Wandering DMs

Paul and Dan review all the different editions of the D&D XP advancement tables for player characters, and assess which was best. Is it better to have tables customized for each class, or one universal table for all? Should there be an easy-to-recall formula behind them, or careful customization at each level step? Which classes outstrip the others? And were XP points ever really a good idea in the first place?

Watch our prior episode on XP awards from Season 2

Dan and Paul dig into the many ways the humble d6 powers classic Dungeons & Dragons. From opening doors and hearing noises to wandering monsters, surprise, morale, and reaction rolls, early D&D is full of small bespoke mechanics built around simple dice checks. Why are some rolls 1d6 while others are 2d6? When do ability modifiers apply - and when don't they? Are these disconnected systems part of old-school D&D's charm, or would the game benefit from a more unified mechanic?

Along the way, we'll explore how these rules evolved across OD&D and early editions, how house rules try to smooth the edges, and whether modern ability check systems lose something by standardizing everything. Join Dan and Paul live as they wander through one of the strangest and most foundational design spaces in classic RPGs.

Dan and Paul review how their live dungeon design dash turned out at Rising Phoenix Game Con, and how the resulting adventures played at the table. Both ran Pleasure Palace of the Pirate Prince, created live during a Friday night panel and inspired by RPGCon's dress-like-a-pirate day. What worked, what surprised us, and what we'd change next time?

Dan and Paul dive into one of the trickiest questions in D&D adventure design: how many magic items should player characters actually have? Looking at classic tournament modules, treasure tables, and real-world convention play, we break down expectations across different level ranges.

Whether you are building pre-generated characters for a con game or trying to balance rewards in your home campaign, we explore how magic item distribution affects challenge, player agency, and overall fun. Are most characters over-equipped? Underpowered? What does the math say - and when should you ignore it?

Join us live as we compare old-school assumptions with modern design and take your questions from chat.

Dan and Paul review the Scarlet Stockade of the Bear Druid, the dungeon they designed live with fans at GaryCon during Dungeon Design Dash #7!

After building the adventure in front of a live audience, both Dan and Paul ran the dungeon for different groups at the convention - with very different results. What worked at the table? What broke? And what final changes are needed before publication?

Join us as we compare playtest experiences, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the design, and talk through how we refine a crowd-created dungeon into a polished module.

The finished adventure will be released on DriveThruRPG and shared free with our patrons alongside all our Dungeon Design Dashes.

DriveThruRPG (Wandering DMs publisher page)