TPT is a great podcast with wonderful insights, entertaining banter, and professional editing. Every time I and go elsewhere for RPG content I find myself missing the laid back tone found on Total Party Thrill. Thank you for the years of content and I look forward to hopefully many more! (Unfortunately, I-Hsien keeps insulting Andy Samberg’s Hot Rod, one of the greatest movies of all time. Hopefully this slander will stop, but I am doubtful.)

They find every excuse to complain about every book or new release. The negativity is so constant and often unreasonable it makes it tough to want to listen. It wouldn’t be so bad if Shane wasn’t so whiny. They also make way too many mistakes when it comes to the rules of DnD.

This is my favorite D&D podcast. The hosts are fun and humble and super knowledgeable. Highly recommend it.

I found these guys through the Don’t Split the Podcast Network. They share my love for Eberron so they can’t be all bad! Seriously they have a good viewpoint in gaming and are a pleasure to listen to.

Generally, phenomenal work, guys.

I’m a huge fan of this podcast. Hosts I-Hsien and Shane show their system mastery time and time again as they dive deep in the art Dungeon Mastering. Even though I’m not a fan of Min/Maxing, I do enjoy the Character Creation Forge, as it seems to rely more on story development then pure damage (though it gets close sometimes). Recently I was surprised by their “Actual Play” series. I am not normally attracted to AP Podcasts: but these few episodes showed a “table top realism” rarely heard in the overly polished and scripted world of Actual Play. As for the TPT Discord community; I have found a home. As a player and DM who suffers from Asperger’s, it is rare to find a roleplaying game community that is so welcoming. Several times I have witnessed members asking me to clarify a post for its intended meaning, instead of criticizing my awkward use of words. Shane, I-Hsien; please keep up the good work.

Love the show.Intelligent, insightful conversation. But AP was the best. We need more Meepo please.

A long running podcast with lots of great material and just enough NY sarcasm to make me feel at home. Love you guys

As I’ve grown as a person and DM over the years it is only because of Total Party Thrill that I am the competent Dungeon Master and engaged Player that I am today. This is because of the fact that each episode expands on the ideas that I would have if I tried to come up with a heist, or how I would run Dragons, or my ideas of the alignment chart. The hosts take what you know and go further then I could and perhaps you could as well. This podcast explores a topic and delves deep into it allowing me as both a player and DM to think, and use the ideas incorporated into it. The fact that they are very engaged with each other and their community does wonders for me. If your looking for a podcast that makes you think about what to do for your next game night, and how you’ll incorporate those plans into the game, look no further!

TPT is one of those podcasts I look forward to each week. From the campaign stories, helpful main topics, and the character creation forge, this dynamic duo delivers! My favorite episode? Episode 15 with the character built from the song “Devil in Me” by Halsey. Honestly every character built each episode tells a story of a hero from levels 1-20. I’ve also used one of their builds (the vampire hunter) in a solo campaign and look forward to more. Congrats on 5 years and looking forward to another!

These guys are some of the best trrpg podcasters out there. They're informative, clear, and supremely entertaining. Audio quality is fantastic. I feel like every episode I listen to I come away knowing more about how to be a better player and a better game master. Thanks, guys!

I only listened to one episode, but it sounded like they didn’t want to talk about the topic and just cracked bad jokes. They didn’t really give any advice about DMing which is what I was looking for.

Just an outstanding production all-around. Knowledgeable and erudite hosts, fantastic format, a real treat. Please don’t stop!

Two guys talking real talk about rpg's. From the opening banter to their own game recaps, from charater building to product reviews, I-Hsien and Shane make my drive to or from work much more enjoyable. It's like having friends in the backs seat talking about the games I love.

Work phone, who dis? Got myself a new iPiece and figured I’d put it to some good use. 5 stars for the gents in NYC. Thank you boys for keeping my hobby alive in my mind in this tumultuous time that is young fatherhood. Without your dulcet tones in my ears, week in & week out, I might’ve been lost on this fantasy road months ago. Your product is excellent and worth a listen for the new & old alike. P.S. the smite-biter is exactly as much fun as you’d think. Thanks for that too.

I started listening two years ago and have gone through the entire library. Intelligent and fun.

Intelligent & thoughtful discussion, knowledgeable co-hosts, witty banter, fantastic editing, and numerous useful suggestions for both GMs and players make this the best RPG podcast out there.

I'm only 50 episodes in, but already I can say I've implemented at least half-dozen suggestions and topics they've talked about. I haven't had that much inspiration and many ideas from a single source in a long time. Shane and I-HSien complement each other well, and their banter is not (too) distracting. Their advice is valuable, and comes from experience. They definitely have preferences for styles of play that come through in their advice, but their opinions don't invalidate other perspectives and they acknowledge the other views. Their campaign summary of Eberron is perhaps the most understated segment, but it often germinates more ideas for me than the advice does. However, I am constantly energized by the Character Creation Forge also, using it to construct NPCe enemies for my players. Also, the little details like the bloopers/edits at the beginning and the name of the Mundangerous lair from which they are recording are nice touches that help the immersion. Best thing I can say is that it's like sitting with a couple of friends at the game store and just talking.

I started running a D&D 5e campaign for some friends at work about a year and a half ago. Most of the players were new to tabletop gaming, but I had played a bit of 3.5 in college, so I agreed to GM. I reached out to my gaming friends for advice on something worth listening to for inspiration, and TPT came up. A few episodes in, and I was hooked. Now I’ve listened to every episode, many of them multiple times. They nail down their format early on and stick to it, dividing (almost) every episode into four tidy sections (industry news, campaign recap, main topic, character creation). The topics they choose are varied enough that I can always find at least a couple of episodes to listen to that will tie in with whatever I’m planning for the week. The recap of their home campaigns is surprisingly engaging (no offense intended; I just know how people’s eyes sometimes glaze over when I tell what I think is an epic story from my table), and the Mourning Glory Campaign was a direct inspiration for my deciding to use some GM magic and transport my campaign from a homebrew setting to Eberron when my second child was born and I needed to lighten my workload. Thanks to the Character Creation Forge, I have a binder full of characters I (now the forever GM) will probably never get to play. If you are at all interested in D&D or tabletop gaming in general, whether you’re a player or a game master, I strongly encourage you to give TPT a shot. I’ve listened to many, many gaming podcasts at this point, and none have come close to this one.

I love this show. The guys are clever, insightful, and well read and there is always something to take away from each episode. Their character concepts are on point, their adventure recaps are compelling, and all their other content is not just filler. I’ve been listening for the last few months and I’m just now getting caught up. But guys can we talk about when you are going to review the Midgard campaign setting?

Love this show!!! The topics are always fresh and full of valuable tips, game hooks and info that have really helped me as I prepare my game sessions. Keep up the great work guys!!!

iTunes isn't even available for my operating system, but the charm, intelligence and downright dogged hard work put in by our two podcast heros at Total Party Thrill was crying out for aknowledgement and I had to take extreme measures. Almost crossing my own moral even horizon, I installed windows in a VM, braved the lair of the ancient creature that is iTunes, and donned a cursed Headband of Gramatical Correctness just to sing their praises! Why? I've listened to hundreds of hours of these guys since I found the archive in December, and I can't think of time better spent. Even topics I consider myself a master of reveal some new facet under their thoughful examination. Listening has made me a much better player and DM. More importantly, I've been so inspired I have sought out a local gaming group here in Berlin despite not being a native German speaker. While I have trouble catching 100% of the banter, it has been great fun. I'm sure many others have similar stories of TPT giving them a critical push. Thank you. You're really doing something important for the hobby, and making all of our lives a bit more FUN!

A couple months ago when I was preparing to run my Eberron campaign I was reccomended this podcast. What I got was much more then just knowledge on the setting. Between diving into the various topics that come up at all gaming tables, interviewing game designers and reviewing new books, Total Party Thrill always delivers in an entertaining fashion. I look forward to each new episode and can say the advice they have given has made me a better Game Master and player! Cheers guys and keep up the good work!

Therefor, 5 stars.

Very well done gaming podcast that comes out very consistently, with a tight format and strong production.

The hosts are brilliantly entertaining and all of the content is of the highest quality. The consistent release schedule and informative segments are a welcome sight in my podcast feed. If you want S-Tier knowledge about story-telling and system mastery, then click subscribe and download!

I started listening to this podcast after they joined DSPN and hearing an ad. All of the topics that Shane and I-Hsein discuss will always come up in games and help you get the most from them. The self-depreciating humor is wonderful, and gives the cast the casual feel of listening to your own friends talk about RPGs. That’s not to say anything about the Creation forge, which have added a litany of NPCs to my world, and wonderful ideas for characters for my future PCs.

Finally something for DM’s. ❤️👍🏼👏🏼

Great topics, advice, banter, and sound quality. My favorite RPG genre podcast and my favorite podcast overall. Keep up the good work!

First hear you guys on Table Top Babble in Sept 2018 - then I immediately bing listened to every episode made. The show sparked my desire to DM again and I talk about it with any table top gamer that will listen - some have become fans as well. The only question I have is - why not Dr Who on the time travel episode? ( and as a Forgotten Realms fan boy, you have gotten me to question where my loyalties lie and take interest in Eberron and Dark Sun)

I’m a new GM and I was looking for a podcast that would help inspire me and offer a good, in depth look at a variety of RPG topics. I’m happy to say Total Party Thrill is the whole package. Their walk through of their own campaign helps offer real examples of the topics they cover and the character creation forge has helped me with a lot of NPC ideas!

I love the character builds. I get so many ideas when listening to them. The alignment advice segments are top notch role play help. Keep up the good work!

This podcast is a great resource for any GM or player out there, no matter what game you play. It got me writing an Eberron campaign in no time. Great work!

I really love the subject matter, especially as a verteran DM/GM of 30+ years experience. This has brought some much needed food for thought in my planning and campaign design.

I recently binge listened to every episode in the back catalog of TPT - and have to say, I'm sad I'm done! Shane and I-Shien give actionable advice for both DMs and players, along with providing inspiration for character creation. I've already recommended to my players to listen to the show, knowing there's tons for them to take away.

I recently found about your podcast and have binging it ever since (36 episodes in the last 3 weeks so far) I love the multi-topic format and the great rapport you have. As a DM who recently came back to the game I appreciate all the wonderful inspiration and advice for my game. Keep up the great work. Thank you!!!

This is hands down the best gm advice podcast around. I-Hsien and Shane are both entertaining and educational. So much so that they inspired one of my players to start running his own game letting me be a player and rescuing me from my forever GM status. They both have my eternal gratitude. ~Clayton

A few months ago GM burnout hit me hard and I couldn’t bring myself to put any effort into or even think about D&D. Listening to TPT however has jump started my creativity and I’m realizing more and more how much better of a GM and player I could be. I emailed a question regarding an upcoming campaign I’m starting and the response was well thought upon & inspirational. You won’t be disappointed with the quality and care these guys put into crafting this podcast. PS. I agree, Shane. Unless you could appreciate the multitude of amazing Jack faces— Jack centric episodes of LOST were the absolute worst!

I hate itunes, but your podcast is worth it. Great format, funny without be dumb, one of the best D&D podcasts.

Recently became a D.M. for D.N.D 5th Edition, and the episodes provide interesting ideas and concepts that help my campaign. Thanks for inspiring me. Highly recommend this. Can't stop listening, down 87 episodes.

These guys make a long commute better. I’ve started DMing a 5e West Marches style campaign for many friends, and these episodes are a wealth of knowledge of how to make it more fun for my players. Many of my players want to play their favorite characters from fiction or history like Gandalf or Alexander Hamilton. Character Creation Forge shows just how much possibility there is in role playing games. Thanks guys.

This is a well-done, classy gaming podcast. The hosts provide some great insight into a wide range of topics that really help add flavor to any campaign (or even one-shots). As a bonus, the episodes are family friendly so no sudden F bombs. Listening to them retell the story of the homebrew campaign they ran has given me some ideas I'm hoping to incorporate into my own. Definitely binge-listening worthy (which is what I'm doing now so I can still look forward to a lot of episodes :))

During the winter of 2016, riddled with despair at the news, I saw that a friend had posted on his Facebook feed a list of podcasts he likes for long drives (or avoiding reality). I’ve always trusted his recommendations, so despite the fact I hadn’t gamed since late 2nd Edition D&D, I picked up Total Party Thrill around episode 60. I was hooked. Is this what my childhood hobby had become? Smart storytelling, witty commentary, wry but enthusiastic hosts? I now look forward to Thursday morning with the anticipation of a mimic who hears first-level characters entering its dungeon. Couple the great structure with excellent sound (why don’t other RPG podcasts use the same gear?), and you’ve got a real winner. 18 months later and I’m DMing an Eberron campaign called Mourning Becomes Electrum. What can I say? I’m a fan.

It’s usually possible to find a good RPG podcast in a few categories, but this one knocks it out of the park in every category. Voices: this is what really struck me, I-Hsien and Shane have some of the most pleasing voices in any podcasting, let alone RPG podcasts. While compelling, their voices are smooth and warm enough to be comforting and almost soothing. Delivery: One of the best delivered podcasts I’ve ever listened to. They never sound like they’re reading, but also don’t sound like they’re just casting about randomly for their thoughts. Content: Great! While much of the podcast focuses on the 5th edition of D&D, much of it is applicable to any RPG. In addition, most recountings of RPG campaigns are boring, like someone describing a dream. But I really enjoy their opening segment that recaps a portion of their campaign, I find myself listening to it even if I’m gonna skip the rest of the episode to make sure I don’t miss any of the ongoing story. Also, cause some people will kvetch, I really appreciate their modern take on gaming. They don’t hate on anything just for the sake of sounding cool, don’t venerate he “good old days” of gaming, they have best-practices for running a modern game for all kinds of players, and they frequently talk about putting your money toward good causes rather than the podcast. They’re just all around good guys.

I’ve never reviewed a Podcast, even though I listen to a ton of RPG Podcasts. But after discovering Total Party Thrill, I’m going out of my way to describe to you, dear reader, why you need to listen to this Podcast, now. Right now. When I first stumbled upon Total Party Thrill I was looking for a new RPG Podcast to entertain me for an upcoming road trip. Skimming the titles of their episodes I saw a few that looked like interesting topics, so I downloaded them. Now, I listen to RPG Podcasts for the capital “T” theory…not merely gaming and GM advice, but for the deep, critical analysis of gaming topics related to RPGs. I want a philosophical dialogue, not a Let’s Play. Many RPG Podcasts which I don’t enjoy claim to do this, but in actually spend much of their time either a) talking about the hosts’ personal campaigns, b) focusing too much on a single system (usually D&D), or c) doing some insipid, ostensibly quirky exercise every episode. Turns out, one could indeed call this an apt description of Total Party Thrill, and God do I love every second of it. They begin every episode by narrating a small part of a campaign they’re running (first it was Eberron in 5th Ed D&D, then their Rogue Trader game). These descriptions are always funny, engaging, and quick. They then proceed to the main topic at hand. Again, their discussions of these topics are funny and natural, while simultaneously concise and deep. They often focus on D&D, but also discuss matters in a more general sense and often bring in other games systems. They then move onto their character creation forge, where they attempt to create a unique character concept through a 20th level 5th edition D&D character. I haven’t played D&D 5th edition since it was in playtest, and this Podcast really makes me want to play D&D again. I’ve never played Warhammer 40K anything, and right now I wanna play in a Rogue Trader game so badly. What makes Total Party Thrill worth it, what sets it apart from other Podcasts, are the hosts. From my experience you get two sorts of RPG Podcasts, ones that are scripted and disciplined in their delivery, but therefore staid and monotonous. Or you get ones that are more freeform and natural, but then the hosts just ramble and ramble, repeating themselves multiple times. I-Hsien and Shane have somehow transcended this pattern. I can’t tell if their episodes are scripted or not, because they’re concise in their deliveries, never repeat themselves, and are great at remaining on topic. Yet their discussions feel natural, off the cuff, and are full of the sort of witty, engaging banter you’d expect from an improvised show. If I came across an episode of Total Party Thrill which I thought would contribute absolutely nothing to my technique as a GM, experience as a role-player, or understating of the hobby, I would still listen. They are that engaging and enjoyable. You should listen to this Podcast. You should become a patron of their Patreon. You should write them a 538 word review on iTunes. They’re worth it.

I enjoy nearly every part of every episode. Their campaign stories are always entertaining, almost all the topics are actually useful, and even though I don’t play D&D 5e (I prefer Pathfinder) I still find the Character Forge interesting.

Shane and I-Hsien consistently give food for thought and solid DM advice while being entertaining. If you’re struggling with something at your table, search the backlog and they’ll likely have a show to give you more insight. Also, I met these guys at a con and if it weren’t clear from any given ep hat they’re solid dudes who’re passionate about the hobby, let me assure you they were ready to engage with a total stranger about his convoluted path into role playing and make a good conversation out of it. Now if only they’d change their sign off to sound more confident, because their forge characters are certainly thrilling.

This podcast is, bar none, my #1 weekly podcast. As soon as a new episode drops it shoots to the top of my listen list—even interrupting an episode I'm currently listening to. That's how awesome this podcast is. It doesn't matter if you play D&D (which I don't), Rogue Trader, Genesys, or any other RPG, these guys are full of insightful info relevant to your table. Give 'em a listen, you can thank me later!

I started listening to TPT just before they wrapped up the Mourning Glory recaps an managed, through mainlining the show through 8 and a half hour work days, to catch up well before episode 100 (just... ignore the fact that it took me this long to review here - I forget things). Every Thursday morning, I add the new episode to my MP3 player (because I am old and like old tech that doesn't require an always-on internet connection) and sit back in the knowledge that at least an hour of my work day is accounted for. I especially enjoy the Character Creation Forge, because if you would look at my 4e Character Builder folder you would see that this is exactly the same thing that I do (458 unplayed but fully built characters and counting - send help). Keep up the excellent work!

I listen to a lot of podcasts about tabletop gaming, but this is the only one I keep up with on DnD 5e. I've laregly moved away from big name games into a world of small-press indie titles the last few years, but sometimes you just crave a taste of that D20 goodness and this show delivers. From breakdowns and discussions on the newest content put out by WOTC to the custom character concepts they work out in the character creation forge, there's bound to be something to get you your 5e fix. But more than any of that, I love the campaign recaps segment. If that's all there was to the show, it's still be well worth a listen