Episode 176 – Dungeons Not Dragons
Whether you’re from the old school days of white-lined maps on blue backgrounds, or newly arrived at the idea of maps, scouring the internet for your Roll20 backgrounds, dungeons have a long and storied history in RPGs. Join the lads as they look back over the years at dungeons, what makes them good and how they can be used better.
Continue reading Dungeons Not Dragons
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 167 – One D&D (a.k.a. There Can Be Only One)
The guys are keen for a deep dive into the latest D&Dizzle news, fresh playtest documents, talk of a new approach, a lengthy train in the run up to the most recent evolution of the world’s largest RPG, “One D&D”.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 166 – Radiant Citadel with Ajit George (a.k.a. A New Hope)
The guys are joined by lovely human and creator and project lead of Journeys Through the Radiant Citadel, Ajit George. Discover how the project came about, what to expect from the latest D&D offering, how it’s different from what’s gone before and much more!
Continue reading Radiant Citadel with Ajit George
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 165 – D&D in the 70s (a.k.a. A Gateway To Wider Experiences)
This time Gaz & Baz are reunited to talk about playing D&D back in the day. Joined by D&D designer and Good Friend of the Show, Jonathan Tweet, plus legendary DM Hollis Monroe, the guys talk through early experiences before Greyhawk existed and you had to make your own worlds of wondrous adventure.
Continue reading D&D in the 70s
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 158 – Dark Souls (a.k.a. You Wake Up By A Bonfire)
So it is, ash seeketh embers… this time the lads are joined by Mat Hart and Rich August from Steamforged Games to talk about the Dark Souls RPG, and go deep diving into game design theory.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 124 – Negotiating D&D
(aka “Nicole, please don’t @ me”)
There’s more than one way round a problem, and this week the gents are joined by Dmitry Grozoubinski – an expert in negotiation and trade – to discuss how GMs and players can negotiate a session. The role of NPCs in a session, giving players what they want, the role of streaming games and the wealth of players on Reddit are discussed, among many interesting topics.
Continue reading Negotiating D&D
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 110 – Jeremy Crawford Interview
(a.k.a Illusionary Dragons)
Lead Rules Designer for D&D, mind behind Sage Advice and Unearthed Arcana, and all round man on the scene for all D&D books, the lads were delighted to have Jeremy Crawford on for an interview. An insight into his daily work, lots of detail on the upcoming Eberron release, and much more, including advice for new DMs and some hints on the future of D&D.
Continue reading Jeremy Crawford Interview
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 106 – Versions and Editions
(a.k.a. d4 Damage for the Ill Behaviour)
Don’t remember the Edition Wars do you junior? Well, pull a stool, buy a tankard of ale and let the old timers tell you all about it… This week the lads go into new editions, versions and reboots. With special guest Mat Hart from Steamforged Games, the guys talk about why new editions come about, if they really change anything and if not, why not?
Get in touch, the lads love to hear from you!
Facebook: facebook.com/thesmartparty
Twitters: twitter.com/the_smart_party
Email: thesmartparty@hotmail.com
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/thesmartparty
Patreons: patreon.com/thesmartparty
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 95 – Dungeon Master’s Guide – Part Two
(a.k.a. A Thinking DMs Book)
With a surfeit of D&D designer guests and other goodness, the lads round off their current D&D coverage with a walkthrough of the second half of the DMG. What old favourites still languish in the book, and what exciting new gems? How has the last few years of gaming and writing thereof influenced this tome? When D&D 6 comes out – will we even still have a DMG? All this and more is discussed in this week’s bumper episode.
Continue reading Dungeon Master’s Guide – Part Two
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Episode 94 – Kate Welch Interview
(a.k.a. Stat Blocks and Vegetables)
Bask in the mellifluous tones of D&D game designer Kate Welch, talking to the lads about what it’s like to work at Wizards of the Coast. After one year on the job, Kate describes her start at Wizards, thoughts that go into design, user experience and bringing skills from the video game industry, standing up and shouting with joy in meetings about vampires and what’s so good about the Monk class anyway? Plus! Much, much more…
Continue reading Kate Welch Interview
Podcast: Play in new window | Download