Tabletop games are fun to play, but they can also take a lot of effort. Campaigns take hours upon hours of planning and writing. Each player has to individually find the time to brainstorm their character and fill out their character sheet. On top of all of that, you have to coordinate schedules and find a time when everyone is free to play. This means that even huge tabletop enthusiasts don’t always get to play as much as they would like.
But there’s another way to enjoy the experience of RPGs: in podcast form. Listening to other people’s campaigns is a fun way to see how interactive stories can unfold, and can provide inspiration for your own campaigns. Plus, you can listen while you do chores, driving, or while you’re out for a walk. Here are some of the best tabletop podcasts to check out.
Critical Role
Critical Role features seven voice actors led by DM Matt Mercer. Now on their third campaign, the group has achieved widespread success, even having one arc adapted into an animated TV show on Amazon Prime. Full of great comedic moments as well as heart-racing tension, this podcast delivers well-crafted stories and unforgettable characters.
The Adventure Zone
Played by brothers Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy (also known for their podcast My Brother My Brother And Me) along with their father Clint, The Adventure Zone is a hilarious and at times chaotic D&D podcast. They embark on a different story each season, with new premises and characters, which keeps the show fresh while maintaining the same classic humour.
Glass Cannon Podcast
The Glass Cannon Network runs a variety of tabletop podcasts in practically every genre imaginable. Their flagship podcast in Pathfinder 1E is known for its quick-paced combat and a fun players vs GM rivalry.
Campaign
Campaign embraces cooperative storytelling to its fullest capacity. Running the Genesys system of Edge of the Empire, their campaign Skyjacks offers a rich and unique setting, a found family dynamic and original music.
Friends at the Table
Friends at the Table have played in all kinds of systems, sometimes changing mid-season based on the direction of the story. They have explored Blades in the Dark, Beam Saber, Fiasco, Technoir, The Sprawl, Masks, and Noirlandia to name a few. The players are always open to any direction the story might take, making for an engaging listening experience.