After being a Dungeon Master for 3 years, here are a few tools I use or plan to use in my future D&D campaigns that you should check out.

• Free League Publishing's "The One Ring 2E" - https://freeleaguepublishing.com/games/the-one-ring/
• Cubicle Seven's "Uncharted Journeys" - https://cubicle7games.com/our-games/uncharted-journeys
• MCDM Productions' "Arcadia" - https://shop.mcdmproductions.com/products/arcadia-complete-bundle-issues-1-30
• Mystic Arts' "The Dungeoneering Rules" - https://www.patreon.com/posts/dungeoneering-149413228

• Blog Post Version | https://crithitthegiant.com/2026/03/06/3-tools-im-using-to-level-up-my-dd-play/
• Watch "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee
• Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - Intro

00:56 - Uncharted Journeys from Cubicle 7

06:04 - Group Maneuvers from MCDM

09:23 - The Dungeoneering Rules from Mystic Arts

13:02 - What Tools Would You Suggest?

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One of the most interesting subclasses of Barbarians I've found is from a third party resource "Forgotten Realms Rashemen: Unapproachable East Campaign Guide", called "Path of the Runescarred". It has a really neat history tied to magic and you can cast spells while Raging!

"Forgotten Realms Rashemen: Unapproachable East Campaign Guide" on DMs Guild | https://www.dmsguild.com/en/product/370425/rashemen-campaign-guide

Blog Post Version | https://crithitthegiant.com/2026/02/27/barbarian-spotlight-path-of-the-runescarred/

Watch "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - Rashemen: Unapproachable East Campaign Guide

02:47 - Barbarians In Rashemen

05:50 - Path Of The Runescarred Description

07:05 - Level 3: Runescars

11:46 - Level 6: Runic Power

12:30 - Level 10: Witch Strength

13:21 - Level 14: Reckless Wards

17:13 - Final Thoughts

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What are some of the best Origin Feats for a 2024 Barbarian? Here are my recommendations with some honorable mentions!

Also - I will be making more videos regarding the Barbarian class so if there's anything you'd like to see or know more about, let me know!

BLOG POST VERSION: https://crithitthegiant.com/2026/02/20/best-origin-feats-for-barbarians/

WATCH: "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - What Do You Want To Know About Barbarians?

01:12 - Origin Feats

04:19 - Tough

05:45 - Savage Attacker

07:09 - Alert

08:55 - Skilled

10:46 - Honorable Mentions

13:02 - Origin Feat Vs. General Feats

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Here are 4 rules in D&D (2024) that I recently "rediscovered" that I wanted to share with you.

ARTICLE: https://crithitthegiant.com/2026/02/06/4-dd-rules-you-may-have-skipped/

WATCH: "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - Intro

01:33 - The Help Action And Ability Checks

02:21 - Targets Get Half-Cover If Someone Is In The Way

04:12 - The Study Action And Monsters

06:33 - Influence Actions Against Hostile Creatures

09:04 - What's Your Rediscovered Rules?

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A popular home-brew rule at D&D tables is using Critical Fumbles when a Natural 1 is rolled. Some people love it; others hate it. But using this set of rules not only give players more agency with Critical Fumbles, but it even encourages them to use it!

LINKS:

ARTICLE | https://crithitthegiant.com/2026/01/30/use-these-critical-fumbles-rules/

WATCH | "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

CHAPTERS!!!

00:00 - What Is A Critical Fumble?

02:34 - Adding A Consequence To The Natural 1 Roll

07:14 - Pool Of Heroic Inspiration

09:32 - Don't Just Implement - Get Player Buy-In

10:39 - Recap and Wrap Up

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One of the best ways to play a game set in the world of "The Lord Of The Rings" is to play the popular TTRPG "The One Ring" from Free League Publishing. I was able to try out a one shot of the newest Starter Set for the game, and here are my favorite things about this game that I am now obsessed over.

• ARTICLE: https://crithitthegiant.com/2026/01/23/what-i-loved-about-playing-the-one-ring/
• The One Ring Starter Set: https://freeleaguepublishing.com/shop/the-one-ring/over-hill-and-under-hill-starter-set/
• Free League Publishing: https://freeleaguepublishing.com
• AdamCon: https://www.theadamcon.com
• WATCH: "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee
• Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - Intro

02:40 - Disclaimer & Shoutout

04:00 - The Dice Mechanics

08:49 - The Character Sheet

20:01 - Journeying

26:17 - Combat

35:00 - Council

39:30 - Closing

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Recently, the new head of D&D Beyond, Bryan Perry, provided an update on the future of D&D Beyond and hosted an AMA Reddit post to answer people's questions about the digital tool. As someone who uses this tool regularly (almost every day!), I thought I would share what's currently on my wish list for the D&D digital tool set.

ARTICLE: https://crithitthegiant.com/2025/12/19/my-dd-beyond-wish-list/

D&D Beyond 2025 Wrap Up | https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2116-d-d-beyond-2025-wrap-up

Reddit AMA With Bryan Perry and D&D Beyond | https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/1phmm0i/ama_w_dd_beyond_executive_producer_on_december_9/

The Future Of D&D Beyond Maps | https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2120-the-road-ahead-join-our-journey-to-improve-the

WATCH: "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - D&D Beyond's Request For Feedback

03:32 - Encounters Tool

07:18 - PDF Copies Of The Books

10:13 - Unifying the Website and App Experience

11:42 - Updating the User Interface

13:57 - What's on YOUR D&D Beyond Wish List?

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There are times when playing a session of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) won't be possible for whatever reason. Maybe you are short on time or the motivation isn't there, or you're with your family and friends and they don't have an interest in playing. The good news is that there are tons of board games that can scratch the D&D itch for you. In this episode, here are some games I would recommend trying out or playing if you're wanting that D&D experience. And don't forget to support your local game stores!

• 5-Minute Dungeon
• Betrayal At Baldur's Gate
• Castle Panic
• Dice Throne
• For The Queen
• Heroes Of Barcadia
• Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons
• Wandering Towers

00:00 - Intro

01:06 - 5-Minute Dungeon (Wiggles 3D)

02:23 - Betrayal At Baldur's Gate (Avalon Hill/Hasbro)

03:25 - Castle Panic (Fireside Games)

04:29 - Dice Throne (Dice Throne)

05:45 - For The Queen (Darrington Press)

08:25 - Heroes Of Barcadia (Rollacrit)

10:13 - Horrified: Dungeons & Dragons (Ravensburger)

12:03 - Wandering Towers (Capstone Games)

13:52 - Outro

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On November 11th of this year, Wizards of the Coast released two books based on its most popular setting: The Forgotten Realms: Heroes Of Faerun (an expansion for players) and Adventures In Faerun (an expansion for Dungeon Masters). In addition, they also released an exclusive, D&D Beyond Digital expansions that are connected to the Forgotten Realms: Astarion's Book Of Hunger (based on the popular Baldur's Gate 3 character), Netheril's Fall (a time-traveling adventure expansion), and Lorwyn: First Light (a Magic: The Gathering inspired land that lives in the Feywild's Domain Of Light). Each of these expansions are $14.99 each and offer new content and material that integrates with character options and D&D Beyond.

But are these worth buying at that price point?

I do a breakdown of what's in each expansion, what they come down to in terms of words per dollar, and my conclusion on if these are worth purchasing for the sticker price.

LINKS:

WATCH: "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Overview Of The Forgotten Realms Bundle

02:27 - Astarion's Book Of Hunger

09:21 - Netheril's Fall

13:22 - Lorwyn: First Light

15:29 - Price Breakdown & Is It Worth It?

21:59 - Final Thoughts & Outro

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Free League Publishing, the company behind popular tabletop roleplaying games such as Dragonbane, The One Ring, Vaesen, and Alien RPG, revealed a new and upcoming Kickstarter to publish 4 books of a classic Dragonbane setting. They also released for pre-order a new Lord Of The Rings book: The Hands Of The White Wizard (for "The One Ring") and Trials of Saruman (for D&D 5E).

I had a chance to speak with Tomas Harenstom, the CEO of Free League Publishing, to talk about his TTRPG origin story, the company's new projects and announcements, as well as the future of the Lord Of The Rings TTRPGs with the recent news of Asmodee becoming the manager of the LotR TTRPG license.

Dragonbane Trudvang Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/dragonbane-trudvang-the-legend-returns

Pre-order The Hands Of The White Wizard (The One Ring) and Trials Of Saruman (D&D 5E): https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=2dcfb24fb7c8d0fb9c2f52040&id=d687b21b22

ARTICLE: Free League, Trudvang, and Hands Of The White Wizard: An Interview With Tomas Harenstom | https://crithitthegiant.com/2025/11/14/free-league-trudvang-and-hands-of-the-white-wizard-an-interview-with-tomas-harenstom/

WATCH: "Broken Chains", a D&D Actual Play | https://www.twitch.tv/dndwithdee

Where You Can Find & Support Me Online | https://linktr.ee/crithitthegiant

00:00 - Guest Introduction

01:02 - Tomas' TTRPG Origin Story

07:17 - Dragonbane's Next Kickstarter: Trudvang

10:29 - What's To Come In Trudvang

13:23 - Who Is Jorgi of Jorgi's Bestiary?

14:36 - Who Are The Vitners and Dimwalkers?

17:16 - Exciting New Trudvang Creatures

19:53 - New Kins & Mechanics Coming To Trudvang?

22:29 - What IS The Black Sun Setting?

23:52 - Will We See More Classic Dragonbane Settings Published?

28:36 - Trials Of Saruman / Hands Of The White Wizard Books

31:14 - Why Two Different Titles For The Same LOTR Book

32:29 - YOU Can Change The Fate Of Saruman (And Middle-Earth)!

34:34 - Are We Getting Alternate Universes In Middle-Earth?

36:52 - How Asmodee's Recent Development Will Affect Free League's LOTR Games

39:26 - What Conventions Will Free League Attend?

41:15 - Outro

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