#163. How Much D&D Prep is Too Much, and Why It’s Never Enough!

Are safety tools important for your D&D game? We discuss the pros and cons of deploying the X-card during a TTRPG, and reflect on the multimedia success of Critical Role, Daggerheart, and what they're planning next! This Effin GM's video about Safety Tools: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07dLCOgEjqE Critical Role article from Rolling Stone: https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/rs-gaming/critical-role-dungeons-and-dragons-interview-1235188141/ Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:39 - Game randomizers 09:58 - Critical Role Christmas Album 12:18 - Daggerheart 24:36 - A CR videogame? 31:25 - US tariffs impacting TTRPGs 34:34 - Safety tools at the table 53:52 - Teaching TTRPG designers

The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying arrives on D&D Beyond, possibly opening the door for other "Valiant" non-D&D games? We try to solve the mystery of the Exodus tabletop game, Elon Musk hints at purchasing Hasbro, and how much should you prep your campaign before session 1? Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Teos:  @AlphastreamRPG  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:37 - Thanksgiving 04:06 - LotR on D&D Beyond 23:47 - What is the Exodus RPG? 33:02 - Tabletop to video game pipeline 37:00 - Elon Musk buying Hasbro? 43:05 - How to prep before Session 1

Bob World Builder joins once more to dissect Dimension 20's explosively free TTRPG, the MCDM Illrigger class makes it to D&D Beyond, WotC continue to talk video games, and Elon Musk tells Hasbro to "burn in hell". Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Bob:  @BobWorldBuilder  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:31 - One shot TTRPG's 08:32 - Dimension 20's free RPG 22:50 - Illrigger on D&D Beyond 30:07 - Hasbro's done with movies? 40:44 - Elon Musk vs WotC 47:48 - TTRPG creators on Bluesky 51:06 - False rumors in your game

Bob World Builder joins the crew to briefly review the D&D 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide, Ben gushes about the Bastion system, Shawn still wants less world building, and Dael idolizes Indiana Jones! Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Bob:  @BobWorldBuilder  Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:30 - D&D's mascot 05:39 - #3 podcast in the realms 07:16 - D&D DMG 2024 15:36 - Bastions are cool? 33:08 - Lorecast in December 35:46 - Creating living worlds 49:00 - Avoiding no-fun consequences 1:00:00 - TTRPG YouTube back to basics

Where should you focus your DM prep when planning a D&D campaign? Will Bastions be included in future 5e adventure modules? Is AI art infiltrating boardgames? All that and more, right now! BoardGameWire article: https://tinyurl.com/BoardGameWireArticle Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Intro01:51 - Infinite GM prep time? 09:02 - How much is too much prep? 18:22 - AI art in the boardgames 34:45 - Tabletop games jobs fair 37:44 - Steamforged Games partnerships 39:49 - Well wishes Darryl Mott 40:31 - Bastions in adventure modules? 50:21 - Is the DMG Essential?

A torrent of TTRPG news hits, including 5e 2024 monsters previewed on D&D Beyond, Critical Role touring the globe, DriveThruRPG increasing AI browsing features, and a new Ravenloft novel! Late Pledge Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor: @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Videogames into TTRPGs 07:55 - D&D Funko pop 09:32 - D&D Beyond oopsie 12:51 - DriveThruRPG filters AI 18:40 - Critical Role global tour 31:51 - New Ravenloft novel 37:30 - 5e '24 monster changes 43:42 - Character red flags

Hasbro changes its corporate structure which leads to layoffs, new jobs, and a new future for D&D 5e. We also discuss which TTRPG will make you a better GM, and celebrate our Lorecast Halloween tradition! FINAL DAYS to back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante  Topics: 00:00 - Halloween costumes! 02:26 - Grim Hollow KS ending 06:40 - New DM Screen 16:49 - Hasbro corporate restructure 31:13 - Chris Perkins new job 37:02 - October recap 44:47 - Games that teach GMing

LIVE from Gamehole Con, the Eldritch Lorecast peaks inside the D&D 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide with LaTia Jacquise. It's a whole Dungeon Master toolbox filled with chase rules, the entire Greyhawk setting, and... doors? Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Joe: @_Joe_Raso LaTia: @latiajacquise Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:03 - Gamehole Con 08:12 - 2024 DMG 16:04 - Greyhawk setting 21:38 - D&D movie sequel? 27:14 - Losing animal companions 35:44 - Hobby vs profession 46:37 - Player red flags

Live from PAX Aus, the Eldritch Lorecast hosts a discussion about the toll YouTube takes on the mental health of D&D and Tabletop creators. Email your questions to [email protected] Ben:  @GhostfireGaming  Trent:  @Miscast  Luna:  @Luboffin  Dave:  @TabletopTime  Dael:  @MonarchsFactory  __ Editor:  @ZsDante 

After a quick convo about community etiquette and making the internet safer, we dive into the D&D 2024 DMG update and which Bastion system is right for you? Back the Grim Hollow Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=5z40qv Email your questions to [email protected] Ben: @TheBenByrne Dael: @dailydael James: @jamesjhaeck Shawn: @shawnmerwin Editor:  @ZsDante Topics: 00:00 - Intro 01:01 - Staying current with editions 06:53 - Convention news 12:46 - MTG Commander community 23:23 - DMG 2024 preview 41:07 - Low magic in 5e