After venturing into the dark with only a torch to guide their way, the Campaigns & Coffee crew talks about their experiences playing the ShadowDark RPG (where they ARE very likely to be eaten by a grue).

They discuss the dungeon-delving, old-school-inspired game’s real-time torch mechanics, its focus on fast-paced and high-stakes decision-making. They also look at encumbrance (no, you can not bring a golf club bag's worth of weapons), spell mechanics, and the game's relentless tension.

Chapters

0:00 – Welcome1:00 – First Impressions of Shadowdark RPG3:05 – Torch Timer: Exciting or Stressful?5:36 – How Shadowdark Brings Back Old-School D&D8:11 – Minimal Planning, Maximum Action12:30 – Encumbrance: You Can’t Carry Everything!16:25 – Spells, Failures, and Magical Chaos18:00 – Fun (and Bad) Player Choices20:46 – The Overlord’s Healthcare Question22:06 – Outro and Final Thoughts

Listen to the Episode

Watch to the Episode

Watch Shadowdark Impressions (Campaigns & Coffee) on YouTube.

Show Notes

David’s Sunday RPG Sessions

Running Shattered Ark and diving into Shadowdark with friends.

First Impressions of Shadowdark

A game that balances intensity and relaxation, depending on playstyle.

Real-Time Mechanics

The torch timer creates urgency, making every decision count.

Roleplaying vs. Action

Less focus on deep character backstories, more on immediate problem-solving.

Using Foundry VTT

Learning the system while displaying maps on the big screen.

Dungeon Delving Emphasis

Shadowdark restores a classic Dungeons & Dragons dungeon-crawling feel.

Comparing to Older D&D Editions

Discussing how early D&D had more encounters and rest limitations.

Encumbrance Matters!

Inventory slots limit loot-hoarding, forcing strategic choices.

Spell System

Spells don’t disappear, but failed rolls can make them unusable or go awry.

Player Stories

Highlights of decision-making, torch anxiety, and unexpected survival.

Featured Image Meta

Cover art from the ShadowDark core rule book. Credit: The Arcane Library.