How Not To Be a Potato | Showing Up at the Table | Wandering DMs S08 E05
Dan and Paul tackle a deceptively common table problem: the potato player – someone who shows up, sits quietly, and never quite engages. Coined as shorthand for disengaged play, “potatoing” can look the same from the outside but come from…
Rangers in D&D | Wilderness Experts | Wandering DMs S08 E04
Paul and Dan chat about the history of Rangers in D&D. Inspired directly by Tolkien, they’re one of D&D’s earliest and most appealing sub-classes! With abilities to surprise, track, cut down giants, and even cast spells, they’re not your normal…
Puzzle Dungeons | Chris “Directsun” on Designing Meaningful Puzzles | Wandering DMs S08 E03
Dan and Paul revisit one of Wandering DMs’ earliest topics – puzzles in tabletop RPGs – this time with special guest Chris M, aka Directsun. Back in Season 1, we wrestled with why puzzles so often fall flat at the…
Star Frontiers in 2026 | Life in the Future | Wandering DMs S08 E02
Dan & Paul chat about the classic 1980’s sci-fi RPG, Star Frontiers, from the makers of D&D. We’re still running it today for younger players and having a great time. What are the great things about it that still work,…
The Rule of Cool | When Breaking the Rules Makes the Game Better | Wandering DMs S08 E01
Dan and Paul kick off Season 8 by diving into one of the most debated ideas in tabletop RPGs: The Rule of Cool. When should a GM stick to the written rules, and when is it better to bend or…
2025 Year in Review | Wandering DMs Season 7 | Wandering DMs S07 E41
Dan and Paul close out Season 7 of Wandering DMs with their annual Year in Review, looking back at what defined the season. They revisit standout episodes, recurring topics, and memorable conversations, along with the moments where the show broke…
Illusions in D&D | Disbelieve What You See | Wandering DMs S07 E40
Paul & Dan reflect on the state of illusions in D&D, across the many editions of the game. Can a basic illusion deal actual damage to your character, or not? Can they trap your character in hallucinatory pit? How robust…
Player Prep in D&D | Lessons from Gygax’s “Successful Adventures” | Wandering DMs S07 E39
Dan and Paul discuss the often-overlooked idea that players can (and perhaps should) prepare for a D&D session. Using Gary Gygax’s “Successful Adventures” section from the back of the AD&D 1E Player’s Handbook, they explore how early D&D expected parties…
Pacing vs Player Agency | Guiding the Game Without Railroading | Wandering DMs S07 E38
Dan and Paul discuss the art of pacing a tabletop RPG session without taking away player agency. How can a GM speed up play when the group burrows into side plots, or slow things down when players sprint straight toward…
West Marches Campaigns | Freedom, Exploration, and Chaos in D&D | Wandering DMs S07 E37
Dan and Paul dive into the world of West Marches campaigns – a style of play built around open exploration, rotating players, and player-driven adventure. With Critical Role’s new campaign borrowing some West Marches ideas, it’s the perfect time to…
