Why NOBODY predicted Critical Role would choose D&D over Daggerheart! And what does a West Marches style campaign mean for Campaign 4? We also invoke the dreaded name of Dark Sun!
Get the Grim Hollow Player's Guide on D&D Beyond! https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_GHPG_2025_2_204
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
James: @jamesjhaeck
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:16 - A Lorecast actual play?
05:16 - Critical Role choose D&D!
18:20 - Critical Role and West Marches
32:06 - Grim Hollow launches on D&D Beyond!
35:52 - Unearthed Arcana hints at Dark Sun
In the OGL aftermath and the full release of D&D 2024, is the game better or worse than it's ever been? Is 5e 2024 actually better than 5e 2014?
An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Mike: @SlyFlourish
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - The Aftermath of the OGL
17:51 - Is D&D 2024 better than 2014?
36:15 - Baldur's Gate 4?
40:07 - New 5e Adventure module!
45:03 - How to plan campaign narratives
Todd Kenreck helps us to ponder which community members should WotC choose for the D&D Advisory Panel? Gen Con hits record attendance! Then we settle in to build cozy homes and grimdark worlds for your TTRPG adventures.
An Aetherial Expanse adventure is coming to Kickstarter: https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Todd: @ToddKenreck
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:34 - The future for Todd Kenreck
17:53 - D&D advisory panel
24:22 - Gen Con record attendance
29:15 - Cozy bastions
46:05 - Dark fantasy adventure building
Brennan Lee Mulligan takes over Critical Role, Ghostfire Gaming launches an Organized Play campaign, MCDM releases Draw Steel, and Paizo puts a 5e adventure on D&D Beyond! It's been a long Gen Con...
Learn more about the Grim Hunt: https://ghostfiregaming.com/resources/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Hannah: @AmazingSpidrHan
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:00:00 - Intro
01:59 - Gen Con 2025
10:35 - Draw Steel goes live
13:43 - Brennan to DM Critical Role
19:47 - Paizo now on D&D Beyond!
24:42 - D&D's new direction
33:45 - Faerun sneak peaks
47:09 - Tariffs impacting overseas games
50:32 - Listener appreciation
D&D Beyond teases digital DLC for the Forgotten Realms setting books, while Nott the Brave teases town guards in the new Critical Role animated series. We also celebrate 200 episodes of this here podcast!
A new Aetherial Expans adventure is coming to Kickstarter:https://ghostfiregaming.com/GGYT_AEDG_2025_7_933
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
02:52 - Forgotten Realms book reveals
10:40 - D&D Beyond DLC
18:01 - Stranger Things starter set
24:25 - Aetherial Expanse adventure
27:04 - New Critical Role animated seasons
32:31 - 200th Episode quiz
Critical Role announces their first video game, WotC boasts the BIGGEST D&D starter set ever, Eberron is delayed, and is "D&D in a Castle" offering a new career path?
Unlock the Grim Hollow Player's Guide, today! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ghostfiregaming/grim-hollow?ref=3hjfbf
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:12 - TTRPG from video games
06:41 - Starfinder video game
10:28 - Critical Role's video game
17:08 - Grim Hollow: The Player’s Guide releases
19:35 - D&D's BIGGEST ever starter set
27:42 - New Stranger Things D&D box set
33:54 - Eberron book delayed
35:54 - Green Ronin vs Diamond
40:05 - Draughts worker strike
41:16 - D&D DM University
Big changes for D&D as Wizards of the Coast step towards a franchise model, while Darrington Press take their next big steps as a TTRPG publisher! Also, what exactly IS a Warlock or a Rogue?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Logan: @Runesmith
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
07:01 - D&D becoming a "franchise"
21:19 - Darrington Press levels up!
27:31 - Gen Con update
32:32 - D&D Classes core fantasy
52:37 - Obsolete design ideas
How impactful SHOULD character death be in a TTRPG like Daggerheart or D&D? We ponder this while Paizo experiences book delays, the ENNIE awards are announced, and we decide what monster manuals to make!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
00:46 - Shopping at FLGS
07:26 - Diamond bankruptcy
13:43 - Board game cafe strike
19:31 - ENNIE nominations
21:42 - Handling character death
34:42 - GM social leaders
48:36 - Monster themed books
Daggerheart releases two new classes into playtesting, triggering a heated rules debate over moons! Meanwhile, another Unearthed Arcana brings the Necromancer Wizard and Hexblade Warlock back to D&D 2024.
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:14 - What is an Undead?
06:04 - Unearthed Arcana subclasses
23:11 - The missing Todd in the room
24:50 - New Daggerheart playtest
46:09 - Tabletop Workers United
47:23 - Taking GM notes
More industry shuffles as Hasbro lays off more staff, Ivan Van Norman leaves Darrington Press, and we get a sneak peak at a cancelled D&D video game!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Siege weapons in D&D
05:02 - Hasbro layoffs
07:47 - WotC cancelled video game
18:45 - Ivan Van Norman departs Darrington Press
26:10 - Character combat parity
42:55 - Player input on adventures
What will Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford joining Darrington Press mean for D&D 5e? Todd Kenreck is laid off from WotC, D&D's Vice President resigns, and other industry shaking events unfold!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:52 - Todd Kenreck laid off from WotC
13:29 - Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford join Darrington Press
28:50 - Jess Lanzillo leaves WotC
30:59 - Darrington Press' own OGL
Wizard's of the Coast is hiring new D&D designers, but can they fill Chris Perkins or Jeremy Crawford's shoes? A new D&D video game is announced, and World of Darkness publisher White Wolf rises from the grave!
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:24 - Best question for Session 0?
13:40 - WotC hiring game designers
22:23 - White Wolf returns
28:38 - A new D&D video game!
33:53 - UK Games Expo
36:05 - Balancing a TTRPG
45:23 - Monstrous BBEG
A surprised Unearthed Arcana launches the Psion back into D&D! Wizards of the Coast inks an new video game publishing deal, while Baldur's Gate 3 goes Pathfinder 2e. Should TTRPG players git gud?
Hunt for Monsters of Drakkenheim on D&D Beyond: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/category/DB4KDB0Q1
Wizards of the Coast signs deal with Giant Skull: https://newsroom.hasbro.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wizards-coast-announces-exclusive-publishing-agreement-giant
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:15 - Best TTRPG settings
06:53 - The Psion Unearthed Arcana
22:36 - Monsters of Drakkenheim
24:56 - New WotC video game?
32:17 - BG3's Pathfinder mod
34:05 - Does player skill matter in a TTRPG?
We celebrate the launch of Daggerheart from Darrington Press, whilst comparing encounter design between Draw Steel, D&D, and Critical Role's new TTRPG.
Click to enter the Grim Hollow Player Pack D&D Beyond giveaway: https://forms.gle/RxFKrvYyJFFKHeTa7
Sign up to GM at Gen Con 2025: https://www.baldmangames.com/gencon-2025-dm-signup/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
08:50 - Weirdest place to play TTRPGs
10:16 - Daggerheart releases
27:10 - GM at Gen Con 2025
30:16 - Building Draw Steel encounters
48:59 - Improvising fun NPCs
How do 1-on-1 D&D sessions differ from a typical big party campaign? The fate of Gen Con's most infamous rogues is revealed! How can you create a gripping atmosphere at your gaming table or online?
Click to enter the Lairs of Etharis D&D Beyond giveaway: https://forms.gle/kyNDnZBxGjBJA65r7
Tariff Pause the Bare Minimum: https://www.wargamer.com/board-games/gloomhaven-tariff-pause
Game Publishers Brace for Shipping Price Hike: https://boardgamewire.com/index.php/2025/05/13/board-game-publishers-brace-for-shipping-price-hike-delays-as-us-drops-tariffs-on-china-to-30-in-90-day-truce/
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:46 - 1 on 1 D&D
14:52 - Gen Con heist news
23:22 - Diana Jones Emerging Designers
27:24 - TTRPG tariff update
38:00 - Daggerheart actual play
39:47 - Creating game atmosphere
D&D 2024 unleashes new Horror Subclasses like the Artificer Reanimator in the latest Unearthed Arcana. But how frightening can 5e be? Plus there's a sneak peak at the new Eberron book and why TTRPG publishers might be pulling out of Gen Con?
Click to enter the Lairs of Etharis D&D Beyond giveaway: https://forms.gle/kyNDnZBxGjBJA65r7
Check out Lairs of Etharis on D&D Beyond, here: https://marketplace.dndbeyond.com/settings/SRC-00130
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
00:48 - Favorite type of horror
07:54 - Horror subclasses UA
26:43 - Eberron: Forge of the Artificer
42:56 - TTRPG publisher pulls out of Gen Con
49:03 - What's a bandit lord?
54:46 - Humanoid villains
Is Sage Advice the same without Jeremy Crawford? WotC publish the latest 2024 rules update on D&D Beyond, Roll20 and Demiplane launch a cross compatibility beta, and a titan of the TTRPG industry comes to an abrupt end.
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
01:21 - New Spell: Mike's Hard Lemonade
03:54 - Sage Advice for D&D 2024
31:36 - Roll20 & Demiplane beta
38:09 - Polygon layoffs
44:53 - Alarums and Excursions
48:05 - Profanity in D&D books
Stop your TTRPG players from sleeping through your early campaign lore dumps! We're also dissecting dragons and the SRD 5.2. Will WotC dodge tariff chaos with D&D and MtG?
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Best dragon harvest
05:20 - WotC vs tariffs
11:39 - Tariff lightning round
14:50 - SRD 5.2 deep dive
29:35 - Westmarch style systems
40:55 - How much lore, too much?
Does releasing the SRD 5.2 for D&D 2024 fulfill the last of the WotC promises? Can 3rd party 5e publishers finally rejoice? We ponder these questions while the Tabletop Games industry collapses around us due to tariffs.
D&D Beyond changelog: https://www.dndbeyond.com/changelog#2024CoreRulesErrata
TTRPG industry survey: https://cardboardedison.com/tariffs
Email your questions to podcast@ghostfiregaming.com
Ben: @TheBenByrne
Dael: @DailyDael
James: @jamesjhaeck
Shawn: @shawnmerwin
Editor: @ZsDante
Topics:
00:00 - Intro
05:54 - SRD 5.2
15:24 - Baldur's Gate 3 final patch
24:07 - Xanathar's puppet
25:50 - Dungeons and Cabins
28:40 - Meredith Placko resigns
30:18 - Tariffs toll on the industry
39:54 - GM Presentation
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
