Episode 216 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Embracing Dark Fantasy! Ben Bryne joins Shawn to discuss what makes dark fantasy such a compelling genre and how to create for dark games. Teos meanwhile hopes to recover from his technical horror as his desktop bites the dust. News: AL Update, Kobolds Make Mistakes, and more! Contents 00:00 Introducti…

Episode 215 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: What Publishers Want in a D&D Designer! Shawn and Teos review two D&D job postings and break down the skills and job functions a publisher looks for in a D&D Designer and Product Architect. News: DMG Preorder Debacles, Weapon Masteries 101, PAGE Convention, and more! Contents 00:00 Surviving 00:53 Writ…

Episode 214 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Memories of Gamehole Con! Shawn and Teos look back on all of the events they attended and lessons from attending conventions. Hear why Gamehole is so special. News: Claim Elemental Evil, Maps Adds Encounters, Audio-Only Drizzt, and more! Contents 00:00 Stealing Credit Cards 03:08 Cleric Subclasses Sett…

Episode 213 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Want to Be a Professional Game Designer? Shawn and Teos tackle a question they hear often. Do you truly want to be a game designer, and if so, the steps to take to make meaningful progress. News: Hasbro Q3 and Layoffs, D&D 1-Shots, CR and Dimension 20 Arena Shows, and more! Contents 00:00 Post-Gamehole…

Episode 212 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Live from Gamehole: Create a Campaign With Us! Amazing fans at Gamehole Con help us create a campaign, live! News: Perkins’ New Job, DMG Review, What it Feels Like to Be Nr 2, and more! Special thanks to Dante of Ghostfire Gaming for recording and processing the audio for this episode. You are the best…

Episode 211 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Horizons Magazine with Hannah Rose! Hannah Rose shares how she and Clara Daly are creating Horizons Magazine and what we can expect from this issue and future quarterly issues. News: London Gets DMGs, D&D Movie Netflix Success, DMG Toolbox Previews, and more! Contents 00:00 Happy Rebranding Day 01:33 C…

Episode 210 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Wardens of the Eastern Marches! Alex Kammer tells us all about Wardens of the Eastern Marches, the new organized play program from Gamehole Publishing. News: 2024 DMG Previews, Commander Rules Committee, Bastion is for Players, and more! Contents 00:00 No Vaccine for Ladders 02:19 Remove Mechanics for …

Episode 209 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 5E Stat Block Changes and Building the Perfect Campaign Guide! We look at how 2024 5E changes stat block format, while also modifying monsters themselves. We then turn to creating the perfect campaign setting guide. News: 2024 5E Sales, Uni Finds Beyond, Grim Hollow Transformed, and more! Contents 00:0…

Episode 208 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 2024 5E’s Gods and Multiverse! Final Greyhawk! 2024 5E PH banishes all the gods and reduces the multiverse to one page and one image! We look at how this changes 5E for new players. Our final look at Greyhawk reimagines the setting format and looks at how gods and powerful organizations create interest…

Episode 207 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 2024 5E Resting Rules and Greyhawk’s Regions! Discover the subtle changes 2024 5E makes to short and long rests and how they compare to previous editions. We assess the potential campaigns behind the design of Greyhawk’s Rovers of the Barens, Scarlet Brotherhood, Sea Barons, Sea Princes, and Shield Lan…

Episode 206 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 2024 5E Conditions and Greyhawk’s Regions! We examine the design goals of conditions and how they have changed for 2024. We visit Greyhawk’s Paynims, Perrenland, Pomarj, Ratik, and Rel Astra to see how to make the most of kingdoms and rulers. News: 2024 PH Errata, Draw Steel License, Shadowdark Hex Cra…

Episode 205 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: PC Creation in 2024 5E and Greyhawk’s Regions! 2024 changes the order for character creation… for the better? We review Greyhawk’s North Kingdom, Nyrond, Onnwal and the Pale, looking at how to make settings interesting for players. News: PH in Stores, PAX West Report, Greg Tito Leaves WotC, and more! C…

Episode 204 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Weapon Mastery in 2024 5E and Greyhawk’s Regions! 2024 brings exciting Weapon Master options. We discuss the design, then turn to Greyhawk and review Ket, Lendore Isles, and Lordship of the Isles. Surf and turf! News: D&D Clarifies Beyond, D&D’s Secret Level and Universal Plans, and more! Contents 00:0…

Episode 203 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Search in 2024 5E and Greyhawk’s Regions! D&D codifies the Search and Study actions in 2024. How does this impact gameplay? We then dive into how Greyhawk regions do or don’t create actionable history, looking into Highfolk, Ice Barbarians, Irongate, Empire of Iuz, and Keoland! News: Uni Adventure at P…

Episode 202 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 2014 vs 2024 Exhaustion and Greyhawk’s Regions! Does 2024’s change to Exhaustion improve gameplay? Our new 2024 mini-review series has begun! We then dive into how Greyhawk regions showcase politics and history, looking into the Frost Barbarians, Furyondy, Gran March, and Teos’ favorite, Geoff! News: W…

Episode 201 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Setting Design and Greyhawk’s Regions! Does a standoffish elven nation make for great play? We ponder setting design and the 2024 DMG while summarizing Greyhawk’s regions of Bissel, Blackmoor, Bone March, Bright Lands, Celene, Dyvers, and Ekbir. News: PH Debut and Gen Con News, Blurry Video Debacle, Co…

Episode 200 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Greyhawk’s Regions! The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine how the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer covers its nations and regions, using Ahlissa and the Bandit Kingdoms to ponder what makes a setting great. News: What is D&D’s Tabletop Revenue, Hasbro Q2 Breakdown, Why RPGs…

Episode 199 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Greyhawk’s Peoples and Story! The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine how the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer describes species, culture, and history. And, hey, how detailed should a setting be? News: New WotC VP John Hight, Hiring D&D Architect, Free Shadowdark Solo, and mo…

Episode 198 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: The Living Greyhawk Campaign! The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine the start of the Living Greyhawk Gazetteer and reminisce on the impacts of the Living Greyhawk organized play campaign. News: Dan Rawson’s Expanded Role, D&D Stamps and Conventions, Moonbeam, and mor…

Episode 197 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: The Origins of Greyhawk! The 2024 DMG will include the setting of Greyhawk. Shawn and Teos examine Greyhawk’s history and characteristics and why it makes a great choice for a core setting. News: Kyle Brink Departs WotC, ENnies Nominations, Physical vs Digital, and more! Contents 00:00 Ever Been to a G…

Episode 196 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Setting Expectations for your TTRPG Projects! Wrel (Michael Henderson) joins Shawn Merwin to discuss how to set the right expectations for your TTRPG projects. Topics include setting goals, knowing who you are designing for, finding an audience, and assessing your capabilities. News: New D&D VP, PH and…

Episode 195 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Daggerheart’s Adversaries and Environments! Our final episode covering Daggerheart. Adversaries are critical to an RPG, creating excitement and engagement. Let's learn from how Daggerheart works to streamline stat blocks and encourage open play! News: Hasbro CEO Take 2, Vecna on DDB Doesn’t Match Book,…

Episode 194 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Running a Daggerheart Campaign! Daggerheart tells us each session should be built fresh, based on the previous session. And the world is a map populated by the players. Let’s see the benefits and challenges of this approach! News: Roll20 Acquires Demiplane, D&D Movie’s Surprises, Hiring at Avantis MCDM…

Episode 193 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Running a Daggerheart Session! Daggerheart provides advice on how to create a session based on the heroes. But is it actionable advice? Is Shawn raging while Teos remains positive? Find out the shocking truth! News: WotC Hiring AI, Paramount Cancels D&D, Foundry Launches RPG, and more! Contents 00:00 S…

Episode 192 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Daggerheart GM Moves and Mechanics! Daggerheart lets a GM act at any time, yet encourages moves that push the narrative and create fun for players. Let’s take a look! News: Andy Collins Returns to WotC, Chaosium Hires, Gamehole News, and more! Contents 00:00 Back in Black 01:47 Know Other RPGs to Desig…

Episode 191 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 13th Age 2E Design with Rob Heinsoo! The much admired 13th Age RPG has a second edition on kickstarter! Designer Rob Heinsoo discusses the game’s innovations and takes a look back at leading 4E design, the OGL as seen by WotC, and much more! News: Greyhawk in the DMG, Homebrew vs Prewritten, D&D Worlds…

Episode 190 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Daggerheart Review – GM Advice! We found the heart of Critical Role, and it’s in the GM advice section. Shawn and Teos dig into this advice, fantastic for any game but tailor-made for Daggerheart’s play. News: Critical Role Launches Beacon, MCDM on D&D Beyond, 2024 PH Art Reveal, and more! Contents 00:…

Episode 189 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Daggerheart Review – Domains and Actions! Cards in an RPG? Find out how Daggerheart keeps characters and gameplay interesting with Domains and the Action Tracker! News: Hasbro $1M Investment, D&D Beyond Changes Marketplace, Monster Symmetry, and more! Contents 00:00 Alien Sun 03:03 HP Increase Design? …

Episode 188 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Daggerheart Review – Character Creation! A nine-step process provides a robust mix of crunch and narrative options. See what this blend tells us about this and other RPGs. News: Hasbro’s Q1 Results, WotC Completing the PH, Roll20 Discord Integration, and more! Contents 00:00 Far Out 02:26 Vecna Prequel…

Episode 187 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Daggerheart Review – Core Rules! Hope, Fear, Stress, and so much more! We take a look at Daggerheart’s design and how it encourages narrative and tactical gameplay. News: WotC President Departs, Colville on Adventure Length, DriveThru Sales Data, and more! Contents 00:00 Deck of Campaign Derailments 02…

Episode 186 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: How to Keep Your New Campaign Healthy and Strong! If the average campaign lasts only 3-5 sessions, how do we avoid that fate and maintain a healthy long-term campaign? News: Hasbro CEO Interview Reimagined, Vecna is Coming, Fallout TV Sells RPG, and more! Contents 00:00 Kids are Alright 01:39 The Black…

Episode 185 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Designing Player-Facing Options for New Campaigns! How do you create or leverage player-facing rules that will intrigue them and ground them in your new world and your new campaign? How do you give them meaningful, informed choices early in the campaign? News: Prep vs Improv? Dimension 20 in the Garden…

Episode 184 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Design an RPG Starting Encounter! Continuing the discussion of designing a first adventure in our world, how do we design the first adventure? We look at creating an encounter that utilizes our setting, hooks, and plays off of the PCs! News: Core Book Prices, Free Tsojcanth and LEGO Adventures, D&D Sal…

Episode 183 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Designing an RPG Starting Adventure! Continuing the discussion of worldbuilding and village design, how do we start an adventure? We provide an approach to get the most out of your campaign and adventure starts! News: GaryCon Review, Remembering Jim Ward, Daggerheart Review! Contents 00:00 March Madnes…

Episode 182 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Designing an RPG Starting Village! Continuing the discussion of worldbuilding, a great place to start is a village. What must a starting village contain and what isn’t needed? How do we make it relevant and interesting? We dig into the design and examples that have and haven’t worked for us. News: Crit…

Episode 181 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Shadowdark GM Tips, Monsters, and Treasure! The finale of our Shadowdark series! We take a look the excellent advice, plus how the game provides monsters and treasure. News: Reviewing The Fallbacks, Adv League to Beyond, NASA RPG and Challenge, and more! Contents 00:00 Teos Has Seen Things 02:45 Emeral…

Episode 180 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Building and Changing Rules to Fit Your RPG World! Dan Dillon and Jason Ward join Shawn to discuss how to pick the best rules, or change them, when designing an RPG world. News: Dan Dillon and Jason Ward, Daggerheart Playtesting, Discworld RPG, and more! Contents 00:00 Dan and Jason! 02:11 Defining Suc…

Episode 179 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Worldbuilding Tips and Tricks! How do we create worlds that reflect the RPGs used to play them? How do we serve our readers, GMs, and players? Let’s talk worldbuilding! News: Surviving Strangehollow,| No D&D in Portuguese, D&D Off-Broadway, and more! Contents 00:00 Dark Weekend 01:01 Running Factions? …

Episode 178 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Shadowdark RPG’s Combat, Travel, and Downtime! Teos shares the exploits in a recent Shadowdark game, adding context as Shawn and Teos review Shadowdark’s rules for combat, travel, and downtime. News: Hasbro’s D&D Finances and Strategy, 2024 Release Info, Humblewood on Beyond, and more! Contents 00:00 M…

Episode 177 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Shadowdark RPG – Gameplay (MD 177) From initiative and darkness to checks and luck tokens, Shawn and Teos examine the rules that distinguish the game. News: D&D Thanks You, Manganiello Speaks, Pelgrane Blog Rocks, and more! Contents 00:00:00 Winter Fantasy for One 00:01:35 Shadowdark Balance? 00:10:50 …

Episode 176 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: News with Graham! With Shawn fighting off a cold, Graham joins us to take a look at the news. Back to Shadowdark next week! News: Foundry Gets 2024 5E, Kickstarter Growth, Adventures that Teach, and more! Contents 00:00:00 Graham Ward! 00:02:55 Player-DM Trust 00:10:20 D&D Stewardship 00:23:00 2024 Gli…

Episode 175 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Shadowdark RPG – Characters and Magic With Shadowdark’s simplicity, how do ancestries, classes, and class features distinguish themselves? Shawn and Teos examine the classes, alignment, and magic systems to see how this game manages to be so good. News: D&D Turned 40, D&D in VR, a Real Fortress Dungeon…

Episode 174 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Shadowdark RPG – Reviewing the Basics Shawn and Teos delve into Shadowdark. While their torchlight holds, they examine the first chapters of this tome. Learn the basics of Shadowdark’s design and what sets it apart from other similar RPGs. News: New D&D from Random House, How to Have Fun, Fighting AI, …

Episode 173 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Blade Runner Starter Set – Electric Dreams Adventure Review Mike Shea joins Shawn while Teos hunkers down without power. In the main segment, Shawn and Teos take a look at the adventure included in the Blade Runner starter set by Free League. We review the amazing value and how it provides for open pla…

Episode 172 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Blade Runner Starter Set – Rules Review Shawn and Teos take a look at the packed contents of the Blade Runner starter set by Free League. We review the amazing value and provide an overview of the rules. News: MCDM Raises $4.6M, Golden Ages, Winter Fantasy Signups, and more! Contents 00:00 Renewed 01:1…

Episode 171 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: 2023 Review and 2024 RPG Outlook Shawn and Teos look back at the rollercoaster year of 2023 and what excites us about the coming year. News: Drakkenheim on DDB, LotR Stars Play BG3, Valiant Adventures, and more! Contents 00:00 Renown 01:12 Setting Customizations? 14:21 Affordable Expectations? 29:22 Lo…

Episode 170 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Planescape’s Adventure: The Conclusion! The final two chapters of Turn of Fortune’s Wheel! We look back on how DMs can make the most of the adventure. News: Understanding WotC Layoffs, Netflix Talks BG3, Greatest RPG Adventures, and more! Contents 00:00 Rollercoaster 2023 02:19 Resource Management? 10:…

Episode 169 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Planescape’s Adventure: Outlands and Spire! We expect big payoffs as the adventure reveals it's biggest secrets. Is the payoff worth it? Find out how the answer isn’t yes, as we review Chapters 12 and 13 Turn of Fortune’s Wheel. News: MCDM Breaks Records, Roll20 Overhaul, GaryCon Epic, and more! Conten…

Episode 168 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Planescape’s Adventure: Gate Towns! Seven gate towns must be visited! How well does the 4-page format work, and what would we change? Find out as we look at Chapters 5-11 of Turn of Fortune’s Wheel. News: Ghostfire and Dungeon Dudes on DDB, D&D 50th Anniversary Products, D&D Stamps, and more! Contents …

Episode 167 of Mastering Dungeons! Main topic: Turn of Fortune’s Wheel: Casino and Outlands! Casino games are more fun when player goals align. This and the villain present challenges for the DM, if not the players. We venture into the Outlands and experience a castle out of a Miyazaki film. News: D&D Move Sequel, Peril Design, Gygax Shoes, PAX U E…