Stay ConnectedBen Byrne, Dael Kingsmill, Shawn Merwin, and Todd Kenreck bring you the latest tabletop hobby news, discussions on roleplaying game design, ideas for players and GMs, and share their passion for tabletop roleplaying games and the community!
For More info be sure to check out ghostfiregaming.com.
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We review more D&D 2025 Monster Manual news before musing whether a TTRPG is a game or a philosophical exercise? And should a GM force permanent changes on a player character?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:41 - Male medusa
05:20 - Monster Manual 2025
09:22 - Player character creature types
17:07 - Does alignment ruin campaigns?
27:24 - Bankruptcy in the games industry
33:02 - Reducing D&D group size
43:00 - Character altering consequences
A MASSIVE preview of the D&D 2024 Monster Manual sparks discussions about variant stat blocks, Legendary Actions, monster type changes, and whether a monster's gender is important to your campaign?
Late pledge to Grim Hollow here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=9y5qai
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:27 - Monsters from myth
08:00 - New Grim Hollow playtest
13:55 - Monster Manual 2024
22:00 - Legendary Actions return!
26:26 - How to index your monsters
33:13 - Monster type changes
36:08 - Challenge Rating fixed?
42:16 - Monster gender changes
48:72 - New monster artwork
D&D Beyond releases an Unearthed Arcana for the Artificer while Pathfinder commences the Impossible Playtest on two new classes. Meanwhile, why is that one relative asking you about Dungeons & Dragons all of a sudden?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:21 - Secret Level (spoilers)
06:05 - Artificer UA review
18:44 - Pathfinder's 'Impossible playtest'
22:48 - D&D licensing corner
30:46 - Wyrmwood layoffs
31:42 - D&D in the New York Times
43:26 - Using real myths in D&D
We start the year with a mailbag of listener questions, including whether you can play an entire D&D campaign as a familiar? How do you use 5e character abilities outside combat? How to make your gaming sessions last longer?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Diana: @DianaOfTheRose
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:56 - Best social media platform?
05:42 - Play as a familiar?
14:43 - Class features outside combat
26:34 - Rule of Cool
29:58 - Longer session playtime
40:12 - Showing the GM's hand
The Eldritch Lorecast celebrates another year of D&D and the TTRPG industry with the Elly Awards!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Personal yearly highlights
07:03 - Biggest news of 2024
20:42 - Best TTRPG release
30:36 - Best TTRPG related release
33:44 - Best Con of 2023
38:33 - Guests of the year
42:46 - Best Lorecast moments
48:50 - New Years resolutions
Let's talk strategies for finding compatible players for your D&D table, how to design adventures that don't cater only for certain 5e classes, and how magic shops can add to the worldbuilding of your campaign.
Late Pledge to Enchanting Emporiums: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/eldermancy/the-seekers-guide-to-enchanting-emporiums?ref=83s14q
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Brooks: @brookstho
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Creative strengths
14:12 - Enchanting Emporiums
22:02 - Finding compatible players
38:49 - Adventure design and player classes
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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
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