Mastering Dungeons

Shawn and Teos’ live Mastering Dungeons seminar from GameHoleCon! News! Questions! Clapping! Smells! This one has it all! Breaking News Links Wes Schneider Reveals Dragonlance: Shadow of the Dragon QueenRay Winninger confirms he has left WotC and D&DHasbro Q3 Earnings Report – DownturnMike Shea on Satisfying Campaign ConclusionsTwitterDicebreaker Tabletop AwardsEvents Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Moving through the Unearthed Arcana that is OneD&D, Shawn and Teos talk about the future of Feats, while it occurs to the editor that he has twice made the joke around ‘Feats, don’t fail me now’ in these write-ups. So instead of more hacky humor, you’ll just learn that the future of Feats extends beyond the 20th-level threshold, so you’ll have plenty of room to shoehorn those Feats in! Breaking News Links New D&D Documentary?New D&D Video Game?Forbes asks whether D&D could be the next fantasy success Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Taking a look at the Expert Classes from the upcoming One D&D, Shawn and Teos break down the new options for these classes. Are they better? Are they worse? Are they balanced or broken? The analysis of One D&D continues! Breaking News Links New Senior VP of D&D: Dan RawsonOfficialICv2LEGO and D&D Product Submission ChallengeMonte Cook’s Lego TaleD&D Movie Prequel NovelsTwitter……And more Twitter!Dragons of Stormwreck Isle now available everywhere!Free Excerpt!Critical Role Legend of Vox Machina renewed for Season 2… and 3Jobs! Roll20 and ModiphiusAnd, Modiphius is hiring a Brand ManagerSuccess in RPGs: How to Budget as an RPG Designer Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

With more and more information around OneD&D coming out by the week, Shawn and Teos take a look at the concept of Expert Classes and determine what, if anything, it parallels in 5e. The Decade Discussion of Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition continues. Breaking News Links D&D Adventurer Announced in Great BritainNPR’s Code Switch covers Race in D&DSuccess in RPGs: The Horrid Truth About Freelance PayTo Be or Not to Be a VillainStars over Stormwreck By Mike Shea, Scott Gray, and Jeff Stevens Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

With a very special guest to open the show, Teos and Shawn follow up with breaking down the Backgrounds and Personality aspects of Fifth Edition; all the stuff under Character Details. Has 5e done enough or too much to offer storytelling options with characters? Is Inspiration a worthwhile change to the game? Breaking News Links D&D Offers Classroom ProgramComicbook.com ArticleAL Removing Individual Adventures from DMsGuild… or Not!RetractedBaldman Games announces 3 Organized Play StorylinesWotC Hiring a Community Manager and Producer for D&DAlso hiring a Producer for D&D Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Once again breaking down the classes of D&D 5e, Shawn and Teos talk Class Satisfaction and balance as they continue the deep dive into the world’s most popular role-playing game. Breaking News Links The Future of 3rd Party PublishingWizards of the Coast moving offices?Dark Sun Online convention announced: Athascon!D&D Ring Set at GameStop… reasonably priced!Sebastion Crowe’s Guide to Drakkenheim Kickstarter Ends Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

As Dungeons & Dragons continues to take over the world, Teos speaks with two amazing contributors to the hobby who are at the forefront of the Latine RPG space, Mike Balles and Claudia Sánchez on what it takes to grow the Spanish-speaking audience of the worlds’ most famous tabletop role-playing game! Get in Touch Follow Claudia @MorganCytarion on Twitter!Follow Mike @TheMikeBalles on Twitter!Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Never has nor should it ever be said that the Masters of Dungeons, Shawn and Teos, are without class. In this episode, they prove this by breaking down the Classes of 5e Dungeons & Dragons. What’s good? What’s less good? Should there be more or less? This session is in Classes. Breaking News Links D&D Playtest – First Survey is Live!Teos Reviews the Survey and Test PacketWotC Changes The Hadozee Spelljammer AncestryApology on TwitterWizKids – D&D Voices of the Realms minisSpelljams?Bandcamp LinkBianca Bickford and Kelly Knox launch College of the Mariachi!DMsGuild and DriveThru Creator Medals now available Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Feats, don’t fail us now… unless they did. Introduced in 3rd Edition and a mainstay for games that have diverged from that system, what is the role of Feats in modern D&D and how can it better serve the players? Shawn and Teos talk 10 years of 5e Feats and compare them to those in the D&D One document. Breaking News Links Changes Coming for Adventurers LeagueThat Time Dave Arneson Asked Peter Adkison for a JobD&D Japanese SupportWizKids – D&D Voices of the Realms minisSpelljams?Bandcamp Link Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

What is One D&D and how will the concept of Races change as we look at Backgrounds. Shawn and Teos have tackled the present, tussled with the past, and now they charge the future of Dungeons & Dragons! Breaking News Links One D&DDragonlance Book and Board GameD&D In-Store PromosD&D Japanese SupportWizKids – D&D Voices of the Realms minisSpelljams?Bandcamp Link Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

As the exploration of 10 years of Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons continues, Shawn and Teos explore character creation: how has it changed, what’s better, and what’s not as good? Breaking News Links New D&D Book Listed on Amazon.ca for December 6 ReleaseAnd Spelljammer!Heroscape Reboot from Avalon HillHere Come the Movie Toys!The Yawning Portal Board Game Pre-Order on Hasbro PulseMore on Yawning Portal from The Gaming GangICv2: RPGs are “the Story of the Year”Jeff Talks RPGs returns with Scott Gray!Mike Shea on Building Resilient Campaigns13th Age new “Escalation Edition” coming in 2024Sebastian Crowe’s Guide to Drakkenheim on Kickstarter Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

10 years after the release of the Basic Set of Fifth Edition Dungeons & Dragons, one of the biggest conversations fans are having revolves around character Race/Ancestry. This is part of Shawn and Teos’ discussion as they review and breakdown the Starter Set adventure Dragons of Stormwreck Isle. Breaking News Links Dragon+ is no moreEnnies Awards / Diana Jones AwardsEnnie NominationsEnnie WinnersDiana Jones AwardsDM David: The Right Monster for the JobWizards Presents August 18th Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Continuing the conversation about the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons by talking about where it’s been and where it might be going! Breaking News Links New UA Release – Wonders of the MultiverseD&D Movie TrailerPaizo Job AnnouncementMore Spelljammer Academy ReleasesDMsGuild Announces setting will unlock for creators on 8/16Peer into Spelljammer with the Roll20 BlogAdventuring in the Astral SeaNew Dragonlance Novel is out: Dragons of DeceitHobby Game Sales Up One-Third in 2021 Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Dave Christ joins Shawn to talk Organized Play; both in-person and virtual! The origin of Baldman Games, the challengers of adjusting to a changing paradigm, and what is to come; Dave goes into all of it and more! Breaking News Links Merger of Roll20 and OneBookShelfRadiant Citadel is out (soon)! Spelljammer releases August 16!Gen Con 2022 is August 4-7 Get in Touch Check out Dave at Baldman Games’ website and and on Twitter.Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Released on July 19th from MacMillan Publishing, The Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons, is about the real story of the world’s most popular tabletop role-playing game and Ben Riggs has spent years of research and collecting artifacts from the history of the role-playing business to bring us this amazing tome and he is kind enough to sit down with Shawn and talk about his own, personal origin story. Get in Touch Find Ben Riggs on Facebook or Twitter…Buy his book from MacMillan or Amazon…And check out his Podcast!Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

With a decade of having the rules of the Fifth Edition of Dungeons & Dragons in front of us, Shawn and Teos reflect on the past ten years of the world’s most popular tabletop role-playing game. Breaking News Links Spelljammer Academy releasedParamount will make an Alice is Missing adaptationENnies Nominations Announced!The Fiend of Hollow Mine – actual play of Radiant CitadelWotC has a Japanese… Twitter and…YouTube channel starting up!Free Solo HeroQuest Scenario – Into the NorthlandsWizKids announces 2 D&D Onslaught Factions in 2023Many ArrowsRed WizardsClever upcoming product: WizKids Book TabsPlayers HandbookDungeon Master Guide Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

I mean… what mare need be said! Also: Shawn and Teos are also on, but still: James Intracaso!!! He’s great! You know this already! He talks about Arcadia which you should be reading! He talks about minions and it’s brilliant! MINIONS! Like all your villains have as a shield around them! Take a listen! Breaking News Links Paramount will make an Alice is Missing adaptationJuly Virtual Weekend sign-ups are liveWotC has a…Japanese Twitter and…YouTube channel starting up!WizKids announces 2 D&D Onslaught Factions in 2023…Red Wizards and…Many Arrows! Get in Touch Follow James at @JamesIntracaso on Twitter and buy 10 copies of every issue of Arcadia at mcdmproductions.com (and all their other stuff)!Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Teos has returned from his European adventure! What sort of crazy antics did he get up to? Almost none! Which is why he and Shawn talk about technology, marketing, sales, and the future of the business of D&D! That’s some fancy, corporate antics! Breaking News Links Stranger Things Season 4, Part 2 Premieres July 1stD&D Beyond Offers Radiant Citadel Intro Chapters and other InfoHow the Radiant Citadel Reimagines Spirits in Dungeons & DragonsWhat You’ll Discover at the Radiant Citadel, a City on the Ethereal PlaneJourneys Beyond the Radiant Citadel – DMs Guild Creator ResourcesAL Spelljammer and Virtual Weekends NewsRenegade Games hiring a Product DeveloperRenegade Games Careers SiteGhostfire Gaming Introduces its Second Season of Fables – Pirates of the Aetherial Expanse Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

While Teos is off on another adventure, Scott Fitzgerald Gray joins Shawn to talk about ways to make combats interesting and thrilling for everyone at your D&D table. With Shawn and Scott’s advice, get ready to turn up the excitement at your table! Breaking News Links D&D Highlights Vecna with new Dossier on D&D Beyond, Stranger Things streamUnearthed Arcana “Giant Options” survey is liveMonte Cook Games releases the Cypher System Open LicenseD&D – A Case Study in How Capitalism Kills Art? Get in Touch Follow Scott at @scottfgray on Twitter.Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

This week we return to the Great Wheel as the Modrons continue their way around the Outlands! What more does this massive adventure have in store and how, of course, could it do all that a little better? Find out thanks to the Masters of Dungeons, Shawn and Teos! Breaking News Links D&D Beyond Adds a “How to Play D&D” PageTyler Walpole is Creating D&D Cartoon PlaymatsNew Crowdfunding Site, CrowdFundr, launching this monthThe announcement Tweet!DM David on the Influences to Battle Walker From the AbyssA Medium article urges RPG companies to sponsor streamingAnd a rebuttal Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

So, the Modrons have begun their march, but something is wrong and… Waitaminnit! There’s no Modrons in this episode! Here there be Giants! Shawn and Teos break down the big changes in Giant options from Unearthed Arcana that recently dropped and there are some BIG changes! Giant jokes! Breaking News Links Unearthed Arcana: Giant OptionsCleveland Browns players played D&D for charityD&D Organizes Another Stranger Things D&D GameB Dave Walters TwitterNetflix GeekedWizKids Changes Minis Boxes with Fizban’s Set Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Once, the Planes of the Multiverse opened up to all the Prime realms of Dungeons & Dragons. Through the many gateways in the City of Doors, Sigil, adventurers walked the Inner and Outer Planes, finding wealth, destiny, and the opportunities to bother the various denizens, thereof. And in the midst of all this, the modrons of Mechanus did something rather odd: they began to march around the great circle of the Outlands, causing something practically heretofore unknown to the Lawful creatures – chaos. Shawn and Teos tackle the classic Planescape mega-adventure, The Great Modron March! Breaking News Links Monsters of the Multiverse is out in the wild (solo version)D&D Beyond is now officially a part of Wizards of the CoastMagic the Gathering prepares to launch 2nd D&D card setCommander Legends Dungeons & Dragons Battle for Baldur’s GateCard Image GalleryCollecting GuideAL: Players must upgrade Volo’s/Mordenkainen’sDM David releases “Battle Walker from the Abyss!”Arora: Age of Desolation kickstarter continues Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Wildspace gets wilder! Shawn and Teos tackle the classic Spelljammer adventure Wildspace and talk about the good, the bad, and oh so much weird. Breaking News Links Get Acquisitions Inc and Lost Mine of Phandelver free on D&D Beyond!From ComicBook.comCritical Role announces new liveplay mini-season exploring the CalamityFrom ComicBook.comFinal Mist Hunters Designer Interview: Ginny Loveday and Jeremy ForbingNew book: Super Tricky Brain TeasersWeb DM launches interview show Between Two TurnsThe first episode features none other than James Introcaso!Anthony Joyce Rivera releases two Lessons for Freelancers:Lesson 1, Becoming a FreelancerLesson 2, Freelancer Experience and CompensationSuccess in RPGs, a new show about how to find your way and prosper in the RPG industryStart Playing gains $6.5M in seed fundingArora – Age of Desolation – Launches!

Space, the Final Frontier… Again. Once more unto the breach, Shawn and Teos break down the classic Spelljammer Adventure, Wildspace, the first adventure published for the original Spelljammer boxed set! Get ready for a wonky ride! Breaking News Links Dragonlance – Heroes of Krynn Unearthed Arcana Revisited!SurveyD&D OnslaughtAdventurers League will Adapt Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel and Critical RoleAL Designer Interview – Gabrielle HarbowyBorder Kingdoms seeks authors for AL adventuresFree Scarlet Citadel section on Roll20Celeste Conowitch joins Kobold Press2C Gaming Launches Cosmic Chronicle – 5E-focused PatreonWorker at mask-required PAX dies from Covid, same week Origins announces masks-optional convention Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Big news has come out of Wizards of the Coast, this past weekend, so what does it all mean? Shawn and Teos work through it and break it down as only they can. Plus: Hippo-men, space hamsters, and whatever Scro are?! Well, maybe not yet! Breaking News Spelljammer ConfirmedPlus, the unstoppably awesome Wildspace trailer from the 1990sSpelljammer Confirmed for ALSpelljammer MinisDragonlance – 5E Setting and Board GameDragonlance – Heroes of Krynn Unearthed Arcana Revisited!D&D Movie name reveal: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among ThievesTwitter AccountCBC ArticleD&D Third Intro Boxed SetD&D OnslaughtOfficial SiteVideo GamesNeverwinter MMOScreenrant Talks Neverwinter Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

While Shawn is, once again, kidnapped by some ne’er-do-well Astral monsters, Teos sits down with none other than Ajit George, writer on Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft and project lead on Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel but, more importantly, creating opportunities for underprivileged children in India through his work with a school named Shanti Bhavan. Very Important Links Shanti Bhavan boarding school in India! A worthy cause!Ajit George’s websiteAjit on Twitter Get in Touch Follow Ajit at @ajitgeorgeSB on Twitter.Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Sly Flourish himself stops by to talk the big news about Wizards and D&D Beyond and whatever D&D Direct is! Get the breakdown from the best! Big News Links The News: WotC Purchases D&D Beyond!Business Wire ArticleD&D Direct – Big Announcements Coming April 21ComicBook.com Article Get in Touch Follow Mike at @SlyFlourish on Twitter and check out his website at slyflourish.com.Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Shawn and Teos chat about updating Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition adventures, comparing them to the classic adventures they’ve already looked at. This fascinating look into D&D’s most controversial edition helps to break down what there was in 4e, what was lost when 5e was released, and what can be reclaimed. Breaking News Links Roll20 Gives Out Lost Mine of Phandelver – Free!Teos’ video walkthrough to claimHow to start with Roll20 and D&DFlee, Mortals: The MCDM Monster BookD&D on Blockchain?Demiplane adds Marvel Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Concluding the series on updating adventures from prior editions of D&D, Shawn and Teos go over some of the things they’ve learned over the last eight episodes and develop some conclusions on how GMs can better represent the stories they like to their players. Breaking News Links Dragonlance Unearthed Arcana Survey now availableJeremy Crawford on Backgrounds with Feats, but also General Sage AdviceDragon+ Issue 41Brandon Sanderson crowdfunding ends at $41.7MThree-Dragon Ante ExpansionAL Blog – Marcello VelazquezGhostfire announces Arora – Age of DesolationFight the Blight! Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

One of the greatest D and the first to be published under the D the Isle of Dread! Sure it’s been updated and supplemented, but Shawn and Teos are tackling the original! News Links Journeys Through the Radiant CitadelWizards officialWargamerComicBook.comOfficial D&D Halloween MasksMCDM and the Horror of Print ErrorsStephen Colbert will do a Charity One-Shot for Red Nose DayDonationsMagic the Gathering provides details for Commander Legends: Battle for Baldur’s GateWizKids Announces Either New Minis or That April 1 Came EarlyDungeons & Dragons: Teeth of Dahlver-Nar Bite-Sized ArtifactDaern’s Instant Fortress… Seriously?!Blast from the Past: MT Black on Converting Old Adventures to 5E Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Continuing this series, Shawn and Teos tackle the classic 1984 adventure Dragons of Despair; the first of an epic series of Dragonlance adventures! Links Dragonlance? Unearthed Arcana – Heroes of KrynnAdrian Ng – WotC Senior Developmental EditorJustice Ramin Arman – WotC Senior Game DesignerGhostfire Gaming team growingMarvel is Hiring a Coordinator, New Initiatives, to support RPGs and moreActor Chris Pine shares insights into the upcoming D&D movieAdventurers League:Latest Rules…And Adventures Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Shawn and Teos tackle the classic adventure N1. Enjoy! (Oh, sorry. Back in the day, we all knew the adventures in the same way you might attack your sibling playing Battleship. This one is Against the Cult of the Reptile God and it is a classic! It was the first of a series of adventures meant for Novice DMs and groups (hence the ‘N1’ designation) and introduced a bunch of classic D&D elements! Now, enjoy!) Links Dragonlance? Unearthed Arcana – Heroes of KrynnICv2 Q4Top 5!Free League – Aliens RPG will tie into official novelsRoll20 Hiring Content Conversion ContractorsKobold Press – save 20% to celebrate 16 years Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

The Dungeoneering Duo finishes their breakdown of the classic adventure Pharaoh! They take a look at what is classic and fun and what might need some updating to modern gaming standards… like, you know, total party kills with no saving throw or skill check, just a random, unmodified dice roll. Old Editions were rough, y’all. Links Critical Role: Call of the Netherdeep coming soonQ4 2021 Roll 20 Report from The Orr GroupNovelist Brandon Sanderson surprises everyone with 4 BooksHere’s the KickstarterCritical Role seeks a Marketing ManagerGen Con seeks Software Program ManagerFree Dwarven Forge Adventures!Free Dark Sun Adventure!Geek Native Interview Get in Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Question: Does Teos have a favorite adventure? Answer: Yes! Question: Is it an old adventure from a prior edition of D&D? Answer: Again, yes! Specifically, from 1st Edition AD&D! Question: Are he and Shawn going to go through this adventure, step by step, as an example of updating adventures to 5e? Answer: Of course they are! Question: So what’s this adventure, already?! Answer: Take a listen and find out! Links Jason Tondro Joins Wizards as Senior Game DesignerKobold Press Hires a Full-Time Graphic Designer, Amber SegerBaldman Games Announces Critical Role Adventures at Virtual WeekendsRoll20 Has a new CEOMorgan Buck, Chief Technology Officer, shares upcoming improvementsArcadia 13New Old Dark Sun Release!Andrew Bishkinskyi releases Rashemen adventureThe Wizards “Archive” Server is No MoreWeb Archive / Wayback Machine projectsExample of the material lost – Rodney Thompson describing the design philosophy behind Bounded AccuracyAnd More…2C Gaming is Looking for 5E Copy Editor Freelancers Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Shawn and Teos continue their discussion on converting adventures from the Original Dungeons & Dragons, 1st and 2nd Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons and 3rd and 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons with going into the ‘whys’ one might want to do this. No word yet as to whether they’ll help out with those old Dragonlance 5th Age SAGA adventures you might have sitting around. Links Hasbro Stock Owner Pushes for Selling off WotCListener Scipio (thank you!) provided us with a breakdownHasbro reveals a new D&D Starter SetCubicle 7 announces a 5e Version of Doctor Who – Doctors and DaleksFree League Announces “League of Free Agents” Organized PlayChaosium Suspends Plans for Future NFTsKickstarter Finally Says A Little More on their Blockchain PlansComics Beat ArticlePolygon ArticleIcebreaker ArticleRoll20 Now Allows Compendium Sharing Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

There are tons (kind of literally) of adventure content supported by the Fifth Edition of Dungeons especially given the breadth and depth of the DMs Guild and other sources. Still, the tales from editions past are many, varied, and often amazing…and sometimes, the most poorly-executed concept from the past ages can make for some fun content to modern eyes. So what to do with those thin books known by alphanumeric combinations, massive, paperback mega-dungeons produced to show off now-common beasties, and piles of Dungeon magazines? Shawn and Teos are here to teach you how to upcycle the adventures of past editions! Links WotC is the first $1B Tabletop PublisherCompany Revenues Passed $1 Billion for the First TimeThe TTRPG Industry Confronts NFTs and BlockchainIPR will never get involved with NFTsDigital indie TRPG platform Itch.io calls NFTs a scamIn regards to NFTs — We see no use for this technology in our business everAlan Tucker on Production CostsThay: Land of the Red Wizards on the DMs GuildThe Book of Wondrous Magic, Volume 2 Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

After a brief hiatus, the dragons are back and the Dynastic Dungeoneers are ready to finish them off! Shawn and Teos break down the last of the bestiary, finishing their breakdown of Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons. Links Cynthia Williams is the new President of Wizards of the CoastBusinesswire ArticleD&D TV Show has a filmmaker: Rawson Marshall ThurberD&D Survey – FeatsJeremy Crawford on Monster ToughnessAnd AgainBlack Creator Spotlight on the DMs GuildIan Ysem on A Year in RPG Self-Publishing: Year 2Death Saves premium WizKids minis?DM David: From Hommlet to Phandalin, Villages Written as a List of Locations Seem Ready to Run. They Lie. Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Blogger and author Keith Ammann (The Monsters Know What They’re Doing, Live to Tell the Tale, and MOAR! The Monsters Know What They’re Doing) joins Shawn and Teos to discuss the idea of the monsters your players face knowing what they’re doing! Learn how to develop the enemies of your campaign to make them more frightening and more dimensional by purchasing all of Keith’s books at this link! Links Todd Kenreck and Jeremy Crawford on Lore Changes in Monsters of the MultiverseAnd, a video on monsters and spellcastersAnd, on changes to racesYoung Game Designer’s Masterclass – Storytelling in GamesThe Dark Souls RPG will use 5e RulesOneBookShelf (DriveThru, DMsGuild) is hiring a Community Relations Representative Get In Touch Follow Keith at @KeithAmmann on Twitter and on Amazon.Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Teos welcomes game designer and the brand new Adventurers League Admin, Toni Winslow-Brill on to talk about the amazing arc of her career and what to expect from her role with the AL. Links Meet your new AL Admin: Toni Winslow-BrillD&D Rules Expansion Gift Set Jan 25th, Monsters of the Multiverse… May 17Todd Kenreck Joins D&D TeamNewbieDM Travels to Westgate and DaerlunAL Blog – Alan Patrick on Mist Hunters DesignWired.com on Accessible RPG BooksArcadia Issue 12 – Table of Contents Get In Touch Follow Toni at @vorgryth on Twitter.Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

New year, new dragons! Enter the bestiary of Fizban’s as Teos and Shawn take a look at the creatures related to dragons, as well as a slew of new kinds of dragons including the famous gem dragons updated to 5e! This is the first dip into the monsters of this tome. Links D&D Rules Expansion Gift Set Next WeekJanuary Virtual D&D Weekend the 21st-23rdTal’Dorei Reborn out on January 18thDarrington Press is hiring a Game Designer / Project ManagerThe Legend of Vox Machina Premieres Next Week!Wizards of the Coast – even more hiring!Dragonlance Interview provides some interesting items!Gen Con ends their livestreaming effortsGrowing Up Latine – Three Kings Day LivestreamWho has a new Patreon?! Teos has a new patreon! Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Draconomicon. There’s really nothing more that needs be be said about this chapter than that. Draconomicon. There, I said it again… Draconomicon! Links Richard Whitters, Art Director at WotC, LeavesStill Four Job Openings in JUST D&D at WotCMore Drama for nuTSRMagic the Gathering 2022 Schedule: Baldur’s Gate in Q2Winter Fantasy has online tickets for saleGenCon Releases Info for 2022Gamehole Con announces 2022 dates, vendor applications, housingGhostfire Gaming Releases first Fable!Teos on Dragon Talk – Making Magic Items Awesome Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

So, where do dragons live and what do they sleep on? No, the Masters of Dungeons aren’t launching bespoke ad campaigns for Zillow and Helix Sleep, respectively. Instead, we’re talking about Lairs and Hoards! Dragons have them, but where do they keep them, how do they find them, and does a hoard provide the lower lumbar support an aging dragon might need? Some of these questions will be answered. Links New Game Master Month from Monte Cook GamesDM David on the History of DungeonsYear in Review Column from Shannon AppelclineIan Livingstone Knighted!Free HeroQuest Scenario and New ScenariosCompanion App Expansion Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

As 2021 comes to a close, we present a very special Mastering Dungeons with a letter to Shawn and Teos from a future game designer and a break down of the year that was. Thanks for listening and we at Mastering Dungeons wish you all a safe and Happy New Year! We’ll see you in 2022 for even more Dungeon Mastery from the Masters of Dungeons! Links D&D Staff Speak Up on 4E vs Pathfinder SalesMCDM Arcadia 11Free HeroQuest Scenario Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Some dragons might try to go it alone, but for the ones that don’t, Shawn and Teos talk different kinds of dragon relationships and new options for running dragon minions. In addition, hear tips and ideas for running dragons in encounters, adventures, and even entire dragon-centric campaigns. Catch all this plus the latest D&D news in this episode of Mastering Dungeons! Links D&D Answers Questions with a Studio Blog UpdateD&D announces D20 Day with celebrity game and free Dragons of Icespire Peak excerptNew Dragonlance book date set: August 2022Demiplane launches their third Nexus – Free League!Minis News: Online Retailer Miniature Market has been purchased by AsmodeeMonte Cook on Narrative vs MechanicsPart 1Part 2MCDM Unleashes the Beastheart!Ghostfire Gaming provides Fables Chapter 1: FREE! Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Sure, you know what your dragon thinks of the PCs and you have every single piece of that dragon’s massive treasure hoard accounted for and your PCs are ready with tools and abilities to bring down anything that dragon can throw at them, but what about the most important question of all: What is the dragon’s motivation? Shawn and Teos break down portraying these mighty beasts according to Fizbin’s, as well as dragon names! Links The Sports Illustrated NFL Story is… D&D?Kickstarter’s Blockchain Plans Leaked, Bring BacklashYou can write Kickstarter and tell them what you thinkD&D is Hiring a DesignerAnd, they also just added a Lead Gameplay Designer for the digital teamNew Studio Blog with Sage AdviceRoll20 is Hiring a Senior PM for its Product TeamEN Publishing is hiring a Part-Time Publishing Administrator in the UKAcademy of Adventures – Spring gaming for kidsGet Free Stock Art from Dean SpencerBeadle & Grimms creating MtG Platinum and Silver EditionsWizKids’ next minis set: Van Richten’s Guide to RavenloftOracle of War releases new Epic Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Tis the season of giving and, in that very spirit, the Masters of Dungeons discuss the various gifts the Dragons of the worlds of D&D can offer player characters according to Fizban. Will your players receive the ‘Tickle Me Elmo’ of magic swords, the knock-off Millennium Falcon of draconic powers, a pair of socks, or a gift certificate to be redeemed for useful dragon bits at a later time? Links D&D Spells SurveyD&D AL – Pillars of Organized PlayInterview with Travis WoodallDragon+ Issue 40Twitter thread encourages sharing gaming salariesDMs Guild offers Tracking URLsIntroducing Players to RPGs: Teaching CombatBrizzy Voices does Monster VoicesFree Strixhaven short adventure on D&D BeyondPAX Unplugged is this Dec 10-12 in PhillyDragon Talk – How to DM PatronsOur own take on DM’ing Patrons Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

Want draconic character options? Shawn and Teos give us a crash course on the options presented in Fizban’s! This Episode’s Links D&D TV Shows are a big focus for WotC/HasbroFrom CBCWotC Hires New Narrative Lead for the Digital Publishing & Licensing TeamRoll20 Announces New FeaturesMCDM Announces Price Increase, Releases Arcadia 10LatAm Breakout on KickstarterTeos on the Dungeon Master’s Guild House with Matthew Whitby

What would a book about dragons be without subclasses? The Masters of Dungeons break down the Fizban’s all-new options for Monks, Rangers, and more! This Episode’s Links WotC is Hiring a Senior Game Designer!Remember Crocs? Now they come with D&D decorStrixhaven: A Curriculum of Chaos – previews are showing upG4 launched its D&D StreamTarget has sale on Essentials KitWinter Fantasy save the date February 2-6, 2022 Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

The Masters of Dungeons, together once more, have decided to take on the other half of the title of the game in which they’ve become such experts: Dragons! Explore the origins of the dragons in D at least, the latest version of the origins. Is it right for your campaign? Shawn and Teos break down this new version and offer their storied opinions. This Episode’s Links Atomic Arcade?D&D Products in Spanish now available…On Amazon Also at your Friendly Local Game Store with codes via Mike Balles Roll 20 Orr Report for Q3HeroQuest rewards ship, goes to retail!D&D on TV – Ghosts play D&DDemiPlane adds World of Darkness supportPAX East dates: April 21-24, 2022 Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.

There’s been a lot going on! So much that Shawn was eaten and we failed to notice in time to help him! While he fights his way out of that brand new monster, Teos has brought on the incomparable Mario Ortegón to talk about all that news and his amazing TTRPG career! This Episode’s Links D&D and Baldman Games SurveysWinter FantasyDungeons & DragonsThe finale of the C-Team!Level Up Kickstarter from ENWorld ends just shy of a millionShotguns and Sorcery KickstarterPlanegea KickstarterPotbellied Kobold’s Guide to Villains & LairsReliquaries: Hand Painted Dice Thrones by Dwarven Forge2C Gaming Rewards and Rarities KickstarterExpedition from the Mysterious Peaks KickstarterWild Beyond the Witchlight AdventuresNew blog post on Yawning Portal provides the new releasesAdventurers League FAQ updated Get In Touch Follow Teos at @Alphastream on Twitter and check out his blog at alphastream.org.Follow Mario at @elwarius on Twitter.Follow Shawn at @shawnmerwin on Twitter.Follow the show at @MasteringDnD on Twitter.