Best Characteroptimization Podcasts (2025)

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

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9h 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

4d 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

6d 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

8d 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

11d 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

13d 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

15d 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

16d 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

18d 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

20d 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

22d 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

25d 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

27d 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

29d 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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-…

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PACING & REST MECHANICS - Why Your Party Naps More Than They Adventure 55:44

2M ago55:44

55:44

Have you ever noticed that in real life, you can't just say, "I take a long rest" and wake up eight hours later fully healed, your fridge restocked, and your inbox cleared? If only. Instead, you wake up groggy, your cat's screaming, and somehow your wizard spell slots are still gone. Well, tabletop RPGs aren't much better. Pacing and rest mechanics…

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HUNTER THE RECKONING AP PT 1 - Come for the Crime Scenes, Stay for the Cliffhangers 51:04

2M ago51:04

51:04

Welcome to Cyprus Hollow, population: probably doomed. The kind of town where the local gossip travels faster than Wi-Fi, the Daybreak Motel smells like it should come with a tetanus shot, and the only thing scarier than the crime scene is the Yelp review section. Our Hunters didn't come here looking for trouble—they came here because trouble left …

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HUNTER THE RECKONING CHARACTER CREATION - Surviving the Apocalypse with Character Sheets and Charisma Checks 51:44

2M ago51:44

51:44

Welcome back, brave listeners, to another chilling chapter of the RPGBOT.Podcast. Tonight, we descend into the fog-choked alleys of Hunter: The Reckoning, where your best defense against the supernatural isn't garlic, holy water, or even a decent sushi roll—it's your character sheet. So sharpen your pencils, whisper your redemption arcs to the moon…

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HAGS Remastered - Because every group can use a consultant 51:15

2M ago51:15

51:15

Gather 'round, adventurers, and mind the cackling in the corner. Tonight, the RPGBOT coven summons forth the secrets of hags in Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. These monsters aren't just creepy old ladies with a fondness for curses—they're the nightmare consultants you never asked for but always fear. Clipboards, cauldrons, and catastrophic cont…

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STARFINDER 2E GM CORE - Pathfinder Walked So Starfinder Could Hack Your Wi-Fi 1:06:16

2M ago1:06:16

1:06:16

It began, as all things do in a flawed cosmos, with paperwork. You signed something — you don't remember what — but now you're contractually obligated to care about Starfinder 2E. The GM Core isn't a rulebook; it's a transmission, half game manual, half government-issued dream. Every chapter reads like a psychological evaluation, every margin note …

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HUNTER THE RECKONING CONCEPTS AND THEMES - World of Darkness, dice that hate you, and hunters with trust issues 51:15

2M ago51:15

51:15

The lights flicker. The basement smells faintly of stale pizza and dread. Somewhere in the distance, a door creaks — or maybe that was just Randall adjusting his chair. Tonight, we're stepping into the World of Darkness, where average people stumble into a nightmare of vampires, monsters, and game mechanics that hit harder than a ghost with a grudg…

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REMASTERED: FEAR MECHANICS - Because nothing says fun like watching your character soil themselves in a dungeon 53:43

3M ago53:43

53:43

Once upon a gaming table dreary, while we plotted, weak and weary, Came a whisper from the shadows: "What if your dice betray you with fear?" Not the fear of a natural one, nor the dread of forgetting your spell slots, But a terror woven deep into the very fabric of the game— A mechanic that chills the marrow, bends the will, And makes the bravest …

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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

3M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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

4M 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…