A candy dungeon, a dragon cult, and a bag that eats you—what could go wrong?

You asked. We delved. You can now listen to past and present episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast on YouTube! Whether you're deep cleaning your dice bag or prepping tonight’s game, catch every optimization hot take and dragon-fueled derailment in high-def audio (and our beautiful logo in glorious static 1080p). Subscribe at YouTube.com/@RPGBOT — because dragons sound better at 1.25x speed.

Episode Summary: The RPGBOT crew cracks open Dungeon Delves, the newest D&D 5E adventure anthology packed full of dragons, dungeons, and just enough whimsy to leave your party questioning reality. From solo player escapades to pastry-themed peril, the hosts review each of the anthology’s adventures, exploring what works, what doesn’t, and what got eaten by a Bag of Devouring. Spoiler alert: It’s not just gear.

Along the way, they celebrate user-friendly design, lament undercooked storylines, and argue over which dragon deserves to headline the next Broadway musical.

• Art and Arcana (affiliate link)
• Dragon Delves (affiliate link)
• Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons (affiliate link)

Key Takeaways:

• Adventure anthologies are great modular tools for GMs looking to plug-and-play without months of prep.
• Solo character adventures introduce exciting mechanical wrinkles and make a case for letting that one friend who always plays rogues just go for it.
• Hoard magic items are flavorful, fun, and make players feel very important.
• Art and layout are top-tier. Even the dragons look like they moisturize.
• Death at Sunset and The Will of Orcus are clear standouts—fun, well-paced, and full of dragon drama.
• A Copper for a Song and Sandstone City left the crew hungry for more danger and depth (and less polite puzzle-solving).
• Good adventure design balances meaningful player choices with challenge. Not every dungeon needs a TPK, but it should at least try.
• Remember: If a Bag of Devouring starts to wiggle, you’re already dead.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

Warlocks, Mystic Arcanum, and Our Deeply Cursed MySpace Past – Now Optimized for Maximum Emotional Damage!

Tired of forgetting what Tyler said about multiclassing back in 2021? Want to relive the glory days of your favorite hot takes, Warlock rants, and deeply cursed jokes? Good news! RPGBOT.net is proud to announce that archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. That’s right—every mispronounced spell, every wizard tangent, every moment of Tyler realizing he’s said something horrible is now accessible. Search “RPGBOT Podcast” on YouTube and hit that play button like it owes you an Eldritch Invocation.

A huge thanks to our guest, Gabe Greenspan — actor, writer, professional chaos gremlin, and the only person brave enough to optimize Warlocks and still talk about MySpace unironically. Gabe’s insight runs as deep as his playlist is unhinged, and if you enjoyed this episode, you need to check out his other work:

• Total Party Skill – where razor-sharp theorycraft collides with chaotic actual play

• Tabletop Tunes – the ultimate soundtrack for your bard, your boss fights, or your brooding warlock vibes

And learn more about Gabe at gabegreenspan.com, where the comedy’s punchy, the projects are plentiful, and the bio page probably isn’t haunted. Probably. Because let’s be honest—every optimized Warlock deserves a killer theme song and a guest appearance from someone cooler than their DM.

This episode, we go from Dial-Up to Die-Resonance.

The RPGBOT crew welcomes back Gabe Greenspan for part 2 of the Warlock optimization series using the D&D 2024 ruleset. After a brief trip down memory lane to the pixelated glory of MySpace Top 8s and AIM away messages, the conversation dives headfirst into Warlock mechanics from level 10 all the way to 20.

Tyler, Randall, and Ash—plus Gabe—discuss spell selection, Mystic Arcanum picks, Eldritch Invocations, and the emotional weight of choosing your level 20 capstone. There’s an alarming amount of love for spells that make you omnipresent, and maybe a bit too much nostalgia for the early internet. You’ll laugh, you’ll optimize, and you might question your teenage social media presence.

From the philosophical (“What does it mean to be a Warlock?”) to the practical (“Why is Misty Step still doing so much work?”), this episode gives you the strategy, humor, and memes you need to build a Warlock that slaps—whether you’re blasting, hexing, or sipping potions made of regret.

• MySpace Trauma is Real: The team explores how early internet experiences shaped their current personalities... and also their spell lists.
• Spell Selection Is Everything: Choosing the right spells is like curating your Top 8—deeply personal, slightly toxic, and possibly game-breaking.
• Mystic Arcanum = Late Game Power: Learn which spells will turn your Warlock from “mysterious loner” into “arcane juggernaut.”
• Leveling with Purpose: Level 10 through 20 contains major decision points that define how your Warlock handles endgame content, narrative moments, and group synergy.
• Multiclass Temptations: Warlocks continue to be the gateway class for players who want to dip a toe in every magical pond.
• Warlock 2024 Is Glowing Up: The new rules breathe life into a class that was already beloved. Now it’s leaner, meaner, and finally makes sense at higher levels.
• Meta Humor + Mechanics = RPGBOT: Balancing crunchy optimization with existential jokes is our specialty—and also the entire episode.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

We’re Not Saying You Should Jump… But Here’s How to Survive When You Inevitably Do

RPGBOT.net Presents Past Mistakes in Glorious 1080p

Want to see how deep the rules rabbit hole really goes? Or maybe you just miss hearing Tyler’s voice explain gravity damage like it’s a TED Talk about falling down stairs. Either way, rejoice! Past episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. That’s right—you can watch us talk about jumping in TTRPGs while quietly judging our dice rolls and decisions. Head to YouTube and search RPGBOT.Podcast, or visit RPGBOT.net to catch up on all the physics-defying, rules-lawyering, gravity-defying goodness.

Show Notes – Jumping (Yes, Really) In this remastered episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the gang takes a long, hard leap into the mechanics of jumping in tabletop role-playing games. Whether you’re trying to cross a chasm, leap onto a moving cart, or just escape your problems with a dramatic rooftop exit, this episode breaks down how jumping actually works—and how it should work—across Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder systems.

Tyler, Randall, and Ash discuss the rules-as-written, the rules-as-abused, and the physics-as-ignored, covering how different systems treat vertical leaps, long jumps, and gravity’s cruel embrace. Expect intense debates on standing jumps, running starts, and whether barbarians are just kangaroos in plate mail.

And yes, Tyler did the math. Again.

Key Takeaways:

• D&D 5e’s jump rules are deceptively simple, which means players either forget they exist or completely break them with Strength scores that shouldn't be legal.
• Pathfinder 2e offers more structured mechanics, but the math still gets wild when people start asking how fast someone can fall upward.
• Movement matters. A running start can double your jump distance—unless you forgot you’re wearing heavy armor and just did a faceplant off a ledge.
• Gravity always wins. Unless you're a monk, a bird, or someone with Feather Fall queued up like an escape clause.
• Vertical jumps are not your friend. Want to leap 10 feet straight up? Better bring a ladder or a wizard.
• Fall damage is a harsh mistress. DMs often improvise gravity as punishment for clever ideas.
• Ash thinks jumping is overrated. Also, he doesn’t trust horses. This is probably unrelated, but important.
• Randall’s Rule of Cool: If a cinematic leap sounds awesome, do it—and then figure out the rules after you land.
• Tyler’s Law of Calculated Regret: Always check your jump distance before describing your character leaping across a 30-foot canyon.
• DMs should know the jump rules—but also know when to throw them out the window like a rogue with a running start and nothing to lose.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

A warlock, a podcaster, and a spider walk into a subclass draft. Guess which one survives?

Tired of forgetting what Tyler said about multiclassing back in 2021? Want to relive the glory days of your favorite hot takes, Warlock rants, and deeply cursed jokes? Good news! RPGBOT.net is proud to announce that archived episodes of the RPGBOT.Podcast are now available on YouTube. That’s right—every mispronounced spell, every wizard tangent, every moment of Tyler realizing he’s said something horrible is now visually accessible. Search “RPGBOT Podcast” on YouTube and hit that play button like it owes you an Eldritch Invocation.

A huge thanks to our guest, Gabe Greenspan — actor, writer, professional chaos gremlin, and the only person brave enough to optimize Warlocks and still talk about MySpace unironically.

Gabe’s insight runs as deep as his playlist is unhinged, and if you enjoyed this episode, you need to check out his other work:

• Total Party Skill – where razor-sharp theorycraft collides with chaotic actual play

• Tabletop Tunes – the ultimate soundtrack for your bard, your boss fights, or your brooding warlock vibes

Because let’s be honest—every optimized Warlock deserves a killer theme song and a guest appearance from someone cooler than their DM.

Episode Notes

In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives headfirst into the infernal depths of Warlock optimization using the 2024 D&D rules—and they bring backup. Special guest Gabe Greenspan, co-host of Total Party Skill, joins Tyler, Randall, and Ash for a warlock subclass draft with high stakes, dark bargains, and more tactical wizardry than your average infernal patron would allow.

The team begins with an inside look at their podcast dynamics (spoiler: there’s a countdown and Tyler’s fear of spiders) before summoning Gabe to the virtual table. What follows is a strategic subclass showdown where each host selects Warlock builds using the updated 2024 rules.

Along the way, they explore new features like Magical Cunning, enhanced invocations like Agonizing Blast (yes, you can double dip), and freshly buffed staples like Fiendish Vigor. They highlight the tactical benefits of spells like Bane, Fairy Fire, and Protection from Evil and Good, while also emphasizing the narrative fun of backgrounds, species, and Awakened Mind-fueled party banter.

If you’ve ever wanted to optimize a Warlock who can hide in plain sight, strike fear into the hearts of fiends, and psychically text their party mid-fight, this episode’s for you.

• Steinhardt’s Guide to the Eldritch Hunt
• Sublime (the band)

Key Takeaways

• Gabe Greenspan brings big optimizer energy and podcast finesse to the table.
• Tyler really hates spiders. Like, a lot.
• You can take Agonizing Blast more than once in the 2024 rules, and yes, it’s worth it.
• Fiendish Vigor got a glow-up and now comes preloaded with better survivability.
• Bane is lowkey busted now—enemy saves are easier to tank in the new rules.
• Invisibility-on-demand is real, thanks to improved invocations.
• Warlocks can now customize their playstyle far more than in previous editions.
• Party synergy matters, especially when everyone is making dark deals for spell slots.
• Spell selection is more important than ever, with crowd control and tactical choices front and center.
• The team shares character backstories that range from whimsical to unhinged (looking at you, TORTAL).
• Character drafts are a great way to explore subclass features in a fun and collaborative format.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

TPK’d by Boredom: The Unearthed Arcana Wizard Review You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Absolutely Deserved)

This episode is sponsored by Dungeonflow.app — your one-stop shop for prepping tabletop RPGs without needing a Philosopher’s Stone or a necromantic ritual. Whether you're building combat encounters, crafting creepy room descriptions, or generating traps that scream "this is absolutely a mimic," DungeonFlow helps you get from “session prep” to “actual fun” faster than a wizard can say Teleport. Try it today and let your players think you actually planned all that chaos.

Show Notes:

In this second arcane-infused episode of our Unearthed Arcana 2025 Arcane Subclass Review, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew digs into the grimy, glittery, and occasionally disappointing world of Wizard subclasses in Dungeons & Dragons. With a recent brush with TPK in Pathfinder fresh in their minds, the hosts pivot hard into analyzing how these newest subclass offerings stack up in the evolving landscape of tabletop RPG mechanics.

We cover the Necromancer and Transmuter in painstaking detail—because someone had to—and explore what happens when spellcasting flavor is buried under generic mechanics.

You’ll hear:

• Our collective lamentation over how the 2014 Necromancer outshines its 2025 counterpart like a lich at a zombie-themed talent show.
• Thoughts on summoning mechanics and why “quantity over quality” isn’t cutting it in modern RPG gameplay.
• How enchantment magic still feels like it belongs in the villain starter pack, and whether that stigma is deserved.
• A breakdown of the Transmuter’s identity crisis—do we really need another subclass pretending to be Fullmetal Alchemist Lite?
• The case for letting polymorphing shine, and why Split Transmutation sounds way cooler than it actually is.
• A not-so-gentle rant about teleportation fatigue—yes, it’s cool, but must every subclass get a blink-and-you're-there feature?
• Why holding a spellbook to use subclass features feels like the worst homework assignment in tabletop gaming.

And, of course, a discussion on the balance between fun and mechanics, the impact of community feedback, and the ever-ongoing quest for innovative gameplay design in D&D and beyond.

• Unearthed Arcana: Arcane Subclasses

Content from RPGBOT.net

• UA: Arcane Subclasses Review

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation matters—whether you're avoiding a TPK or building a viable subclass.
• Necromancers deserve unique summons, not recycled skeletons with a new paint job.
• Enchantment continues to struggle with its PR campaign. It’s not always evil, but it’s rarely exciting.
• Summoning mechanics need a redesign that favors creativity and flavor over sheer volume.
• Teleportation overload is turning arcane subclasses into a game of magical leapfrog.
• Holding your spellbook to unlock powers is a mechanic best left in the "Why?" folder.
• The 2014 Necromancer had more thematic weight and better gameplay synergy.
• The Transmuter subclass lacks a clear identity and desperately needs a polymorph glow-up.
• Wondrous Enhancement is a rare bright spot, making Enhance Ability actually feel worth casting.
• Overall, the Unearthed Arcana material feels like wasted potential—players crave excitement, not just another stack of mechanics.
• Community feedback is essential—without it, subclasses like these risk fading into obscurity like a wizard failing a concentration check.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

Knowledge skills: because sometimes knowing what’s in the dungeon is more important than knowing how to kill it.

In this episode, the RPGBOT.Podcast crew breaks down the often-overlooked but mechanically vital Knowledge skills in tabletop RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder. The gang explores how these skills function in the game, how they’ve changed over editions, and why your party’s lore nerd is secretly carrying your campaign.

They explore how Knowledge checks can enrich worldbuilding, deepen immersion, and add mechanical weight to player choices. Whether you’re identifying a creature, recalling ancient lore, or flexing your Arcana at a smug wizard, the right knowledge at the right time can mean the difference between survival and a total party kill.

The episode also dives into how different systems handle knowledge, including Pathfinder 1e’s granular Knowledge skills, D&D 5e’s streamlined Intelligence-based skills, and how GMs can reward players for investing in information-gathering instead of just smiting things with swords or spells.

• Knowledge skills are essential for both roleplay depth and mechanical advantage.
• They can be undervalued by players but are a powerful tool when supported by the GM.
• Systems vary widely in how they handle knowledge – make sure to know what’s available to you.
• GMs should reward curiosity and learning with story reveals, tactical insight, and world connection.
• Players who invest in knowledge can shift the direction of the story, avoid deadly fights, and impress powerful NPCs.
• Lore-focused characters add richness and versatility to any party—especially in exploration-heavy campaigns.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

Hexblades, Tattoos, and AI—Oh My! The Unearthed Arcana Subclass Roast Begins!

This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by our friends at DungeonFlow.app — the fastest way to go from “I have five minutes to prep” to “My players think I’m a genius.” Generate dungeons, traps, room descriptions, and now combat encounters with just a few clicks. It’s like having a magical AI intern that doesn’t eat your snacks or argue about flanking rules. Check it out today!

In this episode, the RPGBOT crew puts on their wizard hats and dives face-first into the latest batch of Unearthed Arcana content from Wizards of the Coast. What’s on the menu? A buffet of subclasses that range from “pretty okay” to “who let this out of playtesting?”

The team kicks things off by discussing the role of AI in gaming, including its growing influence, its potential for humor, and whether it can generate a subclass that doesn’t suck (spoiler: jury’s still out). Then, the hosts dive into some of the new arcane-themed subclass options currently in public playtest.

From the Arcana Domain Cleric’s handy new toolkit to the Arcane Archer’s complete renovation (now with fewer reasons to cry), they explore the good, the bad, and the “seriously, why does the Tattooed Warrior Monk need a short rest for this?”

They also take aim at the Ancestral Sorcery subclass, which is trying to make "spiritual déjà vu" a core mechanic. Meanwhile, everyone wrestles with the realization that the once-iconic Hexblade may have lost its edge (both literally and figuratively).

Finally, the crew speculates wildly (as tradition demands) about future D&D releases, including whether Elminster is due for a gritty reboot and if spellcasters can finally just have one subclass that doesn’t explode under scrutiny.

• Unearthed Arcana: Arcane Subclasses

Content from RPGBOT.net

• UA: Arcane Subclasses Review

• AI in TTRPGs can enhance gameplay—and jokes—when used well.
• The Arcana Domain Cleric gets quality-of-life boosts that feel earned and fun.
• Arcane Archer is no longer just sad Legolas with homework; resource management changes help a lot.
• Tattooed Warrior Monk has style points but flops on execution—it's got big “cool tattoo, bro” energy with little payoff.
• Ancestral Sorcery adds flavor but not much else—do sorcerers really need more ancestry?
• Balancing class features is hard, but essential to avoid power creep or boredom.
• The Hexblade, once a fan favorite, now feels more like “that guy who peaked in 5E launch week.”
• Passive features are fine, but active abilities are what keep players engaged.
• Concentration mechanics continue to frustrate spellcasters everywhere. (Can we please have a nap?)
• Player feedback is shaping the next generation of D&D—keep yelling (constructively).
• The crew remains hopeful about future releases, including a potential return to iconic characters like Elminster.

Want a second helping of subclass critiques and wizard-fueled speculation? Stay tuned for Part 2!

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

Daggerheart: the warm hug of fantasy RPGs—if hugs came with dramatic backstories and emotional damage.

This episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast is sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — the fastest, easiest way to prep your next tabletop session. Whether you’re building a dungeon, brewing an encounter, or generating the perfect trap to ruin your players’ plans, DungeonFlow has you covered. Sign up today and make map prep faster than a bard’s pickup line.

In this final episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast’s How to Play Daggerheart series, the crew takes a heartfelt and hilarious look back at everything they’ve learned about Darrington Press’s narrative-forward RPG system. From character creation to combat chaos, hope and fear mechanics, and the quirky little swamp village where their adventure took root, the team unpacks what makes Daggerheart such a compelling system—especially for first-time players, roleplay enthusiasts, and GMs who love big feelings with their big swords.

The discussion touches on the system’s player-friendly mechanics, open storytelling potential, and how Daggerheart reimagines fantasy tropes through a lens of collaboration, emotion, and crunchy (but not too crunchy) dice pools. They reflect on the actual play, their favorite moments, and the ways the system encourages creativity without overwhelming newcomers. If you’ve ever wanted a system that feels like a stage play one minute and a chaotic improv show the next, this one’s for you.

• Daggerheart (affiliate link)
• Critical Role - Age of Umbra

Content from RPGBOT.net

• Daggerheart Review

Key Takeaways:

• Daggerheart is ideal for first-time TTRPG players thanks to its narrative-driven, rules-light approach and clearly structured character creation.
• The game’s Hope and Fear dice mechanic adds emotional stakes and cinematic tension to every roll, encouraging players to think about character motivation and drama.
• Combat is fluid, cinematic, and intentionally collaborative, with mechanics that reward creativity and teamwork rather than pure damage output.
• The system uses Domain and Experience cards to shape both mechanical choices and character arcs—an innovative twist on traditional leveling systems.
• Character creation is flexible but approachable, giving players space to express creativity without the paralysis of overwhelming options.
• The system excels in storytelling-focused play, making it ideal for players who want to lean into emotional arcs, moral complexity, or soap opera-level plot twists.
• The actual play portion of the series showed how much potential there is for improvisation, character development, and table-wide chaos (the good kind).
• Daggerheart’s tone is welcoming, inclusive, and imaginative—making it an excellent gateway for younger players, theater kids, recovering rules lawyers, and anyone who wants to feel something at the table.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati

Grab your juice boxes and initiative trackers—it’s time to run D&D for the most chaotic party of all: children.

In this RPGBOT.Masterclass Remastered episode, the hosts are joined by educator and Dungeon Master David Lemke, who shares his expertise on running tabletop RPGs—particularly Dungeons & Dragons—for children. The conversation blends pedagogical insight with practical game mastering advice, offering tools, tips, and examples from David's real-world experience leading kid-friendly adventures. From session structure and tone to safety and engagement strategies, this episode equips GMs of all levels with the knowledge they need to run rewarding, responsible games for younger players.

David Lemke

• DnD Adventure Club

RPGBOT.Podcast Episodes

• DnD Adventure Club w/David Lemke – RPGBOT.News S3E58
• RPGBOT.Podcast Bonus Episode – The Wild Beyond the Witchlight

Topics Covered

• How running D&D for kids differs from traditional adult tables
• The benefits of TTRPGs for child development and social growth
• Building age-appropriate adventures with clear stakes and structure
• Using repetition and scaffolding for younger players' comprehension
• Managing attention spans and behavior without losing the fun
• Tips for introducing mechanics gradually over time
• Player safety, parental involvement, and appropriate content
• Teaching narrative agency and consequences in a kid-friendly way
• Group management in mixed-age or mixed-skill settings
• Customizing rulesets to better fit young players’ needs
• Dealing with disruptive players and setting table expectations
• Tools, props, and miniatures that help children stay engaged
• Encouraging creativity without overwhelming new players
• Favorite stories and learning moments from David’s past games

Key Questions Answered

• How do you start a new D&D group for kids who’ve never played before?
• What kinds of monsters, settings, and themes work best for young adventurers?
• What house rules or simplifications can help keep the game moving smoothly?
• What are the educational benefits of playing D&D as a child?

• Structure and Consistency Are Crucial Children thrive with predictable session formats, recurring NPCs, and simple mechanics introduced in layers.

• Fun Comes First Prioritize engagement and joy. Mechanics can wait—story, agency, and laughter are more important than perfect rules compliance.

• Rules Can Be Training Wheels Simplified rulesets or modified stat blocks help children feel empowered without cognitive overload.

• Session Length Matters Games for younger players are typically best kept to 60–90 minutes, with physical movement or breaks built in.

• Age-Appropriate Themes Tone down horror, violence, and complex moral ambiguity. Focus on problem-solving, teamwork, and simple, heroic stakes.

• Incorporate Physicality Props, dice towers, maps, and miniatures provide tactile feedback and keep attention focused.

• Safety Tools Aren’t Just for Adults Use check-ins, “stop” mechanics, and clear expectations for behavior to build a safe, inclusive table.

• Behavior = Feedback Disruptive behavior is often a sign that the pacing or content needs adjusting, not that the child is “bad at D&D.”

• Parental Involvement Helps Keeping parents informed and engaged (or even including them at the table) helps build trust and supports continuity.

• Roleplay Builds Life Skills Improv, empathy, decision-making, and consequence are all transferable life lessons baked into the game.

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How to Find Us:

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• BlueSky: @GravenAshes
• YouTube: @ashravenmedia

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• Read Melancon: A Grimoire Tale (affiliate link)

• @Lzr_illuminati

Ever accidentally summon an ancient mage, turn a wooden snake into a god, and commit light-hearted organ donation—all before lunch? Welcome to Daggerheart.

A Huge Thank You to Our Sponsor: This episode of The RPGBOT.Podcast is proudly sponsored by DungeonFlow.app — the tool that makes prepping your next chaotic campaign way easier than bargaining with ancient swamp mages. From random traps to tactical encounter builders, DungeonFlow has everything you need to keep your GMing fast, fun, and possibly slightly cursed. Try it today!

Join the RPGBOT crew as they dive sword-first into the murky waters of Daggerheart's rules, roleplay, and swamp-based shenanigans. This actual play episode showcases the team testing Daggerheart’s unique mechanics in a live game—featuring moral dilemmas, tactical combat, team-based chaos, and the kind of questionable decisions you only get when players are given narrative power and access to enchanted loot.

• Daggerheart (affiliate link)
• Critical Role - Age of Umbra

Content from RPGBOT.net

• Daggerheart Review

Highlights include:

• Negotiating with an ancient imprisoned mage (because “what could go wrong?”).
• Infusing weapons with magical properties because ✨bling matters✨.
• Fighting fog, minions, and morally ambiguous dryads.
• Unleashing tag-team combos like it's a fantasy WWE match.
• Accidentally awakening a possibly divine wooden snake by giving it a literal heart.
• Debating whether looting enemy corpses is an ethical gray area or just Tuesday.
• Solving problems the old-fashioned way: violence, herbs, and interpretive dance.
• Reflecting on the game with a level of seriousness that lasts approximately 12 seconds.

• Ancient Mage Released: Because nothing says “trustworthy” like a centuries-old imprisoned spellcaster.
• Swamp Drama: The players defend a village from Haven soldiers and other damp threats.
• Infused Gear: Players can juice up weapons and armor with magical effects via questionable bargains.
• Battle Zoo Love: Shoutout to Pathfinder’s third-party content and how it inspires new mechanics.
• Daggerheart Mechanics: Features player-driven combat, Unstoppable traits, and creative problem-solving.
• Fog of War, Literally: Environmental factors like fog actually mess with attacks—yay realism!
• Minion Management: Teamwork makes the goblins go down faster.
• Critical Hits Matter: One good roll can flip the whole fight.
• Combo Moves: Tag team attacks let players flex teamwork and flair.
• Loot = Plot: Bodies contain clues, and sometimes… friendship?
• Marching Orders Reveal Future Trouble™.
• Healing Flower Quest: A mission to save a life turns into a swamp-based therapy session.
• Dryad Dilemma: Morality gets tested when forest spirits demand payment.
• Snake Saga: A wooden snake transforms into a mythic being. It’s weird. It’s magical. It’s peak Daggerheart.
• Humor-Driven Storytelling: The jokes are just as sharp as the weapons.
• Character Reflection: Players engage deeply with their characters (and each other).
• Narrative + Tactics: The sweet spot of story-driven mayhem.

Next time on RPGBOT: Will the wooden snake return for vengeance or brunch? Will the swamp ever dry out? And most importantly—who still has the mage’s phone number?

Tune in to find out.

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 above tiers get ad free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT.Podcast, can chat directly to members of the RPGBOT team and community on the RPGBOT.Discord, and can join us for live-streamed recordings.

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

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

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

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

• @Lzr_illuminati