The 5x5 Room RPG Podcast

Even with a diverse group of characters at the table it can be difficult to have an answer for all the options a game may present. Which member of the party is the front-person making deals and talking the party out of sticky situations?  Is the group in need of someone who can decipher ancient texts or hide in the shadows? Can we really play the game without a healer? Today we discuss party compo...

Player’s Handbook Playtest 6 recently released and with its arrival comes a large list of changes for many classes as well as the reintroduction of the monk with its more inclusive updates. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast has made it clear that this latest playtest moves us more into the refinement phases of One D&D from the more experimental phases in previous playtests.   Does this mean t...

A good tip for both life and for running your game is to “expect the unexpected”.  So what happens if in spite of your best efforts, it's the day you and your players are meeting up to play, but you’ve got nothing prepared?  Don’t panic!  This happens! And we are confident it has nothing to do with laziness. *wink* Today, we discuss prepping without a plan and give you some of the tools alrea...

The separation of player knowledge from character knowledge is something that trips up many new player of Tabletop RPGs.  Whether it's because we want our characters to be able to act on new information OR because we want to streamline parts of the game, each table of players has a different tolerance for "metagaming".  Is metagaming always a faux pas to avoid or is it possible that...

Magic is a core element of Dungeons and Dragons that has changed a fair bit through each iteration. Whether its the swapping of a school of spells or the introduction of the Vancian magic system, magic has been one of the most fun ways characters are able to do some truly amazing things at their table. Today, Jeremy and I have a chat about Magic in Dungeons and Dragons.  A listener recommended thi...

Potions are a truly amazing gift for players.  They provide interesting narrative options and allow players to approach problems in new ways.  How could such a powerful and interactive tool for players lead to such a long discussion?  Drink a Potion of Clarity and you'll find out that nothing is as it seems.. Today, Jeremy and Hollis discuss potions in Dungeons and Dragons.  The rules, the fu...

Psionics have had varying degrees of inclusion throughout each edition of Dungeons and Dragons.  In some cases the psionic classes have multiple class archetypes that share their unique brand of magic, but in other instances their unique power set has been simplified with limited class options.  Why the inconsistency? Today  Jeremy and Hollis discuss supernatural magic, psionic abilities, and  the...

The fifth One D&D Playtest has arrived!  Its packed with large changes for both melee classes and spellcasters.  Like many other Dungeons and Dragons fans, Jeremy and Hollis wonder if these changes are steps in the right direction. Today Jeremy and Hollis give their opinions on the changes and their impact.  Are class abilities better the more they are front-loaded or is this the very problem...

There are a lot of things to like about D&D classes. but its not perfect. Are hybrid classes trying to do too much? How do you balance magic against the roster of non-magical options? While we may not have a perfect answer to those questions, it didn't stop us from complaining. Today Jeremy and Hollis discuss our least favorite D&D class and why.  We understand that our picks might up...

Fresh after a very enjoyable watch of Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a discussion was had about what the movie did well.  This conversation got us thinking about options in the toolkits of players and Game Masters for making their own games more cinematic. Come listen as we discuss more ways you can move the spotlight and give each player (and GM) their time to shine!  And don't w...

Jeremy and Hollis combine all the elements from Part 1 and Part 2 to create 3 unique characters from 3 different systems.  Each system has varying degrees of character design, but does a difference in how the character is created make the characters any less interesting?  This was a fun episode to record and we hope you have just as much fun listening!

Crunch and Fluff. It isn't cereal and it isn't the name of an Indie Band (unfortunately).  However, it is the name of the elements of character creation that Jeremy and Hollis discuss in today's episode.  Is there value to be found in the colorful flavor text  of your prepared spells?  Is it possible that the very mechanics that make a spell so powerful are also balanced as a result...

For many players its not enough to craft a powerful class/species combination.  Being powerful in your tabletop game is fun, but it often pales in comparison to being interesting or unique for the person playing the character.  Perhaps the languages you speak help weave the tale about how you got here.  Your stats may be phenomenal, but did they come at some great cost?  Today Jeremy and Hollis di...

At the tail end of February, Wizards of the Coast has released its newest One D&D playtest document which focuses primary on the Druid and the Paladin.  Have any of these mechanics been overhauled or are they more or less similar to their 5th Edition versions?   Today we discuss these changes and our overall feelings about the materials in the playtest!

Everyone has to start somewhere.  One way new Game Masters often begin is with with a pre-made setting or adventure. These are incredible tools to save you time, but is it possible they are limiting the fun to be had at the table? On today's episode, Jeremy and Hollis discuss the positives and negatives of using  pre-made content and give their thoughts and ideas on how the content can be use...

A major pillar of tabletop RPGs is the ability for the players at your table to explore dungeons. Over the years this concept has remained with each new addition fleshing out enemies, traps, and other odd finds for your party to hunt and gather. But how much have dungeons changed over the last few decades? Have a listen as Jeremy and Hollis challenge concepts of dungeon design and discuss ways you...

In addition to being one of hosts of the podcast, Jeremy has been a great tabletop player, GM, and an even better friend.  But did you know that he can backflip while riding a skateboard?  What about that time he hung from the side of an airship to save a baby Griffin? All of these things could be true (or none of them), but how about you let him tell you? Come join in on the fun as we get to know...

We take a departure from the discussion of mechanics and game licenses this week to instead bring you an interview with Hollis Eacho, one of the members of the podcast.   What does he enjoy outside of tabletop gaming?  What's his favorite kind of player?  Does he find inspiration from any other medium?  Come get to know him a little better!

In a single combat characters can suffer a glancing blow from a sword, the stinging splash of acid slime, and contend with the migraine of the century from a strong mental blast of a Mindflayer.  Regardless of the damage type, characters use the same pool of Hit Points or “HP” to represent the wounds they have suffered. But is all damage created equal or are we just being lazy? Today Jeremy and Ho...

Our previous episode discussed ideas  to reward the players at the table,  so it only seems fair also give an episode on how you can reward your Game Master.  Throughout your campaign Game Masters are constantly keeping track of important information and learning what it is that players enjoy in each session.  Today we discuss ways you can help lighten their load and show them how much you appreci...

As we approach the Holiday season we felt it was important to discuss the gift that keeps on giving: Loot Rewards! Come join us as we discuss options on how to really reward players in meaningful ways and even some ideas for how you take less (or more) time when its time for players to pawn off old items.

As a continuation of the Session 0 episode, Hollis and Jeremy provide some examples of the types of questions you should be asking your players at your own Session 0. Come join in on the discussion and feel free to steal their questions and ideas to improve the game at your table!

Hollis and Jeremy take a dive into the third One D&D playtest document featuring the new iteration of the Cleric class, as well as some changes to species seen in the first document.

Game Master and Player information play a big role in campaign design.  With different tastes and interests for everyone it can be difficult create a campaign and character connections that keep players invested and interested.   So how do you go about making a game that entices everyone to press forward? In this episode Jeremy and Hollis discuss the importance of a Session 0 and how it can enhanc...

You've got your players at the table, and they've got their characters ready, but now the narrative needs to bring these characters together in an organic and interesting way! In this episode, Hollis and Jeremy talk about getting the party together.