The RPG Rundown

Seth and Jeff are back with The RPG Rundown—and this time they’re taking an Inside PEAK at Temeraire RPG, the new Kickstarter project from Magpie Games based on Naomi Novik’s Temeraire novels. Even if you’ve never read the books, they kick things off with a quick elevator pitch before breaking down the game using their crowdfunding preview framework: PEAK (Premise, Engine, Atmosphere, Key Features). Expect sentient dragon partners, Napoleonic-era aerial corps drama, tactical sky engagements, and an engine built to balance emotional stakes with cinematic action.Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Combat systems shape how danger feels, how fast sessions move, and whether play turns tactical, cinematic, gritty, or heroic. On this episode of The RPG Rundown, Jeff & Seth break down combat as a conflict engine, pacing regulator, and tone setter—then explore complexity, tactical depth, lethality, action economy, initiative, and how mechanics can make fights feel like story beats instead of math puzzles.Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Season 6 begins! Seth & Jeff return on The RPG Rundown to explore in-game mechanics as the physics of fiction—the invisible rules that shape player choices, narrative momentum, and system identity in tabletop RPGs.This episode breaks down resolution systems, resource management, progression, non-combat mechanics, and subsystems, examining how each influences storytelling, tone, and player psychology. The conversation also includes hobby updates, current and upcoming RPG projects, and 2026 tabletop goals.Hosts: Seth & Jeff Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

In Episode 36 of The RPG Rundown, hosts Seth and Jeff explore one of their core review points: the Tabletop Experience. After a quick round of hobby updates—including Jeff’s time with Daggerheart—they break down practical ways for both players and GMs to elevate their sessions. From roleplay habits and table etiquette to narrative pacing, flexible prep, sensory detail, and props, this episode offers actionable strategies to make every game night more memorable.Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Every GM has been there—you’ve built an incredible world full of history, legends, and deep lore… and your players still skip straight to the combat. In this episode, Seth and Jeff explore how to make your lore matter. Learn how to weave story elements into gameplay, give your players ownership of the world, and build deeper emotional connections to your setting.Plus, we talk BattleTech Halloween adventures, Daggerheart, and what’s new in tabletop crowdfunding!Hosted by Seth & Jeff.Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Seth and Jeff review Splattered Ink’s Tome of Beasts I Acrylic Tokens—a massive collection of durable, full-color monster tokens pulled straight from Kobold Press’s iconic bestiary.For DMs tired of managing endless mini bins or expensive terrain, these tokens offer a simple, travel-ready way to bring your encounters to life. The hosts break down how the system works, what makes it stand out, and whether it’s worth backing for your next campaign.Check them out yourself!Hosted by Seth & JeffWebsite: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

In this episode of The RPG Rundown, Seth and Jeff break down practical tips to help you become a better roleplayer at the table. From character creation and speaking in character to mastering your abilities and practicing with friends, you’ll learn how to bring your adventurers to life and make every session more immersive.Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Creating great player characters isn’t always easy. In this episode of The RPG Rundown, Seth & Jeff share six tips to help you move beyond min/max builds and craft characters that are fun, memorable, and exciting to play. Perfect for both new and experienced TTRPG players!Website: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Seth kicks off Season 5 of The RPG Rundown with a solo episode, diving into Drakonym, the brand-new dragonbonding TTRPG from Crossed Paths. Known for their charming Brambletrek: Tales from the Hundred Acre Woods, the team is back with a game that lets you live out your dream of befriending a dragon.From Dragonheart to How to Train Your Dragon, dragon companionship has inspired countless stories—and now you can bring that magic to your tabletop. The Drakonym crowdfunding campaign is live now on Backerkit, closing August 28th—so act fast if you want to support it!Drakonym: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/crossed-paths/drakonym-a-dragonbonding-fantasy-ttrpgWebsite: https://lovethynerd.com/podcastnetwork/the-rpg-rundown/

Welcome to season five of The RPG Rundown with Jeff & Seth! They’re back and ready to dive into a packed episode covering what they’ve been up to over the summer, the latest TTRPG releases, exciting new crowdfunding projects, and their Top 10 most thrilling announcements from Gen Con. It’s the perfect kickoff to a brand-new season of tabletop adventures!X(Twitter) - https://twitter.com/TheRPGRundownInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrundown/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therpgrundownYT VODs: https://youtube.com/@TheRPGrundownLTN

On this episode of The RPG Rundown, Jeff & Seth dive into the official release of Daggerheart! After extensive playtesting and exploration of the system, they’re bringing you their full C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L review. From bold mechanics to big questions around balance and storytelling, they break down what works, what doesn’t, and whether Daggerheart earns a spot at your table.

In this solo episode of The RPG Rundown, Seth takes the mic to share 7 compelling reasons why you should play Dungeons & Dragons—or any TTRPG—with the kids in your life. Whether it’s your children, grandkids, nieces, nephews, siblings, or family friends, Seth breaks down how tabletop roleplaying games can build stronger relationships, teach life skills, and create lasting memories across generations.

In this episode of The RPG Rundown, Jeff & Seth dive into the exciting world of Virtual Tabletops (VTTs)! Whether you're playing across the country or prefer a digital experience, VTTs have changed the way we enjoy TTRPGs. They’ll review 10 different platforms, highlight what makes each one unique, and help you find the perfect fit for your next game night!

In this episode of The RPG Rundown, Jeff & Seth set course for adventure as they dive into their playtest of Traveller by Mongoose Games. Join them as they break down their hands-on experience and deliver their detailed C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L review of this classic sci-fi RPG system. Is Traveller your ticket to interstellar fun? Tune in and find out!

Imagine stepping into the heart of the Hundred Acre Woods, where rustling leaves whisper secrets and a gentle breeze carries hints of honey and adventure. Yet today, something is off—an eerie silence replaces familiar laughter, and the once cozy paths seem mysterious. Jeff & Seth got early access to Brambletrek: Tales In The Hundred Acre Wood, a new GM-less RPG from Crossed Paths currently on Backerkit. Join them on this episode of The RPG Rundown for their playtest preview of this uniquely intriguing game!Backerkit: https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/crossed-paths/brambletrek-tales-in-the-Hundred-Acre-WoodsTrailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giXlnkZ1nUAPlaytest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgvslbdrAyQ

In this episode of The RPG Rundown with Jeff & Seth, we’re covering the latest TTRPG news, rolling the dice to pick our next system for playtesting, and unraveling the secrets of crafting memorable NPCs. Need a quick-fix shopkeeper? A complex rival with real depth? Or a quirky recurring character your players won’t forget? We’ve got all the tips and tricks in this jam-packed episode.

The RPG Rundown is here, with your hosts Jeff and Seth! In this off-season recap, we’re diving into our tabletop (and real-life) highlights, plus revealing the systems we’ll be playing—and taking a C.R.I.T.I.C.A.L. look at—this season. Buckle up for a new wave of adventures and insights on The RPG Rundown!

Join Seth for a thrilling conversation with Darryl Jones from Splattered Ink Games about their latest Kickstarter, A Time Traveler’s Guide to Dinosaur Hunting! Discover the inspiration behind this prehistoric adventure, the creative process of bringing dinosaurs to the tabletop, and what backers can look forward to in this time-hopping game. Plus, don’t miss an exclusive reveal of a brand-new add-on scheduled to launch on the 28th—it’s something you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a lifelong dino fan, a tabletop enthusiast, or just curious about game development, this interview is packed with insights, excitement, and a sneak peek at what’s to come from Splattered Ink Games!

With a full "Draw Steel" playthrough under their belts, Jeff & Seth give a detailed review of the TTRPG. Plus, a look back at Season 3!

Today, Seth & Jeff are diving into the art of world-building, but they’re not just talking theory—they’re giving you real tools to make it happen! They’ll be breaking down 7 essential tool categories, covering everything from random tables, to organizational tools, map creators and much more.

Jeff & Seth have played over 15 different TTRPGs, and today they will break down their absolute favorite mechanics from all across those systems. Plus, D&D is returning to Greyhawk!

In this episode, Kickstarter comes through with a set of Pixels Dice! Pixels Dice have the same look and feel of standard dice but include all new features, like a Bluetooth connection, roll tracking, and customizable LED lights. Are they worth the hype?Check them out for yourself at gamewithpixels.com

Jeff & Seth take a deeper look at Draw Steel's playtest packet. Matt Coleville and the team at MCDM have released their in-development TTRPG system’s 1st Playtest Packet. Draw Steel was revealed as the name of their custom system and backers received an email with links to the packet for creating a level one character, with only 5 classes to start, but with enough to get playing!

Big changes are coming to D&D 2024, and we’ve got the inside scoop. From revamped classes to game-changing mechanics, we’re breaking down our top 5 favorite changes—and we both agree that number 5 is the most exciting. Let’s dive in!

Join Jeff & Seth as they dive into their unforgettable experience at Gen Con. They share insights on the latest games they explored, the fascinating people they connected with, and their predictions on where D&D is heading by the end of 2024. Whether you're a seasoned RPG player or just curious about the world of tabletop gaming, this episode has something for everyone!Connect with Us:X(Twitter) - @TheRPGRundownInstagram -@rpgrundownTikTok - @therpgrundown

It’s our premiere episode of Season THREE, and we are freshly back from GenCon, where we had an amazing opportunity to get our hands on the Stormlight Archive RPG (now officially named Cosmere RPG on Kickstarter). We talk about first impressions and what excited us about this new system. Find Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere RPG on Kickstarter!We’ll be back soon with a full GenCon Re-cap episode!Connect with Us:X(Twitter) - https://twitter.com/TheRPGRundownInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrundown/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therpgrundownYouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheRPGRundownLTN

It’s our final episode of Season TWO, and we are pumped to have played Tales of the Valiant with some of our faithful players! We played the first part of the intro adventure “Caverns of the Spore Lord”. We talk about first impressions and some of the differences we saw between ToV and Wizards D&D.

So much recent news to cover! We talk about Wizards of the Coast changing DnDBeyond (for the worse), Critical Role launching their own paid service, and other recent and upcoming launch news! Plus we talk about going to GenCon!

Jeff & Seth talk about our top ten campaign settings for TTRPGs and take a look at recent TTRPG news.

We’re talking about any news that we missed, as well as take a look at the Virtual Tabletop Seth backed on Kickstarter called AlchemyRPG. We also get back to our regular Campaigns and talk about what we’ve played recently.

We’re reviewing the Daggerheart Beta!! Both of us have had a chance to play the Darrington Press & Critical Role TTRPG that was released in open beta on March 12th. We will talk about what’s in the Beta documents, our playtest experiences, and our thoughts and concerns! Leave a comment and let us know what you think of Daggerheart so far in our episode NINE discussion! (Yes, we accidentally said 10.)

The RPG Rundown continues Season 2 with Episode 8 as we discuss our recent TTRPG products, unbox our next Actual Play system, and talk about the benefits of Random Tables! Here are the topics covered this episode:NTSD GM Bag and Dice Tower (Mention only, review incoming)Humblewood book now on D&D BeyondD&D Warriors of Krynn box for $9.99 from Ollie’s DiscountDigital version of Lancer TTRPGAvatar Legends Starter SetTarget Find: The GM’s Book of Astonishing Random Tables (& Series)Using Custom TablesConnect with Us:X(Twitter) - https://twitter.com/TheRPGRundownInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrundown/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therpgrundownYoutube Episode VODs (LTN) - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLibAByUqZ70-u9f_ko7mXs_pjQKVPUror&si=SwrIlmb7nI0Zs-fiYoutube (Actual Play) - https://www.youtube.com/@RundownActualPlays

The RPG Rundown starts Season 2 with Episode 7 and we are pumped to be back! We have big plans for this season, with brand new systems to test out, products to review, and this season: GUESTS! We have several that we are excited to try and have on the show, so stay tuned to know when they are coming out. Here are the topics covered this episode:NTSD DM screen (Mention only, review incoming)DC20 Alpha 0.5.1?Humblewood Hardback Campaign Books & Boxes (Imperfect) deeply discountedAlchemy RPG: Updates and Kickstarter rewardsSigned up for Daggerheart Beta testingKraken Dice(& Discs) Quick mentionDragonBane Bestiary & Core Rulebooks shipping in Feb (PDFs already available)1-UP Dice KS receivedMCDM Kickstarter BackedKobold Press GM Guide Kickstarter BackedConnect with Us:X(Twitter) - https://twitter.com/TheRPGRundownInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrundown/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therpgrundownYoutube Episode VODs (LTN) - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLibAByUqZ70-u9f_ko7mXs_pjQKVPUror&si=SwrIlmb7nI0Zs-fiYoutube (Actual Play) - https://www.youtube.com/@RundownActualPlays

We’re reviewing the DC20 system and discussing our recent play test session of the DC20 Alpha 0.4. We look at how the system compares to other TTRPG systems and talk about things we liked, things that we want to test further, and things that we feel need work or clarification. Special thanks to our players and those that tuned into the live stream. You can watch the full VOD of our play test on our youtube channel.WINTER BREAK ANNOUNCEMENTReminder that this is our last episode of 2023 as the LoveThyNerd Podcast Network breaks for Christmas and New Year. We will return for Season TWO of the RPG Rundown at the beginning of February 2024!Connect with Us:X(Twitter) - https://twitter.com/TheRPGRundownInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrundown/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therpgrundownYoutube Episode VODs (LTN) - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLibAByUqZ70-u9f_ko7mXs_pjQKVPUror&si=SwrIlmb7nI0Zs-fiYoutube (Actual Play) - https://www.youtube.com/@RundownActualPlays

On today's episode, we dive into the vast world of worldbuilding! Ever wondered where to start? Got questions about history, cultures, or maps? We've got you covered. Having crafted unique worlds for our own games, this episode's discussion is all about delving into the art of constructing an enjoyable and expansive TTRPG world. Join us as we explore the essentials and share tips for crafting your very own tabletop realm.In the News:-The Electric State RPG Kickstarter foes live Dec. 5th. Movie to be released in 2024 staring Milli Bobbie Brown and Chris Pratt.-Stormlight Archive RPG Dev team announced. More info coming Nov. 20-21.Connect with Us:X(Twitter) - https://twitter.com/TheRPGRundownInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrundown/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@therpgrundownYoutube Episode VODs (LTN) - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLibAByUqZ70-u9f_ko7mXs_pjQKVPUrorYoutube (Actual Play) - https://www.youtube.com/@RundownActualPlays

On this special Halloween episode, Jeff & Seth shares some of their spookiest stories and themes in their TTRPG games throughout the years.

Jeff & Seth play-tested Dragonbane and now they have their rundown and review. Plus, a little industry news.

Jeff & Seth dive into everything they know about the upcoming game release - DC20 (not it's final name) - as well as sharing some industry news.

In this very first episode, Jeff (DrHeals) and Seth (WhiteFoxSG) introduce themselves and share about how they fell in love with tabletop RPGs. Then, they shift gears and take an in-depth look at the game Daggerheart.

Grab your dice! The RPG Rundown is coming!