This week on Gotham & Beyond, we focus on one of the most overlooked but defining abilities in DC Heroes 3rd Edition: the Detective skill. Found on page 76, Detective is more than a single roll.. it’s five subskills: Clue Analysis, Counterfeit Recognition, Identification Systems, Law, and Police Procedure. Together, they capture what makes Batman dangerous without ever throwing a punch. We’ll break down the mechanics, walk through examples, and talk about how this skill brings Gotham to life in a way no brawl ever could.
#DCHeroes #BatmanRPG #TTRPG #MEGS #SuperheroRPG #GothamAndBeyond
In this episode of Gotham & Beyond, we turn to one of the most unsettling powers in the DC Heroes 3rd Edition RPG: Telepathy. On page 64, the rules show how telepaths can link minds, coordinate teams, or strike directly at an opponent’s psyche. We’ll break down how the power works, what risks it carries, and why mental combat can be more terrifying than any physical fight. Telepathy is quiet. It’s invasive. And when it works, it can unravel an entire session.
#DCHeroes #TTRPG #BatmanRPG #MEGS #SuperheroRPG #GothamAndBeyond
In this episode of Gotham & Beyond, we turn our focus to one of the most creative, reality-bending powers in DC Heroes 3rd Edition... Illusion.
This power doesn't break bones or melt steel. It bends perception. It wins encounters without ever throwing a punch. We’ll break down the rules from page 56, show how illusions work mechanically, and talk through how they can control the battlefield or the table.
Illusion is all about making others believe. And in this game, belief is often deadlier than a bomb.
#DCHeroes #MEGS #TTRPG #BatmanRPG #GothamAndBeyond #SuperheroRPG
In this episode of Gotham & Beyond, we dig into one of the most overlooked but most rewarding parts of the DC Heroes 3rd Edition RPG: Subplots.
Drawn from pages 141–144 of the core book, subplots bring your hero’s life off the battlefield and into the real world. Family problems, job stress, old enemies, romance, secrets… these threads shape who your hero is when the mask comes off.
We’ll talk about how subplots work, why they earn Hero Points, and how they turn downtime into story. You’ll also hear examples of how a subplot can shift a campaign in surprising ways.
Because in DC Heroes, the fight is never just in the streets. Sometimes, it’s at home.
#DCHeroes #MEGS #SuperheroRPG #GothamAndBeyond #BatmanRPG #TTRPG #OldSchoolGaming
In this episode of Gotham & Beyond, I talk about one of the most cinematic rules in DC Heroes 3rd Edition, Pushing Automatic Actions. This is where your hero digs deep, straining every ounce of their power to do the impossible. We’ll walk through exactly how it works, what the costs are, and why it’s not something you should throw around lightly. From the raw tension of a “burnout” to the thrill of a last-second success, Pushing adds drama to your game in a way that fits right alongside the best comic book moments. I share the book’s Aqualad tank-lifting example and expand with my own scenarios so you can see how it plays out at the table. Whether you’re a GM looking to stage heroic challenges or a player hoping for that one unforgettable scene, this episode will show you how to make Pushing Automatic Actions shine in your sessions.
#DCHeroes #Batman #TabletopRPG #SuperheroRPG #GothamAndBeyond
This week, I shine the Bat-Signal on one of the most underrated powers in the DC Heroes 3rd Edition RPG, Danger Sense. It doesn’t make you faster. It doesn’t make you stronger. It just keeps you alive. I dig into the real mechanics straight from page 53, walk through how it works in play, and explore why this subtle power creates some of the best moments in street-level games. You’ll hear how Danger Sense isn’t about prediction, it’s about instinct. And sometimes, that one second of warning is all that stands between you and the morgue. If you're building a survivor, a detective, or a hero who knows when to stop, this one's for you.
#DCHeroes #MEGS #TTRPG #SuperheroRPG #GothamAndBeyond #OldSchoolGaming #TabletopGames #BatmanRPG #DangerSense
In this episode of Gotham & Beyond, we explore one of the most defining mechanics in the DC Heroes 3rd Edition RPG: Hero Points.
They’re not about luck. They’re about story. About growth. About choosing the moment to shine or the moment to fall.
We break down how they work, why they matter, and what they reveal about the heart of this system. Plus, a story or two from the table that show how Hero Points make all the difference.
Whether you're new to DC Heroes or returning after years away, this is where the real drama begins.
#DCHeroes #SuperheroRPG #MEGS #TTRPG #TabletopGames #GothamAndBeyond #BatmanRPG #OldSchoolRPG #StoryFirstGaming
We’re kicking off a brand-new season of Gotham & Beyond by heading straight into the heart of superhero roleplaying: the DC Heroes 3rd Edition RPG. In this episode, I unpack why this system still holds up, how it handled power scale better than most games today, and why it deserves more attention.
Whether you're new to MEGS or still clutching your old character sheet from '91, this is where the story begins.
https://Gotham-Database.com
Season 2 is here, and it’s not just more of the same. After a first season of comic crossovers, G.I. Joe experiments, and Batman musings, The Gotham & Beyond Podcast returns with a sharper mission. This season, we’re diving deep into the rules of DC Heroes 3rd Edition, one episode at a time.
Whether you’re new to MEGS or just need a refresher, each episode will break down mechanics, clarify concepts, and explore what makes this system so unique. From stats and scaling to powers and subplots, I’ll guide you through it in clear, bite-sized pieces.
Same feed. Same voice. Just finally focused.
This is The Gotham & Beyond Podcast, DC Heroes 3rd Edition Explained.
In the premiere episode of The Forgotten Files of Hugo Strange, we turn the lens inward. Not on a rogue. Not on a masked vigilante. But on the man behind the mirror, Doctor Hugo Strange himself. Long forgotten yet quietly foundational, Strange isn’t just another villain in Gotham’s orbit. He’s the one taking notes. Watching. Obsessing.
We track his strange evolution from 1940 pulp scientist to psychological predator, exploring how his quiet presence lingers in the shadows of both comics and RPG campaigns. What makes him so dangerous? Why doesn’t anyone remember him? And how can game masters use that to their advantage?
This isn’t just a character study. It’s a diagnosis.And the patient... is Gotham.
Welcome to the file. Strange is expecting you.
Every old city hides something. But Gotham? Gotham buries it.
This week on The Gotham and Beyond Podcast, we go deep, into tunnels that don’t appear on any maps, catacombs sealed for a reason, and stories no one finishes telling. From The Court of Owls to No Man’s Land, we explore the hidden layers of the city. Not as a backdrop. As a metaphor.
And if you’re running an RPG? This is your blueprint.
The door is half-open. The dust is undisturbed. And someone down there remembers your name.
#TheHiddenCity #GothamAndBeyond #BatmanPodcast #DCComics #TTRPGHooks #Storytelling #RPGInspiration #CourtOfOwls #UrbanLegends #UndergroundGotham
Gotham doesn’t just get cold. It shuts down.
In this episode, I talk about what happens when winter takes hold of the city—through the quiet dread of Batman: Snow, the grief-soaked beauty of SubZero, and the human resilience shown in Final Night. It’s not about reviews. It’s about tone. Silence. And what snow does to the soul of Gotham… and the people trying to survive it.
If you’ve ever wanted to understand why snow makes Batman stories hit harder—or how to use that atmosphere in your own RPG sessions—this one’s for you.
#WhenGothamFrozeOver #BatmanPodcast #DCComics #TTRPGNarrative #GothamCityAtmosphere #MrFreeze #BatmanSnow #FinalNight #RPGStorytelling #GothamAndBeyond
In today’s episode, we’re recapping our latest DC Heroes RPG session featuring fan-favorite heroes Nightwing and Wonder Woman. Join us as we break down this action-packed Saturday night adventure in Gotham City. The daring duo tracked down the elusive Catwoman, navigating her maze of traps, solving clues, and facing her acrobatic prowess in a high-stakes jewel heist showdown. Did the heroes outwit one of Gotham’s greatest thieves, or did Catwoman slink away into the night with her prize? We’ll discuss how the players strategized, their epic role-play moments, and how the dice rolls kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Tune in for laughs, insights into the DC Heroes RPG system!
#DCHeroesRPG #TabletopGaming #CatwomanHeist #NightwingAndWonderWoman
Today's podcast talks about a little rebranding and then a one on one GI Joe mission, starring Flint from the GI Joe Team, going in for some recon and ends up saving a captive Joe!
#GIJOE #YoJoe #RPG
Yes another episode about GI Joe in my DC Universe as this will be the topic for some time as I empty out my GM notebook. I may also play some solo games that will involve these characters so stay tuned, I'll tell you the story!
Ever since I was a kid, one of my favorite things in life has been G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero. The cartoon, the toys, the comics—I was hooked from the start. The Joes weren’t just another military team; they were larger-than-life heroes, specialists in their own fields, each one with a unique personality and skillset. And let's be real—who didn’t want to storm Cobra’s base or parachute out of a burning Skystriker?
#GIJOE #DCComics #RPG
The Final Night is a 1996 DC crossover storyline where heroes must save Earth from an alien entity, the Sun-Eater, which threatens to engulf the sun, plunging the planet into eternal winter. This dramatic tale blends superhero action with human emotion and highlights the importance of unity in the face of catastrophe. Written by Karl Kesel and illustrated by Stuart Immonen, it serves as both a gripping disaster narrative and a pivotal moment in the DC Universe.
https://www.dc.com/blog/2024/12/13/the-final-night-is-the-dc-universe-s-disaster-movie
In today's episode, we dive into the nitty-gritty of the DC Kickstarter campaign—what’s working, what’s not, and whether this bold move by DC is shaking up the comic book world or just adding noise. Then, we’ll roll up our sleeves and dissect the "DC All In" and "Absolute Universe" initiatives—two ambitious projects redefining how we experience DC’s iconic characters. But that's just the warm-up.
Today I wanted to talk a little more about the kickstarter and what to expect or at least what I expect from it, and talk about why this game is fun.
Follow me on X: @GothamDatabase
Website: https://Gotham-Database.com
Join me in this episode as I gleefully announce the kickstarter news and follow me for more as I will be setting up an interview about this on my channel.
Kickstarter link - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cze/dc-heroes-role-playing-game-40th-anniversary
Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/MEGSDCHEROES
“The Legend Returns!
DC Heroes is an innovative and award-winning role-playing game that was first published in 1985. It allows you and your friends to take on the roles of iconic Super Heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Cyborg, or to create heroes of your own. The object of the game is to create brand-new stories pitting these heroes against The Joker, Lex Luthor, Brainiac, Sinestro, or any of the hundreds of other villains who threaten the DC Universe!
Over eight years of product releases, DC Heroes produced dozens of adventures and sourcebooks, many featuring contributions from some of DC’s finest writers and artists of the 1980s—Jack Kirby, Alan Moore, Denny O’Neil, George Perez, John Byrne, and many others. Thousands of gamers and comics fans are still playing DC Heroes even though it’s been unavailable for decades. To celebrate DCH’s 40th anniversary, we’re reprinting the line in definitive archival editions. Whether you’ve never experienced DCH before or you’re a long-time fan looking to plug the holes in your collection, we’ve got you covered.”