Tycho's Tales

In which Stringybutt Lotsalegs has her special day. Music by Robert Mullis, Olivia Moore and Tabletop Audio. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/about . Episodes are released every Tuesda...

The gang goes to Fellbarrow... Music by Olivia Moore, Calum Robertson, and Aim to Head. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/about . Episodes are released every Tuesday at 5 pm GMT (or, fo...

We talk about our upcoming actual-play homebrew one-shot, The Hangover. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/about . Episodes are released every Tuesday at 5 pm GMT (or, for the Kiwis, eve...

We talk about dungeons. (No dragons though.) And puzzles. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/about . Episodes are released every Tuesday at 5 pm GMT (or, for the Kiwis, every Wednesday a...

We talk about LLMs in tabletop RPGs, Wild Shapes, the danger of jumping to conclusions, and NPC personalities. The 'jumping to conclusions' chapter contains some minor spoilers for the Storm Lord's Wrath module. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text...

We're back with a GM support group, where we talk about directing player characters, low-prep campaigns, and preparing NPCs before environments. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/a...

This week we talk about the state of the tabletop RPG scene, including recent WoTC drama, and competition among different systems. Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/about . Episodes are...

This episode contains minor spoilers for the Riftwar Saga book series by Raymond E. Feist. Welcome to our inaugural fantasy book club episode! Besides talking about a few fantasy books, we talk about an alternative mana system for managing spell slots, and some controversial takes on fudging numbers and dice rolls.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying ga...

We wonder whether a gritty-realism campaign would actually be fun, and talk about AD&D's resurrection mechanic, the rarity of magic, righteous and wrong character decisions, wish fulfilment and roleplaying the apocalypse.  Referenced in this episode:  Wyloch's Armory - I bought a sealed D&D 2nd Edition Starter Set for $350......let's unbox it. Tycho's Tales is an inform...

In this episode, we talk about currency and the economy in TTRPGs, why you should consider playing a Druid if you're planning on becoming an evil mastermind, and living with the consequences of your actions.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an...

We talk about our magical evening at The Golden Gnome, Little Beer Quarter's fantasy alter-ego.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https://tychostales.com/about . Episodes are released every Tuesday at 5...

We're reviewing all of the changes to classes in D&D's 2024 rules update; this time, the Sorcerer! We cover changes to the spellcasting rules and existing features Font of Magic, Metamagic and Sorcerous Restoration; as well as new features Innate Sorcery, Sorcery Reincarnate and Arcane Apotheosis. We also cover changes to the four included subclasses: Draconic Bloodline, Wild Magic,...

We're reviewing all of the changes to classes in D&D's 2024 rules update; this time, the Fighter! We cover changes to Fighting Styles, Second Wind and Indomitable; as well as new features Weapon Mastery, Tactical Mind, Tactical Shift, Tactical Master and Studied Attacks. We also cover changes to the the four included subclasses: Battle Master, Champion, Eldritch Knight and Psi Warrio...

We're reviewing all of the changes to classes in D&D's 2024 rules update; this time, the Wizard! We cover changes to cantrips, the number of prepared spells, spellcasting foci and Spell Mastery; as well as new features Scholar and Memorize Spell. We also take a look at the updated subclass Savant feature, and dive into the four included subclasses: Abjurer, Diviner, Evoker and Illusi...

We're reviewing all of the changes to classes in D&D's 2024 rules update, starting with the Barbarian! We cover changes to Rage, Danger Sense and Relentless Rage, as well as a bunch of new features including Weapon Mastery, Primal Knowledge, Instinctive Pounce, Brutal Strike, and the Epic Boon. We also cover changes to the existing two subclasses, Path of the Berzerker and Path of th...

This episode contains minor spoilers for Exandria Unlimited: Calamity and the Mistborn series.  In this GM support group episode, we talk about making three-dimensional antagonists; gods and religion; improvisational and empathetic GMing; political systems; safe NPCs; and the fact that nobody ever thinks the same way that you do.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop...

We talk about the implications for multiclassing of One D&D's standardisation of subclasses at level three, and our experiences GMing and playing in campaigns in the Feywild.  Referenced in this episode:  A Wanderer's Guide to the Feywild   Tome of Beasts   Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and P...

What's the difference between LARPing and cosplay? Is a PhD in philosophy worth it? We've also brought back our much-lauded Spell of the Week segment courtesy of Walt just wanting to play a barbarian, and Lars takes us back to school.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by...

In this GM support group episode, we talk about what makes a good one-shot for audiences vs home games; Brennan Lee Mulligan; and reasonable people in unreasonable worlds.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at ht...

 In this episode, we talk about the most important thing that players can bring to the table; what we found surprising in our campaigns; unintended consequences of d100s; accidentally learning about ourselves through our characters; and our incredibly unqualified opinions on LARPing. This last part was basically recorded to give us a bunch of content for future Correction of the Week segments; you...

In this episode, we talk in depth about multi-phase combat encounters, how we think about lore and worldbuilding, and why you shouldn't get too attached to things.  Tycho's Tales is an informal discussion podcast about tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. Get in touch by sending us a text message or an email , and find out more about us at https...

This episode contains a bunch of spoilers for the D&D and Lego collaboration adventure, Red Dragon's Tale.  We talk about our experiences building the set, and playing and GMing the adventure, including what we thought about the Lego itself, the character builds, itemization, storyline, pacing, combat encounters, and overall reflections on the adventure.  Tycho's Tales is an informal...

Welcome to the inaugural GM support group! These episodes have a slightly different format to our usual ones; we just sit around and yarn about what's recently been top of mind in our campaigns. We talk about what it's like when players or GMs have off days; the reality that it can be really hard work to run a campaign (but is ultimately totally worth it); how difficult it can be to let...

In part two of our discussion on how to make low-level combat more interesting, we talk about alternative ways to wrap up combat that don't involve the enemy NPCs being killed (such as fleeing or surrendering, or potentially ending combat narratively); why you usually shouldn't modify monster stats on the fly, even if things are going badly; and a bunch of ways to modify stats prior to c...

Low-level combat is often mechanically simple, and this can lead to potentially boring encounters, particularly if players are used to the range of abilities available with higher-level characters. In this two-part series, we discuss why low-level combat can sometimes fall short, and provide a bunch of ways to spice things up. In part one, we talk about how to make the opponents more interesting (...