Dads 'n Dragons

The gang gets out of a sticky situation, gets to know each other a little better, and gets a new mission from a mysterious official.  

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Include in your prep specific things to help them think about their characters (e.g. thought-provoking questions).
• Sometimes 'on-the rails' (heavily guided) adventures make for better experiences with younger players.

Magic the Gath...

Our unlikely trio of heroes accepts a mission to find Krenko, a goblin mob boss, and bring him back to justice. 

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• The clues you think might be obvious are not always so obvious to your young players (or your older ones). Instead of getting frustrated and just giving it away, give them time to figure it out, or reward the player with the highest perception or insight roll with some ex...

The gang convinces Falish to lead them to the shipment drop-off so they can finally meet Krenko, but things don't go as smoothly as they plan. 

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Be on the player's side too, don't give into the urge to always be the antagonist. 
• Encourage creativity when you see it. 
• Is D&D a great math tutor, you ask? Is 1d8+5 better than 1d10+3?

Magic the Gathering cards m...

The trap to capture Krenko is sprung! Can Zofvys hold out until help arrives? Will Krenko get away? Will there be exploding goblins? This episode guaranteed to answer at least one of those questions.

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• First level is just, the worst. Everyone has to start somewhere, I guess that's the point, but don't forget how low their hit points are at first level. 

Magic the Ga...

Krenko is determined not to go back to prison, so it's going to take the skills of all three heroes to keep him from getting away. Tune in for part two of the warehouse fight here! 

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Options, options, options. Don't leave your players stuck. If they are getting frustrated, maybe they just aren't visualizing everything you are. Try suggesting 2-3 options plus "or i...

Invasion! Zofvys, Skylar, and Yarven enlist the help of dwarven cleric, Turlen, to save innocent citizens from zombie marauders. In the background, an epic battle between planeswalkers brings war to Ravnica.

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Get them involved, the game only works if people actually play
• Let players describe visual effects of magic or moves in a fight

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Zombi...

Our heroes stand in awe as they realize legendary dragon Nicol Bolas has brought war to Ravnica. Outmatched, for now all they can do is run and survive. Amidst the chaos, they must defend the helpless against those with no mercy, both foreign and Ravnican. 

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Scott! Turn on your microphone!
• Opposed Skill checks don’t get crits. Houserule it if you want, but be consistent.
• You can give t...

Yarven tries to save some civilians, Skylar tries to save Yarven, Turlen tries to save the whole group, and Zofvys tries to save... Ravnica? Find out in the epic conclusion to the War of the Spark! 

Special Wrap up this episode with Scott (Turlen)!

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Fblthp the Lost
• Jiang Yanggu
• Mowu, Loyal Companion
• Deathrite Shaman
• Nicol Bolas, Dragon God
• Gideon Blackblade
• Unlikely Aid
• Liliana, Dr...

Turlen gets a request for aid from his neice, Fifiline, but it leads into the dangerous Gruul lands known as the Rubblebelt. Ryan learns that letting players name NPCs sometimes means he has to say "Fifiline" for several episodes. 

Special Wrap up this episode with Alex (Yarven)!

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Zofvys has become an official Dimir Informant
• Selesnya Guildmage
• Transguild Promenade
• Gruul Turf

The team's plan to deal with the druid spying on them launches with 'Step One: Jump him'.

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• No need to one-up each other all the time. Working with each other can lead to more fun. 

Special Wrap up this episode with Jack (Skylar)!

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Firebolt
• Cloak and Dagger
• Clan Guildmage

Follow us on Twitter @dadsndragons for the latest upda...

The group runs into trouble as they try to sneak into Rogar's camp. We learn that Yarven's war hammer makes a *bonk* noise.

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• NPC voices can be fun!
• Feel like my descriptions of combat are getting better. Ask players to describe their actions too.
• You can also ask Players to help define history or setting background. It makes the setting more personal to them.
• When you are aski...

Can our heroes survive the incursion into Rogar's camp? They've got one shot, because the challenge with Borborygmos is tomorrow!

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Really enjoyed the non-combat parts of this episode. There are still plenty of things to roll for out of combat, and getting to use skills is a great feature of the game. Take advantage!
• Level up! Get to third level as fast as possible. In my opi...

It's time for the midwinter festival, but an Orzhov lawyer has a plan to put an end to all the festivities! Tune in for this special double-length holiday episode and see if the heroes of the War of the Spark can save the Midwinter Queen as well.

Special ending interview with a new guest player and brand new father! Stick around for some insight from Jason on the early days of D&D on military bases in the 80s. 

Fol...

A clash in the Gateway Plaza pits the heroes against not two, but three feuding guilds!

Goals for this year:

• Better and better NPCs
• More balancing role-play with combat, even during combat
• Let the kids start advancing character arcs

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Riot Control
• Yeva, Nature’s Herald

Follow us on Twitter @dadsndragons for the latest updates. Email ryan@dadsndragons.com to connect. 

...

With three guilds at each other's throats and reporters watching, will "Guild War!" be tomorrow's headline? Our normally brash heroes have to think fast and talk faster to get themselves out of this jam. 

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Consequences - allow chances for kids to consider the consequences of their actions. Having a spectator watching them is a good way to do that. 

Magic the G...

The group investigates a strange entry found in Talia's notebook and tries to stop a magical killer from striking again. 

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Recurring NPCs are the lifeblood of a fun, memorable campaign, homegrown or pre-written module. 

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Nightshade Assassin

Follow us on Twitter @dadsndragons for the latest updates. Email ryan@dadsndragons.com to co...

Talia leads the way into the underbelly of Ravnica to hunt down Ludmilla, last surviving member of the Sisters of the Stone Death.

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Railroad style campaigns don't have to mean no choices, no fun.
• Take a time out to let players plan and prepare
• Remember the contract, DM's decide "what" players decide "how"

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Nights...

The party faces death by petrification as they confront the gorgon, Ludmilla, in the Golgari underbelly of Ravnica.

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Raise tension by targeting player's favorite NPCs
• Roleplaying games to increase teamwork and friendship? Yep, and it's awesome.

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: 

• Nightshade Assassin
• Sisters of Stone Death
• Will-o-the-Wisp

Follow us on Twitter @dads...

The Tenth District colosseum has been rebuilt, but strange events surrounding its grand re-opening have our heroes suspicious. Also in this episode, I totally lie to the players so they don't spoil something. I'm not telling you what it is either!

Some tips we learned in this episode:

• Allowing players to choose elements is a great way to build investment in the story. 

Magic the Gathering cards mentioned: