The RPGBOT.Podcast Podcast Por RPGBOT arte de portada

The RPGBOT.Podcast

The RPGBOT.Podcast

De: RPGBOT
Escúchala gratis

The RPGBOT.Podcast is a thoughtful and sometimes humorous discussion about Tabletop Role Playing Games, including Dungeons and Dragons and Pathfinder as well as other TTRPGs. The discussion seeks to help players get the most out of TTRPGs by examining game mechanics and related subjects with a deep, analytic focus. The RPGBOT.Podcast includes a weekly episode; and The RPGBOT.News and The RPGBOT.Oneshot. You can find more information at https://rpgbot.net/ - Analysis, tools, and instructional articles for tabletop RPGs. Support us at the following links: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rpgbot Twitter: https://twitter.com/RPGBOTDOTNET Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rpgbotdotnet Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rpgbot/ The RPGBOT.Podcast was developed by RPGBOT.net and produced in association with The Leisure Illuminati.RPGBOT.net
Episodios
  • BEHOLDER-KIN - The Multiverse's Angriest Soccer Ball

    BEHOLDER-KIN - The Multiverse's Angriest Soccer Ball
    Feb 9 2026
    There are monsters in tabletop RPGs that exist to be fought, monsters that exist to be feared, and monsters that exist to make the Dungeon Master quietly whisper, "I hope you prepared spells with saving throws." Beholders fall squarely into that last category. This week on RPGBOT.Podcast, we're diving deep into Beholder-Kin — floating orbs of paranoia, laser violence, and architectural malpractice. From tiny gazers that exist solely to be annoying, to death tyrants that refuse to stay dead out of spite, we explore why beholders remain one of Dungeons & Dragons' most iconic, miserable, and tactically terrifying monsters. Along the way, we discuss dream-based reproduction, anti-magic cones, and why every beholder lair looks like it was designed to fail a building inspection on purpose. Show Notes Beholders are one of the oldest and most recognizable monsters in Dungeons & Dragons, and for good reason. They aren't just bags of hit points with flashy attacks — they're intelligent, paranoid, and cruel creatures that reshape both combat and storytelling the moment they appear in a campaign. In this episode, the hosts break down what defines beholders and their many variants, collectively known as Beholder-Kin, and why they're such effective villains across nearly every tier of play. The discussion starts with what makes beholders fundamentally different from other monsters. Their signature eye rays, combined with a central anti-magic eye, mean that fights against beholders rarely follow predictable patterns. Even experienced players are forced to react rather than execute clean plans. The randomness of eye rays creates chaos, but the creature's intelligence means that chaos is applied with intent — the rays may be random, but the targets absolutely are not. From there, the conversation expands into the many variants of Beholder-Kin found throughout D&D. Gazers, spectators, gauths, mind witnesses, beholder zombies, death kisses, and death tyrants all represent different expressions of the same alien biology. Each fills a distinct role, allowing Dungeon Masters to introduce beholder-themed encounters from the earliest levels all the way into high-tier play without losing flavor or threat. This flexibility is one of the reasons beholders remain so enduring in D&D design. Combat tactics play a major role in the episode, especially the importance of running beholders intelligently. A beholder that floats into melee range and trades bite attacks is a beholder being played incorrectly. These creatures thrive on distance, verticality, and environmental control. Their lairs are often carved with disintegration rays, filled with vertical shafts, traps, and contingency plans, and designed to punish creatures that rely on gravity. When played well, a beholder encounter feels less like a fair fight and more like surviving a hostile environment that actively hates you. The episode also dives into beholder lore and ecology, which somehow manages to be both fascinating and deeply unsettling. Earlier editions described grotesque physical reproduction, while modern D&D reframes beholder reproduction as a dream-based phenomenon where nightmares literally manifest new beholders into reality. This almost always results in immediate territorial violence, reinforcing the idea that beholders are incapable of peaceful coexistence — even with themselves. To balance the horror, the hosts also explore notable exceptions in D&D lore. Famous beholders like Xanathar embody tragic paranoia, while figures like Large Luigi — an omniscient beholder tavern owner in Spelljammer — prove that even reality-warping aberrations can choose hospitality over genocide. These examples highlight how beholders can serve not just as villains, but as unforgettable NPCs, information brokers, or narrative wild cards. The episode wraps by touching on player-facing options. While players can't normally play beholders, they can still interact with Beholder-Kin through warlock patrons, summoned spectators, or gazer familiars. Used carefully, these options let players brush up against beholder weirdness without completely breaking the game — though the temptation to do something irresponsible is always there. Key Takeaways Beholder-Kin work because they operate on multiple levels at once. Mechanically, they introduce chaos through randomized effects, but narratively they reward intelligent, ruthless play. A beholder encounter is never just about hit points — it's about positioning, preparation, and survival. These monsters scale exceptionally well across a campaign. From CR ½ gazers to CR 14 death tyrants, Beholder-Kin allow Dungeon Masters to introduce consistent themes without repeating the same fight. Each variant reinforces the core beholder identity while adding new tactical wrinkles. Lair design is not optional when using beholders. Their environments are an extension of their personality: vertical, hostile, and unapologetically unfair. A ...
    Más Menos
    54 m
  • RESURRECTION MECHANICS (Remastered): A Guide for Raising the Dead

    RESURRECTION MECHANICS (Remastered): A Guide for Raising the Dead
    Feb 7 2026
    Death in Dungeons & Dragons is weird. Sometimes it's a tragic, character-defining moment that reshapes the campaign. Other times it's a minor inconvenience solved by rooting around in the cleric's pockets for a diamond and a receipt. In this episode, we crack open the lid on resurrection mechanics—how revivify, raise dead, and resurrection actually work, why death saving throws matter less than you think, and how coming back from the dead can be anything from epic storytelling fuel to a mildly awkward coffee break. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive deep into resurrection mechanics in Dungeons & Dragons, breaking down how character death really works—and why raising the dead is both a mechanical safety net and a narrative landmine. We cover the full spectrum of D&D death rules, starting with death saving throws, stabilizing, and the fine line between "down but not out" and "start pricing diamonds." From there, we examine the most common resurrection spells—Revivify, Raise Dead, and Resurrection—comparing spell timing, material components, and the hidden costs that often get ignored at the table. The discussion digs into why resurrection spells can undermine tension if handled casually, how consequences of death in D&D can strengthen long-term storytelling, and when it's okay for resurrection to be fast, cheap, and reliable. We also talk about optional rules, narrative gates, and DM-side tools that make bringing characters back to life in tabletop RPGs feel meaningful without punishing players for bad dice luck. Whether you're a player wondering how safe your character really is or a DM trying to balance drama with fun, this episode is your practical, no-nonsense guide to how resurrection works in D&D 5e—and how to make it better at your table. Key Takeaways Death saving throws are a buffer, not a guarantee—most characters die because of timing, not bad luckRevivify vs Raise Dead vs Resurrection is less about power level and more about narrative impactMaterial components, especially diamonds, are the real currency of immortality in D&DEasy resurrection lowers tension unless DMs introduce narrative or social consequencesResurrection mechanics work best when death still means something, even if it isn't permanentClear expectations around death and revival prevent table-side frustration and tonal whiplash Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy roleplaying meets real strategy, sarcasm, and community chaos. How to Find Us: In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net Tyler Kamstra BlueSky: @rpgbot.netTikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET Ash Ely Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.GamesBlueSky: @GravenAshesYouTube: @ashravenmedia Randall James BlueSky: @GrimoireRPGAmateurjack.comRead Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link) Producer Dan @Lzr_illuminati
    Más Menos
    1 h y 9 m
  • PULP CTHULHU: How to Play 2 - Character Creation

    PULP CTHULHU: How to Play 2 - Character Creation
    Feb 5 2026
    Welcome to the RPGBOT.Podcast, where today's character creation lesson begins with basic geometry, escalates into psychic powers, and somehow ends with a pacifist circus bear being seriously considered as a build option. In this episode, we take the gloves off and actually make characters for Pulp Cthulhu—choosing archetypes, rolling stats, hoarding skill points like goblins, and discovering that if you roll too well, you might accidentally invent the world's first telepathic himbo artist. If you've ever wondered how Call of Cthulhu character creation becomes fast, fun, and dangerously powerful, this is where the pulp really starts to flow. The D8 goes in the D8 hole. Show Notes This episode walks step-by-step through Pulp Cthulhu character creation, showing how investigators are built to be tougher, broader, and far more cinematic than their classic Call of Cthulhu counterparts. Ash guides Tyler and Randall through the full process—then breaks it down into a Quick & Dirty method that can get players to the table in minutes. Step 1: Choose an Archetype Archetypes replace traditional "classes" and are rooted in classic pulp fiction roles: Mystic (psychic powers, occult insight, vibes) Egghead (engineers, scientists, gadgeteers) Two-Fisted, Swashbuckler, Femme Fatale, Bon Vivant, and more Each archetype: Defines a core characteristic Grants bonus archetype skills Suggests traits, occupations, and story hooks This approach encourages concept-first design, letting the character idea drive the mechanics instead of the other way around. Step 2: Generate Characteristics Attributes are rolled using the familiar D100 roll-under system, but with a key twist: Core characteristic = 1d6 + 13 × 5 (expect very high numbers) Other stats use 3d6×5 or 2d6+6×5 High pulp means exceptional competence The result? Characters who feel powerful immediately—sometimes too powerful, leading to delightful accidents like rolling: Incredible Power Solid looks Questionable intelligence (Yes, the "himbo build" is real.) Step 3: Talents (High Pulp Edition) Because this game is running High Pulp, characters receive four talents instead of two. Talents are drawn from four categories: Physical Mental Combat Miscellaneous Highlights from the episode include: Psychic Powers Arcane Insight Weird Science Animal Companion (responsibly downgraded from "bear" to "bear-adjacent dog") Talents dramatically define how characters play and reinforce pulp action over fragile realism. Step 4: Occupation & Skill Points Occupations grant massive skill point pools, often hundreds of points: Skills start with base percentages Occupational skills come first Archetype skills add another 100 points Personal interest skills add even more The result is wide, competent characters instead of hyper-specialized glass cannons. The episode includes practical advice: Avoid pushing every skill to 95 Aim for flexibility, not just peak numbers Remember Credit Rating is mandatory and matters in play Step 5: Backstory (Fast but Meaningful) Instead of long essays, Pulp Cthulhu uses structured prompts: Personal description (biased, first-person) Ideology and beliefs Significant people Treasured possessions Traits Random tables spark instant character hooks, like: Idolizing Nikola Tesla Carrying calipers as a grounding object Shared trauma bonds Risk-taking or unreliable personalities One key backstory element becomes your Sanity anchor, helping characters recover from mental trauma. Quick & Dirty Character Creation Ash closes the episode with a streamlined alternative: Assign preset stat values Pick talents Select skills from fixed arrays Roll backstory details Start playing immediately Perfect for one-shots, convention play, or groups eager to punch cultists now, not in two hours. Key Takeaways Pulp Cthulhu character creation is fast, flexible, and cinematic Archetypes replace classes with strong narrative identity High Pulp characters start powerful and stay relevant Talents are the heart of customization Skill points are plentiful—breadth is rewarded Structured backstory tools create instant roleplay hooks The Quick & Dirty method gets you playing in minutes Yes, you can accidentally build a psychic himbo—and that's a feature Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder ...
    Más Menos
    39 m
Todavía no hay opiniones