult: Heretic supplement. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Sp...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we talk about your first time DMing. We talk rulebooks, dice, what you need to know, what you don't, and how to successfully run your first game session. We also suggest helpful tools that will help you succeed like easy (and often free) pre-written adventures. 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 Hannah Culbert of the Dames and Dragons podcast. We discuss the story and setting of the podcast, the cast, beetles, top hats, dungeons and dragons, beyblade, and the art of making a performative, long-running actual play. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify or your favorite podcast app an...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk about your first time DMing. We talk rulebooks, dice, what you need to know, what you don't, and how to successfully run your first game session. We also suggest helpful tools that will help you succeed like easy (and often free) pre-written adventures. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss upcoming TTRPG releases in 2022. We take a brief aside to discuss the upcoming(ish) D&D movie, then dive into upcoming releases from our favorite TTRPG publishers, including Wizards of the Coast, Paizo, . 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...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss initiative and surprise mechanics in TTRPGs. We examine how initiative and surprise work in DnD 5e and how people are using it wrong, we compare 5e to other RPGs including Pathfinder 2e and The One Ring, and we explore some variant initiative options which you might use in your own games. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Ap...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss Garycon 14 and share some pull-aside interviews with the wonderful people we met at Garycon. 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 podcast, and helps us reach new listeners. You can find links in the show notes. People Inte...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss bringing new players into the TTRPG hobby. We offer advice on teaching players to play without overwhelming them, how to run games with all new players, and how to bring new players into games with experienced players. 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.Podcast, we discuss the recently-release The One Ring 2nd edition from Free League Publishing. We explore the games setting, stories, and rules, and offer our opinions on the new game. The One Ring is available in digital format on DriveThruRPG.com, and physical copies are available via the Free League Publishing website. Core Rulebook  ( affiliate link ) Starter Set...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we explore the new DnD 5e Critical Role adventure Call of the Netherdeep from Wizards of the Coast (WoTC), and we look at the new Unearthed Arcana article, Heroes of Krynn. We discuss things we like and don't like about Call of the Netherdeep, and we discuss the content, state, and implications of the new Unearthed Arcana article. If you've enjoyed the show, ple...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss puzzles in tabletop RPGs. We explore methods for running puzzles during your game, how to make character capabilities matter, and some historical examples of puzzles that you can borrow to use in your 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...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we talk to David Shulman, co-founder of dScryb. We discuss dScryb's growing library of boutique descriptive text, their new character descriptions service, and their upcoming addition of character portrait services. Subscribe to dScryb  ( affiliate link ). Use coupon code "RPGBOT" for 10% off the first month of your Hero tier subscription. If you've enjoyed t...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss Session 0. We discuss pitching game ideas, establishing expectations, TTRPG safety tools, and collaborative character creation. We recommend and discuss some helpful tools like pre-game surveys, the "X Card", improv games, and tools like Decuma and Curse of Strahd's Tarroka deck. Special thanks to @Winglady14 on Twitter and on the RPGBOT.Discord fo...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss alignment with Doctor Terry Macmullan. Due to the length of the episode, we've split this episode into two parts. Whenever you're ready,  enjoy part 2 , where the hosts explore Random and Tyler's example media and answer the question of the week. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Doctor Terry Macmullan @PhilosphyDM RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes RPGBOT...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss alignment with Doctor Terry Macmullan. Due to the length of the episode, we've split this episode into two parts. Whenever you're ready,  enjoy part 2 , where the hosts explore Random and Tyler's example media and answer the question of the week. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Doctor Terry Macmullan @PhilosphyDM RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes RPGBOT...

In this episode of RPGBOT.News, we talk to Jim Powell of Tabula Sono , a free virtual tabletop launching later this year. We discuss Tabula Sono's Kickstarter campaign , their virtual tabletop's exciting features and accessibility, and we get an inside look into what the team has planned for the future. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Tabula Sono Kickstarter Discord TikTok Twitter

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss flight. We examine the state of flight rules in DnD 5e and PF2 and take a peek at DnD 3.x and PF1 for comparison, then we explore how to handle flying enemies from a player's perspective and how to handle flying players from a GM/DM perspective. We also take a brief aside into how cool airships are. Special thanks to @SenChatterton on Twitter for t...

In this episode of RPGBOT.News, we talk to Jonathan G. Nelson of AAWGames (formerly Adventure A Week). We talk about Jonathan's past, his experiences as a DM, and secret project REVEALS for AAW Games. We also  discuss AAW's massive catalog of adventures, their full-length published campaign, Rise of the Drow, and Jonathan announces some exciting, previously unannounced projects. Jonathan gave us s...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss random encounters. We examine what published adventures do wrong both in design and presentation of random encounters, and we explore why random encounters are useful, how to make them interesting without being a burden, and we create an example random encounter chart. Special thanks to for the question of the week this week. MATERIALS REFERENCED I...