Jeremy Crawford leaves D&D and Wizards of the Coast, Daggerheart gets an early release Down Under, and how will Dragon Delves make dragons in 5e fun?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Diana: @dianaoftherose
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:25 - Your First GM
06:00 - Daggerheart Early Release
09:48 - Dragon Delves
22:32 - D&D Beyond MAPS
32:04 - Jeremy Crawford Leaves WotC
41:20 - Tariffs check-in
42:15 - Visualizing a dungeon
Will Tariffs destroy the TTRPG industry? This week we roleplay economists to explore the global issue from the side of game publishers, hobby shop owners, and fans whose books are about to get a LOT more expensive!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Teos: @Alphastream
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:23 - Arby's dice
05:00 - Chris Perkins retires
17:47 - Free Sigil minis
23:15 - Tariffs vs TTRPG's
43:07 - Creating new monsters
Less D&D news this week (except for WotC threatening legal action for a Baldur's Gate 3 mod) leads into listener emails about incentivizing selfish players, why GM's shouldn't be scared of math, and whether the GM or player should control the wizard's familiar?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
06:23 - WotC threaten legal action
08:56 - Paul Sawyer passing
10:17 - Playing selfish players
25:05 - Scared of math? GM Anyway!
32:47 - GM or player run familiars?
Wizards of the Coast call it quits on Project Sigil, leaving the 3D VTT to mothball on D&D Beyond. Meanwhile the world gets strange as Texas lawmakers try to outlaw roleplaying in schools for entirely imaginary reasons.
Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003
Rascal article about Texas roleplay bill: https://www.rascal.news/texas-furries-act-tabletop-roleplaying-games-in-schools/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Giving your players news
04:26 - Sigil's sad fate
24:00 - Texas to outlaw roleplaying
32:31 - Avenues for self publishing
44:24 - How to finish a project
The D&D 3D VTT is off to a bumpy launch. MCDM quietly tinkers with it's own Draw Steel VTT. We ponder whether the Hero Forge dice are balanced while Ben and Dael argue what a Critical Role video game might (not) look like.
Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:04 - Dice collections
08:45 - Hero Forge dice
16:06 - Critical Role video game
28:29 - Sigil’s bumpy release
34:58 - The MCDM VTT
38:21 - Companion Quest
40:13 - Low level Legendary Monsters
Are tariffs about me to make buying D&D and TTRPG products A LOT more expensive for US gamers? And right when a new 5e 2024 starter set could make learning the game easier than ever! What makes a good Warlock patron?
Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003
BoardGameWire article: https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/03/06/fewer-releases-spending-freezes-and-rising-prices-board-game-publishers-face-volatile-financial-future-as-us-hikes-china-tariff-to-20-brings-in-25-canada-mexico-tariffs/
Rascal News article: https://www.rascal.news/tabletop-companies-are-waiting-for-the-ship-to-come-in-on-tariffs/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
02:27 - New D&D starter set
14:29 - Companion Quest
17:40 - Chris Cocks interviews
27:35 - Tariffs vs tabletop games
34:56 - DriveThruRPG prices rise
39:21 - Warlock patrons
48:12 - Greyhawk introduction
WAIT! Project Sigil has launched on D&D Beyond? The Artificer is getting a new subclass? D&D 2024 is getting a new Starter Set? All that TTRPG news, and more!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
James: @jamesjhaeck
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:13 - THE BEST D&D miniature
04:17 - Winter Fantasy recap
09:39 - Project Sigil launches!
20:16 - New D&D starter set
28:10 - Artificer Unearthed Arcana
33:57 - Ernie Gygax passes
35:01 - Mega dungeon design
45:04 - Monster Manual art
Big D&D news as WotC announces a Lorwyn Shadowmoor 5e setting book, another 3rd party release hits D&D Beyond, and the Monster Manual 2025 gets a second patch, and we all geek out about video games!
Check out the new D&D Beyond Drakkenheim adventure: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_NILE_2025_2_178
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @jamesjhaeck
Monty: @montycmartin
Kelly: @kaiinreallife
Dungeon Dudes: @DungeonDudes
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:18 - Video game influences
11:08 - A new D&D video game?
15:00 - In Search of Smugglers' Secrets
25:47 - Lorwyn book announced
32:50 - Dragon Delves cover art
36:02 - Kobold Press' cosy RPG
43:28 - D&D Beyond monster errata
49:51 - Escape Room game design
Pathfinder introduces NPC romance and relationship rules, D&D signs a deal with Netflix for a Forgotten Realms tv series, and evil Drow could be returning to 5e 2024!
Explore Jarren's Outpost here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dndnerds/jarrens-outpost
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Adam: @RetroArchetype
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
02:13 - Favorite D&D species
11:54 - Evil Drow returning!
14:15 - D&D Netflix Series
21:59 - Jarren's Outpost
27:39 - Pathfinder romance rules
39:08 - Kickstarter Pledge Over Time
44:31 - Steve Jackson Games & Possum Creek
49:05 - Fantasy travel between settlements
The 2025 Monster Manual receives a day 1 patch, we finally address the D&D Orc controversy, Daggerheart gets a release date to revolutionize the TTRPG industry, and Ghostfire is making a boardgame!
Start your Companion Quest here: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGLC_GGCQ_2025_2_003
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
Logan: @Runesmith
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - No orcs
07:01 - Monster Manual day 1 patch
11:28 - Monster initiative
18:20 - Companion Quest
24:23 - Magic the Gathering cinematic universe
36:43 - Daggerheart release date
38:07 - Diamond debt reclamation
40:57 - Spells in monster stats
49:56 - How to recap a campaign
Amidst the Monster Manual news, Wizards of the Coast announce as new Unearthed Arcana, a new Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands, new setting guides, and a free D&D 5e adventure! Can we convince James to like Dinosaurs?
Check out A Time Traveler's Guide to Dinosaur Hunting: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/splatteredink/a-time-travelers-guide-to-dinosaur-hunting?ref=6p3q3u
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:08 - Monster Manual 2025
06:32 - A free 5e adventure
12:19 - D&D movie sequel?
13:57 - Our favorite dinosaurs
22:31 - End of Critical Role Era?
32:36 - All D&D 2025 releases
34:26 - Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
40:00 - Starter Set: Heroes of the Borderlands
45:10 - Return to the Forgotten Realms
48:18 - Greyhawk Organized play
52:11 - Unearthed Arcana: Subclasses
Dael refuses to talk about AI Dungeon Masters and whether they give better D&D immersion. Then we debate how much descriptive text DM's should give players during a TTRPG?
Leon Barillaro's article: https://barilleon.com/blog/the-liches-method-of-boxed-text-descriptions/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @dailydael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - DM descriptions
05:54 - How much description to players
15:11 - AI Dungeon Masters
19:51 - New D&D boardgame
22:18 - Artefacts & Alignment
32:15 - Why not play as a werewolf?
44:45 - Forgotten D&D antagonists
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
