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.
Copyright: © Ghostfire Gaming
SO MUCH D&D news exploded at Gen Con, including Icons, Dark Sun, Greyhawk, and the Universes Beyond projects: World of Warcraft and Star Wars... we barely had time to cover it all while sheltering from a tornado!
GeeknSon gaming tables: https://geeknson.com/pages/game-room-gaming-table
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Joey: @JamesJHaeck
Justice: @justiceraminarman
Foster: @TheatreOfTheUnaligned
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Gen Con 2026
13:50 - D&D Icons
22:14 - Uh oh, A Tornado
22:46 - GeeknSon
24:01 - Dark Sun
28:08 - Star Wars
30:41 - World of Warcraft
What's more dangerous in D&D than a monster? The party! So give your players a taste of their own medicine with the "Anti-Party" method. Also, should roleplaying be MANDATORY for a Warlock player?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
03:42 - The "Anti-Party"
16:41 - Gen Con events
19:28 - Warlock players MUST roleplay
37:14 - Is 5.5e crafting broken?
46:58 - Is a monster book a setting guide?
Are D&D Encounters replacing the Adventurer's League? Meanwhile, Paizo revokes its Pathfinder and Starfinder license from Archives of Nethys and we decide the best social encounter rules.
Book your seat for the Starlight D&D Epic: https://events.humanitix.com/starlight-dnd
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Using a DM Screen?
07:45 - D&D Encounters S2
16:53 - Finding a TTRPG group
21:19 - Starlight D&D Epic
23:35 - Ghostfire at Gen Con
25:09 - Paizo revoke license
41:06 - Best social mechanics
WotC announces a STAGGERING number of D&D events for Gen Con, which could change the future of 5.5e forever! Daggerheart releases new playtests for the Summoner and Blood Hunter, while Chaosium
Vote Grim Hollow for Best Setting at the ENNIES: https://vote.ennie-awards.com/vote/2026/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Hiding Ability Check DC's
14:16 - The D&D TOWER!!
29:35 - Ennie Awards voting
30:47 - D&D Season of Magic
39:15 - Daggerheart playtests
45:50 - Chaosium vs AI
49:19 - Invasion of the Doppelgängers?
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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!
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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?
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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
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 podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
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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