Why is there such a huge gap between those of us who LOVE lore and those of us who roll our eyes at it? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is now on YouTube! For our YouTube channel, head to: Youtube.com/@dragonmindttrpgs Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best...

What elements do you emphasize, downplay, or let go of in order to run a balanced TTRPG session? Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality. Want more Dragon Mind? Subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@dragonmindttrpgs and follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@dragonmindttrpgs Have...

What are the upsides and downsides of optimization? Can we broaden the definition of "optimization" to make it universally useful? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is now on YouTube! For our YouTube channel, head to: Youtube.com/@dragonmindttrpgs Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of...

How do you know when it's time to end the story of a character, arc, or campaign? When do you keep going and when do you say goodbye? Why are endings so hard? For a little bit on the psychology of story endings, check out Malcolm Gladwell's episode of Revisionist History, linked below: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0703VB1lFpJLaNgv7yiHG1?si=ysK0FQBZSR2RLGShSbW46w In this segment of the Dragon Mind TTRPG Podcast, John and Stephanie borrow brilliance from our world's most insightful...

Today, I'm joined by Michael "Wrel" Henderson, a previous guest on Dragon Mind during our Playtest Panel Discussions and World Building Mini-Series to talk about his new grounded d20 TTRPG, Distal, which you can check out at playdisrpg.com We talk about some of the system's design goals, unique mechanics, and its extremely fun backstory generation tables. To follow Distal's development, you can subscribe to Michael's YouTube channel at youtube.com/@WarpathWrel This podcast is a proud...

In a recently uploaded video, Jeremy Crawford broke the news that we won't be receiving anymore playtest packets for the 2024 Player's Handbook. So, now is as good a time as ever to reflect on how it went. References D&D Playtest Survey Results | Player's Handbook | Unearthed Arcana https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmZvRkRsfvw D&D Exec. Opens Up about OGL & One D&D | My Interview with Kyle Brink https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smyRYVzB_jQ&t=382s  6:22 - Kyle...

Notice how this title's in quotes? In today's episode, John and Stephanie discuss the notion that "No D&D is Better than Bad D&D" by investigating the root causes of "Bad D&D" and resolving the paradox of knowing that to become a skilled GM, you'll have to run games unskillfully first. In this segment of the Dragon Mind TTRPG Podcast, John and Stephanie borrow brilliance from our world's most insightful minds to become better game masters, players, and people. This podcast is a...

One of the most under-recognized elements of Game Mastering is considering the real-world time spent playing and waiting in a game environment. Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality. Want more Dragon Mind? Subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@dragonmindttrpgs and follow us on TikTok at...

In today's episode, John and Stephanie discuss their experiences playtesting and how to run a successful playtest that yields helpful information. Distal is a TTRPG in Alpha playtesting by Michael from the Playtest Panel Discussions. You can check out the system at https://linktr.ee/distalrpg In this segment of the Dragon Mind TTRPG Podcast, John and Stephanie borrow brilliance from our world's most insightful minds to become better game masters, players, and people. This podcast is a...

We finally get a version of the Monk that (seems) to be on par with its martial-peers. Everything looks good. The question remains: does it play good? To support this podcast, drop a 5-star review in your app of choice and let us know your favorite thing about Dragon Mind. To submit a question or topic, email us at [email protected] or let us know in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look...

Hot on the heels of UA 7 is UA 8: Bastions and Cantrips, as well as a discussion about the survey feedback for UA 6. To support this podcast, drop a 5-star review in your app of choice and let us know your favorite thing about Dragon Mind. To submit a question or topic, email us at [email protected] or let us know in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of...

Designing an encounter can serve multiple functions. Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality. Want more Dragon Mind? Subscribe to our YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@dragonmindttrpgs and follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@dragonmindttrpgs Have a question? Ask us by sending us an email at...

What type of Game Balance does your table enjoy? What have been your experiences with homebrew TTRPG content? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize...

In today's episode, John and Stephanie discuss the "pro mindset" that you can bring to any table you're apart of, as well as both sides of the Professional GMing relationship. In this episode, we mention a few resources to check out. They're listed below: Why I Quit Pro DM'ing and Is It For You? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjU8CyoYw0k Treantmonk's Temple - https://www.youtube.com/@TreantmonksTemple The Eldritch Lorecast by Ghostfire Gaming -...

Sometimes what we think will happen and what actually happens are very different things. What have been your experiences with homebrew TTRPG content? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just...

Another entry into our favorite news topic, D&D Fifth Edition Second Edition, also known at PHB 2024. We get the subclass previews for Barbarian, Fighter, Sorcerer, Warlock, and Wizard. Oh yeah, it's all coming together. To support this podcast, drop a 5-star review in your app of choice and let us know your favorite thing about Dragon Mind. To submit a question or topic, email us at [email protected] or let us know in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at...

GMing isn't about what you do. It's about who you are. Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality. Credit to https://www.FesliyanStudios.com...

A common stumbling block for new GMs is to think of their TTRPG as a story rather than a quest. Write Quests, not Stories. Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help...

How do you recognize a distortion in your design, and what can you do about it? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality. Credit to...

How do the design elements of your game harmonize into an ideal experience? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality. Credit to...

In today's episode, John and Stephanie revisit the Seven Baby Steps to Masterful Game Mastering after refining them for the past year. In order, the Seven Baby Steps are: 1) Close the Loop 2) Test a Chain 3) Lengthen the Chain 4) Tend the Garden 5) Intentionally Cultivate a Particular Culture 6) Tune the System 7) Foster Empowerment In this segment of the Dragon Mind TTRPG Podcast, John and Stephanie borrow brilliance from our world's most insightful minds to become better game...

No, I'm not kidding. Trigger Warning: Death of a Child Dragon Mind is a TTRPG discussion podcast where we look through the infinite lenses of TTRPGs to discover our best selves through gaming. Gaming doesn't have to just be an escape. It can help revolutionize your reality.

What's holding you back from running your first game? And what should you prioritize to run a great experience? Let us know by sending us an email at [email protected] or posting in the Dragon Mind channel in the Darkmore Podcast Community Discord at https://discord.gg/DAJcutMt Today's episode was inspired by Cal Newport's Deep Questions podcast episode "Start with Discipline", which you can listen to with the following link:...

In today's follow up episode to Five Level Leadership, John, Stephanie, and Ken dive into the Momentum Learning Systems formula for content organization so that your players will have an easier time falling in love with your game. In this segment of the Dragon Mind TTRPG Podcast, John and Stephanie borrow brilliance from our world's most insightful minds to become better game masters, players, and people. This podcast is a proud member of the Darkmore Podcast Network. To discover more...