Riding Into the Sunset

Episode  |  September 6th, 2023  |  1 hr 10 mins

final episode

With Jack heading off to university, this will be the last episode of Like Dragon Like Son for the foreseeable future. This podcast has provide an opportunity for us to grow as players and as GMs -- and share our growth with you. We hope you've enjoyed the journey. Before we go, we leave you with a few more thoughts on what the future of TTRPG looks like for us, and maybe for you too.

Changing the Way We Build Characters

Episode  |  April 21st, 2023  |  47 mins 42 secs

level 0, levelling up, rolling with emphasis, steal this character, subverting tropes, tips, weirdness

If you are like us, you've probably built more characters than you will ever play. But what if you had to play a character to build them? The idea is that as a 0 level character, you play in a short mini-campaign that showcases an influential time in your character's life that shaped who they would become. We discuss how this work with starting with only 2d6 in each ability score, gaining stats, skill, languages and spells as your character blossoms. We also discuss some fun ways to take the levels out of leveling up, and look at ways exciting ways to motivate players to lean into the role play of character development. We also discuss the idea of "rolling with emphasis".

What We Can Steal From The D&D Movie

Episode  |  April 8th, 2023  |  25 mins 55 secs

druids, fat dragons, movie, spoilers, wizards of thay

Spoiler Alert: We are discussing our take-aways from the new D&D movie, Honor Among Thieves. We talk about rule of cool, druid abilities, and how those red wizards are probably part of some grand plan that's been in the works since the dawn of 5th edition. So grab your popcorn -- we're going to the movies!

Rock The Clock Mechanic: Going Beyond The Timer

Episode  |  March 31st, 2023  |  40 mins 47 secs

clock mechanic, combat, tips, world building

Using a clock or counter system can dramatically overhaul how encounters play out. They can introduce a puzzle-like complexity, and increase the number of ways to win besides just doing damage. And they can add a dynamism to the active evolving world of your campaign setting. If you need some help getting clocks working in your game, now's the time!

True Magic: How to Make Spellcasting Work Like It Does In The Movies

Episode  |  March 24th, 2023  |  1 hr 12 mins

casting, magic systems, spells, tips

We've all seen spells explode on the big screen and thought, "I want my character to be able to do that!" Then gone looking in the Player's Handbook only to find the closest thing to it is some 3rd level spell with a ridiculous number of restrictions. The World's Greatest RPG shouldn't be so disappointing. So the solution is simple: steal some magical ideas from other sources. We look at Ars Magica, Push Powered, as well as some of our own homebrew to find ways to create a new full spectrum of magical powers full of the sort of risks and rewards that makes the TTRPG hobby so much fun.

How To Make Players More Invested

Episode  |  March 17th, 2023  |  1 hr 15 mins

adding flavor, dm skills, improv, npcs, plot points, social interaction, tips, weirdness

Ever get the feeling that, as a DM, the weight of the world rest upon your shoulders alone? That your players just show up expecting to be entertained? That there is a lot of pressure on you to look after everyone's feelings? But then who is looking after you? Join us as we look into how to deepen player involvement in the game, the story, and the enjoyment at your table

Why Wall Spells Kinda Suck, But You Should Use Them More Often

Episode  |  November 28th, 2022  |  1 hr 17 mins

Join us as we knock down the barriers to wall spells. Sure they can be tricky to figure out, difficult to place, and sometimes feel underwhelming -- but with a bit of creative thinking, they can do a lot more than you think. From making bathtubs to microwaving bad guys, listen in as we go off-the-wall.

Changing the Way We Play

Episode  |  November 11th, 2022  |  55 mins 10 secs

blades in the dark, breaking trope, dragonlance, other systems, tips

This episode began as a sneak peek into the upcoming Dragonlance release for 5e. We started talking about how the Squire of Solomnia feat looked like what we have been seeing in the One D&D playtest material around feats. And then we started talking about the important ways the game has evolved since Dragonlance first hit the scene, and how the game of D&D has grown, and how we as DMs have continued to expand our playstyle, continue to push outside the boundaries of RAW. Join us for a rollercoaster discussion that includes Blightheim, Blades in the Dark, and, alos a bit of Dragonlance.

How To Tell Haunting Tales

Episode  |  October 26th, 2022  |  46 mins 40 secs

adding flavor, halloween, huantings, three pillars, tips, weirdness

Ghost stories are always fun to play -- especially around Halloween. Ghost hold a special status among D&D monsters. They aren't just sacks of HP that need to be smashed with an axe. They are creatures with unsettled business that requires deeper player involvement in order to truly vanquish the ghost. We look at some of the tools provided in Van Richten's guide and elsewhere that can turn your apparition into the haunting tale of adventure that no one will soon forget.

How Good Is Rolling With Advantage?

Episode  |  October 17th, 2022  |  51 mins 12 secs

advantage, tips, weirdness

Everyone loves rolling dice. And rolling twice seems even more fun! But how does that really change your odds of success and by how much? The answer might surprise you. Rolling with advantage is more than a simple +5, it radically alters the likelihood of success. This week we dig into the statistics, and discuss ways that you can use the odds to your advantage.

Brewing Better Healing Potions

Episode  |  October 11th, 2022  |  41 mins 6 secs

Does a little bottle of 2d4+2 seem a bit boring? Want to add a bit more buff to the healing drinks that you or your players concoct? Then this episode is for you. Grab your herbalism kit, your brewers supplies, cook's utensils, or alchemy set -- we are going to make healing tonics that take your game to the next level!

Weighing the Future of D&D

Episode  |  September 16th, 2022  |  57 mins 51 secs

backgrounds, feats, one d&d, races

After the announcement of One D&D, a new Unearthed Arcana has been released, this time showcasing how 5E character building will evolve. We evaluate the races, backgrounds and feats that will be the core of D&D's future. Join us as we fill out the survey!

Is Spelljammer a Bit of a Thin Update?

Episode  |  August 27th, 2022  |  49 mins 44 secs

adding flavor, cosmic horror, revised, spelljammer, tips, weirdness

As much as we love all things D&D, there are moments when we stop and ask: "Is that all you are giving me?" As experienced DMs we do a lot of homebrew, but that's not the case for everyone. And there is something nice about having a ruleset that is standardized between tables. So when we are looking at a scant 60 pages of Astral Adventurer's Guide, there's a lot more we need to bring to Spelljammer. This week, Jay and Jack talk about all the pre-existing resources that can be adapted to your Spelljammer campaign.

How To World Build Together

Episode  |  August 17th, 2022  |  44 mins 57 secs

collective storytelling, home brew, world building

Collective storytelling can begin long before everyone sits down to play at the table. Join us as Jack walks us through his homebrew setting, Blightheim, a dark gothic setting in which all the classes have been rebuilt for the setting -- and for the characters. Learn the secrets to make your own interwoven masterpiece of collective world building.

101 Things to Do In D&D Before You Die: Part 8

Episode  |  August 10th, 2022  |  1 hr 4 mins

things to do

We have arrived! Our celebration of our 100th episode milestone culimates with the final 10 Things to Do in D&D Before You Die! While not neccessarily the top 10 (who could pick just 10) these are definetly 10 BIG things. Join us as we discuss advanced actions and reaction, adding diversity to your table, pushing the limits of character creation -- and even killing a Tarrasque!

101 Things to Do In D&D Before You Die: Part 7

Episode  |  August 3rd, 2022  |  1 hr 8 mins

things to do

Celbrating 100 episodes of Like Dragon Like Son, the Top 101 Things to Do in D&D Before You Die countdown closes in on number 1! This week we are counting down from 20-11. Join us as we talk about how to make sure you are playing your best game ever. From better feats to player handouts, from Tarokka decks to spell points -- take your game to the next level!