Best Game Mechanics In Books Podcasts (2026)

1
2026! Screaming into the void while RPGBOT.chat torments us - A fitting end to 2025! 1:00:12

18h ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Farewell 2025, Hello 2026 As the dice finish rolling on 2025, we want to take a moment—before the initiative tracker resets—to say thank you. This year was packed with bold experiments, deep dives, hot takes, re-releases, masterclasses, actual plays, rule arguments that absolutely mattered, and more than a few moments where we stopped mid-recording…

1
PICKING A TTRPG (That isn't D&D or Pathfinder Part 1) Remastered - Crunch, Chaos, and Political Backstabs 1:06:25

1d ago1:06:25

1:06:25

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

1
BtB: Turns & Timing 57:35

1h ago57:35

57:35

In this Beyond the Book episode of Tales & Tactics, we examine how turns and timing shape play in RPGs and wargames, from rigid "I go you go" structures and phased turns to initiative systems, simultaneous actions, and narrative timing. We explore how different approaches to sequencing time affect pacing, tension, fairness, player agency, and cogni…

1
HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered) - Pt4. Questions and Answer 29:19

3d ago29:19

29:19

You survived the one-shot. No one died permanently. Only some rules were misunderstood. Now comes the most dangerous phase of any tabletop experience: questions. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew sits down after the Pathfinder 2e one-shot to answer the things every new player asks—what worked, what didn't, what we forgot, and why Pathfinder 2e someh…

1
WISHES: How to Break a Campaign in One Action 1:06:03

3h ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Every tabletop RPG player has had this thought at some point: "If I had one Wish, I could fix everything." And every Dungeon Master has had the immediate follow-up thought: "If you cast Wish, I'm fixing you." In this episode, the RPGBOT crew tackles the most powerful spell in the game—the one that can rewrite reality, end campaigns, summon divine a…

1
HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered) - Pt3. Actual Play 47:16

2h ago47:16

47:16

Nothing teaches a rules system faster than throwing it directly into danger. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew does exactly that by unleashing a Pathfinder 2e one-shot designed to show how the rules actually work when dice hit the table. Expect missed attacks, clever teamwork, rules "aha!" moments, and at least one situation where the three-action e…

1
HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered): Pt 2 Character Creation 51:24

1h ago51:24

51:24

Character creation in Pathfinder 2e is like walking into a fantasy bakery: everything looks amazing, you want all of it, and somehow you leave with a perfectly balanced character instead of a chaotic pile of half-baked ideas. In this RPGBOT.Quickstart episode, we guide you through the PF2e character creation process step by step without analysis pa…

1
HOW TO PLAY PATHFINDER 2E (Remastered) - Pt1. Concepts and Themes 46:33

7d ago46:33

46:33

Ever wondered how many actions it takes to brew a cup of coffee in Pathfinder 2e? The RPGBOT crew did, and we're pretty sure we provoked an opportunity attack from the espresso machine. In this RPGBOT.Quickstart episode, we bravely tackle Pathfinder Second Edition, learn how to read a character sheet without summoning a demon, and maybe, just maybe…

1
NETHERIL'S FALL - What could possibly go wrong in a doomed empire? 1:13:49

8d ago1:13:49

1:13:49

Have you ever wished you could travel back in time, wield 10th-level spells, and tell ancient archmages that "no seriously, this is definitely going to end badly"? Well congratulations, this episode is for you! Today we explore Netheril's majestic flying cities, magical decadence, and the absolute worst urban-planning decision ever: putting time po…

1
Episode 6 - Sweet, Sweet, Sweet Release - Everhood 1:05:46

7d ago1:05:46

1:05:46

There are no podcast truths.Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re talking about Everhood, an indie bullet hell/adventure/rhythm game. Everhood has several notable factors that could be considered a main point of conversation about it. It is surprisingly difficult on its standard difficulty setting and requires some mastery to actually get throu…

1
RaW: Star Fleet Battles 57:19

7d ago57:19

57:19

In this Rules as Written episode we take a deep dive into Star Fleet Battles, one of the most detailed tactical starship combat games ever published. Using the Cadet Training Handbook and Captain’s Edition Basic Set as our primary sources, we break down how secret energy allocation, simultaneous action, and subsystem level damage create a tense, si…

1
ASTARION'S BOOK OF HUNGERS - Vampires, Feats, and Baldur's Gate Treats! 1:05:54

11d ago1:05:54

1:05:54

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Baldur's Gate 3 romance options escaped into your tabletop rules? Today, we dive into Astarion's Book of Hungers, where vampires are sexy, feats are thirsty, and WotC's DLC pricing… is definitely giving "gaslight, gatekeep, vampire spawn." The team reviews the digital-only D&D supplement Astarion's Book o…

1
2014 DnD 5e ROGUES Levels 1-10 Remastered: The Guide to Building the Ultimate Scoundrel 1:02:11

13d ago1:02:11

1:02:11

Picture this: you've just rolled up to the dungeon entrance, everyone looks heroic… and then the rogue vanishes before initiative even begins. Classic. In this remastered RPGBOT.Podcast episode, we get delightfully sneaky about how to build the perfect scoundrel from level 1 through 10 without needing a 20-page backstory explaining why you stole th…

1
How to Market Your TTRPG: Tips for Indie Game Creators | Wizards of Eem Podcast EP016 23:16

6d ago23:16

23:16

Send us a text You made the game. That wild, wonderful TTRPG idea is real now—but how do you get people to notice it? On today’s Wizards of Eem Podcast, we dive into practical, approachable marketing advice to help indie creators take their tabletop RPG public without losing their soul (or their sanity). In this episode, we use Land of Eem as a cas…

1
2025 UNEARTHED ARCANA - NOVEMBER SUBCLASSES UPDATE - Oathbreaker Summons Skeletons; Randall Summons Zoidberg 1:05:18

15d ago1:05:18

1:05:18

There's a mystical moment in every adventurer's life when you stare deeply into your character sheet, question every subclass you've ever loved, and think: "Is this really better… or did they just rename it again?" Welcome to the UA 2025 Subclass Update—where barbarians downgrade, fighters glow-up, monks chug things, and paladins summon skeletons w…

1
Rick Thoman~20th Edition~Arctic Report Card 2025 44:20

8d ago44:20

44:20

Send us a text The 20th edition of the Arctic Report Card was released on December 16th, 2025 with an impressive compilation of scientific reports on the Arctic. Today's conversation is with editor and long-time contributor, Rick Thoman, who is an award winning climate specialist at IARC’s Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Preparedness(ACCAP…

1
Brian Brettschneider~High Winds~NOAA~Winter Preparedness 32:06

9d ago32:06

32:06

Send us a text Long time contributor and climatologist, Brian Brettschneider, who works for the National Weather Service, provides in depth knowledge on why it was so windy in Palmer and Anchorage, Alaska for several days in a row recently. Brian explains how NOAA plays an important role in forecasting weather for aviation as well as the public on …

1
BtB: In The Canon 53:20

11d ago53:20

53:20

In this episode of Tales and Tactics: Beyond the Book, we sit down for a roundtable discussion on the question of playing “in the canon” gaming within established settings, shared universes, and licensed properties. From famous fantasy worlds to well worn sci-fi timelines, we explore how much canon should matter once the dice hit the table. Drawing…

1
FORGOTTEN REALMS: MORE HEROES OF FAERUN - Illustrious Backgrounds, Feats of Heroism, Boons of Epic Nature 55:06

18d ago55:06

55:06

Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives into Part 2 of their comprehensive review of Forgotten Realms: Heroes of Faerûn, focusing on the new Background, Feats, and Epic Boons. Join the RPGBOT Patreon If you've been enjoying our deep-dive breakdowns of Heroes of Faerûn, laughing through our subclass hot takes, or nodding sol…

1
1P 391 - S.E.T.I. 48:02

13d ago48:02

48:02

This week we look at a big game. S.E.T.I.: Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence is a game about trying to find alien life forms through science and exploration. The science and exploration portion is based on pretty darned real science. This is a really cool game by Tomáš Holek and published by Czech Games Edition. With simple rules, this game…

1
MYSTERIES (Remastered): Mastering Mind Games and Unlocking Secrets! 1:03:00

13d ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Have you ever watched your players stare at a clue for 25 minutes, slowly realizing they're not unraveling a mystery, you're watching them invent a brand-new conspiracy theory? In today's remastered episode, we dive into the magical art of mystery design: how to build suspense, reveal secrets, and gently nudge players away from wildly incorrect gue…

1
FORGOTTEN REALMS: HEROES OF FAERUN Part 1: All Them Subclasses 1:08:33

22d ago1:08:33

1:08:33

If you've ever wondered what happens when three grown adults argue passionately about grammar, moonbeams, seagulls, and the metaphysics of Strahd's horse, all before actually starting the podcast, this episode is for you. Join us as we journey into Heroes of Faerûn, where the subclasses are shiny, the Rangers are frosty, and the Fighters are appare…

1
RaW: The Star Wars Roleplaying Game 56:49

16d ago56:49

56:49

In this episode of Tales and Tactics, we jump to hyperspace as we take a close look at West End Games’ Star Wars D6 Second Edition Revised & Expanded, the legendary RPG that defined an era of galaxy spanning adventure. We break down the rules as written from the elegant attribute skill dice system to the iconic Wild Die and explore why this edition…

1
FORGOTTEN REALMS: ADVENTURES IN FAERUN: Dales, Deserts, and Dumb Decisions - The RPGBOT Grand Tour 1:25:47

25d ago1:25:47

1:25:47

What do you get when you mix 40 years of Dungeons & Dragons lore, a 288-page setting book, and three podcasters who can't agree on how to pronounce "Myth Drannor"? Chaos. Pure, lore-filled, map-crossing, Elminster-cheese-eating chaos. In this episode, the RPGBOT crew dives headlong into Forgotten Realms: Adventures in Faerûn, a sourcebook that's eq…

1
Episode 5 - A Fresh Island Song - Hades II 1:40:55

19d ago1:40:55

1:40:55

My podcast’s come alive.Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re going to be talking about Hades II, the sequel to one of the most popular roguelikes of all time and the first sequel that Supergiant Games has ever made. And I for one am happy about that because I needed an excuse to play hundreds more hours of Hades. Hades II is very much a game t…

1
2014 DnD FIGHTERS (Remastered)! Unleashing Your Inner Warrior: Steps for Building the Iconic Class 1:01:22

27d ago1:01:22

1:01:22

You ever look at your sword, then at the wizard's spellbook, and think "wait a minute, why does their magic missile hit harder than my greatsword?" Well, friends, today we fix that. We're diving deep into the art of the Fighter: the tank, the tactician, the unsung hero of every adventuring party. Sharpen your blades, tighten your greaves, and prepa…

1
DRAWING A WEAPON - Ash's Existential Weapon Crisis 1:06:28

29d ago1:06:28

1:06:28

You know that moment when your fighter drops their sword, pulls a crossbow, reloads, drinks a potion, and still has the audacity to say "I attack"? Yeah, this episode's for you. The RPGBOT crew tackles the ancient art of drawing a weapon, a rule so universally ignored that half your table just gasped realizing it has rules. Join Tyler, Randall, and…

1
BtB: Survival Mechanics 58:21

1M ago58:21

58:21

Survival games are built on pressure. Food runs out. Weather turns deadly. Equipment breaks at the worst moment. In this episode we dive into how tabletop systems model hardship, scarcity, and the struggle to stay alive. From the granular logistics of Twilight 2000 and The One Ring to the streamlined narrative scarcity of more recent games, we expl…

1
STARFINDER 2E ALIEN CORE REVIEW - Paizo Looked at the Void and Said, 'We Can Stat That!' 1:01:52

1M ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Somewhere in the galaxy, a radioactive dragon just wants a hug. Unfortunately, it kills everyone it touches. Welcome to Starfinder 2e, where your best friends are undead, your space pirates have tricorn hats, and your digital ghosts won't log off. The RPGBOT crew dives into Paizo's new Alien Core, exploring the weirdest monsters, creepiest factions…

1
1P 390 - Popular Mechanics: Cards Only! 28:05

28d ago28:05

28:05

This week Julius and I look at games that use only cards and no other components. Julius snuck one game in that didn't quite fit and I tried to but wasn't as good at it.. Fortunately, there are quite a few games that fit the description. :D 02:30 For Northwood! (BGG) 06:50 Onirim (BGG) 10:00 Maiden's Quest (BGG) 13:18 Deckscape (BGG) 16:05 Skytear …

1
MacGUFFINS Remastered - Because Sometimes the Real Treasure is the Plot Device 1:01:38

1M ago1:01:38

1:01:38

Ever chased a glowing orb through three dungeons, only to find out it's just... a really fancy paperweight? Congratulations, you've met a MacGuffin! This week, the RPGBOT crew dissects the mysterious art of the object that drives your players forward, whether it's the One Ring, the Orb of Shiny Plot Device, or the legendary Sandwich of Ultimate Pow…

1
A Painter, A Curse, And A JRPG That Nails Every Detail 50:53

28d ago50:53

50:53

Send us a text A painter writes a number; an age turns to smoke. Expedition 33 takes that haunting idea and builds a world where canvases become lives, and your choices decide what deserves to endure. We dive into why this JRPG feels both classic and new: tactile timing-based combat you can feel in your fingers, a battle UI that stays out of the wa…

1
ENERGY DRAIN - The Mechanics that Suck the Life Out of You 57:36

1M ago57:36

57:36

Ever had a game session so draining that even your dice lose levels? In this episode, the RPGBOT crew resurrects one of D&D's most dreaded mechanics: energy drain, and the undead horrors that made it famous. From the White Box to Pathfinder 2e, Tyler, Randall, and Ash relive decades of pain, permanent debuffs, and emotional damage, all in the name …

1
RaW: Twilight 2000 1st Edition 55:54

1M ago55:54

55:54

In this episode we head back to 1984 to explore the original edition of Twilight: 2000, GDW’s legendary Cold War survival RPG. First Edition presents a world where World War Three has burned itself out, governments have collapsed, and the remnants of the U.S. Players are left stranded in the ruins with one final message: you are on your own. We bre…

1
EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY Pt 4: Soup, Dynamite, and the Devil in a Three-Piece Suit 1:10:25

1M ago1:10:25

1:10:25

Ever accidentally make a deal with the devil in a three-piece suit, get hit in the face with canned soup, and still manage to save an Appalachian town from a coal-eating mountain? The RPGBOT crew did, and somehow, it's not even the weirdest part of their charity stream. Grab your molasses taffy, kiss your dynamite goodbye, and prepare for the most …

1
Episode 4 - 20,000 Hot Dogs - Silent Hill f 1:27:00

1M ago1:27:00

1:27:00

To listen to this podcast is to walk in a world of impurities.Welcome back to the podcast! Today, we’re going to be talking about Silent Hill f, an action survival horror game and the latest entry in the Silent Hill series. This game takes a more combat-focused approach with stamina management and dodges, making it feel different from the majority …

1
2014 WILD SHAPE MASTERY (Remastered) - Bear Today, Bard Tomorrow: Shifting Expectations in D&D 49:41

1M ago49:41

49:41

Ever want to turn into a giant octopus just to ruin a pirate's day? Or turn into a squirrel just to steal your party's rations? On this week's RPGBOT.Podcast, we dive into the wild world of Wild Shape, from tactical bear hugs to flying reconnaissance pigeons. Spoilers: size matters, and no, nobody knows how many hit points a badger has without goog…

1
RPGBOT.MASTERCLASS! Keith Ammann Makes Enemies!!! 1:13:29

1M ago1:13:29

1:13:29

Ever looked at a monster stat block and thought, "That's cool… but what if it was full of wasp parasites, haunted by Victorian metaphors, and could bend reality like a jaded demigod?" Well buckle in, because Keith Ammann—monster maestro and author of Making Enemies—is back to teach us how to create RPG nightmares smarter than your party's wizard, s…

1
Re-Release: KEITH AMMANN STRIKES BACK (Remastered) - Smarter Monsters, Stronger Lairs, and Why Your Players Should Be Afraid 1:21:48

1M ago1:21:48

1:21:48

It's a day of celebration in the RPGBOT multiverse—because Keith Ammann has just released his new book, Making Enemies! To mark the occasion, we're reopening the vaults and re-releasing one of our all-time favorite episodes: Keith Ammann Strikes Back. Join us as we revisit Keith's tactical genius, his deep-dive into creature combat, and the strateg…

1
BtB: Rule Zero 53:00

1M ago53:00

53:00

Rule Zero says the Game Master can overrule the rules. But if the rules don’t matter, why have them at all? This episode examines this paradox at the core of tabletop gaming: the balance between written systems and the GM’s authority. We explore the idea Rule Zero from its role as a safety valve for incomplete designs to its modern use as a philoso…

1
EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY: Pt 3 - Not-Deer in the Orchard, Clue's Fury Unleashed 1:06:42

2M ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Ever outrun a demon deer with too many teeth, watched a mine explode for reasons you definitely didn't cause, and then discovered a whistle that works like a horror movie pause button? No? Then you haven't listened to Part 3 of the Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream, where the RPGBOT crew learns the hard way that in Williams Holler, even the loc…

1
A Sharp-Minded Heroine Solves Palace Mysteries 32:51

1M ago32:51

32:51

Send us a text A servant with a healer’s mind enters a palace where status rules and secrets spread like smoke—and she chooses anonymity over applause. We unpack the first episode of Apothecary Diaries with a clear-eyed look at its slow-burn mysteries, sharp character choices, and how a “case-of-the-week” format can thrive inside court politics. We…

1
1P 389 - Habitats 26:43

2M ago26:43

26:43

Drive through African savannahs collecting exotic animals and plants for your nature park. This week we go wild with Habitats! * Habitats (BGG)By Albert Hernandez and Julius Besser

1
FALSE HYDRA (Remastered) - One Head? Seven Heads? Who's Counting? 45:13

2M ago45:13

45:13

Ever had that moment when you realize your party has been talking to the same "new guy" for weeks... but no one can remember his name? Welcome to the world of the False Hydra, the D&D monster that gaslights your characters harder than a reality TV producer. Join the RPGBOT crew as they peel back the layers of this memory-munching menace and ask the…

1
GHOSTS (RPGBOT.Bestiary) - Unfinished Business and Undead Bad Decisions 1:10:31

1M ago1:10:31

1:10:31

Ad Free Listening on the RPGBOT Patreon Want more episodes like this, plus early access, live recordings, or ad-free listening? Join our Patreon at patreon.com/rpgbot and help us keep the mics on (and the ghosts at bay). Every little bit helps us roll with advantage! Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, the crew dives deep into Ghosts …

1
RaW: Quadrant 13 1:02:11

2M ago1:02:11

1:02:11

In this episode of Tales and Tactics, we dig into the 2012 sci-fi company level wargame Quadrant 13 by TooFatLardies. Built on the robust framework of I Ain’t Been Shot Mum, this ruleset brings granular, historical style mechanics into a future battlefield filled with drones, grav tanks, and alien infantry. After a demo game and a detailed read thr…

1
EXPLICIT: OLD GODS OF APPALACHIA RPG CHARITY STREAM REPLAY: Don't Look at the Tommyknockers. No, Seriously, Don't Look 1:13:54

2M ago1:13:54

1:13:54

Have you ever gotten up for a full day's work in a haunted coal mine and thought, "Boy, I really hope that bird in a cage doesn't stop singing and doom us all"? No? Then you clearly weren't with the RPGBOT crew in Part 2 of our Old Gods of Appalachia charity stream—where coal dust has claws, headlamps are your best friend, and it turns out you can …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Game Mechanics In Books Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide