Total Party Thrill: RPG Advice From Our Table to Yours

Twitter: @TPTcast

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https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-lit/id1826377168

Critical Lit Bonus Episode — Curse of Strahd Deep Dive (Part 1) Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

I-Hsien's new podcast is here! Critical Lit is a tongue-in-cheek re-examination of classic RPG modules that answers important questions like What is the nature of a predator? and Is Strahd hot or not? He's joined by Dan Dillon, Amelia Som & Sal Tamarkin.

In this episode: Ravenloft history, Tracy Hickman's Foreword, Introduction, Chapter 1. The mists spirit us away to Barovia, a pastiche of gothic horror tropes and modern vampire mythos. We tackle the important questions, like how to run a spooky game, and How do we feel about Strahd's fit? One thing's for certain: he sucks. As a person. But he's a compelling villain, a classic presentation of an abusive narcissist who's been serving since 1983.

Support us on Patreon to hear monthly bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/CriticalLit

Contact us:

Email: hugepitfilledwith200spikes@gmail.com

Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social

Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social

I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social

Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com

Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay

TPT #392: Daggerheart Review Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

I-Hsien is joined by Fiona K. T. Howat, host of the What Am I Rolling? Podcast to review the new RPG from Critical Role’s Darrington Press. We’ll check out the system, character creation, combat mechanics, GM guidance, adversaries and campaign frames and let you know if it’s worth bringing to your table.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

What Am I Rolling?: Every month, Fiona takes a brand new group of players and runs them through a one-shot adventure, testing out a different RPG game style or system.

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #391: D&D 2024 Final Thoughts and Alternative RPG Systems Apr 04, 2025

Show notes

With the full set of rulebooks in hand, I-Hsien and Shane drop a final assessment of the newest D&D system—and suggest other options for gaming groups that don’t want to make the switch.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #390: 2025 D&D 5e Monster Manual Review Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

I-Hsien and Shane analyze the updated 2025 Monster Manual. This extra-long cover-to-cover review walks you through the changes to monster lore, math and design philosophy. We’ll let you know how it stacks up to previous Monster Manuals and whether it’s worth adding to your collection.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Support the show on Patreon and get access to the Character Creation Forge: https://www.patreon.com/totalpartythrill

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #389: Responsible Representation and the New D&D 2024 Monk Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

I-Hsien is joined by Daniel Kwan, game designer with credits including Candlekeep Mysteries and Pathfinder 2e’s Tian Xia books and host of the Asians Represent! podcast, to talk about the aesthetic and mechanical changes to the monk class and how to portray real-world cultures at the table in authentic and inclusive ways.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Asians Represent!: Check out the ENnie-winning podcast.

Dockside Chef: See for yourself.

Support the show on Patreon and get access to the Character Creation Forge: https://www.patreon.com/totalpartythrill

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #388: Playing Lone Wolves and Antisocial Characters—Without Being a Jerk About It Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to play grumpy, ornery, recalcitrant characters—without pissing off the rest of the party. With the right approach, everyone gets to enjoy their bad temper. And in the Gates of Mourning campaign, the party scrubs in.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Support the show on Patreon and get access to the Character Creation Forge: https://www.patreon.com/totalpartythrill

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #387: Handling High-Level Magic & Game-Breaking Effects Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

I-Hsien and Shane discuss how to run and adjudicate powerful, open-ended magic, artifacts, and technology at your table. Here’s how to handle the new narrative and mechanical options that come with them, combine magical effects, and keep the game moving. And the party reconnects in the Gates of Mourning campaign.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Support the show on Patreon and get access to the Character Creation Forge: https://www.patreon.com/totalpartythrill

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #386: Comparing RPG Crafting Systems and Building Your Own Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

I-Hsien and Shane talk about what makes a robust and fun item crafting system. (Hint: Your game probably doesn’t have one.) But you can port over the best ideas to your campaign. And the party gets grim news in the Gates of Mourning campaign.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Support the show on Patreon and get access to the Character Creation Forge: https://www.patreon.com/totalpartythrill

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill

TPT #385: How to Homebrew RPG Houserules That Your Table Won’t Hate Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

I-Hsien and Shane talk about how to create effective table rules to help everyone have more fun—and fix issues with your game system. And the party reunites with their oldest friend in the Gates of Mourning campaign.

Editing: Aram Vartian

Important Links:

Support the show on Patreon and get access to the Character Creation Forge: https://www.patreon.com/totalpartythrill

Total Party Thrill Discord server: Come hang out with us and other fans of the show. https://discord.com/invite/GvFXnSv

TPT Character Creation Forge Codex: It's finally here! A huge thanks to all our Patreon supporters who made it possible.

Teepublic: Home of the TPT-shirt!

Contact us:

Twitter: @TPTcast

Email: totalpartythrill@gmail.com