Episodes
Published 06/15/22
In our last episode of season 1, we're covering one of the creepiest monsters you can throw at your players:  the Gibbering Mouther.  This alien aberration will make your players Fight, Flight or Freeze when they hear the voices of absorbed victims and has the potential to kill a player with no hope of coming back.  Sounds fun! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule...
Published 06/15/22
Today we're here to talk about Moonbeam, an atmospheric and powerful spell that Tricia absolutely did not use effectively for the longest time.  Save yourself the heartache and learn with us! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are available!   If you want more rules, buy a copy...
Published 06/08/22
Step up your combat game by learning what resistances, vulnerabilities, and immunities are and how to use them.  They'll turn a simple monster into an intense battle with players working to figure out how to damage them. Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are available!   If...
Published 06/01/22
This week's episode is all about Guards!  They are arguably one of the most boring "monsters" in the MM, but we discuss how you can do a lot of worldbuildng in the way your setting uses guards. Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are available!   If you want more rules, buy a...
Published 05/25/22
If you want to run a Curse of Strahd campaign, do yourself a favor and listen to this episode about the spell Scrying to save yourself a retroactive headache! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are available!   If you want more rules, buy a copy of the Player’s...
Published 05/18/22
It took us years to keep this rule straight, despite it being in the first few pages of the Player's Handbook!  It took this catchy phrase to nail it down:  "Meets or beats."  Listen today and make sure you're managing dice rolls correctly and consistently! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of...
Published 05/11/22
"I hate this. This is my brain just literally turns off, reading the Player's Handbook." Can you relate?  The rules for maintaining spell concentration can be tedious, but we break it down for you in this week's episode of DM's Pocket Guide!  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode...
Published 05/04/22
Perytons are the perfect low-level monster to throw at your party and genuinely freak them out!  A bird with a humanoid shadow and a skull face with antlers, this creature will pursue a chosen victim until they've eaten their heart.  Learn more about this monstrosity in today's episode! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at...
Published 04/20/22
We finished up our conversation on combat actions other than attacking and casting by discussing Ready, Search, and Use Object. Roar Cat makes a brief appearance in this episode.  Roll a DC12 Perception check to see if you can find him! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are...
Published 04/13/22
In today's episode, we pull information from two different locations in the Player's Handbook to learn about all the advantages and rules involved in the Hide Action.  Now I want to play a stealthy rogue and put them all to use! Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are...
Published 04/06/22
Did you know you can do more than attack or cast magic during combat?  We're embarrassed to say that it took us far too long to understand the myriad options available.  In this episode, we cover Dash, Disengage, Dodge, and Help!   Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Transcripts of every episode are...
Published 03/30/22
The D&D 5e Sleep Spell has some unusual mechanics and has to be used carefully if you want to it to be effective.  We go through the spell description and give helpful examples so you'll never forget how to use this spell! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! Transcripts of every episode are...
Published 03/23/22
It's Goblin time!  These classic low-level monsters are just as likely to end up adopted by your party as they are to be killed.  What makes goblins so fun?  We dig into the Monster Manual and discover some fun facts about everyone's favorite mischievous creatures! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket...
Published 03/16/22
We had to learn the Schools of Magic to play the spell “Detect Magic” correctly (see last week’s episode), and we discovered some pretty cool tidbits, like the fact that Resurrection is a necromantic spell! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! Transcripts of every episode are available!   If you want...
Published 03/09/22
Today’s episode is about our least favorite spell - Detect Magic!  Find out why it’s the worst by listening today.  Let us know if you agree or not by messaging us @roarcatreads.  I want to know the Detect Magic discourse! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! Transcripts of every episode are...
Published 03/02/22
True story, we didn’t know there were multiple ways to roll character stats until our first charity event when someone specified, “Standard array.”  Yikes, was there another option??  Turns out yes!  Embarrassingly, the rules we discuss are right at the beginning of the Player’s Handbook.  You probably don’t need this, but if you do…there’s no shame.  Listen now to your official character creation ability scores options! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to...
Published 02/23/22
We are extremely fond of owlbears over here at Roar Cat Reads, and learning that they are stinky beasts whose habitats are littered with the decaying bodies of their prey only made us fonder. We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! Transcripts of every episode are available! If you want more rules, buy a...
Published 02/16/22
Okay, so you found a steed (check out last week’s episode about the spell “Find Steed”), but how do you ride it into glorious battle?  For that, you’re going to need to know the 5e rules about Mounted Combat! We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! If you want more rules, buy a copy of the Player’s...
Published 02/09/22
What’s a paladin without a celestial elk?  Don’t sleep on this spell like Tricia did when she played Akta, Paladin of Torm.  Take 10 minutes to say a prayer and bam!  All your animal handling dreams can come true. We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! If you want more rules, buy a copy of the Player’s...
Published 02/02/22
Thanks for checking out our podcast - gain one inspiration!  Just don’t forget to use it… We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads.  If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! If you want more rules, buy a copy of the Player’s Handbook!. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram  Artwork by Haley Boros DM’s Pocket Guide is unofficial Fan Content permitted...
Published 01/26/22
Welcome to DM’s Pocket Guide, a podcast where we take one rule, spell, or monster from D&D 5e and discuss it in nine minutes or less.   If you would like to learn about a specific D&D rule or spell, send us a request at [email protected].  We’re Tricia and Rachel from Roar Cat Reads where we make queer and nerdy content based out of Vancouver, BC. Please like, review, and share to support DM’s Pocket Guide! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram  Artwork by Haley...
Published 01/23/22