Episodes
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Is it ever safe to let your D&D party argue among themselves? Should just ANY character be allowed to use Thieves Tools to pick a lock? What makes a great TTRPG open game license? We answer the tough questions on this week's episode!
Learn about Aberration: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHAB_2026_7_249
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Project Hail Mary [SPOILERS!]
06.23 - Letting Sorcerers pick locks?
18:41 - Ennie Awards nominations
22:45 - A Grim Hollow board game!
25:09 - D&D Fan Expo postponed
27:58 - Zweihänder game license
31:16 - Creating party conflict
48:51 - Stop being bored in combat!
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We're sharing HORROR stories from our early days GM'ing for D&D or other TTRPG's, giving tips on how to improve as a game master, and digging deeper into Vampire: The Masquerade on D&D Beyond.
Pre-order Vampire: The Masquerade - Bound by Blood: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/category/4IQF87I?pid=DB4IQF87I
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - GM Horror Stories!
08:27 - Lorecast SURPRISE interview?
10:53 - Arcana Unleashed subclasses
14:45 - Free RPG Day
17:51 - Diana Jones Award nominees
20:38 - First WotC workers union
21:34 - V:tM Bound by Blood
29:21 - Easy GM mistakes?
38:56 - Level up your GM'ing
50:51 - Player consequences
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Missing episodes?
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HUGE News this week with Vampire: the Masquerade landing on D&D Beyond while WotC reveals more of how Unearthed Arcana 5.5e playtesting works. Jennifer Kretchmer joins us to talk TTRPG accessibility, educating the next generation of game designers, and what playing a Paladin truly means!
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Jen: @dreamwisp
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
18:29 - VtM: Bound by Blood
26:04 - UA and WotC transparency
47:49 - D&D rules reference cards
49:49 - Why the Paladin hate?
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Joined this week by special guest Logan, we question whether the FATE TTRPG is dying, chonky dragons in chonkier dice, Hasbro IP's coming to D&D 5.5e and how to survive your first Convention in style!
Email your questions to [email protected]
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Logan: @Runesmith
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:03 - The End of Fate?
10:04 - Themberchaud D20 Chonk
14:55 - Toy franchises in 5.5e?
20:35 - Legends of Greyhawk on D&D Beyond
25:25 - Advice for Your First Convention
32:46 - Large Scale Battles in D&D
42:59 - 3rd Party Spells
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Is WotC listening to the community with the changes to D&D Beyond Drops? We meet the members of the D&D Advisory Group, Hasbro starts up an AI company, and Paizo are forced to make some difficult choices.
Grim Hollow now Available: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_244
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - What is Homebrew?
09:08 - D&D Beyond Drops update
13:31 - D&D Advisory Group
19:14 - New D&D book and Baldur’s Gate 2?
27:58 - Hasbro AI studio
32:50 - Paizo layoffs
35:55 - Neon Odyssey breaks records
45:24 - John Blanche
46:42 - Digital dice themes
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Grim Hollow 5.5e FINALLY brings horror and grimdark adventures to D&D! Meanwhile D&D Beyond makes good on another promise, and we gear up to celebrate the International Day of Play!
Grim Hollow now Available: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_244
Start your Adventures in Etharis here:https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHRF_2026_6_243
Learn more about the UNICEF Day of Play:https://www.unicef.org/parenting/day-of-play
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:54 - Grim Hollow 5.5e is HERE!
13:56 - Gen Con D&D events
18:50 - International Day of Play
22:22 - D&D Beyond Journals
27:07 - Political intrigue adventures
49:01 - 3rd party D&D starter sets
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A D&D game is cancelled and details about a new horror TTRPG from the makers of Pathfinder and Starfinder! Meanwhile, are you a Gamist, Narrativist, or Simulationist gamer?
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:46 - Paizo’s horror TTRPG
23:09 - D&D game cancelled
28:20 - GNS game theory
35:43 - Weaving Character Backstories
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D&D 5e is accused of being 'artistically hollow' by one of tabletop gaming's biggest influencers, alongside Pathfinder, Draw Steel, and Daggerheart. So we explore if that's true?
Quinns Quest review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA
Saga of the Seasons 5e Adventure: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHVC_2026_5_242
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:04 - Gen Con events
07:39 - Quinns vs D&D
26:15 - Are Optimizers truly the villains?
40:20 - Stories vs Railroads
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Outrage explodes at WotC over D&D Beyond Drops, which give new 5.5e content to subscribers only! But is the latest controversy real or overblown?
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:32 - D&D Beyond Drops
30:49 - Chris Cocks Interview
38:37 - Neon Odyssey
41:40 - High Level Campaigns
48:54 - Optimizer Discourse
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This week we minimize DM prep by converting D&D adventure modules to other settings like Grim Hollow, and which one-shots make for the perfect side quests and starter adventures to kick off your TTRPG campaign!
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:36 - Best side quest one-shots
09:32 - D&D Beyond Starter Packs
15:33 - Ted D&D episode
21:10 - WotC's AI rules lawyer
31:26 - WotC workers union
35:10- Supporting New DM’s
40:01 - Transforming adventure modules
49:58 - "Pilot Episode" D&D sessions.
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This week we revisit the hidden differences between D&D 5e and 5.5e, review the Dungeon Masters live play "Play Along Pack", and Dael actually reads an Unearthed Arcana including the Barbarian Path of Lament, Monk Warrior of Venom, and Warlock Primordial Patron.
LAST WEEK to back Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - D&D 5.5e rules Quiz
14:39 - Do you like a one-shot?
23:10 - D&D live play "Play Along Pack"
38:53 - Unearthed Arcana: Villains 2
49:03 - Louis Zocchi passing
50:24 - D&D 6e on the horizon?
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WotC is launching an 'official' D&D liveplay campaign, with talent from Dimension 20 and Baldur's Gate 3. But can it hope to topple Critical Role? Meanwhile, have TTRPG's become a luxury purchase?
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:00 - Ravenloft book reveals
21:50 - Daggerheart & luxury TTRPG goods
25:35 - Dungeon Crawler Carl sets records!
29:10 - The "Official" D&D live play
38:42 - Players missing sessions
46:41 - Complex villains & worlds
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Not a single full adventure module has released for D&D 5.5e! Have Wizards of the Coast abandoned modules in favor of only setting guides? Or does a new role at WotC suggest 3rd party creators will make the adventures, now?
Delve into the Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:52 - Adventure prep in 30mins
11:05 - D&D abandoning adventure modules?
22:06 - WotC hire new 3PP role
29:11 - Lairs of Etharis
31:12 - World of Darkness OGL
40:26 - Worst part of turning into a monster
44:55 - A return to analog TTRPG's?
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Unearthed Arcana unlocks the power of EVIL for D&D 5.5e, with a villainous new Cleric, Druid, Fighter, and Sorcerer subclass. With villainous feats also empowering players, does WotC miss the point of playing evil characters?\
Delve into the Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
07:00 - Lairs of Etharis x Mega Dungeon Month
10:55 - Unearthed Arcana: Villainous Options
27:10 - Villainous transformations
32:52 - Hasbro vs the netrunners
35:02 - Greyhawk: Shield Lands
36:33 - Free League OGL
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D&D Beyond releases the character Quickbuilder while MCDM launches the Codex for Draw Steel on Steam marketplace. Player or GM, the digital age of TTRPG's is here to stay!
Delve into Mega Dungeon Month: https://www.backerkit.com/c/collections/mega-dungeon-month
The Codex Pricing & Distribution: https://www.patreon.com/posts/codex-pricing-153537787
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:26 - Cyberpunk Red reprint
08:55 - D&D Beyond Quickbuilder
13:36 - The Draw Steel Codex
22:22 - Mega Dungeon Month
25:46 - Are 5.5e Gish overpowered?
40:54 - Living up to a Forever DM
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Wizards of the Coast collaborates with Melf himself, Luke Gygax, on a new Greyhawk setting book for D&D 5.5e. Meanwhile we plan a TTRPG heist adventure and debate random encounter charts.
Back Neopia Quest today! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GGNQ_2026_1_226
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:19 - Playing a MEGA-dungeon
09:42 - Melf's Guide to Greyhawk
22:35 - Neopia Quest launches!
24:59 - Direct sales vs distribution
31:16 - Heists and sneaking past danger!
50:35 - Using random encounter charts
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10 Tabletop Roleplaying Games DOMINATED 2025 sales from Sept-Nov, Matt Colville shows how MCDM continue to do things differently, and why backseat Dungeon Mastering drives us all nuts!
Follow Neopia Quest for updates: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GGNQ_2026_1_226
Check out @masteringdungeons MCDM interview: https://youtu.be/6-dUeIQHRYs?si=yNNRb9AtCEumvhTY
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:43 - Top selling TTRPGs
22:16 - Matt Colville interview recap
28:40 - Neopets ends Geekify license
32:53 - Neopia Quest
34:51 - Critical Role movie
39:40 - Backseat DMing
47:21 - Best 5e monster rules
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WotC reveal D&D Seasons as the roadmap forward in 2026, including new Ravenloft content in the Season of Horror and Arcana Unleashed to empower spellcasters!
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:05 - D&D Beyond interview recap
08:15 - Chris Cocks on AI (briefly)
09:22 - D&D roadmap
28:48 - Vox Machina S4
33:19 - Kickstarter United
35:15 - 1 setting, multiple tables?
46:13 - Big monsters at low levels
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Ben & Todd talk to Brian Perry (Executive Producer) and Zac Cohn (MAPS Product Manager) to explore how D&D Beyond is changing to make playing D&D 5.5e a better game to play! Critical Role makes a new hire, and the Exodus TTRPG not published by WotC?
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
00:45 - Brian Perry and Zac Cohn Interview
37:37 - New DnD books
44:25 - Crit Role hires Alyssa
52:31 - DnD Fan Expo London
56:10 - Exodus RPG
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A roadmap for D&D Beyond reveals new upcoming features, the OGL architect claims AI could replace game designers, and is it better to have more classes or subclasses in a TTRPG like D&D or Pathfinder?
Follow Neopia Quest for updates: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GGNQ_2026_1_226
D&D Beyond roadmap article: https://www.dndbeyond.com/posts/2132-d-d-beyonds-2026-development-roadmap
Email your questions to [email protected]
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
07:29 - D&D Beyond roadmap
23:03 - Neopets TTRPG disaster
28:47 - Can AI replace game designers?
37:41 - Pathfinder playtest
40:53 - Classes vs subclasses
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