Game Master's Journey

Today I’ll discuss an excellent Ted talk I saw about how playing RPGs like D&D is good for us. Before that, I’ll discuss Wizards of the Coast’s product replacement policy for D&D fifth edition. Their website is misleading, and the process is much easier than you may have been led to believe.

I dig into chapter 7 of the Player’s Handbook and discuss ability checks. I tell you how you can determine which ability and skill to use for a check and how to assign the DC for a check. I also touch on helping, group checks, encumbrance, and hiding in combat. Finally, I provide some insight on how to know when to ask for a roll, and when not to.

Today I discuss multiclassing & feats in D&D fifth edition. These are two optional rules that you can use (or not use) to tailor your game to get exactly the experience you’re looking for.

I discuss chapter 5 of the PHB—Equipment. You might be surprised how many gems are in this chapter, including some decisions you can make about how to customize your game. Before that, I have another update to episode 136's discussion of the alternate encounter rules in the Unearthed Arcana.

As game masters we wear many hats, and there are a lot of skillsets involved. Today I discuss the GM as rules arbiter. When it comes to the rules of an RPG, the buck stops at the GM. Most RPGs have a rule zero which gives the GM ultimate authority when it comes to the rules, not the books or developers of the game. Second, I will begin a series of segments in which I will dig into the PHB and DMG....

Today I’ll discuss an alternative method for building encounters for D&D that Wizards has provided in the Unearthed Arcana. After some playtesting, I’ve found this method to be easier and work better than the method presented in the DMG. It’s also not nearly as confusing or involved as it may seem. I also discuss the dangers of getting too used to adjusting encounters on the fly instead of designi...

Today I give a complete review of Volo's Guide to Monsters, the latest supplement for Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition.

In this episode I’ll discuss a trick I use to help me bring my NPCs to life or even create an NPC on the fly during play. I’ll also share with you a house rule I’ve been deliberating for D&D. It’s turned out to be a great example of some of the perils of making house rules.

This week I discuss Limitless Adventure's 5th edition products and Kickstarter. I also discuss strongholds and followers from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st Edition and share some of my thoughts on how I will bring these rules into 5th edition for use in my homebrew world, Primordia.

Today I’m discussing PC backstories and how to bring them into the story of your campaign. I’ll give advice not only for GMs, but also for players on how to better give the GM what she needs in order to bring your backstory into the main narrative. Not only will using these character hooks enrich the story of your game, but it will also increase player buy-in and engagement. I also talk a bit abou...

Today I return to the topic of gaming between sessions. How do we keep the story going, and keep players engaged, in between our gaming sessions? I’ve got some great ideas from listeners that I’ll share with you.

Today I’ll discuss some revisions I’m considering for Primordia as I begin preparations for my first campaign in the setting. I’ll also answer a few remaining listener questions about the setting. This is a great example of how worldbuilding is a process that never truly ends. Never be afraid to make necessary revisions to your setting, even when you already have campaigns up and running. 

Shane of the Total Party Thrill podcast joins me today to discuss gaming between sessions. We explore strategies you can use as a GM to keep player engagement and interest high in between your gaming sessions.

Today I answer listener questions about my homebrew D&D world, Primordia. Some of the topics discussed include the underdark of Primordia, the fae of Primordia, and traveling to Primordia from other worlds.

Today I resume discussion of my homebrew D&D world of Primordia. I talk about how some of my assumptions about the world have come into conflict with running actual adventures in the world and the solutions I found to the dilemma. I also discuss what adventures in Primordia will be like, and I talk more about the Wilds of Primordia and what kinds of things you’ll find out there. What makes Pri...

I give my full review of Storm King’s Thunder, the new published D&D campaign by Wizards of the Coast.

Welcome to season 7 of Game Master's Journey! I’ve gotten some great feedback on episode 124, which was on theater of the mind play, and I’ll share some of that feedback with you today. I’ll also share a tip on how to handle initiative in such a way as to not disrupt the flow, momentum and pacing of your session.

Today I’m going to discuss using theater of the mind as GMs. I’ll give some benefits and challenges as compared to using miniatures and a grid, and I’ll pull in some opinions from listener-GMs. Finally, I’ll share some strategies to help you make theater of the mind work for you and your group.

Storm King's Thunder has more to offer than just an adventure. I discuss some of the early highlights of this book and thoughts they've inspired, including giving DMs and players choices when handing out "random" magic items, how to use the coins in treasure hoards to help keep PC wealth where you want it, and some ideas on what to do if you have a TPK. I also discuss how the adventure gives the p...

If you're looking for an extensive review of Tome of Beasts by Kobold Press, then you've come to the right place! I dig into this new monster manual for D&D fifth edition in detail. Will this book be right for you, your game, your setting and your group? You'll have to decide for yourself, but I'll give you the knowledge you need to make an educated decision.

Today I’m going to discuss the latest revision of the ranger class for D&D released by Wizards of the Coast in the latest Unearthed Arcana. Has Wizards effectively addressed and solved the problems with fifth edition's ranger?

I’ve gotten a lot of great feedback on episode 119, in which I discussed the expansion of Elandria, and some more feedback on episode 118 and the Old Magic of Primordia. I’ll go over some of that feedback, and my thoughts on it, in this episode.

Today, I’m pulling in some listener feedback to guide a discussion on the expansion of the city of Elandria and the planning stages of my first campaign in my homebrew world of Primordia.

Today I talk a little about the legendary Old Magic of Primordia. This will exist solely in the realm of DM Fiat. Maybe it isn't even magic at all....

Today's topic is making rulings on the fly as a GM--specifically, calling for rolls that aren’t necessarily covered by your system of choice. You don’t need (or want!) a game to give you a mechanic for every little thing. Once you’ve grasped the basic resolution mechanics of a game, you can apply that knowledge to resolve any crazy thing the PCs come up with to try. I’ll use the current incarnatio...