Wandering DMs

Dan & Paul are back with another design-dash challenge. Can they stock a whole dungeon in a single hour this time?

Get Matt Finch's Tome of Adventure Design

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

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Dan & Paul discuss our joy for the classic 80's digitally-assisted boardgame Dark Tower, and the new app-enabled Return to Dark Tower out this year. Does the sequel live up to our memories? Is the expansion worthwhile? Are there tradeoffs to having an electronic device at the heart of a boardgame?

And in case you have the classic boardgame but a no functioning tower, check out these handy apps to fill in the gaps:

• For Android
• For iOS

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

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As 2021 comes to a close, Dan & Paul reflect on the year that's gone by and the 3rd Season of Wandering DMs. Some our favorites, some of our bombs, and some things we've rethought thanks to our top-shelf brilliant viewers and patrons. Thank you!

Watch the Wandering DMs Season 3 Playlist

Check some of our favorite clips of the season!

• Tim Kask on pronouncing Bulette
• Jennell Jaquays on almost having the first-ever published dungeon
• Peter Adkison on why he didn't hire Paul & Dan

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

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Dan & Paul chat with special guest Keith Ammann, author of the acclaimed book & blog, The Monsters Know What They're doing, about his upcoming sequel MOAR! We'll get into how Keith has advanced the state of the art for 5E monster tactics, special environments to watch out for, and best to use some old-school monsters in your 5E D&D games.

• Preorder Keith's book MOAR! now
• Check out Keith's Monsters Know What They're Doing blog
• And look for Stonesky Delve that Paul's recommended

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

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Paul & Dan discuss the role of Player Narrative Control, and whether it has any place in D&D or not. Does it increase engagement with players in the game, or does it break the sense of role-playing immersion? Does it create an unacceptable burden on players of the game? Is there a difference for new vs. experienced RPG players? And what about other types of player contributions to the campaign?

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

Subscribe to Wandering DMs for new episodes

Dan & Paul discuss Selecting Magic Items in your D&D campaign: What's the right level? How much is too much? What can you do later if you give the players an overpowered magic item?

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

Subscribe to Wandering DMs for new episodes

Paul & Dan discuss Cursed Magic Items in a D&D. How often should they appear? How difficult to get rid of them? How has the philosophy changed across the editions? And what benefit do they bring to the game, if any?

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

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Dan & Paul discuss multi-party campaigns: How can a DM handle more than one play group marauding about a single world? How to handle interactions or conflict between the groups meeting in different places or days? How many is too many? Surely, strict time records must be kept.

• Read the original West Marches blog posts by Ben Robbins

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

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Dan & Paul share ideas on how magic can be bought, sold, trading, exchanged, and maybe leased in your D&D games. Is it a good idea at all? Can PCs freely sell their hard-earned magic items? Is your DM more relaxed about potions & scrolls, vs. more durable magic goods? Do magic shops exist in your world?

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

Subscribe to Wandering DMs for new episodes

Paul & Dan discussing playtesting your new game or adventure design. Is it worthwhile doing it? What amount is valuable? How do you do it? When do you know your game design is done and ready for the public?

• Dan's Java testing tools for Original D&D
• Random Wizard's web-based demo version of those tools
• Dan's "Point-Buy Systems Considered Harmful/Acid Test is Gameplay" manifesto

Wandering DMs Paul Siegel and Dan “Delta” Collins host thoughtful discussions on D&D and other TTRPGs every week. Comparing the pros and cons of every edition from the 1974 Original D&D little brown books to cutting-edge releases for 5E D&D today, we broadcast live on YouTube and Twitch so we can take viewer questions and comments on the topic of the day. Live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern time.

Subscribe to Wandering DMs for new episodes