Ghostfire Gaming

The Eldritch Lorecast

Leisure EN ↓ 249 episodes

Ben Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and Todd Kenreck bring you the latest tabletop hobby news, discussions on roleplaying game design, ideas for players and GMs, and share their passion for tabletop roleplaying games and the community! For More info be sure to check out ghostfiregaming.com .

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Ghostfire Gaming

Episodes

#224. The REAL Reason We Only Talk D&D (and Daggerheart) 14.01.2026 1:06:41

Why ARE D&D, Daggerheart, and Draw Steel the ONLY roleplaying games folks talk about? What is Crows and when can you playtest it? How do you tackle GM mental overload? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: @ToddKenreck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ⁨@DannyCalamari⁩ Topics: 00:00 - Intro 00:29 - Non-D&D games we play 03:55 - Why we DON...

#223. New Year, New Co-Host, but Where's D&D in 2026? 07.01.2026 53:01

The biggest D&D news podcast welcomes their newest Co-Host! Critical Role plans for their future while WotC is yet to reveal any D&D books for 2026. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Todd: ⁨@ToddKenreck⁩ Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ⁨@jberrt⁩ Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:34 - Todd Kenreck's new job! 05:45 - D&D's plans in 2026...

#222. Should the #1 D&D Podcast Finally Call it Quits? 31.12.2025 1:03:57

The Eldritch Lorecast says another sad farewell! We try deciphering our own Spotify wrapped while pondering whether systems of magic inherently make it impossible to balance a TTRPG, and is that a bad thing? Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ⁨Danny Camilleri Topics: 00:00 - Intro 04:23 - Lorecast&...

#221. Looking Back on the BIGGEST 2025 D&D News! 24.12.2025 52:22

What was the BEST game released in 2025? What stories reshaped the TTRPG industry? The Eldritch Lorecast celebrates another year of D&D and tabletop gaming with the Elly Awards! Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: ⁨@jberrt⁩ Topics: 00:00 - Intro 02:23 - Biggest news of 2025 12:01- Best TTRPG re...

#220. Does Paying Your DM Ruin the D&D Hobby? 17.12.2025 1:01:38

Paying your DM can change the dynamic at your D&D table, but do paid dungeon masters ruin the TTRPG hobby for everyone? Meanwhile, WotC makes a pact for the next D&D video game: Warlock! LAST CHANCE to Late Pledge to Grim Hollow: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael...

#219. Is D&D's Biggest Competitor Already Dead? 10.12.2025 1:01:14

The Cosmere RPG set the record for TTRPG crowdfunding and then vanished? So where did it go? Meanwhile D&D Beyond plans for the future and why is Jubensha the best roleplaying game you've never heard of? Enter the Enchanting Emporiums with 30% off (use EE30): https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_ELEE_2025_12_219 People Make Games⁩ Jubensha documentary: https://youtu.be/6_dlxbGUNNQ?si Email you...

#218. We've Been LIED To About D&D Sales! 03.12.2025 1:02:49

D&D sales figures expose the REAL popularity of 5e 2024, we're give our gift giving guide for the TTRPG fan in your life, and discuss how to bring adventure campaigns to that satisfying conclusion! Transform your wardrobe at the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Ja...

#217. How Daggerheart is RESHAPING the TTRPG Industry! 26.11.2025 58:51

Has Daggerheart conquered Pathfinder as the #2 most popular TTRPG? Is D&D 5e next on the chopping block? Or is the success of Darrington Press all smoke & mirrors? FINAL WEEK of Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Adam: @RetroArchet...

#216. Why are D&D Shows So Hard to Make? (and rarely good!) 19.11.2025 1:05:09

The Mighty Nein animated show gets pulled from YouTube ahead of it's Amazon release! The D&D Netflix series could be in trouble, and is there a difference between game crunch and 'control', and which camp do 5e, Daggerheart or Draw Steel fall into? Transform your wardrobe at the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204 Email your questions to podcas...

#215. TTRPG Fans DIVIDED by Hero Forge Pricing Controversy! 12.11.2025 1:00:38

Hero Forge divides fans with a licensing agreement, the Fantasy Grounds VTT goes Free-to-Play, and should D&D bring Prestige Classes back to 5e 2024? Check out the Ghostfire merch store: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_Store_2025_11_204 Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Be...

#214. Fear Reigns in Daggerheart's First Adventure Module! 05.11.2025 1:00:39

Daggerheart launches its first adventure module Kickstarter set in the eldritch city of Drakkenheim! The Blood Hunter also finds its way into Daggerheart while D&D revives Xanathar's subclasses through Unearthed Arcana. Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrn...

#213. D&D 5e has a New OFFICIAL VTT! 28.10.2025 1:01:45

Sigil has failed its final death save! Is D&D Beyond Maps a good enough replacement? Dragonlance gets resurrected, 5e 2024 could be the most successful edition yet, and what level should you start your campaign? Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @Dai...

#212. D&D's NEW Way to Cast Spells Together! 22.10.2025 56:47

D&D 5e makes magic a group activity with new Circle Casting, Critical Role pushes actual play further as a performance art, and we debate whether a TTRPG is a Shared Story or an Interactive Narrative. Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 03:17 - D&D's new c...

#211. DON'T Start Your D&D Liveplay Without Knowing This! 15.10.2025 1:12:00

How is a D&D Liveplay different from your home game? Diana Fay and Adam Carnevale help explain what makes a TTRPG Liveplay good! Also, should you tinker with 5e monster rules? How do you play test your own homebrew? Do we need to evacuate? Check out 'Elder Gods And Dragons' & Scryglass Studio: https://www.egnd.com.au/ Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBen...

#210. Is Daggerheart Pulling 3rd Party Publishers from D&D? 08.10.2025 1:06:59

Darrington Press attracts HUGE 3rd party talent like the Dungeon Dudes, who announce Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart. The Mighty Nein on Amazon gets a launch date, WotC want MOAR D&D video games, and a new 5e 2024 Psion drops in Unearthed Arcana. Delve into the Dungeons of Drakkenheim: Daggerheart - https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_DKDH_2025_10_210 Sign up to play at PAX Aus: https://ghos...

#209. Why the Hellfire Club is for EXPERIENCED D&D Players Only! 06.10.2025 55:15

Do the Fey of Lorwyn fit into the Forgotten Realms? Is there a better MtG crossover for 5e 2024? The Grim Hollow Campaign Guide erupts onto D&D Beyond, Stranger Things gets a new box set, and we ponder what power is in a True Name? Get the Grim Hollow Campaign Guide on D&D Beyond! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2025_2_204 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Dael: @Da...

#208. D&D Has an Unearthed Arcana Problem! 24.09.2025 1:03:01

Is Unearthed Arcana becoming a problem for WotC? Has 5e 2024 finally gotten the Arcane Archer right? Which D&D edition is the most expensive? What are your thoughts on homebrew? RACE to get Torque Borg by clicking THIS LINK! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/977140613/torque-borg-a-wasteland-rpg?ref=1fwvx3 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDae...

#207. Is the New D&D Starter Set the BEST Way to Learn to Play? 17.09.2025 1:01:40

What are the best adventures for introducing new players to D&D 5e? Does the new Starter Set, Heroes of the Borderlands, truly have it all? UNLOCK the Dark Fantasy Construction Kit from Arkenforge: https://bit.ly/Darkenforge Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 07:...

#206. STOP Trying to Balance Your D&D Game! 10.09.2025 59:11

Wizards of the Coast chart their future D&D plans as a franchise, we explore whether a TTRPG should be balanced or fun, and there's IMPORTANT late-breaking Critical Role news! LAST CHANCE to Set Sail on the Aetherial Expanse: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @sha...

#205. Are ALL D&D Adventures DESIGNED to be Linear? 03.09.2025 1:06:56

Do players EVER actually have choices in prewritten adventures? Is the sandbox purely an illusion? How do TTRPG game designers ensure characters have agency choosing their path forward? An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael James: @jamesjhaeck E...

#204. Why Would Critical Role Choose D&D over Daggerheart? 27.08.2025 58:30

Why NOBODY predicted Critical Role would choose D&D over Daggerheart! And what does a West Marches style campaign mean for Campaign 4? We also invoke the dreaded name of Dark Sun! Get the Grim Hollow Player's Guide on D&D Beyond! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2025_2_204 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Ja...

#203. Is D&D ACTUALLY Better Off After 3 years? 20.08.2025 1:06:14

In the OGL aftermath and the full release of D&D 2024, is the game better or worse than it's ever been? Is 5e 2024 actually better than 5e 2014? An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Mike: ⁨@SlyFlourish⁩ Editor:...

#202. Who Should WotC Choose to Decide D&D's Future? 13.08.2025 58:49

Todd Kenreck helps us to ponder which community members should WotC choose for the D&D Advisory Panel? Gen Con hits record attendance! Then we settle in to build cozy homes and grimdark worlds for your TTRPG adventures. An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne...

#201. How Brennan Lee Mulligan Could Reshape Critical Role! 06.08.2025 52:14

Brennan Lee Mulligan takes over Critical Role, Ghostfire Gaming launches an Organized Play campaign, MCDM releases Draw Steel, and Paizo puts a 5e adventure on D&D Beyond! It's been a long Gen Con... Learn more about the Grim Hunt: https://ghostfiregaming.com/resources/ Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Hannah: @Amazi...

#200. Is WotC Bringing Microtransactions Back to D&D Beyond? 30.07.2025 1:11:14

D&D Beyond teases digital DLC for the Forgotten Realms setting books, while Nott the Brave teases town guards in the new Critical Role animated series. We also celebrate 200 episodes of this here podcast! A new Aetherial Expans adventure is coming to Kickstarter:https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933 Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @DailyDa...