Best Total Party Thrill Podcasts (2024)

1
TPT #378: Making a Living in the RPG Industry & The Itsy Bitsy Smiter 1:39:15

1h ago1:39:15

1:39:15

I-Hsien is joined by James Introcaso, lead designer at MCDM, to talk about getting paid to write games. We discuss full-time and freelance work, pay rates, networking, burnout, and more. And in the first-ever guest build, the Itsy Bitsy Smiter brings down the pain in the Character Creation Forge. (97m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total P…

1
TPT #377: Cooking as Medieval Magic & Medicine 1:32:14

8d ago1:32:14

1:32:14

I-Hsien is joined by medievalist and game developer Zoe Franznick of The Maniculum Podcast to talk about the inherent magic of food, herbs, recipes, and potions.They discuss how to make your characters’ palates matter in your game and explore ways that historical attitudes and approaches to cuisine and cooking can enhance your worldbuilding. (91m) …

1
TPT #376: 2024 D&D 5e Player’s Handbook Review (Part 2) 2:43:02

15d ago2:43:02

2:43:02

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane finish their extra-long cover-to-cover review of the updated 2024 PHB. This episode includes the rest of the classes, backgrounds, species, feats, spells and final verdict. (162m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvF…

1
TPT #375: 2024 D&D 5e Player’s Handbook Review (Part 1) 1:52:25

22d ago1:52:25

1:52:25

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane dive headlong into the updated 2024 PHB. This extra-long cover-to-cover review walks you through the new and updated classes, subclasses, species, origins, feats, and spells. This episode includes the Barbarian, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Fighter, and Monk. (112m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord s…

1
TPT #374: Keith Baker on Moving Beyond Eberron 1:28:11

28d ago1:28:11

1:28:11

Eberron creator Keith Baker joins hosts I-Hsien and Shane to talk about what’s next after 20 years of pulp noir. They discuss how to use Eberron characters, lore, and mechanics in other RPG systems, campaign settings and even entirely different games. (87m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Legacy of Worlds: Six Sides of Gaming's actual play f…

1
TPT #373: The Power of Names & The Synonym 1:05:26

2M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to make and use names and truenames. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party cuts the lines, and the Synonym reiterates in the Character Creation Forge. (63m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv…

1
TPT #372: Gaming With Kids 1:19:41

2M ago1:19:41

1:19:41

I-Hsien is joined by teacher and game designer Rich Howard to talk about running games for kids. They discuss how to play RPGs with kids, building math skills with dice, stealth learning, and educational tabletop and board games. (77m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: ENnie Awards voting form: Vote for I-Hsien's creature Yku in the Monster ca…

1
TPT #371: Homebrewing Monsters With Cloud Curio 1:39:03

2M ago1:39:03

1:39:03

I-Hsien is joined by fellow ENnies nominee Sally Tamarkin for a conversation about creating DIY adversaries for your game and situating monsters in the story. They use the templates from the book Monstrous and create an underwater space gorilla for 5e DnD. Vote at ennie-awards.com. (97m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: 988 Suicide & Crisis L…

1
TPT #370: The Illusion of Choice & Schrodinger’s Ogre 1:11:24

2M ago1:11:24

1:11:24

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to force an outcome—but only when necessary. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party boards, and Schrödinger’s Ogre chooses for you in the Character Creation Forge. (69m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discor…

1
TPT #369: Getting Paid to Be a Game Master 1:34:08

3M ago1:34:08

1:34:08

I-Hsien is joined by Gabe Garner, founder of The Undiscovered Lands, where he is a full-time professional GM. They discuss turning tabletop gaming into a business, transitioning from the corporate world, and being paid what you’re worth. (92m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: The Undiscovered Lands: Check out Gabe's business. Total Party Thri…

1
TPT #368: Using and Fighting the Law & Krillin 1:11:29

3M ago1:11:29

1:11:29

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane report for duty as they discuss how to use and abuse the thin blue line in your game. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party makes a splash, and Krillin gets some respect in the Character Creation Forge. (69m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans…

1
TPT #367: Depicting Genocide in Impactful and Responsible Ways 1:34:23

3M ago1:34:23

1:34:23

I-Hsien is joined by Angelo, a Palestinian-American lawyer and founder of our tabletop home group, for a conversation about presenting and processing genocide in your game. It’s a common trope in stories from Star Wars to Dark Sun, and they discuss characterizing victims and perpetrators, fridging cultures, tying in personal and family experiences …

1
TPT #366: The 5e D&D Monk Subclass Tier List & Master Roshi 1:26:42

4M ago1:26:42

1:26:42

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD monk subclasses. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party dives, and Master Roshi fights the moon in the Character Creation Forge. (84m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Character …

1
TPT #365: Homebrewing Spells & Bulma 1:06:05

4M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to create DIY magic spells for your campaign. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party figures it out, and Bulma can build anything in the Character Creation Forge. (64m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord…

1
TPT #364: Fallout as a Campaign Setting & The Brotherhood of Steel 1:16:11

5M ago1:16:11

1:16:11

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to set your game in the irony of the post-apocalypse. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party switches sides, and the Brotherhood of Steel powers up in the Character Creation Forge. (74m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the sho…

1
TPT #363: Tapping Into Nostalgia & Rufio 57:28

5M ago57:28

57:28

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane reminisce about the glory days that weren’t. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party rises, and Rufio crows in the Character Creation Forge. (55m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Character Creation …

1
TPT #362: The Bard Subclass Tier List & The Dirgesinger 1:12:36

5M ago1:12:36

1:12:36

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD bard subclasses. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party sinks, and the Dirgesinger wakes the dead in the Character Creation Forge. (70m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Characte…

1
TPT #361: The Avatar: The Last Airbender Campaign Setting & The Bloodbender 1:18:14

6M ago1:18:14

1:18:14

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane master the elements in a discussion about playing in the world of Avatar. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party gets flanked, and the Bloodbender takes control in the Character Creation Forge. (76m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the sh…

1
TPT #360: Using Fey & The Redcap 1:09:17

6M ago1:09:17

1:09:17

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane spin tales as they discuss how to use fey—good, evil and in-between—in your game. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party gets pinned, and the Redcap stomps around in the Character Creation Forge. (67m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the …

1
TPT #359: Cribbing From Rebel Moon and Other Bad Movies & The Death Star 1:06:39

8M ago1:06:39

1:06:39

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss Zack Snyder’s latest offering, Rebel Moon, and how to take inspiration from it for your campaign, despite its shortcomings. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party creeps, and the Death Star rains fire from above in the Character Creation Forge. (64m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Dis…

1
TPT #358: The Barbarian Subclass Tier List & The Runescarred Berserker 1:12:17

8M ago1:12:17

1:12:17

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD barbarian subclasses. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party is impressed, and the Runescarred Berserker rages twice as hard in the Character Creation Forge. (70m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://disc…

1
TPT #357: Homebrewing Magic Items & Lady Death 1:01:31

9M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane kick off a new series for all you DIY gamers. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party heats up, and Lady Death kills fascists—not men—in the Character Creation Forge. (59m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXn…

1
TPT #356: Forest Adventures & The Temple Raider of Olidimmara 1:04:11

9M ago1:04:11

1:04:11

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss adventuring in forest environments. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party checks one off the list, and the Temple Raider of Olidimmara preys on prayer houses in the Character Creation Forge. (62m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of …

1
TPT #355: Playing Githyanki & The Kith’rak 1:06:52

9M ago1:06:52

1:06:52

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane ride the dragon through the Astral. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party gets back in the game, and the Kith’rak accepts the blessing of Tiamat in the Character Creation Forge. (65m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://dis…

1
TPT #354: The Cleric Subclass Tier List 1:22:48

10M ago1:22:48

1:22:48

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rate and rank all the 5e DnD cleric subclasses. And in the Gates of Mourning campaign, a clear choice is made. (81m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A h…

1
TPT #353: The Math Treadmill & The ATV 57:15

10M ago57:15

57:15

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to break free of the quest for bigger numbers. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party lets Xan do his thing, and the ATV conquers all terrains in the Character Creation Forge. (55m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. ht…

1
TPT #352: The Ranger Subclass Tier List & The Dark Urge 57:51

11M ago57:51

57:51

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD ranger subclasses. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party is washed away, and the Dark Urge is canon in the Character Creation Forge. (56m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Chara…

1
TPT #351: Cribbing From Baldur's Gate 3 & Game Review 1:36:57

11M ago1:36:57

1:36:57

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss the latest D&D video game, Baldur’s Gate 3, how to take inspiration from it for your campaign, and whether you should add it to your collection. And in the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party breaks their word. (95m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and…

1
TPT #350: 8th Anniversary Mailbag Edizione Italiana & Clifford the Big Red Dog 1:17:42

11M ago1:17:42

1:17:42

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane commemorate another year of the podcast with answers to your burning questions. And Clifford the Big Red Dog is larger than life in the Character Creation Forge. (75m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Cha…

1
TPT #349: Breaking Your Campaign Setting & John Henry 1:08:47

1y ago1:08:47

1:08:47

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss what to do after the game is actually played. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party strikes a bargain, and John Henry hammers it home in the Character Creation Forge. (67m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discor…

1
TPT #348: The Fighter Subclass Tier List & Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 1:04:16

1y ago1:04:16

1:04:16

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD fighter subclasses. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party gets unexpected aid, and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy puts the trade in tradecraft in the Character Creation Forge. (62m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show…

1
TPT #347: Using Angels & Harriet Tubman 1:16:05

1y ago1:16:05

1:16:05

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane positively glow as they discuss how to use angels and celestials in your game. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party goes deeper, and Harriet Tubman heads north in the Character Creation Forge. (74m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the s…

1
TPT #346: The Sorcerer Subclass Tier List & The Old Man of the Sea 1:11:12

1y ago1:11:12

1:11:12

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD sorcerer subclasses. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party descends, and The Old Man of the Sea holds tight in the Character Creation Forge. (69m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv T…

1
TPT #345: Revisiting a Previous Campaign & Julie d'Aubigny 1:06:34

1y ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to continue an old campaign or run a sequel. In the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party drops the dramatic irony. And Julie d’Aubigny breaks all the rules in the Character Creation Forge. (64m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the …

1
TPT #344: The Druid Subclass Tier List & The Rage Mage 1:14:57

1+ y ago1:14:57

1:14:57

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD druid subclasses. But first, the party makes a connection in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, the rage Mage channels more than magic in the Character Creation Forge. (73m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. http…

1
TPT #343: Legacy Items & John Brown 53:42

1+ y ago53:42

53:42

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss items that grow in power with your character. But first, the party takes to the hills in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, John Brown does nothing wrong in the Character Creation Forge. (51m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the sho…

1
TPT #342: Cribbing from the D&D Movie & Kurosaki Ichigo 1:09:53

1+ y ago1:09:53

1:09:53

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss the latest D&D film, Honor Among Thieves, and how to take inspiration from it for your campaign. Later, ani-May concludes as Kurosaki Ichigo is at war with himself in the Character Creation Forge. (68m) Movie spoilers from 11:57–54:48. Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come han…

1
TPT #341: Flawed Heroes & Ash Ketchum 59:21

1+ y ago59:21

59:21

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to spice up your protagonists with interesting faults. But first, the party meets past lives in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, Ash Ketchum’s gotta catch ‘em all in the Character Creation Forge. (59m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other …

1
TPT #340: The Paladin Subclass Tier List & Major Motoko Kusanagi 1:32:32

1+ y ago1:32:32

1:32:32

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD paladin subclasses. But first, the party completes their reverie in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, Major Motoko Kusanagi breaks out of her shell in the Character Creation Forge. (92m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of …

1
TPT #339: Playing Plant Characters & Groot 50:10

1+ y ago50:10

50:10

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane get to the root of this problem. But first, the party dreams little dreams in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, Groot grows up in the Character Creation Forge. (50m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT …

1
TPT #338: The Rogue Subclass Tier List & Bard Moon Rising 53:32

1+ y ago53:32

53:32

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane rank all the 5e DnD rogue subclasses. But first, the party wins an ancient war in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, Bard Moon Rising makes money from nothing in the Character Creation Forge. (53m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Yku the Unmaker: I-Hsien's epic 5E monster created for the Hit Point Press "Big Bad" …

1
TPT #337: Weddings & Everybody’s Type 1:00:07

1+ y ago1:00:07

1:00:07

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane commit to a conversation about how to plan, run, and ruin holy matrimony in your game. But first, the party dreams a little dream in the Gates of Mourning campaign. Later, Everybody’s Type is perfect for you in the Character Creation Forge. (60m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Yku the Unmaker: I-Hsien's epic 5E monst…

1
TPT #336: The Future of RPGs & Open Game Licenses 54:03

1+ y ago54:03

54:03

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane prognosticate about what’s in store for the industry. What will the business model and customer experience look like—and what should it look like? (54m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.gg/GvFXnSv TPT Character Creation…

1
TPT #335: Debrief (AP S3E16, Strixhaven) 1:04:19

1+ y ago1:04:19

1:04:19

Hosts I-Hsien and Shane break down this season’s actual play: what worked, what didn’t, what was changed from the module, and what we’d do differently next time. This episode is part of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizard…

1
TPT #334: Fight & Flight (AP S3E15, Strixhaven) 57:12

1+ y ago57:12

57:12

Tez Proudgale and friends confront an old foe. This is the finale of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizards of the Coast, modified for solo play in the Eberron campaign setting. (57m) Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: …

1
TPT #333: Cult Classic (AP S3E14, Strixhaven) 1:27:25

1+ y ago1:27:25

1:27:25

Tez Proudgale and friends finally discover the true evil inside the orb. This episode is part of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizards of the Coast, modified for solo play in the Eberron campaign setting. (87m) Editing: Ar…

1
TPT #332: Gala Pals (AP S3E13, Strixhaven) 1:08:19

1+ y ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Tez Proudgale and team prep for a battle at the masquerade ball. This episode is part of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizards of the Coast, modified for solo play in the Eberron campaign setting. (68m) Editing: Aram Varti…

1
TPT #331: Bedroom Eyes (AP S3E12, Strixhaven) 1:05:39

1+ y ago1:05:39

1:05:39

Tez Proudgale meets new frenemies behind closed doors. This episode is part of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizards of the Coast, modified for solo play in the Eberron campaign setting. (65m) Editing: Aram Vartian Importa…

1
TPT #330: The Chosen One (AP S3E11, Strixhaven) 57:23

1+ y ago57:23

57:23

Tez Proudgale and friends uncover the identity of their quarry—and more questions. This episode is part of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizards of the Coast, modified for solo play in the Eberron campaign setting. (57m) E…

1
TPT #329: Hall Pass (AP S3E10, Strixhaven) 50:02

2y ago50:02

50:02

Tez Proudgale and friends tangle with a foe they can’t see. This episode is part of the third season of TPT’s Actual Play series, running the Dungeons & Dragons 5E adventure The Magister’s Masquerade in Strixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos from Wizards of the Coast, modified for solo play in the Eberron campaign setting. (50m) Editing: Aram Vartian Im…

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