Episodes

  • Dexterity Saving Throw

    Dexterity Saving Throw
    Dec 6 2024

    This episode, we’re continuing our tour of the Saving Throws in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, with the Dexterity Save.

    A Dexterity or DEX save represents your ability to evade danger, whether from a sprung trap, flying objects, or exploding magical flame. On a success, you’ll dodge out of the way, and reduce the damage you take. If you fail, you’ll get that whole fireball right in the face.

    A character whose first level class is Bard, Monk, Ranger, or Rogue can add their proficiency bonus to Dexterity saving throws. Other classes can gain proficiency in DEX saves by acquiring magic items or taking Feats when they level up.

    We're joined by Tiffany Roper, actual play performer and GM of Dungeon Damsels.

    More on the Dexterity ability score: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/b34cec55-2bf0-48e8-9551-e80ba42b4fa8/

    Saving Throws in D&D 5e: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3af42f57-4076-4926-97f8-a6448a337524/

    Next time on Roll Factory we’ll test our endurance with the Constitution Saving Throw.

    For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, rate and review us, or tag the show in a post. Our website is rpgrollfactory.com.

    Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and flying shrapnel by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.

    The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems.

    Roll Factory is written, produced, and edited by K.O. Myers for Particulate Media.
    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • Strength Saving Throw

    Strength Saving Throw
    Jun 24 2023

    This time on Roll Factory, we’re starting our look at individual Saving Throws in 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons, starting again at the top of the ability scores with the Strength Save. We're joined by Twitch streamer Nat, AKA MurderVeggie.

    A Strength Saving throw is something you’ll do when you’re using raw physical force to resist being moved or restrained. If a massive beast hits you with a sweep of its tail, you might make a Strength Save to keep from being knocked off your feet. If you’re crossing a creaky bridge when it snaps, a Strength Save to hold on to the rope handrail could stop you from plummeting into a rocky gorge.

    A character whose first level class is Barbarian, Fighter, Monk, or Ranger can add their proficiency bonus to strength saving throws. Other classes can gain proficiency in strength saves by acquiring magic items or taking Feats when they level up.

    Next time on Roll Factory we’ll switch from powering through to dodging around, with the Dexterity Saving Throw.

    For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.

    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, rate and review us, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.

    Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and loose boulders by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.

    The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems.

    Roll Factory is written, produced, edited, and hosted by K.O. Myers for Particulate Media.
    Show more Show less
    9 mins
  • Saving Throws

    Saving Throws
    Sep 21 2022
    On this episode of Roll Factory, we’re switching from active to reactive, and learning the whys, whens, and hows of Saving Throws in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition.
    We're joined by E.B. Updegraff, CEO and game designer at online video game company Hatchlings.
    Next time on Roll Factory, we’ll start our look at the individual Saving Throws, beginning with the Strength Save
    For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.
    If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, leave us a review, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.
    Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and elaborate escape plans by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.
    The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems.
    Show more Show less
    7 mins
  • Proficiency Bonus

    Proficiency Bonus
    Jan 26 2022
    This time on Roll Factory, we’re learning about the Proficiency Bonus. It’s the number that separates innate talent from trained skill.Proficiency Bonus is a mechanic that 5th Edition Dungeons and Dragons uses to streamline the process of acquiring and using skills. Instead of assigning points to individual skills, your character has a single Proficiency Bonus. If your character is trained (or proficient) in a skill, you get to add that bonus to your d20 roll. If you’re not proficient in a skill you can still roll to use it, but you’ll be doing it without adding your proficiency bonus.The proficiency bonus also comes into play when you’re making other rolls. Saving Throws can benefit from proficiency; so can a roll to use a tool, play an instrument, or attack with a weapon your character has practiced with. We’ll look at those rolls more closely in future episodes.During character creation, your choice of race, class, and background will give you some automatic proficiencies, and you’ll have the opportunity to choose others.At level 1, your proficiency bonus is +2, and it goes up as you gain levels. You may also have the opportunity to gain proficiency with new skills and items, either as part of the leveling up process, or if you and your DM decide you’ve had sufficient training in-game.Finally, there are feats and features that can modify the way your character uses their proficiency bonus. The rogue’s expertise feature lets them double their bonus on some skill or tool checks, while the Bard’s Jack of All Trades gives them half their proficiency bonus on skills they’re not trained in. Again, we’ll talk about all that in more detail later on.For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, leave us a review, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and training regimens by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.SOCIAL LINKSFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/rpgrollfactory
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrollfactory
    Tumblr - https://rpgrollfactory.tumblr.com/
    Twitter - https://twitter.com/rpgrollfactory The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems. https://www.patreon.com/arcaneanthemsRoll Factory is written, produced, and edited by K.O. Myers for Particulate Media.
    Show more Show less
    9 mins
  • Charisma Check

    Charisma Check
    Dec 21 2021
    In this episode, we conclude our look at the Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition Ability Scores with Charisma.Charisma represents your character’s ability to successfully interact with and influence others. How your character achieves that influence is open to a lot of interpretation. Depending on how you and your DM envision the character, Charisma can include or exclude eloquence, self-confidence, charm, bearing, a fearsome demeanor, striking physical appearance, winning smile or commanding personality.Any time you’re trying to navigate a delicate social situation, expect your DM to call for a Charisma check.Charisma is the Ability you’ll rely on when making Skill checks to get your way using Deception, Intimidation, Performance, and Persuasion.If you’re playing as a Bard, paladin, sorcerer, or warlock, Charisma is your spellcasting ability, and your Charisma modifier will affect the power of the spells you cast.On the next episode of Roll Factory we’ll talk about the Proficiency Bonus, the number that distinguishes skills your character has training at, from the ones they’re just innately good - or terrible - at.For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and come-hither glances by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.SOCIAL LINKSFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/rpgrollfactory
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrollfactory
    Tumblr - https://rpgrollfactory.tumblr.com/
    Twitter - https://twitter.com/rpgrollfactory The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems. https://www.patreon.com/arcaneanthemsDon’t forget to check out Hackalope and the Hacking the Gibson podcast at hackingthegibson.onlineRoll Factory is written, produced, and edited by K.O. Myers for Particulate Media.
    Show more Show less
    8 mins
  • Wisdom Check

    Wisdom Check
    Dec 7 2021
    We’re continuing to examine the ability scores on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition character sheet. This time, with Wisdom.Your Wisdom score represents your character’s intuition, experience, and how attuned they are to the world around them. It’s the Ability you rely on when you’re trying to understand your environment through your senses rather than learned information. Attempts to read body language, sniff out a scent, or feel for the catch on a hidden door could all trigger a Wisdom check.Checks in skills as varied as Animal Handling, Insight, Medicine, Perception, and Survival are all affected by your Wisdom modifier.Wisdom is also the spellcasting ability of Clerics, Druids, and Rangers. If you’re playing one of those classes, your wisdom modifier will help determine how effective your spells are.Next time on Roll Factory we’ll wrap up our tour of the Ability Scores with Charisma.For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and brilliant deductions by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.
    SOCIAL LINKSFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/rpgrollfactory
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrollfactory
    Tumblr - https://rpgrollfactory.tumblr.com/
    Twitter - https://twitter.com/rpgrollfactory The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems. https://www.patreon.com/arcaneanthems
    Show more Show less
    6 mins
  • Intelligence Check

    Intelligence Check
    Nov 23 2021
    Today, our series on Ability Scores shifts focus away from the physical and toward the mental, starting with Intelligence.When it comes to mental acumen, Dungeons & Dragons embraces a distinction between education and experience. Intelligence represents your character’s book learning, while Wisdom represents their street smarts. Just like in life, the line between the two is blurry at best, and how that division plays out at the table will depend as much on your DM’s perspective as on any rule.Your Intelligence score represents your character’s ability to reason, remember information, and think logically. You might make an Intelligence check to extrapolate the location of a hidden room from the floorplan of a building, or to decode a secret message with an unknown cipher.When you make a Skill Check for Arcana, History, Nature, or Religion, you’re relying on Intelligence to help you recall lore you’ve learned on those subjects, and apply it to your current situation. When you make an Investigation check, Intelligence helps you find clues and use them to draw conclusions.Intelligence is also the spellcasting ability that powers the magic of Wizards and Artificers. If you’re playing one of those characters, your Intelligence modifier will affect your to-hit rolls when you cast some spells, and help determine how hard it is for an enemy to avoid others.Next time on Roll Factory we’ll look at the other side of that mental coin, and talk about Wisdom.For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and brilliant deductions by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.
    SOCIAL LINKSFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/rpgrollfactory
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrollfactory
    Tumblr - https://rpgrollfactory.tumblr.com/
    Twitter - https://twitter.com/rpgrollfactory The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems. https://www.patreon.com/arcaneanthems
    Show more Show less
    10 mins
  • Constitution Check

    Constitution Check
    Nov 10 2021
    Our look at the ability scores continues with Constitution.
    Constitution represents your character's physical heartiness. Like Strength, it includes everything from innate endurance to fantasy CrossFit training, and magical enhancements.Constitution is unique among the 6 ability scores for being exclusively passive. Constitution doesn’t support any skills, and Constitution checks are almost always made in response to something the DM throws at you. How long you can march without rest, hold your breath, or survive without food are the kind of grueling tasks that rely on your Constitution modifier.Maybe the most important thing your Constitution modifier helps determine is how much damage your character can take before they fall unconscious. Your capacity to sustain injury is determined by your Hit Points. Your Constitution modifier affects how many Hit Points you gain when you level up, and how many you get back during a Short Rest.Next time on Roll Factory we’ll continue our tour of the ability scores with Intelligence.Thank you for joining this session of Roll Factory.For our past adventures, or to join the campaign, search and subscribe to Roll Factory wherever you get podcasts.If you enjoyed this episode, please help us grow our audience. Tell a friend, rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, or tag the show in a post: we’re on social at RPGRollFactory, and our website is rpgrollfactory.com.Send your questions, concerns, corrections, disputations, guest suggestions, and weird flexes by email to rollfactory@particulatemedia.com.
    SOCIAL LINKSFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/rpgrollfactory
    Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rpgrollfactory
    Tumblr - https://rpgrollfactory.tumblr.com/
    Twitter - https://twitter.com/rpgrollfactory The music in this episode is by Arcane Anthems. https://www.patreon.com/arcaneanthems
    Show more Show less
    9 mins