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
A D&D game is cancelled and details about a new horror TTRPG from the makers of Pathfinder and Starfinder! Meanwhile, are you a Gamist, Narrativist, or Simulationist gamer?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:46 - Paizo’s horror TTRPG
23:09 - D&D game cancelled
28:20 - GNS game theory
35:43 - Weaving Character Backstories
D&D 5e is accused of being 'artistically hollow' by one of tabletop gaming's biggest influencers, alongside Pathfinder, Draw Steel, and Daggerheart. So we explore if that's true?
Quinns Quest review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wH5-uQj4uOA
Saga of the Seasons 5e Adventure: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHVC_2026_5_242
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:04 - Gen Con events
07:39 - Quinns vs D&D
26:15 - Are Optimizers truly the villains?
40:20 - Stories vs Railroads
Outrage explodes at WotC over D&D Beyond Drops, which give new 5.5e content to subscribers only! But is the latest controversy real or overblown?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:32 - D&D Beyond Drops
30:49 - Chris Cocks Interview
38:37 - Neon Odyssey
41:40 - High Level Campaigns
48:54 - Optimizer Discourse
This week we minimize DM prep by converting D&D adventure modules to other settings like Grim Hollow, and which one-shots make for the perfect side quests and starter adventures to kick off your TTRPG campaign!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:36 - Best side quest one-shots
09:32 - D&D Beyond Starter Packs
15:33 - Ted D&D episode
21:10 - WotC's AI rules lawyer
31:26 - WotC workers union
35:10- Supporting New DM’s
40:01 - Transforming adventure modules
49:58 - "Pilot Episode" D&D sessions.
This week we revisit the hidden differences between D&D 5e and 5.5e, review the Dungeon Masters live play "Play Along Pack", and Dael actually reads an Unearthed Arcana including the Barbarian Path of Lament, Monk Warrior of Venom, and Warlock Primordial Patron.
LAST WEEK to back Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - D&D 5.5e rules Quiz
14:39 - Do you like a one-shot?
23:10 - D&D live play "Play Along Pack"
38:53 - Unearthed Arcana: Villains 2
49:03 - Louis Zocchi passing
50:24 - D&D 6e on the horizon?
WotC is launching an 'official' D&D liveplay campaign, with talent from Dimension 20 and Baldur's Gate 3. But can it hope to topple Critical Role? Meanwhile, have TTRPG's become a luxury purchase?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:00 - Ravenloft book reveals
21:50 - Daggerheart & luxury TTRPG goods
25:35 - Dungeon Crawler Carl sets records!
29:10 - The "Official" D&D live play
38:42 - Players missing sessions
46:41 - Complex villains & worlds
Not a single full adventure module has released for D&D 5.5e! Have Wizards of the Coast abandoned modules in favor of only setting guides? Or does a new role at WotC suggest 3rd party creators will make the adventures, now?
Delve into the Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:52 - Adventure prep in 30mins
11:05 - D&D abandoning adventure modules?
22:06 - WotC hire new 3PP role
29:11 - Lairs of Etharis
31:12 - World of Darkness OGL
40:26 - Worst part of turning into a monster
44:55 - A return to analog TTRPG's?
Unearthed Arcana unlocks the power of EVIL for D&D 5.5e, with a villainous new Cleric, Druid, Fighter, and Sorcerer subclass. With villainous feats also empowering players, does WotC miss the point of playing evil characters?\
Delve into the Lairs of Etharis: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHLA_2026_4_236
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
07:00 - Lairs of Etharis x Mega Dungeon Month
10:55 - Unearthed Arcana: Villainous Options
27:10 - Villainous transformations
32:52 - Hasbro vs the netrunners
35:02 - Greyhawk: Shield Lands
36:33 - Free League OGL
D&D Beyond releases the character Quickbuilder while MCDM launches the Codex for Draw Steel on Steam marketplace. Player or GM, the digital age of TTRPG's is here to stay!
Delve into Mega Dungeon Month: https://www.backerkit.com/c/collections/mega-dungeon-month
The Codex Pricing & Distribution: https://www.patreon.com/posts/codex-pricing-153537787
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:26 - Cyberpunk Red reprint
08:55 - D&D Beyond Quickbuilder
13:36 - The Draw Steel Codex
22:22 - Mega Dungeon Month
25:46 - Are 5.5e Gish overpowered?
40:54 - Living up to a Forever DM
Wizards of the Coast collaborates with Melf himself, Luke Gygax, on a new Greyhawk setting book for D&D 5.5e. Meanwhile we plan a TTRPG heist adventure and debate random encounter charts.
Back Neopia Quest today! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GGNQ_2026_1_226
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @jberrt
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
04:19 - Playing a MEGA-dungeon
09:42 - Melf's Guide to Greyhawk
22:35 - Neopia Quest launches!
24:59 - Direct sales vs distribution
31:16 - Heists and sneaking past danger!
50:35 - Using random encounter charts
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