Impossible Odds | Player Autonomy vs Overwhelming Opposition | Wandering DMs S05 E30
With the launch of the Fearful Ends Kickstarter imminent, Dan and Paul discuss roleplaying impossible situations. How do we maintain player autonomy when the deck is clearly stacked against them? What does it mean to “play to fail”, and how…
Natural Healing in D&D | Wandering DMs S05 E29
Without magic, how fast does a character heal in D&D? It may surprise you how much the answer has changed over the editions! Dan & Paul debate which rule is best. And what are hit points, anyway? Wound healing refers…
Assassins in D&D | Wandering DMs S05 E28
Assassins were prominently available for hire in the earliest edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and they became a core character class of their own in 1st Edition Advanced D&D. Where did they sneak off to since then? What’s the best…
D&D Character Sheets | Setting the Record Straight | Wandering DMs S05 E27
Dan and Paul dive into character sheets! Between edition changes and advancing technology, how have they changed throughout the years? And what’s the best way to keep tabs on your character’s most important details now? Original Edition Dungeons & Dragons…
Mazes in D&D | Getting Lost is Half the Fun | Wandering DMs S05 E26
Join Dan and Paul as they discuss the use of mazes in D&D adventures! They will explore the twists and turns of these navigation puzzles, and try to discover the line between captivating challenges and maddening exercises in frustration. The…
D&D on Mars | The Warriors of Mars | Wandering DMs S05 E25
Paul & Dan chat about the huge influence that tales set on Mars (Burroughs’ John Carter Barsoom stories) had on the design of early Dungeons & Dragons. Did you know that original D&D had a built-in table for Martian encounters…
Real World Inspirations | Creating D&D Adventures From What’s Around You | Wandering DMs S05 E24
Dan & Paul chat about using the world around them to create D&D and other TTRPG scenarios. They share personal anecdotes of times they stumbled upon real places that sparked their creativity, reinforcing the notion that the real world is…
Weather in D&D | What Can You Do About It? | Wandering DMs S05 E23
Dan & Paul chat about different weather systems for D&D they’ve seen over the years. Do you prefer yours simple, or very detailed? Dice-based or DM narrative fiat? And why is it so important for wilderness adventures and wargaming? Numerical…
Paranoia RPGs | Mandatory Fun | Wandering DMs S05 E22
Fresh from playing the Paranoia Mandatory Bonus Fun Card Game, Dan and Paul discuss their experience with various editions of the Paranoia RPG. Stay alert, trust no one, and keep your laser handy! Paranoia is a humorous role-playing game set…
Unboxing War of Wizards (1975) | Wandering DMs S02 E21
Paul’s acquired an ancient treasure: A copy of M.A.R. Barker’s 1975 “War of Wizards” game, still in the shrink wrap, from Gary Gygax’s personal collection no less! This is the first-ever publication set in Tékumel, the world of the Empire…
