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 alarm for Battlecry!, the latest Pathfinder 2e expansion that drops more mechanics than a dwarven siege engine. The Commander class steals the spotlight, offering the kind of battlefield support that makes your bard feel inadequate. Meanwhile, the Guardian shows up to shout "Taunt!" like it’s 2004, then dares you to punch it in the face. New ancestries like the Jotunborn get critiqued (spoiler: they’re tall, but not necessarily compelling), and the hosts break down how Pathfinder continues to make tactical party play both crunchy and fun.

Also: AI voice acting is ruining everything, and Tyler wants his dang bigatures back.

• PF2 Battlecry
• Paizo Blog: Diamond Bankruptcy Update
• West Virginia Radio Quiet Zone

Key Takeaways:

• Radio Silence Zone: It’s real, it’s weird, and it’s the perfect setting for your next post-apocalyptic one-shot.
• AI is coming for your dice: The rise of AI in creative industries has the hosts (rightfully) worried—and not just about the quality of CGI.
• Battlecry is awesome: It brings bold new options with the Commander and Guardian classes, plus new ancestries, archetypes, and updated warfare mechanics.
• The Commander Class: A tactician’s dream—boost allies, manage actions, and scream commands like a fantasy Napoleon.
• The Guardian Class: Not a traditional tank, but it taunts like one. Understanding the “tank fallacy” is key to using this class well.
• Reactions matter: Timing is everything. Pathfinder’s layered action economy shines even brighter with these new mechanics.
• New archetypes = spicy builds: There’s a lot to chew on for optimizers and roleplayers alike.
• Magic items and warfare: Updated systems offer more fun without bogging the game down.
• Diamond Comics’ bankruptcy: A reminder of how fragile RPG distribution really is.
• The LotR extended editions debate: Nobody is neutral. Randall might duel Ash in a Cracks of Doom showdown.

Call to Action: If you're a Pathfinder player, Battlecry is more than just a shout—it’s a full-blown battle hymn. Whether you're a tactical mastermind or just here for the yelling, grab a copy of Battlecry, roll up a Commander or Guardian, and make your table tremble.

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Listen, laugh, optimize.

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Meet the Hosts:

• Tyler Kamstra – The tactical mind behind RPGBOT.net, Tyler sees the Pathfinder action economy like Neo sees the Matrix.
• Randall James – Technologist, lore enthusiast, and fully prepared to duel Peter Jackson over which LotR edition reigns supreme.
• Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI’s worst nightmare. Fueled by sarcasm and sweet, sweet table-flipping energy.

How to Find Us:

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

Tyler Kamstra

• BlueSky: @rpgbot.net
• TikTok: @RPGBOTDOTNET

Ash Ely

• Professional Game Master on StartPlaying.Games
• BlueSky: @GravenAshes
• YouTube: @ashravenmedia

Randall James

• BlueSky: @GrimoireRPG
• Amateurjack.com
• Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link)

Producer Dan

• @Lzr_illuminati