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…
Making Enemies in D&D | With Keith Ammann | Wandering DMs S07 E36
Dan & Paul get to chat with Keith Ammann — renowned author of The Monsters Know What They’re Doing — about his newest book on D&D monsters, Making Enemies. This time Keith explores everything that goes into creating monsters from…
Mummies in D&D | Halloween 2025 | Wandering DMs S07 E35
Paul & Dan unwrap the state of Mummies in Dungeons & Dragons. What makes them unique compared to other undead monsters? How have they changed over the editions? What’s the best way to use these ancient horrors in your games?…
Dungeons & Dragons Origins | With Shannon Appelcline | Wandering DMs S07 E34
Dan & Paul chat with D&D historian Shannon Appelcline — who’s back with his most ambitious work to date. A sprawling 4-volume Origins set, providing a detailed look at every single product created in the early days of official Dungeons…
Pitching Classic D&D in 2025 | Old School for the New Generation | Wandering DMs S07 E33
It’s been 50 years since Dungeons & Dragons first appeared — and today’s players are discovering it through Critical Role, Dimension 20, and a sea of streaming shows. But what happens when you introduce them to the classic game? Dan…
