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Difficulty Class

Difficulty Classpodcasters.spotify.com
Welcome to Difficulty Class, a Podcast about all things Dungeons and Dragons and occasionally other fun TTRPGs. Hosted by Treavor Bettis and Allie Deutschmann, each week we bring a topic to talk about, plus give time for listeners to write in with questions or their own advice for playing D&D. If you’d like to be part of the show you can write in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com Intro/Outro by Jay Yi @PoundJayYi
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Episodes

Bonus Episode 2: UA Fighter, Ranger, Rogue

We knew this was going to take up a good amount of time - so rather than cram it into a normal episode we broke it out on its own for you listening pleasure. In this bonus episode we talk about the recently released Unearthed Arcana which rounded out the core classes with the Fighter, Ranger, and Rogue. We go over each one of them and what their new archetypes bring to the game, as well as give our thoughts on what we think of them.

Oct 20, 201953 min

Ep. 19: Tableside Chat with Justice Arman

On this (even longer) episode we talk with Justice Arman - author of the recently released Step Right Up on DMs Guild! We talk to him about his journey through creating content for Dungeons and Dragons as well as how he goes about doing so. Thought about trying to write adventures for DMs Guild? This is the episode to listen to. After that we answer some listener questions about what adventures to run for strangers, some battle mat problems, and what our top 5 campaign books are. If you would li...

Oct 18, 20191 hr 53 min

Ep. 18: Character Deaths & TPKs

On this extra long episode we talk about Character Deaths and what we do when they happen - as well as TPKs (Total Party Kills) and how we feel about them. Also at the beginning we take a dive into the recently released Unearthed Arcana for the Druid, Cleric, and Wizard. If you would like your question, story, or topic read on the show you can send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com

Oct 11, 20191 hr 45 min

Ep. 17: Getting into the Hobby & Session Zero

This week we talk about how best to get into the hobby of Dungeons and Dragons - from both a Player and DM point of view - as well as disscuss why doing a Session Zero can really help both DM and Players. At the end we answer some listener questions about homebrewing, which we should probably do an episode about at some point. If you would like your questions, topic, or whatever read on the show send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com

Oct 04, 20191 hr 10 min

Ep. 16: Boss Fights & Throwing Too Much at Your Players

On this episode we talk about ways we make Boss Fights more interesting and what to do when you Throw Too Much at Your Players. We also give our impressions of Hellbound Heists in our DMs Guild Spotlight - a new set of adventures from a collections of authors. At the end we talk a little bit about our listener Aaron's homebrew and give a little advice on homebrewing itself. If you would like your question, topic, or homebrew idea read on the show you can send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com...

Sep 27, 20191 hr 24 min

Ep. 15: Avernus First Impressions & DMing for Strangers with our friend Evan!

The week we give our first impressions of Baldur's Gate: Descent into Avernus and talk to our fellow professional DM Evan - who started it all at our bookstore. He and Allie answer some old questions from Dungeon Driver, and then the three of us talk about DMing for Strangers. After that Dallas writes in with a question about description in game. If you would like your questions answered on the show you can send them in to DifficutlyClass@gmail.com

Sep 20, 20191 hr 30 min

Ep. 14: Separating Ability Scores from Race & DnD Video Games

On this episode we talk about Separating Ability Scores from Races and what ways we could see that working - as well as Dungeons and Dragons Video Games. At the end we answer a question from listener Aaron who asks what is the best advice we've received as DMs. If you would like your question, topic suggestion, or story read on the podcast send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com.

Sep 13, 20191 hr 20 min

Ep. 13: Unearthed Arcana (9/2019), The Problem with Charisma Checks, & DMing When You're Uncomfortable

On this episode we talk about the new Unearthed Arcana that was recently released and go over the new archetypes for Sorcerer and Warlock. After we talk talk about the problem some people are finding with Charisma Checks and what you can do (or can't do) about DMing when you're uncomfortable. If you have questions, topic suggestions, or stories you would like read on the show send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com and we might read them on the show.

Sep 06, 20191 hr 12 min

Ep. 12: Theater of the Mind & Battle Mats

On this episode we talk about running games Theater or the Mind style and some ways we have done it - as well as our experiences with Battle Mats and why we like using them. If you have any questions, topic suggestions, or stories you would like to be read on the show send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com.

Aug 30, 20191 hr 11 min

Ep. 11: Curse of Strahd Review

On this episode we are reviewing Curse of Strahd. We give our spoiler-free thoughts at the beginning, followed by a relevant DMs Guild Spotlight, then get deep into spoilers about the story, layout, and artwork. Also, in order to give an idea of what this campaign can do, we give a recap of what happened when our group played through it. Finally we see where this ranked for us against Storm Kings Thunder and Tomb of Annihilation. If you would like you questions read on the show you can send them...

Aug 23, 20191 hr 44 min

Bonus Episode 1: UA Barbarian/Monk

On our first ever bonus episode we talk about the recent Unearth Arcana which brought new archetypes for the Monk and Barbarian - which wasn't going to fit in with our Curse of Strahd Review. If you have any thoughts or questions about these archetypes or about Dungeons and Dragons in general you can send those in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com.

Aug 22, 201920 min

Ep. 10: Uncomfortable Topics & Impostor Syndrome

On this episode we get into some heavy topics and discuss why you shouldn't bring some of these elements into your game. We also talk about Impostor Syndrome and how Critical Role has made some DMs worried they aren't good enough. But, we also have some fun with listener questions as well as a good DMs Guild Spotlight. If you would like your question read on the show you can send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com

Aug 16, 20191 hr 3 min

Ep 9: Improvised Encounters & Puzzles

On this episode of Difficulty Class we talk about Improvising Encounters and how much of a challenge making Puzzles can be. We also get back on the Alignment conversation with a listener question. If you would like your question read on the show send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com

Aug 09, 20191 hr 19 min

Ep. 8: Comparing 4e and Pathfinder to 5e

On this episode we talk about 4e and Pathfinder and how different they are to 5e, as well as answer a few listener questions at the end. If you would like your question read on the show send them into DifficultyClass@gmail.com

Aug 02, 20191 hr 34 min

Ep. 7: The Satanic Panic and Alignment

On this episode we talk about the Satanic Panic of the 80s and what people thought DnD players were doing, as well as discuss Alignment and how it affects the way you play your character. If you have questions for the show - or a suggestion for the DMs Guild Spotlight send those in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com The Satanic Panic - 12:35 DMs Guild Spotlight - 37:40 Alignment - 39:12

Jul 26, 20191 hr 10 min

Ep. 6: Playing D&D with Kids

On this episode we talk about D&D books for kids - including the recently released Young Adventurers Guides - as well as talk about actually playing D&D with kids. If you’d like your questions to be read on the show send them into DifficultyClass@gmail.com

Jul 19, 20191 hr 20 min

Ep. 5: Stranger Things Box, Pacing, & Backgrounds

On this episode of Difficulty Class we talk about the Stranger Things Starter Kit, give some advice on Pacing, and discuss why Backgrounds and Backstories are important. If you would like your question read on the show send them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com!

Jul 12, 20191 hr 22 min

Ep. 4: Magic Items & Villains

On this episode of Difficulty Class we talk about when to give our magic items and some of what makes a good villain. We also have a DMs Guild Spotlight for pricing magic items as well as answer a listener question about problem players.

Jul 05, 20191 hr 14 min

Ep 3: The Essentials Kit

On this episode of Difficulty Class we talk about the Essentials Kit (8:17) and how to Integrate Pre-Written Adventures into your Homebrew (53:01) - as well as answer a listener question about good first adventures. If you would like you’re question read on the show you can write them in to DifficultyClass@gmail.com.

Jun 28, 20191 hr 11 min

Ep. 2: Incorporating Gods & When to Use Skill Checks

On this episode we talk about ways to utilize Gods in your campaign (6:00) and when best to call for Skill Checks (26:10). Be sure to write in your questions to DifficultyClass@gmail.com.

Jun 21, 201955 min

Ep. 1: Storm King’s Thunder Review

On this episode Allie and Treavor review Storm King’s Thunder! There is a spoiler free discussion at first, but spoilers start at 19:15 and go all the way to 52:10 where we answer a listener question. If you’d like your question to be read on the show write them in to difficultyclass@gmail.com

Jun 14, 20191 hr 2 min
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