Best Characteroptimization Podcasts (2026)

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EBERRON - FORGE OF THE ARTIFICER 2: Mobile Bastions and Divorced-Dad Energy 1:10:08

Play Pause

1d ago1:10:08

1:10:08

Welcome back to RPGBOT.Podcast, where Ash is a Top GM™, Tyler is still emotionally processing Bastions, and Randall has discovered that Eberron finally lets you live your best divorced-dad-with-a-houseboat fantasy. In Part 2 of our review of Eberron: Forge of the Artificer, we leave the artificer workshop behind and dive headfirst into dragonmarked…

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ELEMENTALS (Remastered): Unleash the Untamed Fury of Fire, Air, Water, and Earth! 58:03

3d ago58:03

58:03

Show Notes Elementals are the walking embodiment of the four classic forces—fire, air, water, and earth—and they're one of the easiest monster families to drop into any campaign while still feeling mythic, dangerous, and thematically sharp. (Spotify) In this remastered episode, the RPGBOT crew digs into how to make elementals more than "a pile of h…

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EBERRON: FORGE OF THE ARTIFICER 1 - Union-Approved War-Forged Opinions 1:19:44

5d ago1:19:44

1:19:44

Welcome back to RPGBOT.Podcast, where optimism is optional, feedback is weaponized, and today we're firing up the lightning rails straight into Eberron: Forge of the Artificer. This is Part 1 of our review, which means we're here to ask the most important questions first: Does this book actually understand artificers? Does it respect Eberron's magi…

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2025 YEAR END REVIEW - 104 New Episodes a Year Was a Choice 28:01

8d ago28:01

28:01

Show Notes The RPGBOT crew closes out Season 5 the only way they know how: with heartfelt gratitude, passionate rants, accidental comedy, and at least one derailment into pop culture discourse. In this end-of-year recap, Randall, Tyler, and Ash look back on a year of certified bangers, a few corporate-mandated stinkers, and the surprising joy of di…

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ROGUES LEVELS 11-20 Remastered: Skilled Skullduggery for your Devious Deceiver! 57:41

6d ago57:41

57:41

In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we continue to shine a spotlight on building one of the most intriguing classes in the game: the Rogue. With their sneaky tactics and manipulative ways, Rogues add an essential element of mystery and cunning to any adventuring party. Join us as we break down the key components of building a successf…

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PICKING A TTRPG (That isn't D&D or Pathfinder Part 3) - A Galaxy of Games, Crunch, and Chaos 1:04:23

10d ago1:04:23

1:04:23

On this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we complete our 3-part series on Picking a TTRPG that is not DnD or Pathfinder by adventuring deep into the vast and thrilling universe of tabletop RPGs. From the spine-chilling cosmic horror of Alien RPG to the gritty nihilism of Death in Space, we're exploring the diverse themes of space explorati…

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PICKING A TTRPG (That isn't D&D or Pathfinder Part 2) Remastered - Rolling Dice and Brewing Chaos 58:51

11d ago58:51

58:51

Ever wondered what beer chemistry, emo vampires, and broom mechanics have in common? Neither did we—until this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast! We're diving deep into RPG madness, from the grimy charm of Shadow Dark to the chaos of Warhammer's magic (spoiler: it's messy). Then, we tackle Symbaroum, where sweeping is serious business, and Vison, the p…

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2026! Screaming into the void while RPGBOT.chat torments us - A fitting end to 2025! 1:00:12

12d ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Farewell 2025, Hello 2026 As the dice finish rolling on 2025, we want to take a moment—before the initiative tracker resets—to say thank you. This year was packed with bold experiments, deep dives, hot takes, re-releases, masterclasses, actual plays, rule arguments that absolutely mattered, and more than a few moments where we stopped mid-recording…

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PICKING A TTRPG (That isn't D&D or Pathfinder Part 1) Remastered - Crunch, Chaos, and Political Backstabs 1:06:25

13d ago1:06:25

1:06:25

"Crunchy rules or simple vibes? Political intrigue or straight-up dungeon brawls? Survival in a dying world or low-power fantasy feels?" This remastered RPGBOT.Podcast dives into everything you love (and fear) about tabletop RPGs that aren't D&D or Pathfinder. From decision trees to help you find your perfect game match, to the storytelling magic o…

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HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered) - Pt4. Questions and Answer 29:19

14d ago29:19

29:19

You survived the one-shot. No one died permanently. Only some rules were misunderstood. Now comes the most dangerous phase of any tabletop experience: questions. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew sits down after the Pathfinder 2e one-shot to answer the things every new player asks—what worked, what didn't, what we forgot, and why Pathfinder 2e someh…

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WISHES: How to Break a Campaign in One Action 1:06:03

12d ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Every tabletop RPG player has had this thought at some point: "If I had one Wish, I could fix everything." And every Dungeon Master has had the immediate follow-up thought: "If you cast Wish, I'm fixing you." In this episode, the RPGBOT crew tackles the most powerful spell in the game—the one that can rewrite reality, end campaigns, summon divine a…

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HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered) - Pt3. Actual Play 47:16

9d ago47:16

47:16

Nothing teaches a rules system faster than throwing it directly into danger. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew does exactly that by unleashing a Pathfinder 2e one-shot designed to show how the rules actually work when dice hit the table. Expect missed attacks, clever teamwork, rules "aha!" moments, and at least one situation where the three-action e…

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HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered): Pt 2 Character Creation 51:24

10d ago51:24

51:24

Character creation in Pathfinder 2e is like walking into a fantasy bakery: everything looks amazing, you want all of it, and somehow you leave with a perfectly balanced character instead of a chaotic pile of half-baked ideas. In this RPGBOT.Quickstart episode, we guide you through the PF2e character creation process step by step without analysis pa…

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HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered) - Pt1. Concepts and Themes 46:33

18d ago46:33

46:33

Ever wondered how many actions it takes to brew a cup of coffee in Pathfinder 2e? The RPGBOT crew did, and we're pretty sure we provoked an opportunity attack from the espresso machine. In this RPGBOT.Quickstart episode, we bravely tackle Pathfinder Second Edition, learn how to read a character sheet without summoning a demon, and maybe, just maybe…

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NETHERIL'S FALL - What could possibly go wrong in a doomed empire? 1:13:49

19d ago1:13:49

1:13:49

Have you ever wished you could travel back in time, wield 10th-level spells, and tell ancient archmages that "no seriously, this is definitely going to end badly"? Well congratulations, this episode is for you! Today we explore Netheril's majestic flying cities, magical decadence, and the absolute worst urban-planning decision ever: putting time po…

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ASTARION'S BOOK OF HUNGERS - Vampires, Feats, and Baldur's Gate Treats! 1:05:54

22d ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Baldur's Gate 3 romance options escaped into your tabletop rules? Today, we dive into Astarion's Book of Hungers, where vampires are sexy, feats are thirsty, and WotC's DLC pricing… is definitely giving "gaslight, gatekeep, vampire spawn." The team reviews the digital-only D&D supplement Astarion's Book o…

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2014 DnD 5e ROGUES Levels 1-10 Remastered: The Guide to Building the Ultimate Scoundrel 1:02:11

24d ago1:02:11

1:02:11

Picture this: you've just rolled up to the dungeon entrance, everyone looks heroic… and then the rogue vanishes before initiative even begins. Classic. In this remastered RPGBOT.Podcast episode, we get delightfully sneaky about how to build the perfect scoundrel from level 1 through 10 without needing a 20-page backstory explaining why you stole th…

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2025 UNEARTHED ARCANA - NOVEMBER SUBCLASSES UPDATE - Oathbreaker Summons Skeletons; Randall Summons Zoidberg 1:05:18

26d ago1:05:18

1:05:18

There's a mystical moment in every adventurer's life when you stare deeply into your character sheet, question every subclass you've ever loved, and think: "Is this really better… or did they just rename it again?" Welcome to the UA 2025 Subclass Update—where barbarians downgrade, fighters glow-up, monks chug things, and paladins summon skeletons w…

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FORGOTTEN REALMS: MORE HEROES OF FAERUN - Illustrious Backgrounds, Feats of Heroism, Boons of Epic Nature 55:06

29d ago55:06

55:06

Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives into Part 2 of their comprehensive review of Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn, focusing on the new Background, Feats, and Epic Boons. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you've been enjoying our deep-dive breakdowns of Heroes of Faerûn, laughing through our subclass hot takes, or nodding sol…

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MYSTERIES (Remastered): Mastering Mind Games and Unlocking Secrets! 1:03:00

26d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Have you ever watched your players stare at a clue for 25 minutes, slowly realizing they're not unraveling a mystery, you're watching them invent a brand-new conspiracy theory? In today's remastered episode, we dive into the magical art of mystery design: how to build suspense, reveal secrets, and gently nudge players away from wildly incorrect gue…

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FORGOTTEN REALMS: HEROES OF FAERUN Part 1: All Them Subclasses 1:08:33

1M ago1:08:33

1:08:33

If you've ever wondered what happens when three grown adults argue passionately about grammar, moonbeams, seagulls, and the metaphysics of Strahd's horse, all before actually starting the podcast, this episode is for you. Join us as we journey into Heroes of Faerûn, where the subclasses are shiny, the Rangers are frosty, and the Fighters are appare…

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FORGOTTEN REALMS: ADVENTURES IN FAERUN: Dales, Deserts, and Dumb Decisions - The RPGBOT Grand Tour 1:25:47

1M ago1:25:47

1:25:47

What do you get when you mix 40 years of Dungeons & Dragons lore, a 288-page setting book, and three podcasters who can't agree on how to pronounce "Myth Drannor"? Chaos. Pure, lore-filled, map-crossing, Elminster-cheese-eating chaos. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew dives headlong into Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn, a sourcebook that's eq…

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2014 DnD FIGHTERS (Remastered)! Unleashing Your Inner Warrior: Steps for Building the Iconic Class 1:01:22

1M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

You ever look at your sword, then at the wizard's spellbook, and think "wait a minute, why does their magic missile hit harder than my greatsword?" Well, friends, today we fix that. We're diving deep into the art of the Fighter: the tank, the tactician, the unsung hero of every adventuring party. Sharpen your blades, tighten your greaves, and prepa…

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DRAWING A WEAPON - Ash's Existential Weapon Crisis 1:06:28

1M ago1:06:28

1:06:28

You know that moment when your fighter drops their sword, pulls a crossbow, reloads, drinks a potion, and still has the audacity to say "I attack"? Yeah, this episode's for you. The RPGBOT crew tackles the ancient art of drawing a weapon, a rule so universally ignored that half your table just gasped realizing it has rules. Join Tyler, Randall, and…

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STARFINDER 2E ALIEN CORE REVIEW - Paizo Looked at the Void and Said, 'We Can Stat That!' 1:01:52

1M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Somewhere in the galaxy, a radioactive dragon just wants a hug. Unfortunately, it kills everyone it touches. Welcome to Starfinder 2e, where your best friends are undead, your space pirates have tricorn hats, and your digital ghosts won't log off. The RPGBOT crew dives into Paizo's new Alien Core, exploring the weirdest monsters, creepiest factions…

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MacGUFFINS Remastered - Because Sometimes the Real Treasure is the Plot Device 1:01:38

2M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Ever chased a glowing orb through three dungeons, only to find out it's just... a really fancy paperweight? Congratulations, you've met a MacGuffin! This week, the RPGBOT crew dissects the mysterious art of the object that drives your players forward, whether it's the One Ring, the Orb of Shiny Plot Device, or the legendary Sandwich of Ultimate Pow…

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ENERGY DRAIN - The Mechanics that Suck the Life Out of You 57:36

2M ago57:36

57:36

Ever had a game session so draining that even your dice lose levels? In this episode, the RPGBOT crew resurrects one of D&D's most dreaded mechanics: energy drain, and the undead horrors that made it famous. From the White Box to Pathfinder 2e, Tyler, Randall, and Ash relive decades of pain, permanent debuffs, and emotional damage, all in the name …

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EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY Pt 4: Soup, Dynamite, and the Devil in a Three-Piece Suit 1:10:25

2M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

Ever accidentally make a deal with the devil in a three-piece suit, get hit in the face with canned soup, and still manage to save an Appalachian town from a coal-eating mountain? The RPGBOT crew did, and somehow, it's not even the weirdest part of their charity stream. Grab your molasses taffy, kiss your dynamite goodbye, and prepare for the most …

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2014 WILD SHAPE MASTERY (Remastered) - Bear Today, Bard Tomorrow: Shifting Expectations in D&D 49:41

2M ago49:41

49:41

Ever want to turn into a giant octopus just to ruin a pirate's day? Or turn into a squirrel just to steal your party's rations? On this week's RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into the wild world of Wild Shape, from tactical bear hugs to flying reconnaissance pigeons. Spoilers: size matters, and no, nobody knows how many hit points a badger has without goog…

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RPGBOT.MASTERCLASS! Keith Ammann Makes Enemies!!! 1:13:29

2M ago1:13:29

1:13:29

Ever looked at a monster stat block and thought, "That's cool… but what if it was full of wasp parasites, haunted by Victorian metaphors, and could bend reality like a jaded demigod?" Well buckle in, because Keith Ammann—monster maestro and author of Making Enemies—is back to teach us how to create RPG nightmares smarter than your party's wizard, s…

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Re-Release: KEITH AMMANN STRIKES BACK (Remastered) - Smarter Monsters, Stronger Lairs, and Why Your Players Should Be Afraid 1:21:48

2M ago1:21:48

1:21:48

It's a day of celebration in the RPGBOT multiverse—because Keith Ammann has just released his new book, Making Enemies! To mark the occasion, we're reopening the vaults and re-releasing one of our all-time favorite episodes: Keith Ammann Strikes Back. Join us as we revisit Keith's tactical genius, his deep-dive into creature combat, and the strateg…

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EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY: Pt 3 - Not-Deer in the Orchard, Clue's Fury Unleashed 1:06:42

2M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Ever outrun a demon deer with too many teeth, watched a mine explode for reasons you definitely didn't cause, and then discovered a whistle that works like a horror movie pause button? No? Then you haven't listened to Part 3 of the Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream, where the RPGBOT crew learns the hard way that in Williams Holler, even the loc…

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FALSE HYDRA (Remastered) - One Head? Seven Heads? Who's Counting? 45:13

2M ago45:13

45:13

Ever had that moment when you realize your party has been talking to the same "new guy" for weeks... but no one can remember his name? Welcome to the world of the False Hydra, the D&D monster that gaslights your characters harder than a reality TV producer. Join the RPGBOT crew as they peel back the layers of this memory-munching menace and ask the…

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GHOSTS (RPGBOT.Bestiary) - Unfinished Business and Undead Bad Decisions 1:10:31

2M ago1:10:31

1:10:31

Ad Free Listening on the RPGBOT Patreon Want more episodes like this, plus early access, live recordings, or ad-free listening? Join our Patreon at patreon.com/rpgbot and help us keep the mics on (and the ghosts at bay). Every little bit helps us roll with advantage! Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives deep into Ghosts …

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EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY: Don't Look at the Tommyknockers. No, Seriously, Don't Look 1:13:54

2M ago1:13:54

1:13:54

Have you ever gotten up for a full day's work in a haunted coal mine and thought, "Boy, I really hope that bird in a cage doesn't stop singing and doom us all"? No? Then you clearly weren't with the RPGBOT crew in Part 2 of our Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream—where coal dust has claws, headlamps are your best friend, and it turns out you can …

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FIGHTING STYLES (Remastered) - Roleplay-Driven Combat Tactics for Martial Classes 1:10:58

2M ago1:10:58

1:10:58

Have you ever stared at your D&D character sheet, wondering if you picked the right fighting style, and suddenly felt like someone out there was judging you? That's because they were—and it was your DM, silently counting how many times you could've picked Defense instead of Dueling. But worry not, because in this episode, we're unlocking your chara…

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TITANSKEEP - The Gods Are Petty, the Titans Are Hungry, and Drew Foulke Has Dice 44:28

2M ago44:28

44:28

Ever wondered what happens when you cross a high-fantasy campaign setting, a Louisiana bayou, and a magical eel with moonshine for blood? The RPGBOT crew found out the hard way when they sat down with Drew Foulke, the founder of Norse Foundry and Hexed Publishing, to talk about his new system-agnostic roleplaying world: Titanskeep. It's a world whe…

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EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY: Through Labor Comes Salvation - or Something Worse 1:08:22

2M ago1:08:22

1:08:22

The RPGBOT crew descends into the haunted hollers of Appalachia, where faith, fire, and coal run deep, and the locals don't much care for outsiders asking questions. Between GM intrusions, cursed deer, and whiskey-soaked theology, our heroes quickly learn that in Old Gods of Appalachia, salvation's a dangerous business. Welcome to the mines, y'all.…

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RANDOM TREASURES (Remastered) - Ditch Searches that Suck and Surprise Your Players 53:39

2M ago53:39

53:39

You know that moment when your players spend ten minutes searching a room, roll a 5, and you sigh before saying, "You find… nothing"? Yeah, we're done with that. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew grabs the Dungeon Master's Guide by the binding and asks the real questions: Why are searches so boring, and why do your players keep looting every chair l…

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MORE! UA 2025 ARCANE SUBCLASSES: Old Wizards, new tricks, and a lot of spell slot math we forgot how to do 1:08:41

3M ago1:08:41

1:08:41

Ever had that moment when you realize you've become the "veteran adventurer" in your own party? The RPGBOT crew sure has. In this episode, we channel that energy straight into the Unearthed Arcana Arcane Subclasses, dissecting the Enchanter, Necromancer, and Transmuter Wizards from D&D 2024. Expect laughter, existential dread, and a healthy dose of…

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UA 2025 ARCANE SUBCLASSES UPDATE and the Art of the Fastball - Unearthed Arcana 1:05:01

3M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

Help Creators Roll a Natural 20 Hey listeners! Before we start slinging arrows and conjuring elementals, remember: your ratings and reviews are the Inspiration of podcasting. Whether on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, take a moment to rate, review, and share RPGBOT.Podcast. Every five-star review powers our continued quest for know…

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COVER Remastered - Preparing for the Fall of Humanity 50:17

3M ago50:17

50:17

Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew explores how to duck and cover in TTRPGS, and how to do it with style. We explore the mechanics of cover, including using your allies as meat shields and ducking behind any convenient bush or bit of rubble that you can. Will it save you from explosions? Probably not. But an AC bonus never hurts. The RPGBO…

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THE PSION RETURNS PT 2: Unearthed Arcana: Mind Over Matter... But Mostly Just Confusion 1:06:47

3M ago1:06:47

1:06:47

What happens when Dungeons & Dragons decides to give psionics another shot? The RPGBOT.Podcast dives headfirst into the Unearthed Arcana Psion Update: an experiment in psychic power, spell mechanics, and a whole lot of questionable design choices. From the disappointing Life Inversion Field to the glorious chaos of Psychic Scream, the crew breaks d…

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HUNTER THE RECKONING PT4 Q&A - The Danger System: It's Not a Bug, It's a Lifestyle 31:03

3M ago31:03

31:03

When you stare too long into the darkness, sometimes the darkness stares back—and then asks about your dice pool. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast team sits down to answer your burning questions about Hunter: The Reckoning, exploring the mechanics, the danger system, and how desperation turns ordinary people into extraordinary survivors in the W…

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DOMAINS OF DREAD (Remastered) - Creating a Campaign for the Irredeemably Evil 57:21

3M ago57:21

57:21

You know that moment when your players say, "We want to be the bad guys"? Yeah, this is the episode where we let them. Pull up your black cloaks, pour a glass of something red (preferably not from the paladin), and join us as we wander into the mists of the Domains of Dread—where even your dice fear to roll. Spooktober Returns! It's Spooktober on t…

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THE PSION REVISITED - Unearthed Arcana, Albuquerque, and the Future of D&D Psionics 1:04:03

3M ago1:04:03

1:04:03

Somewhere between the high deserts of New Mexico and the psychic wastelands of Unearthed Arcana, the RPGBOT crew discovered two great truths: Albuquerque has better tacos than Los Angeles, and psionics might finally make sense in Dungeons & Dragons. We know some of you thought the Psion episode was lost forever (vanished into the Astral Plane or ea…

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HUNTER THE RECKONING AP PT3 - Improvised Weapons and Poor Decisions 55:03

3M ago55:03

55:03

Nothing says "modern monster hunting" like breaking into a corporate lab armed with sarcasm, trauma, and a tranquilizer dart you don't fully understand. In this Actual Play of Hunter the Reckoning, our would-be heroes confront the horrors of both the supernatural and the bureaucratic. There's teamwork, betrayal, and just enough humor to make you wo…

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PUBLIC SPEAKING OR DEATH: ENCOURAGING ROLEPLAY (Remastered) 1:05:40

3M ago1:05:40

1:05:40

RANDALL: "They say people fear public speaking more than death. Which means that, statistically, most players would rather TPK than deliver an in-character monologue." ASH: "Honestly? Same." TYLER: "So today we're doing the impossible—convincing gamers that pretending to be a half-elf sorcerer in front of their friends doesn't have to be terrifying…

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UNEARTHED ARCANA THE PSION - Breaking brains and game balance: mind powers or just headaches? 1:17:57

3M ago1:17:57

1:17:57

BIG IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode covers the first UA Psion version. We have an upcoming episode discussing the updated version. Wizards of the Coast is back at it again with another Unearthed Arcana, this time dropping the Psion class on our laps. It's psionics, but not like you've ever seen before—or maybe exactly like you've seen before if you re…

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HUNTER THE RECKONING AP PT2 - Dreams, Screams, Corporate Malfeasance, Monster Mayhem 1:00:50

3M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

"You ever notice how in RPGs, dreams are either profound visions of destiny... or just you wandering through a medieval Taco Bell with your sword drawn? Spoiler alert: tonight, it's the first one. Probably. Unless the monster wants your kidneys, in which case—Taco Bell is still on the table." Watch Tyler's Tiny Videos on TikTok – If you want quick-…