I-Hsien and Shane accrue Drama in an extra-long cover-to-cover review of Draw Steel, MCDM’s new tabletop RPG system. We walk you through the classes, ancestries, rules, and rewards and let you know if it’s worth adding to your collection. Editing: Aram Vartian Important Links: Critical Lit: I-Hsien's new podcast, which re-examines classic RPG modules. A cross between book review and MST3K. Co-hosts Dan Dillon, Amelia Som, and Sal Tamarkin. 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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-lit/id1826377168 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: [email protected] Bluesky: @CriticalLit.bsky.social Dan Dillon: @dandillon.bsky.social I-Hsien Sherwood: @ihsien.bsky.social Amelia Som: @ameliasom.com Sal Tamarkin: @sal.gay

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill

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: Bluesky: @totalpartythrill.bsky.social Twitter: @TPTcast Email: [email protected] Web: www.totalpartythrill.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/totalpartythrill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totalpartythrill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TotalPartyThrill