Best Characteroptimization Podcasts (2025)

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STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE WRAP UP - Shardplate, Sprens, and Session Impressions 56:43

Play Pause

1h ago56:43

56:43

The Stormlight Archive RPG is not a game one simply plays—it is a crucible where story and steel collide. In its halls, Shardblades and Shardplate redefine combat, while talent trees, sprens, and player choices shape destinies with every decision. Today, we step back from the battlefield to reflect on the system’s triumphs, its perils, and the stor…

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STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE HOW TO PLAY - Actual Play 2: Shardblades, Chasm Fiends, and Really Bad Dice Rolls 1:00:41

5d ago1:00:41

1:00:41

"The storm is both battleground and teacher. In the high storm’s fury, we discovered not merely survival checks or combat mechanics, but the weight of choice. Humor became a shield, laughter our shardplate, as the Shardblade in hand revealed itself to be more than a weapon. Against the chasm fiend’s relentless rhythm, the bond between friends becam…

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SLAAD EXPLAINED (Remastered) - Spawn of Chaos, Croak of Dread: A Monstrous Dissection 34:41

7d ago34:41

34:41

Lo, from the stagnant mire there arose a croak most dreadful, heralding the advent of creatures born of chaos and slime. In this remastered Spooktober hour from 2023, we unmask the Slaad—horrible monsters of Dungeons & Dragons whose laughter curdles into terror. Hark, dear listeners, and let the tolling of the midnight bell stir your marrow— for on…

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2025 DUNGEONS & DRAGONS STARTER SET REVIEW: When Tokens and Tales Collide 1:20:27

2h ago1:20:27

1:20:27

In this wandering dissection of the 2025 Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, the hosts circle through memory and mechanics, weighing cardboard against imagination, and finding, amid the tokens and rules, not a doorway into wonder but the echo of all the starter sets that came before, fuller, deeper, better. Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands (affil…

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STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE HOW TO PLAY - Actual Play 1: Technical Glitches, Chasm Fiends, and Shardblades 57:52

12d ago57:52

57:52

The RPGBOT crew brave technical glitches, angry chasm fiends, and their own questionable tactics in the Stormlight Archive TTRPG—somehow surviving long enough to bond a Shardblade and argue about the rules. Want to roll dice with Ash Ely? You can! Ash is running games right now on StartPlaying.games — sign up to join his tables and bring your own c…

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DROW Remastered: Lolth Didn't Raise No Quitters - Running Drow that Actually Win Fights 56:33

14d ago56:33

56:33

Lolth’s Not Your Mom, But She’s Definitely Disappointed in You Follow Ash Ely on social media for more tabletop mischief, hot takes, and behind-the-scenes RPGBOT energy. Want to do more than just listen? You can play in his games directly—Ash runs tables on StartPlaying.games where you can sign up, roll dice, and probably regret trusting that one s…

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STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE TTRPG - Character Creation: Ancestry, Culture, and Bad Life Choices 42:55

5d ago42:55

42:55

Building Heroes, Breaking Dice, and Blaming Foundry VTT" (A deep dive into character creation for the Stormlight Archive RPG, with more heroic paths than your GM bargained for.) RPGBOT is now on TikTok with funny Tiny Videos. If you’ve ever wanted quick takes on tabletop gaming, absurd jokes about TTRPG character creation, or a one-minute guide to …

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UA 2025 - APOCALYPTIC SUBCLASSES - Captain Planet Joins the Gladiator Arena: Unearthed Arcana Gets Weird 1:16:14

19d ago1:16:14

1:16:14

Hydra fights, Dark Sun dilemmas, Unearthed Arcana chaos—what could go wrong? Want more Unearthed Arcana deep dives? The RPGBOT.Podcast has you covered. You can find our backlog of episodes on every major podcast platform, where we break down the latest D&D playtest material and show you how to wrangle it into your campaigns without summoning your o…

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ABOLETHS (Remastered) - The Slime-Breathing Nightmare Your Campaign Deserves 32:40

10d ago32:40

32:40

So Your Players Think They’re Safe? Release the Aboleth! Want more Dungeons & Dragons monster tips, horror encounter design, and campaign advice? Visit RPGBOT.net—where real humans craft real tools for roleplayers and dungeon masters. Show Notes The RPGBOT.Podcast crew takes a deep dive into one of the most disturbing D&D monsters ever created: the…

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THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE RPG LORE: Knights Radiant, Shardblades, and Beyond 1:06:07

20d ago1:06:07

1:06:07

Strap on your Shardplate and call your Spren—Episode 2 of our How to Play Stormlight Archive RPG series takes a lore-heavy dive into the Cosmere, exploring worldbuilding, Knights Radiant, and everything you need to roleplay in Roshar’s storm-tossed setting. Our archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube! Relive every tangen…

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THE STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE RPG - How to Play Part 1: Concepts and Themes 1:07:19

26d ago1:07:19

1:07:19

Snacks, Ghosts, and Shardblades: How to Play Stormlight Archive RPG (Part I)” Because nothing says “epic fantasy” like kettle chips, Cajun cuisine, and the looming threat of narrative-driven permanent injuries. Want to dive deeper into tabletop roleplaying games? Whether you’re a first-time player or a veteran rules lawyer, visit RPGBOT.net for gui…

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POISON Remastered - We put the "fun" back in "functional renal failure" 57:08

28d ago57:08

57:08

Turning Your TTRPG Into a Chemically Enhanced Nightmare (for the Players, Not the GM) Missed an episode? Accidentally ingested a memory-erasing toxin? No worries! Archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. Binge the banter, savor the strategy, and relive every rules argument—now with video thumbnails. Show Notes Welcome t…

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COSMERE RPG REVIEW - Eat, Pray, Stormlight: Rolling Dice in the Sandersonverse 1:04:54

30d ago1:04:54

1:04:54

Can You Survive a Highstorm with Just a Character Sheet and Poor Life Choices? We Tried the Cosmere RPG. Missed an episode? Don’t worry—archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available to listen to on YouTube. Whether you're a veteran listener or just discovering us, you can now catch up on every rules breakdown, hot take, and character opt…

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GEHENNA: When the Shadowfell Feels too Cheerful 1:04:44

22d ago1:04:44

1:04:44

Welcome to Gehenna: It’s Like Hell, but With Worse Real Estate and More Bureaucracy” Announcement: Missed an episode? Repent your sins and redeem yourself on YouTube, where archived episodes of The RPGBOT.Podcast are now available for your listening pleasure. Come for the laughs, stay for the existential dread. Show Notes – Episode Title: “Gehenna:…

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CELESTIALS Remastered - Holy, Radiant, and Deeply Passive-Aggressive 51:40

24d ago51:40

51:40

Bask in the divine glow (and probably a few judgmental stares) as we ascend into the celestial tiers of tabletop gaming. Wings, halos, and passive-aggressive deities await. Did you miss out on our earlier, holier episodes? Good news! RPGBOT.net is now uploading archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast to YouTube. That means you can binge our past wi…

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PF2e's BATTLECRY! - The Art of Yelling Tactically 1:01:43

26d ago1:01:43

1:01:43

Battlecry!, Bigatures, and the Tank Fallacy: Pathfinder 2e’s New Expansion Yells Into the Void (And We Love It!) You can now listen to archive episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube! Catch up on past adventures, deep dives, and spicy takes—now just a click away. Show Notes: In this episode, Tyler Kamstra, Randall James, and Ash Ely sound the ala…

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STARFINDER 2 PLAYER CORE - RPGBOT.Review - Space Clerics and Ratfolk? Sign me up. 1:08:53

1M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Strap in, space cadets—we’re about to hyperjump into a galaxy where healing is done with stickers, rats are adorable, and gravity is optional. Past episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube! Revisit our greatest hits, deepest takes, and most unhinged tangents with your eyeballs and your earholes. Just search for “RPGBOT.Podcast” o…

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TOTAL PARTY KILL (Remastered): Live fast, die messy - in the name of fun and narrative tension! 49:57

1M ago49:57

49:57

Oops, All Corpses: Making TPKs Fun, Fair, and Hilariously Devastating Now on YouTube! That's right—RPGBOT.net is bringing the RPGBOT.Podcast archive to YouTube, so now you can re-live your favorite episodes or finally hear all the ones you missed while you were rolling death saves. Whether you're commuting, cooking, or crying over your latest chara…

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DRAGON DELVES RPGBOT.REVIEW - Plot twists, killer art, and just enough death to keep it interesting 1:26:17

1M ago1:26:17

1:26:17

A candy dungeon, a dragon cult, and a bag that eats you—what could go wrong? You asked. We delved. You can now listen to past and present episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube! Whether you're deep cleaning your dice bag or prepping tonight’s game, catch every optimization hot take and dragon-fueled derailment in high-def audio (and our beautifu…

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OPTIMIZING D&D 2024 WARLOCKS II - Blasting, Bards, and Bad Decisions with Gabe Greenspan 1:09:22

2M ago1:09:22

1:09:22

Warlocks, Mystic Arcanum, and Our Deeply Cursed MySpace Past – Now Optimized for Maximum Emotional Damage! 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 RP…

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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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…