The Evil Dungeon Master Universe

In this episode, I take a hard look at the original AD&D 1st Edition Fighter. No spells. No tricks. Just steel, grit, and hit points. Was it enough? Or did the Fighter fall behind as the game scaled up? I’ll break down what made the Fighter strong, where it stumbled, and why it’s still worth playing when the dice hit the table. Whether you’re rolling 3d6 down the line or wielding a vorpal sword, this one’s for the old-school br...

In this episode, I crack open Deities & Demigods and dig into those legendary stat blocks, from Strength 19 to a god-tier 25... and what those numbers actually do. Then we head to Dragon Magazine #67, where Gygax updates the standard powers of the gods. To top it off, I share a tale from my campaign about the time my character took the long, divine road to demigod-hood under the guidance of the one and only Joe DM.

#ADnD #OldSch...

In this episode, I spotlight one of AD&D’s most gruesome and underused monsters—the Assassin Bug. It paralyzes victims, implants eggs, and unleashes a swarm of death from the inside out. I break down how to use it for maximum dread, from cursed noble houses to larval horrors in the city sewers. Perfect for DMs who want body horror without homebrewing a thing.

#ADnD #TTRPGHorror #OSRGaming #OldSchoolMonsters #MonsterSpotlight #Du...

Today’s episode is about the enchanting (or annoying) leprechauns! These small, magical beings are known for their mischievous nature and love for lush, green landscapes. With a unique ability to become invisible and create illusions, leprechauns are never easy to catch! Did you know they snatch valuable objects from unsuspecting adventurers with a 75% success rate? Even more fascinating is their cleverness, if you find them in the...

In today’s episode, I flip open the DMG and talk about tribal spell casters. These magical beings exist among various races, including bugbears, cavemen, and trolls. First I go over the two main types of tribal spell casters: shamans and witch doctors. Shamans are spiritual clerics who practice powerful healing and protective spells. They’re known for their connection to nature and the spiritual realm. On the other hand, witch doct...

I got an email from Jeff (another Jeff), who wanted to know about Hub campaigns, so I decided to do a podcast on his email.

SO... in today’s episode, I am diving head first into the concept of mission-based worlds in tabletop role-playing games, or RPGs. A hub or mission-based campaign serves as a central base where characters can regroup, heal, and gather supplies after their adventures. This approach isn’t just for video games; it...

In today’s episode, I flipped open the UA to the race section and decided to talk to about the different sub-races that make Elves unique. l'll introduce you to the noble Gray Elves, who share many abilities with high elves, but come with their own twist. Then, we will meet the Wood Elves, known for their connection to nature and woodland creatures, followed by the elusive Wild Elves, or Grugach, who avoid outsiders and revel in th...

Today on the podcast, I decided to talk about my experiences in running Demons and an interesting story about how I've seen a Demon's Amulet used. These unique objects hold the vital essences of powerful demon lords and princes, cleverly keeping their souls both safe and vulnerable. Imagine having the power to control a demon for a whole day—not an easy task, and certainly not without its dangers! An amulet lets its possess...

In today’s episode, I decided to flip open the UA Book and talk about the mechanics of grappling in combat. Grappling is a powerful move used to restrain opponents, preventing their actions and making them more vulnerable. We’ll explore how grappling works, from the rules for successful grapples to the advantages and disadvantages for both grapplers and grappled targets. Learn how multiple attackers can work together, and discover ...

On today's Podcast, I decided to flip open the book and look at the Magic User 6th level spell, The Death Spell. It's an interesting spell that once cast, there is no saving throw against it and basically the target is dead.

The Death Spell is a powerful 6th-level conjuration that instantly and irrevocably slays creatures within its area of effect, with no saving throw. The number of victims depends on their hit dice—wiping out up t...

Today on the podcast, I decided to go over the Orcs and how they are structured as a tribe, from the lowly ones to the chief and his assistants, there is a lot to know about orcs!

Orcs are common, lawfully evil creatures characterized by their competitive nature and a strong inclination to fight among themselves unless controlled by a powerful leader. They prefer dark environments due to their aversion to sunlight, suffering penalti...

In the podcast episode, I'm talking about the mechanics of hit points in AD&D, particularly focusing on the concept of "Zero Hit Points." When a character's hit points drop to zero, they become unconscious, leading to a gradual decline into negative hit points each round until they reach -10, resulting in death due to various causes like shock or bleeding. Timely assistance from allies can stabilize an unconsc...

Hey, folks! Today, we’re talking about the adherer...a weird, sticky monster from the Fiend Folio. Picture a mummy, but alive, with dirty white skin that looks like bandages and oozes super-strong glue. It’s rare, shows up alone or in small groups, and loves ambushing prey by hiding in piles of leaves or dirt. Its armor’s tough, AC 3 and it’s got 4 hit dice, so it’s not a pushover. The adherer’s big trick? Anything that touches it ...

Today on the podcast, I'm talking Theater of the Mind—the old-school, no-map, pure-imagination way to run your tabletop RPGs. Some love it, some hate it, but for me? It’s one of the best ways to keep the game fast, cinematic, and immersive. I’ll break down how to run a killer game without needing a battle map, give some practical tips for describing action so your players stay engaged, and explain when it works best (and when maybe...

Today I wanted to discuss the mechanics of gaining experience levels in a role-playing game, emphasizing that experience points are merely indicators of a character’s progress and do not automatically lead to level advancement. The Dungeon Master (DM) plays a crucial role in assessing the character’s performance based on their class and alignment. The performance is rated alphabetically, and this rating impacts the character’s elig...