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...
Jul 16, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 198
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 ...
Jul 09, 2025•57 min•Ep. 197
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 p...
Jul 02, 2025•59 min•Ep. 196
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...
Jun 25, 2025•59 min•Ep. 195
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...
Jun 18, 2025•57 min•Ep. 194
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&...
Jun 11, 2025•57 min•Ep. 193
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 ...
Jun 04, 2025•58 min•Ep. 192
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...
May 28, 2025•57 min•Ep. 191
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-publ...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 190
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 ...
May 14, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 189
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 be...
May 07, 2025•56 min•Ep. 188
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...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 187
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: ...
Apr 23, 2025•52 min•Ep. 186
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 -...
Apr 16, 2025•59 min•Ep. 185
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 - Creati...
Apr 09, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 184
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 selfis...
Apr 02, 2025•54 min•Ep. 183
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 D...
Mar 26, 2025•53 min•Ep. 182
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 ...
Mar 19, 2025•55 min•Ep. 181
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...
Mar 12, 2025•56 min•Ep. 180
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 pa...
Mar 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 179
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: 0...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 178
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 ...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 177
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 1...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 176
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:...
Feb 05, 2025•58 min•Ep. 175
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 pla...
Jan 29, 2025•54 min•Ep. 174
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 g...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 173
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 m...
Jan 15, 2025•54 min•Ep. 172
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...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 171
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 ...
Jan 01, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 170
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 resolu...
Dec 25, 2024•57 min•Ep. 169
