Thaco Thoughts With Rob

About Thaco Thoughts With Rob

Step into the world of gritty dice rolls and legendary campaigns with Thaco Thoughts! Hosted by Rob, a tabletop veteran with over 30 years of battle-hardened experience, this podcast jumps in headfirst, into the glory days of AD&D 2nd Edition. Whether you're unraveling the mysteries of THAC0 or looking for tales from the dungeon, Rob’s got the insight, the wit, and the scars to prove it. No fluff, no nonsense—just pure, unfiltered 2nd edition goodness. Ready to roll? Let’s get to it.

Publisher

The Evil Dungeon Master Unviverse

Category

leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Dec 2024

Latest episode

24 Jun 2025

Latest episodes

13 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   24 Jun 2025

   Thaco Thoughts Episode 13 - Its all about Scrolls this week

   Host Rob discusses scrolls, detailing how players and dungeon masters create them within the game, in this interview episode.

2. 

   27 May 2025

   Thaco Thoughts Episode 12 - Monsters as Player Races

   Rob explores the challenges and considerations of incorporating monster races as playable characters in tabletop role-playing games.

3. 

   27 Apr 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 11 - New Monsters on the fly!

   In this episode Rob explains his methods of creating new monsters on the fly. Listen in as he shows his mad science ways of mashing monsters together to get something new and different! #thaco #adnd2e #TSR

4. 

   10 Apr 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 10 - DM Horror Stories!

   Listen in this week as Rob goes over DM Horror stories at the table and how it related to AD&D 2e! #adnd #thaco #adnd2e #Tsr

5. 

   19 Mar 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 9 - DM NPCs, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

   In this episode of Thaco Thoughts with Rob, he delves into the intriguing world of Dungeon Master (DM) Non-Player Characters (NPCs), using The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe as a key example. Rob explores how the DM's NPC can sometimes overshadow the Player Characters (PCs), shifting the focus of the narrative. Tune in for insightful discussions and tips on balancing NPCs in your campaigns! #adnd2e #thaco #RPG

6. 

   3 Mar 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 8 - Crafting the Ultimate Kit: From Swashbucklers to Barbarians

   In this episode, Rob talks about the world of kits, those flavorful add-ons that bring characters to life. I break down a couple of my personal favorites, the Swashbuckler and Forest Runner, sharing how they’ve shaped my games. Then, I take the Barbarian Kit from the Fighter’s Handbook and show you how to reshape and refine it to match your vision. Finally, I wrap up with a simple truth: kits are just creative springboards, not rules set in stone. They’re tools to inspire, adapt, and make your own. #TabletopRPG #DNDKits #CharacterCustomization #RPGTools #TTRPGHomebrew #FightersHandbook #RPGInspiration #FantasyGaming #DungeonMasterTips #RPGCreativity

7. 

   13 Feb 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 7 - Let's talk about Character Death..

   This episode is about death and having a healthy attitude towards it. I share my experiences both as a player and DM and try to demonstrate that the death of a character can sometimes be the best part of a game.

8. 

   2 Feb 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 6 - Stone-Cold Killers: The Medusa & Maedar

   Today, Rob is peeling back the layers of myth and legend surrounding one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most iconic monsters—the Medusa. We’re talking first edition versus second edition, the evolution of this petrifying nightmare, and the deep-cut lore that most players (and even some DMs) don’t know. First, let’s get into the classic Medusa—the terrifying, snake-haired horror that could freeze a man solid with a single gaze. But she’s more than just a one-trick monster. We’ll break down her appearance, her hidden dangers, and how she thrives in dark, forgotten places—or even right under society’s nose. Then we’ll turn our attention to the Greater Medusa, a far rarer and even more terrifying version with a serpentine body, deadlier venom, and a presence that commands sheer horror. But the real hidden gem of this discussion? The Maedar. Most people don’t even know about these guys, but they’re the male counterpart to the Medusa, immune to her deadly stare and boasting their own terrifying abilities. They can literally walk through stone, turn petrified victims back into flesh, and if you think that’s wild, wait until you hear about what happens when they die. Ever heard of a Glyptar? We’ll break down how these cursed spirits get trapped in gemstones, animating weapons and statues, turning them into living weapons of vengeance. We’ll also talk about tactical encounters—how to use Medusas right in a campaign, how to surprise your players, and how to make these creatures more than just a random monster in a cave. Medusas work just as well in urban settings as they do in dungeons, and we’ll discuss exactly how to make them into compelling villains (or reluctant allies). So get ready for a deep dive into petrifying lore, forgotten monsters, and some stone-cold horror that’ll change the way you see these creatures forever. #DNDLore #Medusa #OldSchoolDND

9. 

   22 Jan 2025

   Thaco Thoughts - Episode 5 - Divine Duty: Roleplaying the Servants of the Sacred

   In this episode of “THAC0 Thoughts with Rob,” Rob discusses the role of divine servants in role-playing games, particularly focusing on clerics, druids, and paladins. He emphasizes that these characters are not merely healers or support roles but are representatives of a higher power, carrying a significant responsibility. The discussion highlights the importance of aligning a character’s motivations with the party’s goals, the borrowed nature of their powers, and the need for guidance from their deities. Rob encourages players to engage deeply with their characters’ roles, suggesting that true enjoyment comes from fully embracing the responsibilities and motivations that come with being a servant of the divine. Highlights 🌟 Servants of the Divine: Clerics, druids, and paladins are not just support characters; they embody a mission. 🤝 Party Alignment: Ensure your character’s ideals match those of the party to avoid conflicts. 📜 Borrowed Power: Powers granted to clerics come from a higher being, not from the character themselves. 🙏 Seek Guidance: Players should engage in seeking divine guidance through prayer or consultation with higher-level clerics. 🔄 Concept vs. Deity: Worshiping a concept can be limiting; it’s better to have a relationship with a deity for negotiation and forgiveness. 🎭 Role Embrace: Players should fully embrace their character’s roles for a richer gaming experience. 🌌 Unique Motivation: Unlike other classes, divine servants have a built-in motivation that drives their actions and story arcs.

10. 

    7 Jan 2025

    Thaco Thoughts - Episode 4 - Mastering Non-Lethal Combat in AD&D

    In this episode, Rob talks about one of the more overlooked but fascinating aspects of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2e: non-lethal combat. Pulled straight from the Player’s Handbook (pages 128–130), we’re breaking down the four distinct forms of subduing your foes without leaving a pile of bodies in your wake: punching, wrestling, overbearing, and using the flat of your blade. Here’s a taste of what we’ll cover: Punching: Fists, gauntlets, and brass knuckles take the stage. Learn how a solid strike can lead to damage—or even a knockout—based on the attack roll. We’ll explain the unique mechanics that combine raw strength and strategy, including the infamous haymaker roll. Wrestling: Grapples, holds, and counters come into play here. Whether it’s a leg twist or a crushing bear hug, this section highlights how strength modifiers, armor penalties, and persistence can turn a single hold into a devastating sequence. Overbearing: Size matters! We’ll unpack the rules for overwhelming opponents with sheer numbers or brute force, from knocking them prone to the ongoing battle of pins and counters. And of course, we’ll tweak the book’s mechanics to add some practical logic (because really, does a pixie in the mix matter when there’s an ogre on top of you?). Weapons for Subduing: Bladed weapons can still play a role in non-lethal combat if you’re careful—or cunning. We’ll cover how to flip that blade, deal calculated damage, and leave your enemies stunned instead of slain. We’ll also touch on the quirks, fixes, and homebrew tweaks to streamline these mechanics and make them flow better at your table. Whether you’re looking to add more depth to combat or just want to throw in a bar fight without a body count, this episode has you covered. Ready to take your AD&D combat game to a whole new level? Listen in and learn how to punch, grapple, and pin your way to victory—all without drawing blood (well, not too much, anyway). Got questions or thoughts to share? Email: askthedm@theevildm.com Support and bonus content: youtube.com/@theevildm/join Roll initiative and let’s get into it!

11. 

    24 Dec 2024

    Thaco Thoughts - Episode 3 - Let's talk Vancian Magic...

    🎙️ In this spellbinding episode, Rob dives deep into the world of the Vancian magic system, tracing its roots in literary history and exploring how it has shaped tabletop RPGs as we know them. He unpacks the unique "flavor" this structured spell-slot system brings to games and examines its impact on the global balance of power within a fantasy setting. Rob also delves into the intriguing possibilities of breaking away from Vancian restrictions at high levels, imagining the creative chaos that might follow. Finally, he considers how tweaking the system can broaden player options while still honoring its iconic legacy. This episode is a must-listen for any gamer who loves dissecting the mechanics of magic! Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thaco-thoughts-with-rob/id1784135285 Spotify Podcasts - https://open.spotify.com/show/52ncGdRc0ONP8npv4TK5dD

12. 

    18 Dec 2024

    Welcome to Thaco Thoughts - Episode 2 - Attributes & Saving Throws in 2e

    Rob explores the intersection of saving throws and attributes in tabletop games, revealing how these mechanics shape gameplay, storytelling, and player experience.

13. 

    7 Dec 2024

    Welcome to Thaco Thoughts, What is this show about?

    AD&D 2nd Edition expert Rob shares war stories and reveals the mysteries of THAC0, offering an unfiltered look at the tabletop trenches.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 14 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

15

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32