About the show

Father and son team, Jay and Jack Oatway, bring together two generations of Dungeons and Dragons experience. They discuss fun, offbeat ways to bring more to the table. From how to create characters that challenge expectations, to building a more well-rounded campaign: tune in for fresh perspectives for players and DMs, whether you are new to the game, or are a seasoned veteran.

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Episodes and Blog Entries

  • Candlekeep Lore

    Episode  |  January 22nd, 2021  |  48 mins 43 secs
    candlekeep, group patrons, libraries

    With the announcement of a new D&D adventure book, The Candlekeep Mysteries scheduled to come out this spring, we stop to have a quick look at the lore surrounding Candlekeep and find out why it attracts knowledge seekers like moths to a flame. We also discuss group Patrons and how to run one from a library.

  • How to Stop Over-prepping and Trust Your Improv Skills

    Episode  |  January 15th, 2021  |  53 mins 14 secs
    adding flavor, dm skills, improv, preparation, random tables, social interaction, table fables ii, three pillars, tips, weirdness

    Right now, DMs are out there planning for something for their next session. They making maps, building encounters, and weaving intricate plots. There are also DMs who are stressed out because they don't have enough time to put together all that great stuff. If you fall into category two, we are hear to offer some comfort: have a few handy random tables in your pocket, and trust in your improv skills.

  • Salem Charms: The Droolock Pirate Build

    Article  |  January 8th, 2021
    By Jay
    d&d, dnd, droo-lock, druid, fathomless patron, pirate, steal this character, warlock

    The Druid-Warlock multiclass: here's an example of how to build this type of D&D character using options from the new Tasha's Cauldron of Everything. Her name is Salem Charms, she's part Circle of Stars, part Fathomless/Pact of Talisman warlock.

  • Multiclassing With Two Spellcasting Classes

    Episode  |  January 8th, 2021  |  56 mins 57 secs
    adding flavor, cleric-wizard, druid-warlock, multiclass, steal this character, subverting tropes, tips, weirdness

    This week we lean merge together different spellcaster classes and ask if these are really two great tastes that taste great together. We look at a 6th level Druid-Warlock and a 20th level Cleric-Wizard.

  • Resolutions for a New Year of Great D&D

    Episode  |  January 1st, 2021  |  26 mins 23 secs
    adding flavor, background occupation, subverting tropes, tips, weirdness

    A quick look at some of the classes, races, weapons and more that the hosts of Like Dragon Like Son are hoping to play this year

  • Which Magic Items Does Your Character Want Under the Holiday Tree?

    Episode  |  December 18th, 2020  |  1 hr
    character buffs, magic items, tips

    This week we make our list a check it twice, finding out which magic items are naughty or nice -- it's like a holiday gift guide for all those DMs out there who don't know what to give their players...or for the players who don't know what to ask for this mid-winter festival.

  • Top 10 Tips For Playing D&D Online

    Episode  |  December 11th, 2020  |  53 mins 1 sec
    adding flavor, digital tools, roleplay, three pillars, tips, vtt

    As more and more of us find our way to online games of D&D, we need to look for the best practices that unlock the best experience possible. This week we count down out top tips for being a good, maybe even great, virtual adventurer.

  • Calling For More Roleplay Not More Skill Checks

    Episode  |  December 4th, 2020  |  1 hr 1 min
    ability check, proficiencies, roleplay, social interaction, three pillars

    This week we take a look at how as a DM (and players) we can choose to make fewer calls for skill tests, and instead use those moments of the game to do more roleplay. We look at reducing how often the dice decide (and derail) the story, and how to use Ability Checks best when conflict demands it.

  • Fresh Spells From the Cauldron of Everything

    Episode  |  November 27th, 2020  |  37 mins 33 secs
    spellcasters, spells, tasha's cauldron of everything

    This week we look at the spells made official in the recent release of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

  • Into the Cauldron, Part 2 -- The UA that made it, got nerfed, or got cut

    Episode  |  November 20th, 2020  |  59 mins 46 secs
    fighting styles, subclasses, tasha's cauldron of everything, unearthed arcana

    In this second part of our special two-part episode, we look back at the UA documents and compare what we have been playtesting with what is now official content in Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

  • Into the Cauldron, Part 1 -- The UA that made it, got nerfed, or got cut

    Episode  |  November 20th, 2020  |  58 mins 57 secs
    fighting styles, subclasses, tasha's cauldron of everything, unearthed arcana

    With the release of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, we look back at the UA documents and compare what we have been playtesting with what is now official content.

  • Subclass Survey: The Best & The Worst

    Episode  |  November 13th, 2020  |  1 hr 39 secs
    rules, subclass, subclass survey, tier list, tips

    In preparation for the release of Tasha's Cauldron of Everything, we take a look at some of the best and worst subclasses in the game so far (in Jack's opinion), explaining why each one deserves their spot among the greats and the not so greats.

  • The Like Dragon Like Son Subclass Tier List 2020

    Article  |  November 12th, 2020
    By Jack
    subclasses, tier list

    Here is Like Dragon Like Son's official 2020 subclass tier list!

  • The Endless Web

    Episode  |  November 6th, 2020  |  45 mins 45 secs
    gameplay, level 20, rules, tips

    Have you ever felt that combat isn't spicy enough anymore? This week, we discuss a 20th level halloween one-shot we played, sharing our experiences and giving tips on how to make your 20th level combat work as a player and a DM. We delve into the spooky details and difficulties both on the table and in the character sheets.

  • DM's Workshop: College of the Dirge

    Episode  |  October 30th, 2020  |  35 mins 12 secs
    bard, college of the dirge, homebrew, rules, subclasses

    This week we return to the DM's Workshop to explore one of our own homebrew subclasses for bard, the College of the Dirge. A bard which turns their bardic inspiration into a curse and draws from the clerical powers of destroying undead. We discuss tips and tricks when designing subclasses, and talk about how to design abilities around a theme.

  • Finding the Right Balance for Combat Encounters

    Episode  |  October 23rd, 2020  |  46 mins 59 secs
    adding flavor, combat, three pillars, tips, weirdness, xanathar's guide

    Answering the age old question: how to make combat challenging, without killing the whole party.