Dungeons & Tangents

Episode 17: Setting the Mood

August 29th, 2017  |  31 mins 35 secs

dming, running the game

Want to set the right mood with your D&D Players?
We all do.
In this episode we talk about methods that go beyond the game play.
Creative means of using Audio, Visuals, Props and Voices

Episode 16: Building a Backstory

August 22nd, 2017  |  36 mins 8 secs

back-story, character generation

We talk all about the back-stories of D&D characters. Do you need one?. Why? Where do I get one?

Episode 15: Anatomy of an Encounter

August 15th, 2017  |  32 mins 6 secs

dming, encounters

Erik and Robert take a close look at the basic parts of D&D Encounter. We dissect encounters down to their key elements, then get into how Bruce Willis doesn't like water.

Episode 14: Session Structure

August 8th, 2017  |  26 mins 14 secs

dming, session logistics, snacks

Erik and Robert take a macro look at a session of D&D. The food, the banter, the setup, the getting settled and eventually the game play.

Episode 13: Massive Tangent #1 - Castlevania

August 1st, 2017  |  40 mins 2 secs

castlevania, netflix, spoilers

This being our 13th episode, we decided to review something spooky. Robert and Erik talk about the new Netflix series "Castlevania". We talk through every monotonous detail of the plot, so... Spoilers!

Episode 12: Tools for Character Generation

July 25th, 2017  |  26 mins 56 secs

character generation, d&d beyond, drivethrurpg, fantasy grounds, hero lab, ogl, open gaming network, roll20, srd

In this episode, Chris and Erik discuss character generation software and third party content systems.

Episode 11: D&D Beyond - Pricing Announcement

July 20th, 2017  |  22 mins 16 secs

curse, d&d beyond, fantasy grounds, ogl, roll20, srd

In this episode, Robert and Erik discuss the recently announced D&D Beyond pricing. What is the pricing, our reaction to it, and how the new tool fits into the growing D&D online ecosystem.

Episode 10: D&D Beyond

July 17th, 2017  |  22 mins 18 secs

curse, d&d beyond, drivethrurpg, fantasy grounds, ogl, roll20, srd, twitch, wizards of the coast

In this episode, Erik and Chris Rutledge discuss the D&D Beyond website. What it is, what it promises to be, and how it came about.

Episode 9: Adventure Prep

July 6th, 2017  |  50 mins 31 secs

campaign management, dming, running the game

In this episode, Robert and Erik discuss DM techniques for preparing a new Adventure.

Episode 8: Memorable Moments

June 18th, 2017  |  52 mins 29 secs

character death, memorable moments

In this episode, Robert and Erik discuss how to make gaming moments that stick with you.
We talk through the three most memorable moments we've experienced, then talk through what it is that make them a fun experience and something we remember years later.

Episode 7: Metagaming

June 5th, 2017  |  43 mins 17 secs

In this episode, Robert and Erik discuss the contentious subject of metagaming.
We define metagaming as "The use of knowledge from outside a game's universe to gain an advantage inside of a game's universe."
We talk about what it is, how it can help or hurt a gaming experience, ways of stopping or curbing metagaming, horror stories, and donuts.

Episode 6: Miniatures

May 31st, 2017  |  50 mins 56 secs

This time, Robert and Erik talk Miniatures. Big, medium, and small. Pewter, plastic, and paper. We discuss miniatures that help with tactics and establish a shared understanding.
We talk scale, brands, painting, transportation options, and the sexism of fantasy and how it translates to miniatures.

Episode 5: Maps

May 10th, 2017  |  56 mins 38 secs

In this Episode, Robert and Erik talk Maps.

We discuss maps that inspire, establish setting, help with tactics or help establish a shared understanding. Then we get philosophical about how maps and other inspirational pieces need to leave gaps that the viewer can fill with their imagination. It gets all existential. Then we talked about Mel Gibson LARPing.

Episode 4: Narration

May 4th, 2017  |  44 mins 48 secs

In this Episode, Chris Rutledge joins Erik to talk about Narration. We discuss back stories, settings, imagery verses perception, environmental consistency, building your descriptive vocabulary and a bunch of other subjects. They all surround the central ideas of keeping the players engaged, believing in the world of the game, and having fun.

Episode 3: Table Manners

April 30th, 2017  |  1 hr 3 mins

In this Episode, Robert and Erik talk Table Manners. We discuss an obscene amount of topics: Good and bad Banter, staying focused while gaming, eating at the table, knowing the rules, player preparedness, arguing with DMs, and what DMs can do to ruin a game.

Episode 2: We can talk about dice for hours

April 29th, 2017  |  58 mins 53 secs

chessex, d&d, dice, gamescience

In this Episode, Robert and Erik talk dice... for an hour! We discuss the purpose of dice, dice accuracy, dice superstitions, dice rolling, and our first memories of dice.