RPGBOT.Podcast

In this episode of the RPGBOT.News, we discuss the first ever D&D Direct. We discuss the newly announced product releases, compare them to our predictions in previous episodes, and share what we’re excited to get our hands on.

If you’ve enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and rate us on Spotify or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

Materials Referenced in this Episode

• RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes
• RPGBOT.Podcast Episode 13 – The Future of Dungeons and Dragons
• RPGBOT.Podcast Episode 12 – Unearthed Arcana: Travelers of the Multiverse

DnD 5e

• D&D Direct 2022
• D&D Onslaught
• Dark Sun – Not coming as far as we know
• Dragonlance
• Monstrous Compendium Volume 1
• Mythic Odysseys of Theros (affiliate link)
• New Starter Kit
• Spelljammer
• Phlogiston theory
• The Wild Beyond the Witchlight (affiliate link)

Other Stuff

• Arcane (TV Series)
• Baldur’s Gate 3
• Neverwinter
• The Expanse (TV Series) (affiliate link)

If you’ve enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and rate us on Spotify or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

Pathfinder 2e

• Book of the Dead (affiliate link)

"Crunchy rules or simple vibes? Political intrigue or straight-up dungeon brawls? Survival in a dying world or low-power fantasy feels?"

The latest RPGBOT.Podcast dives into everything you love (and fear) about tabletop RPGs that aren't D&D or Pathfinder. From decision trees to help you find your perfect game match, to the storytelling magic of Powered by the Apocalypse, and the chaotic survival of Mork Borg, there's something for everyone if you're willing to look past what you already know.

Tune in if you’ve ever wondered, "Is my game too crunchy, or am I just lazy?"

Summary

In this episode, the hosts take a deep dive into the diverse landscape of tabletop RPGs, offering a wealth of insights into various systems, mechanics, and themes. They introduce the concept of decision trees, a practical tool to help players identify RPGs that align with their preferences. The discussion covers the spectrum of complexity, from the intricate 'crunch' of detailed systems to the simplicity of more streamlined games.

Key highlights include:

• The Cypher System and Genesis: An exploration of these versatile systems, focusing on their mechanics and adaptability to different genres.
• Powered by the Apocalypse Framework: A look at its elegant simplicity and flexibility, making it an excellent choice for narrative-driven campaigns.
• Legend of the Five Rings vs. Adventures in Rokugan: A comparison of political intrigue-focused gameplay with combat-centric mechanics, illustrating the range of experiences within fantasy RPGs.
• Mörk Borg: An examination of its dark, nihilistic themes, where traditional heroism gives way to survival in a grim and decaying world.

The conversation also ventures into niche areas, such as the unique storytelling potential of solo RPGs, and highlights specific systems like Numenera, with its futuristic exploration themes, and One Ring 2E, celebrated for its low-power fantasy and rich Tolkien-inspired lore. The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding a game's mechanics and setting realistic expectations to maximize the enjoyment of any RPG experience.

Links

• Almost everything below is an affiliate link and Tyler doesn’t want to copy+paste this a zillion times
• Achtung Cthulhu
• Adventures in Rokugan
• Alien RPG
• ALIEN RPG - A review
• ALIEN RPG: Cinematic Scenario Cycle Review
• ALIEN RPG - RPGBOT.News S2E34
• All Flesh Must Be Eaten
• Apocalypse World
• Battletech
• Bladerunner
• Call of Cthulhu
• Candela Obscura
• Colostle
• CY_BORG
• Cyberpunk Red
• Cypher Core Rulebook
• Death in Space
• Death in Space – A review
• Delta Green
• Doctor Who RPG
• Doctors and Daleks
• FFG Star Wars
• Fallout RPG
• Forbidden Lands
• Genesys Core Rulebook
• Imperium Maledictum
• Warhammer 40000 Roleplay: Imperium Maledictum - A Review
• Legend of the Five Rings
• Lord of the Rings Roleplay 5e
• Marvel Multiverse RPG
• Masks
• Mork Borg
• Mörk Borg - A R...

Get ready, adventurers—this week on the RPGbot.podcast, we're cracking open the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide (aka “D&D 5.5: Now with Extra Crunch!”) and going deep! From traps to revamped monster mechanics, and maybe a bit too much love for Lesser Restoration, we’re tackling it all. Is Greyhawk back? Are magic item prices going up? Will combat ever stop feeling like wizarding math homework? Join us for a wild ride through dungeons, dragons, and dungeon dragons. Listen in, laugh along, and maybe—just maybe—take that leap into a whole new RPG system!

Summary

In this raucous rollercoaster of an episode, the RPGbot crew dives headfirst into the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide, or as they affectionately dub it, "D&D 5.5: Now with Extra Crunch!" With laughter and some mildly controlled frustration, they tackle everything from trap hazards to reworked monster mechanics, sprinkling in a fair share of "why, Wizards, why?" moments. From marveling at the rebalanced Tomb of Horrors (a little less horror, a lot more trap insurance) to dissecting the Greyhawk revival as a "setting comeback nobody asked for," the hosts leave no stone unturned.

There’s something for everyone in this episode—whether you’re curious about new magic item pricing (hint: dragons might actually start haggling) or just hoping to understand why balancing a combat encounter suddenly feels like filing taxes. Plus, with epic riffs on spells like Lesser Restoration and a side quest into safety tools, they manage to skewer and celebrate D&D’s evolution all at once.

Will they convince you to stick with the game, or inspire a brave leap into the weird and wonderful world of other RPGs? Tune in for laughs, hot takes, and a dungeon’s worth of insights!

Links

• 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide (affiliate link)
• RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes
• 2024 PLAYER'S HANDBOOK: The RPGBOT.Review

Takeaways

• The new DMG focuses on accessibility, especially for newcomers.
• With low initial expectations, the 2024 DMG brought some pleasant surprises.
• Chapter 1 offers a beginner-friendly foundation for new Dungeon Masters.
• Safety tools are included but cleverly rebranded to sidestep backlash.
• The hosts are skeptical about the new edition's marketing approach.
• They explore player dynamics and how different player types impact game flow.
• Dungeon design has evolved to meet changing player expectations.
• Tomb of Horrors is called out for being a bit... unforgiving in design.
• Fun remains the top priority in gameplay, according to the hosts.
• Community reactions to safety tools reveal a split in player opinions.
• For better or worse, "a bag of rats" won’t be helping in combat anymore.
• The DM's toolbox is met with mixed reviews from the crew.
• Hazards feel softened—danger with a little less bite.
• Traps aren’t the deadly trials they once were.
• Player feedback has clearly shaped some rule updates.
• Monster creation options are more limited now.
• New mob-handling rules make things simpler for DMs.
• Settlements now come with additional mechanics and tools.
• Creating adventures and campaigns received some welcome enhancements.
• Options for both DMs and players are heavily emphasized.
• Encounters now include more than just combat—social and exploration play are on equal footing.
• Greyhawk is used as an example setting, though not the new default.
• Combat encounter balancing is streamlined.
• Magic item pricing updates feel half-baked.
• Crafting magic items now needs proficiency in Arcana and tools.
• New crafting rules are solid but don’t quite rival Pathfinder 2.
• Lore updates in the DMG are minimal, with no major revelations.
• The hosts feel disappointed with the limited magic item pricing details.
• Low-level characters can create legendary items if they have enough gold—a fun twist!
• Diseases and magical contagions are introduced but feel underwhelming.
• Lesser Restoration raises questions on the relevance of disease mechanics.
• The 2024 DMG has its highs and lows, with various improvements and setbacks.
• Simplified mechanics divide the community’s reception.
• A general apathy toward D&D's current state seems prevalent.
• The hosts encourage exploring other RPG systems for a fresh experience.
• Players are urged to try new games to discover what truly excites them.
• Corporate influence in game development worries some players.
• T...

On this RPGBOT.Podcast, we look at Drow in Dungeons and Dragons. We dig ino the real-world history of Drow, then look at how we can use Drow in our games in a way that makes them scary antagonist without dipping into problematic tropes.

If you’ve enjoyed the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, and rate us on Spotify or your favorite podcast app. It’s a quick, free way to support the podcast, and helps us reach new listeners.

MATERIALS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

• RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes
• How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95
• How to Defend Your Lair with Keith Ammann – RPGBOT.Masterclass S2E95
• Other Stuff
• Drow of the Underdark (3.5) (affiliate link)
• MOAR The Monsters Know What They’re Doing (affiliate link)
• The Monsters Know What They’re Doing (affiliate link)