WAR PART I - Remastered

03/08/25 • 53 min

War. War never changes... except when it involves fire-breathing dragons, spell-slinging wizards, and a group of adventurers who probably have no business leading an army. On this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we charge headfirst into the chaos of war in dungeon fantasy TTRPGs. In part 1, we break down what makes a great fantasy war scenario, explore the mechanics that bring it to life, and highlight the epic moments we all crave. Grab your dice, prepare for battle, and maybe, just maybe, don’t let the bard negotiate the terms of surrender.

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How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

Ash Ely

Randall James

Producer Dan

@Lzr_illuminati

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

Support us on Amazon.com when you purchase products recommended in the show at the following link: https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ

How to Find Us:

In-depth articles, guides, handbooks, reviews, news on Tabletop Role Playing at RPGBOT.net

Tyler Kamstra

Ash Ely

Randall James

Producer Dan

@Lzr_illuminati

Previous Episode

HADES: They are consummate professionals.

Join us as we take a deep, despair-filled dive into Hades, where souls are currency, mercenary fiends run the economy, and even the afterlife has worse working conditions than your last job!

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Summary:

In this episode, the hosts explore the intricate structure of Hades, its inhabitants, and the common misconceptions about this infamous plane in Dungeons & Dragons. The discussion covers the different layers, known as glooms, and the City of the Dead, a pivotal location where souls face judgment. The hosts shed light on the Yugaloths, their mercenary nature, and their role in the cosmic structure of the Blood War.

The conversation also delves into the eerie nature of Nighthags, their trade in larvae, and the unique existence of daemons in Abaddon. Key locations such as the Wall of the Faithless and the town of Death of Innocence are examined, providing insight into the philosophical and mechanical aspects of these realms.

Additionally, the hosts explore Hecate’s magical domain, the haunting town of Hopeless, and the nightmares that manifest in physical form. The discussion concludes with an analysis of puzzles and riddles in RPG gameplay, offering tips on how to create engaging and balanced challenges for players.

Key Takeaways:

Hades and Its Structure:

Hades is a bleak yet complex plane, often misrepresented as merely another version of hell.
The City of the Dead serves as a place of judgment for mortal souls.
Hades consists of multiple layers called glooms, each intensifying in despair.
Mortal souls function as currency, reinforcing the grim nature of the plane.
The front lines of the Blood War are located in Oinos, the first gloom.
The realm imposes exhaustion on visitors, adding a challenging survival element.
Portals to Hades are difficult to access and often heavily guarded.

Yugaloths and Their Role:

Yugaloths are mercenary fiends operating within Hades and other planes.
Their hierarchy ranges from lesser to greater forms, each fulfilling specific roles.
They embody the worst aspects of capitalism, prioritizing deals and self-interest.
Arcana-loths are known for their knowledge but are notoriously untrustworthy.
The design and nature of Yugaloths are chaotic, reflecting their unpredictable tendencies.

Daemons and Abaddon:

Abaddon, a desolate and ominous plane in Pathfinder, is home to daemons.
Daemons are formed from the souls of evil mortals and have distinct thematic citadels.
Demodans, originally a slave race, rebelled to carve out their own existence.
Nighthags trade in larvae, using them in potions and dark dealings.

Notable Locations and Lore:

The Wall of the Faithless imprisons souls that did not choose a deity, sparking controversy.

Next Episode

2025 UNEARTHED ARCANA - The Cartographer's Guide to Getting Lost

Ever wanted to play an Artificer so obsessed with maps that they can literally teleport via doodles, yet still somehow get lost? Buckle up, because the Cartographer subclass is here to turn your D&D campaign into a magical GPS adventure—complete with rerouting, questionable shortcuts, and the occasional teleportation mishap straight into a dragon's lair!

Episode Summary

In this thrilling episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the hosts embark on a magical journey through the latest Unearthed Arcana updates for the Artificer class, complete with a hearty dose of laughter and debate. They begin by dissecting the major changes to the Artificer’s core mechanics and subclass features, including an in-depth look at the newest addition to the Artificer family: the Cartographer subclass—because what every adventuring party really needs is a sentient GPS that may or may not lead them into a pit of doom.

The discussion unfolds with an analysis of the Adventures Atlas, a magical mapping system that aims to redefine exploration mechanics but also raises questions about just how useful a glowing, teleporting map can be in the middle of combat. Can you really fight a dragon while scribbling out escape routes? The hosts weigh in.

From there, the conversation pivots to a much larger topic—the role of exploration in 5e. The hosts argue whether modern D&D has devalued travel and survival mechanics and whether subclasses like the Cartographer can bring back the golden age of navigating with actual consequences (hint: probably not, but it's fun to dream).

Not stopping at Artificer updates, the episode veers into Dragon Marks, magic items, and character customization, with the hosts debating whether Dragon Marks should get a modern refresh or stay as the Eberron-exclusive party trick they’ve always been. They also dig into the Mark of Healing, Potent Dragon Mark, and the Boon of Sibiris, contemplating the power levels of these abilities and whether they introduce game-breaking (or at least table-flipping) potential.

Lastly, the hosts share game-mastering wisdom and some truly absurd personal anecdotes, proving once again that no amount of Unearthed Arcana can prevent players from doing completely unexpected things.

Key Takeaways

Artificer updates: The Artificer class gets some noteworthy enhancements, including a revamped subclass and fresh spells that improve its versatility.
Cartographer subclass: Magical maps and teleportation mechanics open new possibilities, but the subclass may still struggle to compete with stronger Artificer options.
Exploration in 5e: The discussion highlights how D&D 5e has gradually moved away from meaningful travel mechanics, raising the question of whether exploration can make a comeback.
Teleportation tactics: The Cartographer’s teleportation abilities could be a game-changer in combat, offering strategic mobility for quick positioning and battlefield control.
Dragon Marks reimagined: The debate over whether Dragon Marks should receive updates to fit modern D&D leads to a broader discussion about character diversity and flexibility.
Magic items and balance: The hosts critique how newer magic items often overshadow classic ones, potentially making certain features obsolete.
Healing and spellcasting feats: Mark of Healing and Greater Mark of Healing provide significant cleric-like abilities to other classes, while the Boon of Sibiris introduces high-level spellcasting power without using spell slots.
RPG learning curve: The hosts share practical advice for navigating new RPG systems, from focusing on key sections of rulebooks to embracing the inevitable chaos of a first session.
Game Master struggles: Balancing player agency, new rules, and campaign consistency is an ongoing challenge—but one that leads to some of the most hilarious moments at the table.

If you’ve ever wondered whether a magical map can solve all your problems (spoiler: it can’t) or if the Artificer is finally getting the love it deserves, this episode is for you. Grab your compass (or just ask your party’s wizard for a Teleport spell), and dive into the latest Unearthed Arcana discussion!

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

If you love the show, consider joining us on Patreon, where backers at the $5 and ...