Zone of Hot Truth

After last years announcement we finally have our first look at what the future of Dungeons & Dragons hold in the form of One DnD!

While we talk about other systems and try to keep our advice more general it's no secret that we have a preference for 5e. But why is that exactly?

This week we take some time to go over what we love about 5e and why we all gravitate towards it as our default system!

What is the best way to use powerful artifacts in your games? More than that what types of artifacts are underused and can really help spice up a game?

It can take a lot of effort to put together and run a game of D&D, or any TTRPG for that matter. But if you're new to DM'ing what should you expect? How much time does it really take and is it something you can make happen?

This week we talk a little about what goes on behind the screen and offer some advice on how to lessen the burden of running the game and some of the hidden bits of work that you might not have thought about lurking in the shadows.

There is a certain stigma which surrounds the discussion of railroading players of running a linear story in a campaign . . but are they even the same thing?

Surly you can design and run a more linear game without forcing your players down one path or taking away their agency. In the end it might even be what most groups are playing without realizing it!

One Shots. . . We've all played in them, and have all been told they are the perfect place to first try your hand at running the game as a DM. But what should you include in them? What are the most important things to focus on? What makes it good?

Since we only have so much time to prep and even less time to actually run it we thought we'd offer some insight into what we believe are the most important aspects to focus on to maximize both player enjoyment and hopefully make for a memorable experience for all!

We've all whipped up a dozen or so level 15-20 characters trying to make the perfect Paladin or the perfect Wizard. But how often do those see the table?

If your groups are like most, they'll never even see the table at level 10 let alone 15-20. Is this a problem with 5e itself? Or is it more so an issue of a lack of high level content and trouble finding long running groups?

After many years we finally have our first official Fey Wild adventure but was it worth the wait?

Tonight we go through a complete review of the book and see just how well does it stack up to Wizard's other published adventures. Are we in for a magical wild ride or has a wandering Fey lead us into a bad deal?

• Part 1: First Impressions, Factions & The Carnival - 0:00
• Part 2: Hither, Tither & Yor plus Closing Thoughts/Nit Picks - 39:00

Sometimes running the game can induce a lot of stress and anxiety which is something no DM is immune from. 

Is it possible for your players to influence a game enough to "break" it? If so is it even your job to keep them from doing so and patch all up or is it better to just sit back and watch the chaos unfold!

We decided to revisit our first episode and cover session zero once again. What expectations should you have of your players? What should you hope to get out of it?

That is tonights question as we dive back into our irst question!

Verisimilitude or the illusion of being real is something many strive for in their TTRPG's but how important is it? Is it really necessary for a game or will everything come crashing down without it?

This week, when keeping it real goes wrong, we tackle that question and figure out if the school of illusion can help our games come to life!

Where do you get your monster from and how much thought should even be put into the task?

This week we take a look at the 5e monster manual and consider if it's the best source for your encounters or if the myriad of third party source books and monster creation tools are just better, more interesting options.

There are no truly permanent injuries in D&D.  Spells can fix broken bodies or the players could seek out an NPC to treat an ancient curse.  Yet, lingering injuries are very controversial. Most tables do not use them.  

So our question this week centers around whether lingering injury tables demonstrate character growth and reflect "push-your-luck mechanics" or are they simply a hindrance for player fun and excitement?  How many sessions until an injuries becomes tedious?

This week we try to answer these questions without obtaining any injuries in the process!

As a player — you've defeated the Big Bad Evil Guy, saved the realm, and completed a published adventure!

Now you want to put on your Dungeon Master hat. Do you choose to forge your own campaign? Or try your hand at guiding a new party through the same adventure you played in?

This week we discuss what considerations you should have before running an adventure you've already played in and whether it is even something you should do.

Pet Peeves. They can be Valid, Unreasonable or Illogical but every DM has their own set all the same!

This week, we discuss our pet peeves and some of the situations that led us to discover them in the first place!

Do the changes Tasha's Cauldron of Everything brings to character origins allow players and DM's to brew up something worth while or is this another spoiled potion that leaves the community wanting?

This week we finally sit down and examine the Tasha's rework for character lineage in an attempt to figure out if it hits the mark!

We've all played, or played with, TTRPG characters that were flawed.  Not by their stats, but by some characteristic that compelled them to not only act in a way that was mechanically optimal.

This week, we discuss whether more characters should have a flaw.  If so, does this flaw need to be represented mechanically or can it be handled purely through roleplay?

You've been running a game for months (maybe years?) but you are no longer having fun. Maybe the theme has worn thin? Maybe outside events are draining your time? Or maybe you came up with a new idea you just can't wait to run!

In tonight's episode, we discuss whether it's ok to move on from a game and allow the campaign to die.  We also touch on how to reinvigorate passion in games where the interest is fading.

There's a game tonight. Your players eagerly await to roll the dice - but you just aren't motivated to DM. Maybe this is a new feeling. Or maybe it has been a few sessions in the making. What do you tell your players & how can you attempt to rekindle your love of Running the Game?

That is tonight's question as we discuss our strategies on reinvigorating our desire to DM!

Credits:

Audio Edited by WeaselArmorAudio @weaselarmoraud1 on twitter!

We can all breathe a sigh of relief 2020 has finally ended.  As 2021 begins, we at the Zone of Hot Truth find it is important to make resolutions for the new year!

This week, we discuss our plans for the new year - be it starting new games or finishing old.  Importantly: this serves as a great reminder of our goals as the year progresses!

A lot of DMs out there run their games word for word from the WoTC campaign books. Is this possible? Should you do it? What expectations should you have when considering running "as is"?

This week, we plumb the depths of our experiences attempting to run 5e WOTC adventures & consider how group play style can impact a DM's options.