Best Characteroptimization Podcasts (2025)

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JUMPING REMASTERED - Like physics class, but with swords and poor impulse control 1:06:20

Play Pause

38m ago1:06:20

1:06:20

We’re Not Saying You Should Jump… But Here’s How to Survive When You Inevitably Do RPGBOT.net Presents Past Mistakes in Glorious 1080p Want to see how deep the rules rabbit hole really goes? Or maybe you just miss hearing Tyler’s voice explain gravity damage like it’s a TED Talk about falling down stairs. Either way, rejoice! Past episodes of the R…

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OPTIMIZING D&D 2024 WARLOCKS I - Making Deals with Devils... and also with Gabe Greenspan 59:07

13h ago59:07

59:07

A warlock, a podcaster, and a spider walk into a subclass draft. Guess which one survives? Tired of forgetting what Tyler said about multiclassing back in 2021? Want to relive the glory days of your favorite hot takes, Warlock rants, and deeply cursed jokes? Good news! RPGBOT.net is proud to announce that archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are…

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UNEARTHED ARCANA 2025 ARCANE SUBCLASSES 2 - Wizarding Responsibly, A Work in Progress 1:18:31

4d ago1:18:31

1:18:31

TPK’d by Boredom: The Unearthed Arcana Wizard Review You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Absolutely Deserved) This episode is sponsored by Dungeonflow.app — your one-stop shop for prepping tabletop RPGs without needing a Philosopher’s Stone or a necromantic ritual. Whether you're building combat encounters, crafting creepy room descriptions, or generat…

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KNOWLEDGE SKILLS Remastered - Know thy enemy—or at least what page it’s on in the Monster Manual 59:12

6d ago59:12

59:12

Knowledge skills: because sometimes knowing what’s in the dungeon is more important than knowing how to kill it. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew breaks down the often-overlooked but mechanically vital Knowledge skills in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. The gang explores how these skills function in the game, how they’…

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UNEARTHED ARCANA 2025 ARCANE SUBCLASSES 1 - Part Excitement, Part Therapy Session 1:09:40

8d ago1:09:40

1:09:40

Hexblades, Tattoos, and AI—Oh My! The Unearthed Arcana Subclass Roast Begins! This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by our friends at DungeonFlow.app — the fastest way to go from “I have five minutes to prep” to “My players think I’m a genius.” Generate dungeons, traps, room descriptions, and now combat encounters with just a few clicks. …

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DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY WRAP UP - Theater Kid with Swords: Feelings without Spreadsheets 35:54

11d ago35:54

35:54

Daggerheart: the warm hug of fantasy RPGs—if hugs came with dramatic backstories and emotional damage. This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — the fastest, easiest way to prep your next tabletop session. Whether you’re building a dungeon, brewing an encounter, or generating the perfect trap to ruin your players’ plans, …

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GM'ING FOR KIDS Remastered - A Masterclass with David Lemke 52:29

13d ago52:29

52:29

Grab your juice boxes and initiative trackers—it’s time to run D&D for the most chaotic party of all: children. In this RPGBOT.Masterclass Remastered episode, the hosts are joined by educator and Dungeon Master David Lemke, who shares his expertise on running tabletop RPGs—particularly Dungeons & Dragons—for children. The conversation blends pedago…

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DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY ACTUAL PLAY - This Swamp Ain't Big Enough for All Our Bad Decisions 1:52:11

15d ago1:52:11

1:52:11

Ever accidentally summon an ancient mage, turn a wooden snake into a god, and commit light-hearted organ donation—all before lunch? Welcome to Daggerheart. A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsor: This episode of The RPGBOT.Podcast is proudly sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — the tool that makes prepping your next chaotic campaign way easier than bargaining w…

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DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CHARACTER CREATION - Roll Stats, Choose a Class, Cry About Your Backstory 46:48

18d ago46:48

46:48

Ever wonder what would happen if D&D and a therapy session had a magical woodland baby? Welcome to character creation in Daggerheart. Thank You to Our Sponsor – DungeonFlow.app: This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is proudly sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — your new favorite GM tool for organizing campaigns, generating traps, and describing suspicious…

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SHINKICKING Remastered - Managing Difficulty and Tone in Combat RP 1:03:51

20d ago1:03:51

1:03:51

Ever accidentally traumatize your party during a goblin ambush? We did—so we made a whole episode about it. In this remastered episode, the RPGBOT crew rolls initiative on one of the most delicate balancing acts in tabletop role-playing games: how to manage difficulty and tone in combat scenarios. Whether you’re a GM trying to run a gritty, high-st…

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DAGGERHEART: HOW TO PLAY CONCEPTS AND THEMES - Cue the Spotlight, We're Monologuing Through Combat 1:22:28

22d ago1:22:28

1:22:28

We upgraded Foundry, discovered a few surprise “features,” and then dove headfirst into the hope-and-fear-fueled mayhem of Daggerheart—join us for mechanics, emotions, and at least one character death that felt really personal. This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by DungeonFlow.app, your one-stop shop for streamlining game prep and powe…

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SHADOWFELL - Get Your Gloom On 1:01:05

25d ago1:01:05

1:01:05

What if your depression had hit points and could punch back? Welcome to the Shadowfell. Huge thanks to DungeonFlow.app for sponsoring this episode—because even in the Shadowfell, your dungeon prep shouldn't be a nightmare. Sign up today at DungeonFlow.app and start building better encounters, faster. It's free to try, easy to use, and unlike the Sh…

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LIGHT AND DARKNESS Remastered - Because apparently no one packs torches anymore... 1:03:47

27d ago1:03:47

1:03:47

If you've ever wondered why your dungeon feels less like a terrifying crawl through the dark and more like a grayscale video game, this episode shines a light on everything wrong—and weird—about darkvision. In this remastered and updated episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts revisit one of their most debated topics: how vision mechanics function…

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WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Part IV: Review - Fate, Fortune, and Fragile Line Between Hero and Corpse 1:06:12

29d ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Come for the Skaven, stay because you failed your bribery check and now you're wanted for heresy. Want to Join the Adventure? If you're craving chaos, corruption, and career advancement (in-game, of course), join Ash Ely’s West Marches campaign on StartPlaying.games. Explore the treacherous roads, clash blades with the forces of corruption, and rol…

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WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLE PLAY Pt III: Example Play - Bring Gloves, Trust No One, and Never Sniff the Daisies 1:29:50

1M ago1:29:50

1:29:50

If you’ve ever asked, “How do I actually play Warhammer Fantasy Role Play?”—this episode is your crash course, chaos crash cart, and comedy club all rolled into one. Grab your dice, pack your herbs, and don’t forget your gloves. Things are about to get weird in the woods. Thank you to our sponsor, DM Adamantine! If you're ready to play with an expe…

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DEITIES Remastered - Divine powers, celestial politics, and heresy to keep things interesting. 54:29

1M ago54:29

54:29

Ever wondered what happens when your cleric starts a cult, your paladin questions their god, and your podcast host thinks he is one? Tune in and find out. In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dives deep into the divine—and the deranged—as they tackle the topic of religion in tabletop RPGs. From the celestial bureaucracy of the Forgotten Realms …

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PLANE OF ARBOREA - Where vibes are chaotic, food is suspicious, and trees hold grudges 1:07:42

1M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

If you’ve ever wanted to party in a magical forest where the trees are judging you and the weather is trying to kill you, this is your episode. A massive thank you to Dungeon Master Adamantine for sponsoring this episode! Whether you want to explore mythic Athens in person or dive into the underdark from your living room, Nick Fotopoulos—aka DM Ada…

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RETRAINING - Because your first draft was a dumpster fire... 53:07

1M ago53:07

53:07

Ever pick a feat so bad it made your character question their entire existence? Good news—this episode is your mulligan. Need a professional GM to help you respec your party’s chaos into a compelling narrative? Book a session with the one and only Dungeon Master Adamantine! Whether you're in Athens, Greece, connecting online, or just looking to com…

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FIRE Remastered - When the Torches Come Out, the Rules Go Up in Flames 1:01:55

1M ago1:01:55

1:01:55

Want to know how one spark can ruin a dungeon, a campaign, and your DM’s will to live? Light up this episode and find out. Need a game that burns brighter than your last TPK? Book a session with DM Adamantine at dungeonmasteradamantine.com or find him on StartPlaying: startplaying.games/gm/dmadamantine. In this scorching episode of the RPGBOT.Podca…

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WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPLAY Pt II: How to Accidentally Create a War Criminal 56:24

1M ago56:24

56:24

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast the team learns how to build a Warhammer character that’s equal parts tragic backstory, terrible life choices, and statistically improbable survival! Want to roll dice in a Greek villa, vanquish monsters in the shadow of the Acropolis, or experience horror, myth, and mayhem online or in-person? Book your next l…

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WARHAMMER FANTASY ROLEPLAY Pt I: Empire Problems Require Empire Solutions 1:17:28

2M ago1:17:28

1:17:28

Want to survive your first Warhammer Fantasy game without getting eaten by a goblin or arrested for fashion crimes? This episode teaches you the grimdark basics—judgy elves included. Big thanks to our sponsor, Dungeon Master Adamantine—the only GM who can run a perfect session and pronounce "Naggaroth" correctly on the first try. If you want to pla…

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FAMILIARS (Remastered) - Why You Shouldn't Throw the House cat at a Kobold 53:39

2M ago53:39

53:39

Ever wonder what happens when you give a wizard a housecat and poor impulse control? We did—and now the kobold population is down one. Need a Dungeon Master who can outwit your rogue, outdrink your barbarian, and out-Greek the gods themselves? Book DM Adamantine—Nick Fotopoulos, the myth, the legend, the man who once statted out a haunted souvlaki …

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ILLUSIONS REVISITED - You need to pretend like you don't know... 1:17:40

2M ago1:17:40

1:17:40

Think you can outwit a dragon with a fake bridge and a charisma check? Welcome to the RPGBOT.Podcast episode where illusions kill, confusion reigns, and disbelief is just a failed Will save away. Show Notes: In this spellbinding episode, the RPGBOT crew explores the mischievous magic of illusions, where what you see may not be what you get—and what…

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PF2e CLASS SELECTION 3 - Himbo Energy, Wicked Vibes, and Winglady Wisdom 1:15:57

2M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

What do Pathfinder classes, Muppet horror, and himbo culture have in common? Absolutely nothing—so obviously we made a whole episode about it. Big thanks to Dungeon Master Adamantine for sponsoring this episode—if you want to roll dice in Greece with a professional GM who can out-roleplay Zeus himself, summon Nick at dungeonmasteradamantine.com or …

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ILLUSIONS (Remastered) - Everything is a lie and the mimic was a metaphor 55:39

2M ago55:39

55:39

This week, we weaponize hallucinations, traumatize NPCs, and gaslight a guard dog—with illusions! In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the gang goes full David Copperfield on your tabletop—except instead of sawing a lady in half, we’re casting Phantasmal Force to convince the BBEG his pants are full of bees. Join Tyler, Ash, and Randall as they p…

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PLANESCAPE POSTMORTEM 2 - Featuring Existential Dread, Multiversal Collapse, and a Quasit with a Lot of Opinions 1:15:11

2M ago1:15:11

1:15:11

What do you get when you mix a disappearing god, a multiverse glitch, and a talking squirrel? Apparently, therapy. Show Notes: In this second helping of the Ash Ely Planescape Postmortem, the hosts dissect the juicy narrative meat of a campaign marinated in memory loss, Mind Flayers, and metaphysical trauma. From the desperate hunt for Orochalcum t…

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PLANESCAPE, AN RPGBOT.POSTMORTEM - Asher's Weird, Wonderful Multiverse 59:19

2M ago59:19

59:19

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts gather for a postmortem discussion on Ash Ely’s recent Planescape campaign—a wild ride through the Outer Planes where philosophy hits like a fireball and bureaucracy is deadlier than any dragon. With plenty of laughs and genuine reflection, the crew discusses their favorite moments, mechanical experi…

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ABBERATIONS: Nothing says 'Fun Game Night' like Psychic Trauma! 55:57

2M ago55:57

55:57

In this Remastered Episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we summon the horrors that make your players ask, ‘Can I roll to nope?’ In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast team delves into the weird, the squishy, and the utterly incomprehensible world of Aberrations—those delightful horrors that break the rules of reality and challenge players’ expectations. Fro…

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HORROR SUBCLASSES - D&D UA 2025: Screams from the Spreadsheet 1:09:03

2M ago1:09:03

1:09:03

New horror subclasses just dropped, and we’re here to reanimate them, roast them, and regret reading the action economy aloud. Support our friends at DungeonFlow, because your dungeon shouldn't look like it was sketched during a Zoom call. Unearthed Arcana: Horror Subclasses Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew proves that horror isn’t just …

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STARFINDER GALAXY GUIDE REVIEWED! - Space is Weird, Math is Hard, Let's Play Anyway 1:14:13

2M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

Crack open your Core Rulebook, dump stat Charisma, and calibrate your resolve points—because it’s time to roll initiative against entropy itself with the Starfinder Galaxy Guide, where space is weird, and the rules are weirder. This episode is brought to you by Dungeon Flow—because your players will never know you prepped their dungeon during the l…

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EVIL CHARACTERS (Remastered) - Dubious (anti)heroics 58:48

2M ago58:48

58:48

If your evil character isn’t at least pretending to be helpful, they’re not evil—they’re just unemployed. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the dark, morally murky world of evil characters in tabletop RPGs. With Ash leading the charge, the conversation focuses on how to play a character with evil tendencies without des…

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OTHER WORLDS 3 RECAP - The Great Pizza Debate 1:20:02

2M ago1:20:02

1:20:02

From pizza to invisibility puzzles and rogue mechanics, Episode 3 of Other Worlds takes you on a whirlwind ride through culinary hot takes, heist mechanics, and the joys (and pains) of Pathfinder 2. In Episode 3 of Other Worlds, the RPGBOT.Podcast team serves up a delightfully chaotic mix of culinary hot takes and deep tabletop RPG insights. Randal…

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OTHER WORLDS 3 - Reflections, Revelations, and Really Weird Drinks 1:35:55

2M ago1:35:55

1:35:55

This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is brought to you by Dungeon Flow. DungeonFlow.app – Because your dungeon deserves more than graph paper and panic. In Episode 3 of Other Worlds, the RPGBOT crew mixes magical mayhem with mundane mischief. What begins with a hilarious debate on olives and grooming spirals into a multi-layered roleplaying session f…

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LANGUAGES (Remastered) - Perfect for Parties that Talk First and Think Later 57:27

3M ago57:27

57:27

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts dive deep into the often-overlooked tool of language in tabletop RPGs—how it shapes worlds, defines characters, and enhances immersion. Whether it’s a dwarven curse word, a whispered draconic threat, or a gnomish pun that lands like a rock in a puddle, the power of language can turn a good campaign i…

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W40K IMPERIUM MALEDICTUM HTP 4 - Episode Recap and How to Play Discussion 1:00:42

3M ago1:00:42

1:00:42

Ever wonder what happens when you mix dark gods, self-driving cars, and a dysfunctional team of grimdark misfits with questionable decision-making skills? Welcome to the Warhammer 40K actual play recap you didn't know you needed. Episode Summary In this delightfully chaotic recap, the RPGBOT crew careens through a whirlwind of topics, from the pend…

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W40K IMPERIUM MALEDICTUM - Shadows in the Hive Scarthias: An RPGBOT How to Play 2:08:53

3M ago2:08:53

2:08:53

Ever wanted to see psychic bar fights, grenade-happy cultists, and heresy investigations go completely off the rails? Welcome to Hive Scarthias—hope you brought a bucket. In this explosive actual play episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, our investigators dive headfirst into the grimdark world of Imperium Maledictum. Set in the smog-choked depths of Hive…

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TOMB OF HORRORS Pt 2 (Remastered) - The Funhouse that Hates You 57:36

3M ago57:36

57:36

Before narrative arcs, there was Acererak." Dive into Tomb of Horrors Part II and uncover how D&D’s most infamous deathtrap shaped the game we love (and sometimes fear). In Part II of the RPGBOT.Podcast’s deep dive into Tomb of Horrors, the hosts examine the legendary module not just as a harrowing dungeon crawl, but as a historical artifact that r…

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INTO THE WEST MARCHES - Player Driven Chaos and the Sandbox Frontier 1:19:18

3M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

When your world’s on fire, the schedule’s in chaos, and the goblins are unionizing—welcome to West Marches. In this episode, the hosts venture deep into the untamed wilds of West Marches–style tabletop roleplaying games. With no regular party, no fixed storyline, and no safety net, they explore how this classic format redefines player agency and op…

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FROM EMERALD CITY TO ELSEWHERE - The Wizards Walk Away 1:26:39

3M ago1:26:39

1:26:39

This episode is sponsored by DungeonFlow.app. When the gods demand adventure, Dungeon Flow answers—summon your map now at DungeonFlow.app. In this wide-ranging and emotionally resonant episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast takes a sharp turn into the shifting foundations of the tabletop RPG industry, particularly the significant changes at Wizards of the Coa…

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TOMB OF HORRORS Pt 1 (Remastered) - Welcome to the meat grinder 56:07

3M ago56:07

56:07

In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew bravely (and foolishly) opens the first rusted gate into Tomb of Horrors, one of the deadliest and most legendary modules in tabletop RPG history. Originally written by Gary Gygax to humble overconfident players and their min-maxed murderhobos, the Tomb has become a rite of passage for generations of adventu…

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YSGARD: Send us demons so we can kill them! 1:30:23

3M ago1:30:23

1:30:23

In this riotously entertaining episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew embarks on a wild ride from the expressive chaos of Nicolas Cage's acting to the mythic battlegrounds of Ysgard, the Viking heaven of Norse mythology. Along the way, the hosts take pit stops in Glorium's rowdy streets, wander the dwarven stronghold of Nidavellir, and contemplate the ce…

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PF2e PLAYER CORE 2 - First Classes for the Brave (or Clueless) 1:18:06

3M ago1:18:06

1:18:06

This episode is sponsored by DungeonFlow. Build epic dungeons in minutes with Dungeon Flow—no signup, no stress. Start now at DungeonFlow.app! In a sweeping odyssey from futuristic drone deliveries to ancient alcoholic beverages to gummy bear supremacy, the hosts embark on a chaotically charming journey. Along the way, they sprinkle in heroic (and …

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TRANSITIONING TO A NEW GAME (Remastered) - Burn the rulebook and never look back 50:42

3M ago50:42

50:42

Ever felt like your game was getting stale, your rogue was phoning it in, and combat felt like a chore? Then ditch your old system and found something that actually slapped. In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts tackle the treacherous terrain of transitioning from one TTRPG system to another—whether by choice, necessity, or that one play…

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PF2E CLASS SELECTION - It's actually quite simple 1:20:02

3M ago1:20:02

1:20:02

Oh no, that is too many choices! How will anyone ever possibly pick a class for their first Pathfinder character? The RPGBOT.podcast team takes a look at the classes in Pathfinder 2e's Player Core 1 and discusses which classes are and aren't good choices for new players. Will Fighter fit? Cleric is certainly correct. But is Bard better? Can we come…

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PF2 NPC CORE - All Killer, No Filler!!! 57:08

3M ago57:08

57:08

We rip open Pathfinder 2E’s NPC Core like a loot chest at midnight—all killer, no filler, just gun-wielding witches, charming villains, and side characters spicy enough to steal the spotlight (and maybe your party’s gold). #Pathfinder2E, #NPCCoreRules, #PF2GMFuel NPC Core (affiliate link) Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT crew opens up Pathfin…

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BUILDING UNDEAD CHARACTERS II (Remastered) - It's fun to be the life of the party...after you've lost yours 57:37

3M ago57:37

57:37

Join us as we dig up the real secrets of playing undead—because dying was just the beginning! In this episode, the RPGBOT team continues their exploration of undead creatures in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). Shifting focus to the player's perspective, they delve into strategies for combating undead, methods for befriending them, and approac…

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D&D CLASS SELECTION: It's like speed dating, but with swords and spell slots... 1:28:43

4M ago1:28:43

1:28:43

Not sure which D&D class to start with? We break down the best and worst picks for new DnD players—featuring confused Wizards, exploding Artificers, and the ever-reliable Barbarian. Summary In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts explore which Dungeons & Dragons classes are best suited for new players. With humor, experience, and a healthy…

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W40K IMPERIUM MALEDICTUM - Creating a Character: Min-maxing in the name of the Emporer 1:21:08

4M ago1:21:08

1:21:08

Stats, scars, and sarcasm—because in the Imperium, your character’s death is just character development. Links Imperium Maledictum Core Rulebook (affiliate link) Starter Set (affiliate link) Imperium Maledictum Digitals on DriveThru (affiliate link) Show Notes In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew dives deep into the dark, dystopian world of War…

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UNDEAD (Remastered) - Because sometimes the best minions are already dead 58:26

4M ago58:26

58:26

We dive into the multifaceted role of undead creatures in tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). They explore the unique characteristics of undead from both storytelling and mechanical perspectives, offering insights on how to effectively integrate these entities into gameplay. Narrative Significance of Undead: The hosts discuss how undead creature…

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WARHAMMER 40K IMPERIUM MALEDICTUM - An Introduction: Mutants, Mayhem, and Middle Management 1:19:18

4M ago1:19:18

1:19:18

The RPGBOT.Podcast team dives headfirst into the chaos, corruption, and cosmic bureaucracy of Warhammer: 40,000 - Imperium Maledictum—where your worst day in HR is just the beginning. Links Imperium Maledictum Core Rulebook (affiliate link) Starter Set (affiliate link) Imperium Maledictum Digitals on DriveThru (affiliate link) In this episode, the …