Wandering DMs

Paul & Dan get to chat with NY Times bestselling author R.A. Salvatore -- and his about-to-drop newest Dungeons & Dragons novel, THE FINEST EDGE OF TWILIGHT. You better not call Catti-brie Do'Urden "Drizzt's daughter", because she's a deadly monk, warrior, and shadow-walker with an attitude and determined to make her own way in the world. Can she fight her way to become a Master of Dragons at the Monastery of the Yellow Rose? And can she contend with the horrific Dahlia Sin'felle as she incubates her vampiric powers to become invincible? Plus, we'll get Salvatore's thoughts on the current state of D&D, dark elves, and a whole lot more.

Dan and Paul catch up with Luke Gygax -- and he's got big news on the horizon! We'll get updates on Gary Con in 2026 (will Wizards make a connection?), new Greyhawk publications, and the big Tomb of Gyzaengaxx adventure. Plus developments in Castle Zagyg and the World of Okkorim. And what about a giant weekend-long tournament through all the editions of D&D? Count us in!

Dan & Paul chat about the role of Pirates, freebooters, privateers, sailing ships, and naval action that have been in D&D since the earliest days. What's the best way to use pirates as a foil for your PCs? Can PCs sail their own privateer vessel as a good mid-level command opportunity? What's the best way to design a seedy pirate town for your campaign? Arrgh, it's just in time for Talk Like a Pirate Day 2025!

Paul and Dan explore the rise of LitRPG, the literary genre where role-playing mechanics drive the narrative. Where did the term come from, and what early works fit the mold before it even had a name? We’ll follow the ouroboros from the pulp fantasy that inspired D&D to novels that track stats, levels, and hit points — and ask how game mechanics have become part of our shared cultural language.

Wandering DMs broadcasts live every Sunday at 1 PM Eastern. Join the live chat and bring your questions!

Paul and Dan discuss the many faces of undead in Dungeons & Dragons. From shambling zombies to cunning liches, they embody both mindless horror and villainous intellect. How do different editions treat them? What’s the deal with cleric turning, level drain, and the evolving rules around undeath?

We'll dig into the design and the drama of undead in D&D, and share how we like to use them in our own games. Join us live for thoughtful discussion and your questions in chat — because when it comes to undead, nothing stays buried for long!

Paul and Dan untangle the strange history of multi-classing in D&D. Was the elf in OD&D really allowed to swap between fighter and wizard whenever they liked? Why did B/X boil it all down to "race as class"? How did AD&D try to square the circle with dual-class humans and hard racial limits? We’ll trace how each edition wrestled with the problem, and compare it to the house rules we use today in our own games.

Paul & Dan take a close look at Blackmoor, Dave Arneson's rules supplement for D&D 50 years on. What was exciting and new in this set of optional rules? What stood the test of time, and what was forgotten along the way?

Dan & Paul wrestle with the issue of what to do when a player at your table already knows the adventure you're about to play. Maybe it's a product they've read, played through, or watched on a stream in the past? Is it accidental, or possibly a devious plan to cheat the game? We've confronted this many times and we'll share all of our tricks and traps to keep things lively (and deadly)!

Paul and Dan hash out the best ways to roll for Perception and Stealth in D&D. Should you always ask everyone at the table to make a check on their own? Is it better to have one player roll with cooperation bonuses? Did you know that Original D&D didn't have any skills like these at all -- so how was it handled then? We'll find you the best path forward.

Dan and Paul debrief the highs and lows of their latest birthday D&D actual play. Last weekend, Paul celebrated his birthday the best way he knows how: by dragging his friends into the depths of Skull Mountain! Dan, Max, and Lauren joined him for a live-streamed old-school dungeon crawl in over 12 hours of play, with special guests Mike and Tonya dropping in for the chaos. Now, the Wandering DMs are back to unpack the entire experience — what worked, what didn’t, and what surprised them along the way. From player dynamics to dungeon design, streaming challenges to memorable moments, tune in as we reflect on this marathon delve into classic adventure!