Mastering Dungeons

Episode 239 of Mastering Dungeons!  Main topic: Embarking on A Nautical Campaign ! Nautical campaigns offer exciting options different from other campaign types. Join us as we voyage into the strengths and challenges of these campaigns! News: WotC’s Strong Q1, SRD 5.2 Review, Alliance Rejects Diamond, Best Campaign Setting, and more! Contents 00:00 Play Every Day 03:03 Digital Response to Tariffs? 10:11 Changes for Exhausted Players? 19:12 Hasbro Q1 2025 23:04 How Big is D&D? 26:23 Hasbro and Tariffs 30:36 SRD 5.2 Released 35:36 SRD Localizations 38:50 Best Campaign Setting 40:39 Alliance Drops Diamond 42:45 Tariff Update 44:53 Andrew B on Writing Process 49:00 Fury of the Forsaken 49:51 Newbie DM's Iomandra 51:05 Embarking on a Nautical Campaign 53:38 Strengths of a Nautical Campaign 01:00:31 Campaign Differences 01:09:39 Challenges 01:15:29 Themes 01:18:05 Ship Combat 01:20:35 Shout-Outs 01:24:37 What Are We Gonna Do? Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon. Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/  Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Explore the clever use of environmental factors in dragon encounters, enhancing gameplay with elevation, difficult terrain, and lighting. Discover insider insights on the new SRD updates and how they shape the future of D&D. The discussion also touches on navigating challenges for new Dungeon Masters and the impact of tariffs on indie publishing. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' and delve into dynamic combat strategies that keep players engaged and excited!

Episode 237 of Mastering Dungeons!  Main topic: Teaching a New Generation! We ponder how learning RPGs has changed over the years and the best way to teach new players and DMs today. News: Jeremy Crawford Leaves WotC, Dragon Delves 1-on-1 Play, Atlas Games Recycling, and more! Contents 00:00 Get Outside 02:22 Make Equipment Matter? 12:48 Which Upcoming Release Excites Us? 16:38 Jeremy Crawford Departs WotC 25:02 James Wyatt on Dragon Delves Solo Play 32:47 Tariffs - Who Knows? 36:49 Atlas Games' Recycling Plastics 38:42 Exploring Creative Play 41:20 Hits the Fan 43:10 Teaching a New Generation 45:39 How We Learned to Play and DM 56:22 How Teaching Has Changed 01:07:53 Tips for Teaching New Players 01:19:27 Tips for Teaching New DMs 01:30:16 Shout-Outs 01:33:38 What Are We Gonna Do? Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon. Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/  Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 236 of Mastering Dungeons!  Main topic: Rules-Light D&D Characters! We consider how D&D can be simplified and the goals and tradeoffs involved in creating a rules-light version. News: Chris Perkins Retires, Greg Bilsland Returns, Tariffs and Tabletop, and more! Contents 00:00 Reflecting on Sorrow 02:41 2 Campaigns in Same Setting? 13:03 Convert 4E Monsters to 5E? 16:08 Chris Perkins Retires 23:57 Greg Bilsland Returns to D&D 27:08 Tabletop and Tariffs 35:37 GAMA is Broken 37:47 Monte Cook Narrative vs Math 45:03 Rules-Light D&D Characters 47:34 Motivation for Lighter Rules 52:48 Mathematical Side 01:02:14 Ease for New Players and DMs 01:04:25 What to Keep 01:06:48 Arora Trait System 01:09:56 Iterative Approach 01:11:49 Choice Menus 01:15:55 Spellcaster Complexity 01:17:47 Healing and Resting 01:20:49 Shout-Outs 01:24:35 What Are We Gonna Do? Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon. Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/  Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Dive into the fascinating world of Forever DMs as the hosts dissect the dynamics shaping RPG groups! They explore Matt Colville's insights, tackle the importance of communication and empathy, and discuss strategies for boosting player engagement. Hear about innovative uses of D&D for environmental education, plus exciting news like Robin Laws' new creative role. Uncover how to transition players into DMs and the benefits of creating characters that enhance group play. Laughter and nostalgia fill the air—as always, RPGs connect us all!

Graham Ward, an RPG designer known for his creative work on Hundred Dungeons, joins the discussion to share insights about blending OSR mechanics with traditional gameplay. They delve into the importance of class roles and the impact of resting on player engagement. With a keen focus on node-based storytelling, Graham emphasizes enhancing exploration and narrative. They also explore themes of vulnerability in game design and practical tips for creators on shipping their RPG products, all while addressing real-world issues reflected in their games.

Episode 233 of Mastering Dungeons!  Main topic: Let’s Build Encounters! We build encounters based on goblin and pirate monster groups as found in the revised Monster Manual. See our process for creating fun and engaging encounters! News: Electric State on Netflix, SVP Leaves WotC, Origins Award Finalists, and more! Contents 00:00:00 Duke Ranks Higher Than Our Show 00:01:17 D&D at ECCC 00:05:52 D&D vs PBtA Story Loop 00:14:55 Removing D&D Subclasses? 00:17:40 Favorite Settings or Genres? 00:22:00 Digital and Licensing SVP Departs WotC 00:24:38 Electric State on Netflix 00:26:14 LoG Battle of Emridy Meadows 00:29:25 Origins Award Finalists 00:31:03 Running D&D for Kids 00:32:33 Florida Judge Cites D&D Not Making Him Satanic 00:33:57 Shadowdark Western Reaches 00:37:52 Jeff Stevens Villains & Lairs 00:38:30 LATAM RPG Jam 00:39:32 Let's Build Encounters 00:40:30 What's Our Process? 00:42:47 When Do We Care About Math? 00:46:07 Adventure Rhythm 00:48:15 What Makes an Encounter Fun? 00:55:19 What Is Our Story? 00:58:13 Let's Build a Goblin Encounter! 01:12:13 Let's Build a Pirate Encounter! 01:21:28 Rewards 01:23:52 Shout-Outs 01:27:07 What Are We Gonna Do? Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon. Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/  Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Episode 232 of Mastering Dungeons!  Main topic: Making Your D&D or RPG World Dangerous! Shawn Merwin is joined by Ben Byrne to create the true number one show in all the realms… where that show covers the news and then discusses how to make D&D feel dangerous to players! News: Starter Set News, Chris Cocks on More Than AI, DriveThru Print Prices, and more! Contents 00:00 Who is Ben Byrne and What Did He Do with Teos? 02:28 So Little Onboarding for Players? 06:57 Best Ways to Make New Players Comfortable? 12:00 Specific Resources for New Players? 14:07 Practical ways to introduce newbies? 16:08 New Starter Set Updates 24:42 DriveThru Print Prices Increase 28:12 Chris Cocks on More than AI 32:45 Making D&D and RPG World Dangerous Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon. Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/  Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Delve into the world of monster groupings, where goblins and pirates take center stage! The discussion centers on how these groupings can enhance themes and create dynamic encounters for DMs. Insights are shared about the new Sigil VTT and the innovative 'Heroes of the Borderlands' starter set designed for newcomers. The conversation also touches on the challenges of Challenge Ratings in balancing encounters, alongside reflections on Ernie Gygax's legacy and the whimsical side of gaming with a quirky Mr. Potato Head beholder!

Episode 230 of Mastering Dungeons!  Main topic: Listener Corner Catch Up! So many awesome listener questions, we devoted the show to them! News: Hasbro 2024 Q4 Results, New D&D Video Game, New Magic D&D Crossover, and more! Contents 00:00:00 Santa Clara is Celestial 00:02:43 Hasbro 2024 Q4 Results 00:08:47 How Big is D&D after 2024? 00:14:26 Hasbro Playing to Win Strategy 00:17:35 D&D at Gen Con News 00:21:07 New AAA D&D Video Game 00:24:25 Tom Dunn 2024 MM Analysis 00:32:48 Lorwyn-Shadowmoor D&D MtG Crossover 00:35:07 Hexploration Decks & Explorer's Kit 00:36:03 Outer Seas Black Coral Citadel 00:37:52 Listener Corner Catch-Up 00:38:17 Creating RPG Surveys? 00:48:05 Change 1 Thing in the '24 MM? 00:58:36 Use the DMG Tracking Sheets? 01:04:43 Satisfying Game Prep? 01:07:08 3rd Party Compatibility? 01:10:58 Always Play New Edition? 01:15:59 RPGs with Changing Ability Scores? 01:23:03 Stagger 2 Organized Play Stories? 01:30:16 Shout-Outs 01:34:32 What Are We Gonna Do? Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon. Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/  Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.