RPGBOT.Podcast

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...

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 talk to Emily Floyd (Director of licensing) and Kenton Hansen (product director) of Roll20. We discuss Roll20's recent pro...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we continue our discussion of status conditions in TTRPGs. Once again we look at the evolution of these conditions across editions, tactical uses and counters, and exactly how not fun it is to have any particular status condition. 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.News, we talk to game designer Brian Suskind of Kobold Press about the newly-released Tome of Heroes. We discuss the book's contents, our favorite bits of content, the design process for a book like this, and what Brian and the other kobolds are working on for the future. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotif...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss status conditions in DnD and Pathfinder. We examine the evolution of status conditions since DnD 3.0, what status conditions tell us about the games, and how those status conditions can inform your tactics both as a player and as a DM. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favori...

In this episode of the  RPGBOT.News , we talk to Josh Selesnick of Playing4Keeps. We discuss using DnD as a corporate team building event, the benefits of the strong bonds built at the gaming table, and how we can convince our bosses to let us play DnD at our day jobs. 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.News , we welcome returning hero Matt Whitby to discuss his recently-released project, Doomed Forgotten Realms. We dig into what's happening in a post-apocalyptic version of Faerun, where the players fit in, what strikes you can tell in this doomed world, and how Volo got ghosted. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us...

This episode is sponsored by  dScryb . Visit  dScryb.com  and use coupon code RPGBOT5 at checkout for $5 off. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss sentient items in tabletop RPGs. We look at the rules for sentient/intelligent items in DnD and Pathfinder, and we discuss why and how you should bring these items into your game in a way that's fun without being disruptive. If you've enjoy...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to the hosts of the Maniculum Podcast. We talk about real-world medieval history, real-world mythology, and drawing inspiration for games from those sources. We learn a bit about real-world history, and we compare that to common medieval-esque settings. 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.Podcast, we discuss dice mechanics and representations of success across RPGs. We look at simple systems like DnD's d20 system, dice pool systems, and more elaborate systems like Fantasy Flight's Star Wars RPG. 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 sup...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the newly-release Ruins of Symbaroum from Free League Publishing. We discuss what sets the game apart from DnD 5e, what players can expect from the game, and we dig into some of the mechanics, including the corruption system at the heart of the game. 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 creating good characters. Beyond the mechanical aspects, we look at creating a character with an interesting personality, goals, and behaviors that all make sense together and feel like a real, interesting person. 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...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss the new Unearthed Arcana: Giant Options playtest material. We examine the new subclass and feat options with a critical eye, and offer opinions on what we like, what we don't, what we hope will be changed, and what we might to see in future products. 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 stealth and invisibility mechanics in TTRPGs. We examine how stealth works in DnD 5e and Pathfinder 2e, how invisibility works, how to both use and counter stealth and invisibility as a player, and how to handle it as a DM/GM. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or your favorite podcas...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to Devon Chulick, co-founder of StartPlaying. Games and professional Dungeon Master. We discuss how Devon got his start as a professional Dungeon Master, how that grew into StartPlaying. Games, a site for players to game masters (both paid and free), and how you can become a professional Game Master. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discussing movement mechanics in TTRPGs. We discuss the differences in how different games handle movement, how movement fits into the action economy, and complex tactical things like opportunity attacks and how they fit into the design of games. We also offer a simple, usable solution for tactical movement in theater of the mind. If you've enjoyed the sho...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we talk to Andrew Searles and Pat Backman of the Artificer's Portal podcast. We discuss the past, present, and future of digital tools for tabletop RPGs, and we talk to Andrew and Pat about their unique insights into the development of these evolving tools. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on  Apple Podcasts , and rate us on  Spotify  or you...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we discuss getting the most out of playing TTRPGs online with the help of Demiplane's Adam Bradford. We discuss digital rules mediums, voice and video tools, virtual tabletops, finding online groups, and how you can use Demiplane and other existing tools to solve problems that have existed for decades. If you've enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on ...

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the newly-released Book of the Dead for Pathfinder 2nd edition. We examine the books contents, discuss our favorite new content, and give some spoiler-free impressions of the adventure included in the book. 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, fr...