RPGBOT.Podcast

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss Spell Components. We explore the mechanics and flavor of material, somatic, and verbal components, as well as the mechanics of spellcasting foci in both Dungeons and Dragons 5e and Pathfinder 2e, and we discuss how you can make those mechanics both meaningful and interesting in your games. Special thanks to Mr. Gleam on the RPGBOT Discord for the q...

In this episode of RPGBOT.News, we discuss the recently-released Pathfinder Absalom: City of Lost Omens, the upcoming release of Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes in the Dungeons and Dragons Rules Expansion Gift Set, and the 2022 gaming convention circuit, including which cons we'll be attending. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Pathfinder 2e Absalom: City of Lost Omens DnD 5e Adventurer's League Ru...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss running one-shot adventures and what level at which you should do so. We discuss the pros and cons of a 1st-level adventure, what levels we recommend for 5e and PF2 one-shots and why, and how to handle one-shots for classless systems and systems that don't use the concept of levels like Shadowrun and Fantasy Flight's Star Wars RPG. Special thanks t...

In this episode of RPGBOT.News, we sit down with Keith Ammann to discuss his latest book, recently-released MOAR The Monsters Know What They're Doing. We talk about what's new in the book, what you can learn from his book, and why everyone should go read both MOAR and his previous books, The Monsters Know What They're Doing, and Live to Tell The Tale. Special thanks to our Patreon discord users fo...

NOTE TO LISTENERS: Season 2 Episode 2 is a discussion about The Move Towards Inclusion in Tabletop Gaming. We are going to talk about, and around, some sensitive topics on race, gender, and ability. We know we may not be the right folks to lead this discussion--but we think it is an important conversation. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the ongoing move toward inclusion in Table...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss variant rules. We examine the difference between house rules and variants, and review a collection of our favorite variant rules for DnD 5e and for Pathfinder 2e and debate which ones you should or should not use and why. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Articles on RPGBOT.net The Fundamental Math of Character Optimization Oops All Elves The Mo...

At 11am Pacific Standard Time, we reached our 25,000th download of the RPGBOT.Podcast. The team would like to thank you for supporting us and we hope you are having a great and wonderful day! In this brief episode: Tyler, Random, and Randall reflect on our first four months and talk about our upcoming plans for the Pocast in 2022. Thank you again for again for a great first season and helping to m...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the newest round of errata for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition, including controversial changes to the text of existing source books, the frustrating initial presentation, and what this might indicate for future products. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE New Errata Announcement Page Ray Winninger's tweet regarding the errata Reddit post with remo...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss how to make travel an interesting storytelling device in your game. We discuss popular fiction as both good and bad examples of how to use travel, and offer suggestions for how to adapt those ideas without taking away from the rest of your game. Special thanks to for this week's questions of the week. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISOD E RPGBOT.Po...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos, the new supplement for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition. We examine the new source book share our thoughts on the new character options, the new mechanics, and the included adventure. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE DnD 5e Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos  ( affiliate link ) Other Stuff DnD 3.5 "NPC Attitudes"...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss downtime rules in tabletop RPGs. We explore what characters can do between adventures, including things like owning a home, having a day job, crafting items, and other day-to-day activities which you can use to expand your characters and your games. Special thanks to Pawjwp for this week's questions of the week. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we meet with Griffin and Gargoyle founding partners Daniel Colwell and Michael Paylor to discuss the highly anticipated opening of the immersive fantasy restaurant and amusement experience in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin--the birthplace of Dungeons and Dragons in spring of 2024. You can find out more about the GnG experience and how to get involved at the following li...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss lifestyle rules in tabletop RPGs. We explore the lifestyle rules of Pathfinder 2nd edition, D&D 5e, how they work, what they mean, and how you can use them as a storytelling device. Special thanks to @F_Capomax and @KevinLowman60 for this week's questions of the week. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE RPGBOT.Podcast episodes referenced in this e...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss how to make sure that your game survives a long hiatus, such as those which frequently come with the winter holidays. We discuss how to keep your group engaged, the importance of "reserving" time in which you play, what you can when the whole group can't play, and how to handle unexpected opportunities to play. Special thanks to Altchester for this...

In this 4-part series, we teach new players with absolutely no exposure to the game how to play Dungeons and Dragons with the help of our special guest, Jodie, who prior to recording with us had never been exposed to Dungeons and Dragons. By the end of this series, you'll be ready to build a character and play your first game. In our fourth and final episode in this series, Randall, Random, and Ty...

In this 4-part series, we teach new players with absolutely no exposure to the game how to play Dungeons and Dragons with the help of our special guest, Jodie, who prior to recording with us had never been exposed to Dungeons and Dragons. By the end of this series, you'll be ready to build a character and play your first game. In our second episode in this series, Randall Dungeon Masters a short o...

In this 4-part series, we teach new players with absolutely no exposure to the game how to play Dungeons and Dragons with the help of our special guest, Jodie, who prior to recording with us had never been exposed to Dungeons and Dragons. By the end of this series, you'll be ready to build a character and play your first game. In our second episode in this series, Tyler and Jodie build Jodie's fir...

In this 4-part series, we teach new players with absolutely no exposure to the game how to play Dungeons and Dragons with the help of our special guest, Jodie, who prior to recording with us had never been exposed to Dungeons and Dragons. By the end of this series, you'll be ready to build a character and play your first game. In our first episode in this series, Random and Jodie discuss the basic...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss food. We discuss how food can define a scene, a setting, and a culture. We explore the starvation rules in DnD 5e and in Pathfinder 2nd edition, discuss what's so frustrating about them, and propose some ways that you can make starvation a meaningful concept in a game where Goodberry exists. Special thanks to @ for this week's question of the week....

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss cohorts, followers, hirelings, minions, pets, sidekicks, and other varieties of followers and NPCs who might be part of your "party" in a TTRPG. We discuss the mechanics in current and historical versions of DnD and Pathfinder, and discuss how to make these NPCs creatures and characters work in your games. Special thanks to @webJWF for this week's...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the future of Dungeons and Dragons. Random and Tyler share their experiences with the transition from 3.0 to 3.5, and how we expect that to affect the transition to the "new evolution". We also discuss what sort of mechanical changes we expect to see based on recent changes to 5e and the announced changes coming in Mordenkainen's Monsters of the Mu...

Welcome to the RPGBOT.News! Your RPGBOT.net team has found there is enough news about your favorite TTRPG's to merit it's own regular podcast. We thank you for your continued support and hope you enjoy this added format. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we explore Dungeons and Dragons' new "Fizban's Treasury of Dragons" supplement. We discuss the new dragonborn race variants, feats,...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the recently-released Unearthed Arcana: Travelers of the Multiverse article. We look at the mechanics, discuss things from an optimization perspective, and discuss the implications for next year's product releases.   Special thanks to @Nack287 for this week's question of the week. MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE Unearthed Arcana: Travelers of...

In this very special Halloween episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, Randall DMs a DnD horror one-shot for Random and Tyler. Join us for a spooky good time as we put all of our Spooktober advice into practice. This episode was produced in collaboration with The Leisure Illuminati.