becomingDM

Ep80: Decoding the Statblock

Have you found that your players deal with the enemies you set up a lot more easily than you would expect?  Maybe it's just a matter of how you're reading the enemy stat blocks and incorporating them into your game.  In this episode of becoming DM, John and Danielle walk through and show how decoding the stat block can lead to much more challenging encounters for your players.  Join us!

We'd love to hear your ideas for a future episode.  If you want to hear us talk on a specific topic, go to https://becomingDM.com/ideas and let us know!

Ep79: Tabletop RPG Jargon

If you spend enough time around a group of people that play tabletop RPGs, eventually you'll find yourself in a situation where a variety of jargon is being used that you may not understand.  This is especially prevalent in online forums where people talk about running games.  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle spend some time decoding and explaining some of the more commonly used jargon in the rpg space.  Join us!

Got an idea for a future episode of becomingDM?  We'd love to hear from you!  Go to https://becomingDM.com/ideas to let us know!

Ep78: Running Games With a Co-DM

Running games with another DM can be a fun and exciting way to split up some of the work of a tabletop RPG.  But how do you make sure that both you and your co-DM are on the same page? Or that you have an acceptable division of the work? In this episode of becomingDM John and Danielle explore the things to consider before entering into a co-DM situation.  Join us!

If you've got an idea for a future episode of becomingDM, let us know! You can submit ideas at https://becomingDM.com/ideas

Ep77: Moving from Player to DM

Have you been a player for awhile and decided that you wanted to give it a shot and move to being a DM?  Whether it's looking for things that you didn't think about in the "job" of being a DM or just wanting some guidance on where to start, this episode is for you! Join John and Danielle as they talk about making the transition from player to DM.

This episode topic was submitted by a listener like you! Got an idea for a future episode?  Let us know, go to https://becomingDM.com/ideas and tell us what you'd like to hear about!

Ep76: Making Combat Interesting

After the thirtieth miss rolled by both you and the players you decide to end combat for the night because it just keeps dragging on.  It doesn't have to be this way!  In this episode of becomingDM, John and Danielle explore strategies to make combat more interesting.  Whether it's adding to your descriptions, thinking tactically about your monsters or joining Danielle in her love of spreadsheets we've got ways to make combat less of a slog and more fun for both you and the players!

 

Got an idea for a future episode of the show? Let us know! We'd love to hear what you' want to hear about.  Just go to https://becomingDM.com/Ideas to let us know!

Ep75:Running Evil Campaigns Part 2

Haven't gotten enough evil yet? That's ok, we're not done!  In part 2 of our discussion about running evil campaigns, Daniell and John continue talking about factions in evil games and about how to make sure that things are staying fun.  Join us for the conclusion of our discussion on running evil campaigns!

We want to hear from you! If you've got an idea for a future episode, make sure to go to https://becomingDM.com/ideas and let us know today!

Ep74: Running Evil Campaigns Part 1

Sometimes your players are tired of being the good guys.  Sometimes they just want to create a little mayhem and ignore the plight of the villagers.  Sometimes they event want to BE the plight of the villagers!  In this episode of becomingDM we're going to be talking about Running Evil Campaigns and the things that you might want to consider.  We had a good time talking about this topic, so this is part 1 of a two part episode.  Make sure you come back in two weeks to hear the rest!

Got an idea for a future episode? Let us know! Submit your ideas to https://becomingDM.com/ideas to let us know!

Ep73: AI Tools for DMs

Whether it's helping to create a stat block for an NPC you hadn't anticipated being part of your campaign or generating a list of items that the party found in a Goblin's pockest, AI tools allow DMs to add things to their game that would normally require a large amount of effort.  In this episode, John and Danielle talk about AI in general and how Generative AI tools can take some of the DMing burden in your game.

If you've got an idea for a future episode of becomingDM, make sure to go to https://becomingDM.com/Ideas and let us know!

Ep72: Make Exposition Fun

There's so much information to share with players about your world, especially with a new campaign.  It may be tempting to just give players a massive document to get them up to speed, but don't do it!  It's just as important how you deliver your exposition as it is what is in it.  In this episode, John and Danielle talk about some of the techniques they have used to make exposition fun in their games.  Join us!

Got an idea for a future episode topic?  Make sure to go to https://becomingDM.com/ideas and let us know all about it!

Ep71: Building the Table

There's a lot of different ways that you can increase and add to immersion in your table.  In past episodes, we have made reference to a table that John built with a TV in the middle.  In this episode, Danielle takes on the MC role and interviews John about questions she's always wanted answered when it comes to building and running games with a digital table.  Don't forget to check out the episode page on our website at https://becomingdm.com/ep71 to see pictures of the finished table as well as some high level guidance on how it all comes together.