Mastering Dungeons

Latest Episodes:

Best of Dragons of Stormwreck Isle and the 3rd Starter Set! Oct 07, 2026

Show notes

Episode 311 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Dragons of Stormwreck Isle and the 3rd Starter Set!

5E’s 3rd Starter Set brings fewer components, a lower price point, and all the dragons! See why we harpy about why this is ghoul enough for you.

News: Free Warcraft D&D Adventure, D&D Professions and Factions in WoW, Lamordia Modern Ravenloft, and more!

Contents
00:00 Swim Any Day in November
03:28 Designer Peer Group?
12:05 Impact of Creator's Voice?
20:24 Free World of Warcraft Adventure
21:09 First Look at Wow Professions
25:03 WoW Factions and Renown
26:08 Ravenloft Project Lamordia
27:40 October D&D Drops Review
31:55 Disability Pride Dice
33:03 Renegade Loses Wolf Gains Hasbro
34:30 Critical Role Grunge Video Game
35:00 WizKids Hiring Marketing
35:43 Draw Steel Hooked on Crafting
36:49 Blacksmith's Guild and Iridoss Campaign
38:18 Dragons of Stormwreck Isle
39:14 Product History
43:33 '80s Tie-In
46:30 Other 2022 Products
48:12 Premise and Approach
50:29 Personal Goals
55:04 First Encounter Consequences
01:04:12 Zombie Resurgence
01:06:33 Quest Overviews
01:09:44 Exploration Encounters
01:13:13 Seagrow Caves
01:15:47 Cursed Shipwreck
01:20:01 Clifftop Observatory
01:28:10 Conclusion
01:32:42 Shout-Outs
01:36:50 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

Our intro and outro music is Metropolis Fanfare, provided royalty-free by Tabletop Audio (https://tabletopaudio.com) under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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Best of Dragon of Icespire Peak and the Essentials Kit! Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

Episode 310 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Dragon of Icespire Peak and the Essentials Kit!

5E’s second Starter Set brings huge innovation, from Sidekicks to Quest Boards and Initiative Cards! Our review is more fun than a mimic in a gnome home.

News: Wizards Fires and Hires, Warcraft Monsters First Look, Dragonlance Book White Board, and more!

Contents
00:00 Sirrangia and Encounters
02:40 Our Art Preference?
10:30 Warcraft First Look: Monsters!
14:08 LaTia Jacquise Departs Wizards
17:23 Wizards Hires Celeste Conowitch
19:20 Dragonlance Book Brainstorm
22:24 100 D&D Novels Return
25:40 Daggerheart and D&D at Lucca
27:59 One Ring's Huge Backerkit
29:52 Dragon of Icespire Peak
31:39 Starter Set History
36:59 What's In The Box?
43:42 Digital Codes on DDB
46:15 Other 2019 Products
48:20 Premise and Approach
58:20 Introducing Sidekicks
01:00:58 Quest Board and First Quests
01:13:09 Follow-Up Quests
01:21:27 Other Locations
01:25:39 Ending the Adventure
01:32:51 Shout-Outs
01:38:16 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Creating Mistborn and the Cosmere RPG with Lyla Fujiwara and Lydia Suen! Sep 23, 2026

Show notes

Episode 309 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Creating Mistborn and the Cosmere RPG with Lyla and Lydia!

Lyla Fujiwara (Cosmere RPG Director) and Lydia Suen (Cosmere Lead Designer) of Brotherwise Games join us to share what it took to create the Mistborn Setting for the Cosmere RPG! Learn about Plotweaver, time-swap adventures, freelancing, and much more!

News: Warcraft 5E First Look, Draw Steel Encounters, Free Stuff, Jedi in 5E Star Wars, and more!

Contents
00:00 Best Podcast Ever
03:01 Jedi in 5E Star Wars?
12:02 Warcraft 5E First Look!
16:05 DMAP Goes to Azeroth
17:08 Seeker's Guide to Dread Demigods
18:33 Draw Steel Encounters
22:50 Building Cities Like Theme Parks
25:16 Treska on RPG Freelancing
27:41 Tomb of the Heretics for Shadowdark
28:29 Eidolon: The Night Market
29:26 Free Draw Steel Intro
30:30 Creating Mistborn and Cosmere
31:21 Lyla Fujiwara and Lydia Suen
38:38 What is the Cosmere and Plotweaver?
44:18 Record-Setting Crowdfunding Impact
49:29 Types of Stories Cosmere Tells
52:14 Plot Die and Character Goals
59:21 Mistborn's Design
01:01:32 Heroic and Invested Paths
01:07:38 Kandra and Other Novel Options
01:09:21 Managing All the Lore
01:15:18 Adventure Design in Mistborn
01:21:39 Time Swapping Two Eras
01:30:05 What's Next for Mistborn and Cosmere?
01:31:05 How to Design for Cosmere?
01:38:54 Shout-Outs
01:42:41 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Best of Lost Mine of Phandelver, the first D&D Starter Set! Sep 16, 2026

Show notes

Episode 308 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Lost Mine of Phandelver, the first D&D Starter Set!

The adventure (and rules) that kicked off 5E! We look at why every starter set has to measure itself against this one.

News: Dan Ayoub on Leading D&D, 5 New Underdark Species, D&D Encounters Unboxing, and more!

Contents
00:00 Start Your Sets
01:17 Published Campaign Help?
06:03 Are VTTs Changing Design?
14:06 3 New Underdark Subclasses
24:58 5 New Underdark Species
27:19 Arcana Unleashed Delays
28:35 D&D Encounters Kit Contents!
32:44 Dan Ayoub on Leading D&D
36:36 Castle Ravenloft DM Screen
39:06 PAX Unplugged Houston
41:47 Steve Jackson Steps Down as CEO
43:04 Lost Mine of Phandelver
44:35 History of Starter Sets
47:51 What It Offers
52:35 What Else in 2014?
55:50 Premise and Approach
01:00:01 A Strong Start?
01:10:18 Goblin Caves
01:13:40 Exploring Phandalin
01:21:20 Area Quests and Cragmaw Castle
01:25:31 Wave Echo Cave
01:32:33 Shout-Outs
01:36:36 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Amanda Hamon and Arcana Unleashed! Sep 09, 2026

Show notes

Episode 307 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Arcana Unleased with Amanda Hamon!

Amanda joins us to discuss the Arcana Unleashed products she led – the process, the design, and the exciting contents of both books!

News: Ravenloft Netflix TV Show, New D&D Beyond Drops, PAX West Report, and more!

Contents
00:00 Return from PAX West
04:21 RPGs Providing Right Information?
12:41 Single-PC Encounters?
21:00 Ravenloft Netflix TV Series
24:33 Drops for Season of Magic
25:34 Storied Encounters and Fantastic Locations
29:43 Castle Ravenloft Board Game Returns
31:42 5.5 Munchkin TTRP
32:53 Hellbinder's Guide to Harvesting & Crafting
33:44 Was a $1607 Kickstarter Worth It?
35:51 Amanda Hamon Unleashed!
36:40 Amanda's Origin Story
39:13 Journalism to Game Design
44:11 Working at Wizards
46:12 D&D's Recent Growth
48:02 Arcana Unleashed Duality
52:53 Alustriel Silverhand
55:26 AU Contents and Old vs New
58:19 Schools of Magic and DM Tools
59:59 Magical Patrons Unify Subsystems
01:02:42 Evolving Magic Items
01:05:21 Deadfall Adventure Concept
01:06:13 High-Level Spy Thriller
01:09:06 Thayan Gazetteer
01:11:34 Depicting Thayan Life
01:13:18 Adventure Options
01:15:35 Organized Play Tie-Ins
01:15:58 Spoiler for Cool Encounter
01:18:31 High-Level Challenges
01:20:50 See Amanda at Conventions
01:23:47 Shout-Outs
01:28:21 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Best of Acquisitions Incorporated: Orrery of the Wanderer! Sep 02, 2026

Show notes

Episode 306 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Acquisitions Incorporated: Orrery of the Wanderer!

Completely unbiased coverage of the best and most perfect adventure ever written! You will love this show, or your money back.

News: D&D’s Secret Survey, Universes Beyond Hiring, Warlock Gameplay, End of Burning Wheel, and more!

Contents
00:00 Hear Us on Other Podcasts
02:39 Turn Off DM Brain?
07:00 Go Back in Time to Which Classic?
08:59 Linear Easier with Published Advs?
12:41 D&D's Secret Survey
15:24 Q4 DDB Partner Releases
17:31 D&D Hiring for Universes Beyond
19:05 Warlock Video Game Preview
21:42 Long Rest Tavern
22:11 Hasbro Data Breach
23:28 Random Weather at Mooncastle
24:51 New EU Packaging Law
26:58 The End of Burning Wheel?
30:08 Crows Hits $1M
31:19 Acquisitions Incorporated Orrery of the Wanderer
32:51 What is Acq Inc?
37:02 Wild Story of This Project
42:47 Premise and Approach
49:25 New Rules!
54:36 Mixup in Waterdeep
01:03:36 Fun in Phandalin
01:09:45 Darkness at the Lighthouse
01:14:40 Luskan and Dran Enterprises
01:21:36 Why Humor Engages
01:23:27 Wedding Parties and Lich Casinos
01:28:41 Showdown With the Six
01:31:50 Design Thoughts
01:36:24 Shout-Outs
01:40:49 What Are We Gonna Do Now?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Keys to Success from Tomas Härenstam of Free League! Aug 26, 2026

Show notes

Episode 305 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Tomas Härenstam of Free League!

Free League’s CEO and frequent designer discusses how the company began and grew, how they tackle crowdfunding, IPs, partnerships, organized play, and more!

News: D&D Gives You Ceremorphosis, Wizards Polls Your Trust, Underdark UA Subclasses, DMing High Level and more!

Contents
00:00 Intro
01:19 Run Published Epic-Level?
08:55 Underdark Options UA
11:56 Barbarian Path of Unlight
19:18 Rogue House Agent
28:14 Wizard Imaskarcanist
36:08 Path of Ceremorphosis
43:04 Do You Trust Wizards?
47:25 D&D Encounters Update
48:47 D&D Beyond Roadmap Update
50:46 Crows: Fortune or Death!
51:34 Amazing Adversaries & Environments
52:45 Tomas Härenstam of Free League
53:30 Origin Story
56:14 Swedish Influences
01:01:31 Free League's Growth
01:09:05 Multi-RPG Strategy
01:12:46 High Art Quality
01:17:16 Game Lines and Audience
01:20:30 IPs and Partnerships
01:24:52 Crowdfunding and Tariffs
01:28:29 Organized Play
01:31:07 Open Gaming License
01:34:36 Free League's Future?
01:36:36 Free League Unbound
01:38:29 Find and Follow Free League
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Best of Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen! Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

Episode 303 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Best of Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon Queen!

Dragonlance is Back! Come see why this adventure deserves a second chance.

News: Critical Role Lands Emmy, D&D Drops Oozes and Errata, Pathfinder on DriveThru, and more!

Contents
00:00 Gamehole with Teos and James?
04:21 Announcements vs Playtesting?
10:59 Licensed IPs Exclusive?
16:09 D&D Drops Oozes for August
23:04 New Drops Errata
26:55 Frontiers of Eberron on DDB
27:56 D&D on Szass Tam
30:28 Pathfinder/Starfinder on DriveThru
32:20 Critical Role Lands an Emmy
33:11 Union for Rowan, Rook, and Deckard
34:51 Springfield School of Worldbuilding
38:09 RPGs and Starting Communities
40:44 Not All D&D is for Everyone
43:26 Game Development Resources
45:49 Dragonlance Shadow of the Dragon Queen
47:22 Dragonlance as a Special Setting
01:00:30 5E's Dragonlance and Board Game
01:06:58 Adventure Premise and Approach
01:10:17 War Comes to Krynn
01:11:46 Characters and Pre-War Preludes
01:19:05 Vogler and Dragon Army
01:31:09 Kalaman Missions and Soth
01:38:13 Exploring Northern Wastes
01:40:21 City of Lost Names
01:45:09 Inflitrate Soth's Flying Castle
01:52:09 Shout-Outs
01:56:28 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Adam Bradford, from D&D Beyond to Free League Unbound! Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

Episode 303 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Adam Bradford, from D&D Beyond to Free League Unbound!

Adam Bradford joins us to discuss Free League's amazing Unbound platform and his voyage to and from D&D Beyond, including his design projects like Invincible and Forgotten Odysseys.

News: Diamond Gives Inventory Back, Gamehole PoC Event, PAX West Needs DMs, and more!

Contents
00:00 3E Turns 26
03:32 Audio in Adventure Products?
07:24 Bloated Character Sheets?
17:17 Diamond Gives Back Inventory
19:45 PAX West Call for D&D DMs
20:42 GameHole Con PoC Industry Dinner
23:19 Adam Bradford, Probably
24:30 Adam's Backstory
28:51 The Path to D&D Beyond
32:34 D&D Beyond
39:04 Why D&D Beyond Succeeded
43:27 Digital Reader Surprise
46:10 Demiplane and Fantasy Grounds
52:58 Lessons Carried Forward
57:41 Free League Unbound
01:07:04 Invincible and RPG Design
01:13:52 Forgotten Odysseys
01:19:21 Adam's Future Plans
01:21:32 Find Adam
01:24:54 Shout-Outs
01:28:51 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

Dark Sun, Star Wars, Warcraft, Greyhawk, and All D&D Gen Con News! Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

Episode 302 of Mastering Dungeons!

Main topic: Dark Sun, Star Wars, Warcraft, Greyhawk, and All D&D Gen Con News!

Wizards of the Coast goes all-out with a D&D Tower, Carnival, Drone Show, and tons of peaks at upcoming releases.

News: Wizards President Departs, Free League Unbound, Daggerheart Plans, ENnies, and more!

Contents
00:00 Gen Con Happened!
02:46 Spoiler Descriptions?
06:10 Is Bloat Bad?
18:00 John Hight Departs as WotC Pres
21:25 Starter Set and Big Box Stores?
23:24 Free League Unbound
27:48 Daggerheart 3-Year Plan
34:45 Cosmere and Plotweaver
36:31 Monte Cook Games
36:49 Diana Jones Award
38:13 ENnies Award Recipients
41:33 Tabletop Show is Back?
44:00 Doom-Dust of the Disintegrator
45:01 Leveled Lairs - Aboleths
46:09 D&D's Huge Gen Con Reveals
47:48 Keynote Roadmap
49:13 Season of Magic
50:48 World of Warcraft
58:42 Dark Sun Confirmed!
01:05:25 No DMAP for Dark Sun
01:08:16 Greyhawk Crown of the Witch Queen
01:11:04 Star Wars D&D
01:15:39 D&D Icons
01:21:31 Partnerships
01:27:41 Universes Beyond for D&D
01:31:22 Warlock
01:32:55 D&D Beyond News
01:36:39 D&D Designer Talks
01:38:44 Drone Show
01:41:10 Overall Thoughts
01:45:11 Shout-Outs
01:49:21 What Are We Gonna Do?
Thank you for listening! Get the full show notes with links on Patreon.

Show Search Engine: https://mdsearch.alphastream.org/

MP3 file metadata populated with Online MP3 Podcast Chapter Editor, built by Dominik Peters. https://mp3chapters.github.io/ and customized for Mastering Dungeons by Vladimir Prenner from Croatia.

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