Best Dungeon Master Direct Podcasts (2025)

1
AD&D Rule Spotlight: Casting Spells Directly from Books 14:50

Play Pause

22d ago14:50

14:50

Today we look at page 80 of the Unearthed Arcana book where there is an optional rule that lets a magic user cast straight from a spellbook as if it were a scroll. It is powerful, costly, and risky. I cover the exact risks, how to rule edge cases, and a table story where a player tried to game it. #adnd #tsr #dnd #OSR…

1
AD&D Campaign Spotlight: Money Changers, Banks, Loans, and Jewelers 15:25

18h ago15:25

15:25

Today we talk about the money side of adventuring that most tables skip. Money changers take a cut, bankers hold your coin, lenders set harsh terms, and jewelers shave value when they buy. I’ll give you clear rates, rulings you can drop in, and hooks that make your city feel alive.

1
AD&D Rule Spotlight: Player Skill Bonuses 13:48

8d ago13:48

13:48

Today we look at the Oriental Adventures rule that lets you grant a one-time bonus when the player demonstrates knowledge or performs a skill. I cover how to use it fairly, what to cap, and a real table story where a player’s stunt earned a surprise attack. #TSR #Adnd #OSR

1
AD&D Rule Spotlight: Command Words for Magic Items 13:48

10d ago13:48

13:48

Today I talk about command words for rods, staves, and wands. AD&D makes you earn the activation. You have to learn the word. I cover the rules, a fast table process to run discovery, a story where a player tried to game it, and quick hooks. #adnd #osr #tsr #forgottenrealms #greyhawk

1
AD&D Monster Spotlight: The Wraith 13:48

13d ago13:48

13:48

Today I dig into the wraith. Fast, smart, and built to punish careless parties. I cover what it does, how to stage it, rulings that keep it deadly but fair, and hooks you can run tonight. Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheEvilDM Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheEvilDM Watch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/TheEvilDM…

1
AD&D Monster Spotlight: Elementals 11:14

17d ago11:14

11:14

Today we break down the four core Elementals, how they fight, where they shine, and how to use them without derailing a session. I give table rulings that keep them scary and fair, plus quick hooks you can drop in tonight. Things talked about on the podcast Support the show on Patreon – https://www.patreon.com/TheEvilDM Secondary Channel -- https:/…

1
Emotional Regulation with Session Zero 12:49

18d ago12:49

12:49

Text us, Psyclithids Session Zero isn’t just about rolling stats and swapping backstories—it’s the primary emotional regulation tool for your group. In this episode of The Dungeons, Dragons, and Psychology Podcast, we dive into why Session Zero matters so much, and how it sets the tone for your entire campaign. We’ll explore: Player Contracts: Sett…

1
Defense Mechanisms for RPGs: Realism at the Table 18:04

22d ago18:04

18:04

Text us, Psyclithids What happens to an adventurer after the dragon burns their village, or when they fail to save an innocent life? In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology of defense mechanisms—the unconscious strategies people use to protect themselves from overwhelming stress—and explore how they can shape roleplay at the table. Drawin…

1
AD&D Magic Item Spotlight: Ring of Truth 13:03

24d ago13:03

13:03

Today’s episode looks at the Ring of Truth, a magic item that makes lies impossible to miss but also strips the wearer of their ability to lie. It’s a blessing and a curse, and at the table it often sparks rules questions. I’ll share what it does, how to use it as a DM, and a story where I had to step in when a player tried to get too clever with i…

1
The Impostor Syndrome of the DM (a.k.a. The Matt Mercer Effect) 18:05

25d ago18:05

18:05

Text us, Psyclithids Do you ever feel like you’re “not good enough” to be a Dungeon Master? That pressure to run the perfect game… That voice in your head saying, “I’m a fraud”? This week on The Dungeons, Dragons, and Psychology Podcast, we dive into the psychology of impostor syndrome, why so many DMs struggle with it, and how to build real confid…

1
AD&D Monster Spotlight: The Death Angel 16:08

29d ago16:08

16:08

Today’s episode goes back to Dragon Magazine #6 (1977) for a look at the Death Angel, a creature that mixes oracular prophecy with deadly power. Armed with a death scythe and near-unstoppable persistence, these beings embody fate itself. I’ll break down their abilities, how they work in play, and how to drop one into your campaign without wrecking …

1
The Psychology of the Bard's Influence 13:42

29d ago13:42

13:42

Text us, Psyclithids Is the bard’s silver tongue just a fun game mechanic, or does it reflect real-world psychology? In this episode of The Dungeons, Dragons, and Psychology Podcast, we explore the fascinating connection between the bard’s abilities and the science of persuasion, charisma, and social influence. We’ll break down key psychological pr…

1
Cognitive Dissonance in Immersive TTRPGs 15:08

1M ago15:08

15:08

Text us, Psyclithids Have you ever made a choice for your D&D character that felt like a betrayal? You know, when your Lawful Good Paladin lies, or your nature-loving Ranger fells a sacred tree? That feeling of internal conflict is a real-world psychological phenomenon called cognitive dissonance. In this episode, we're diving deep into the psychol…

1
AD&D Unearthed: The Ultimist Class 15:13

1M ago15:13

15:13

Today we open up Polyhedron Magazine #23 (1985) and take a look at a class Gary Gygax himself introduced... the Ultimist. Called the “nadir of new classes,” this hybrid cleric-magic-user-fighter was designed to embody the powers of the lower planes. I’ll cover what the class can do, how it plays, and whether it belongs at your table. #ADnD #Ultimis…

1
AD&D Spell Spotlight: Wall of Force 13:45

1M ago13:45

13:45

Today we look at one of the strongest defensive spells in the Player’s Handbook..... Wall of Force. It is a fifth-level magic-user spell that creates an invisible barrier that nothing can pass through, not even breath weapons or spells. I’ll break down how it works, how different tables rule it, and how to use it to turn the tide of an encounter. #…

1
Critical Comeback: More Episodes, More Guests, More Psychology, New Directions 10:19

1M ago10:19

10:19

Text us, Psyclithids 🎙️ Welcome back, Psyclithids! After a long break, The Dungeons, Dragons, & Psychology Podcast is returning on Sunday, September 21st with a full run of new content—two episodes per week, straight through the holidays. In this short episode, I share what’s ahead for the show: bigger guests, one-shots and mini-adventures, campaig…

1
AD&D Magic Item Spotlight: Apparatus of Kwalish 13:49

1M ago13:49

13:49

Today’s episode looks at one of the strangest items in the Dungeon Master’s Guide, the Apparatus of Kwalish. At first glance it’s just a big iron barrel, but inside it’s a full-on magical crab-submarine with levers, pincers, and a whole lot of chaos waiting to happen. I’ll cover how it works, how to use it in your game, and why this contraption can…

1
AD&D Campaign Spotlight: The Role of Taxes 13:03

2M ago13:03

13:03

Today’s episode looks at something players never expect but kings and lords never forget: taxes. From coins and gems to tolls and property, I’ll cover how to add taxes into your game, why it makes the world feel more real, and how to turn them into adventure hooks instead of paperwork. #ADnD #OldSchoolDnD #OSR…

1
AD&D Spell Spotlight: Dig 9:30

2M ago9:30

9:30

Today we dig into a spell most players skip right over in the Player’s Handbook. Dig is a 4th-level magic-user spell that lets you move earth and sand, collapse tunnels, and wreck dungeons in ways fireball never could. I’ll talk about how to use it as a player, how to use it as a DM, and why it deserves a second look. #ADnD #DigSpell #MagicUser…

1
AD&D Spell Spotlight: Heroism & Superheroism 15:03

2M ago15:03

15:03

Today we look at two powerhouse spells that turn low- to mid-level fighters into battlefield legends... Heroism and Superheroism. I will break down what they do, how to use them in your game, and why a clever DM can make these spells the centerpiece of an epic moment. #ADnD #Heroism #Superheroism #ClericMagic Things talked about on the podcast Supp…

1
AD&D Magic Item Spotlight: Arabel’s Huggable Bear 10:12

2M ago10:12

10:12

Today’s episode is for Drake, who suggested this unusual magical item from the AD&D 2e era. Arabel’s Huggable Bear looks like a child’s stuffed toy, but it is one of the most protective and peaceful magic items you can hand to a party. I will talk about its sphere of protection, the double healing rate, and how to use it as a story tool instead of …

1
AD&D Bucknard’s Everfull Purse 15:44

2M ago15:44

15:44

Today I talk about Bucknard’s Everfull Purse, a little leather pouch that creates coins every morning. Sounds simple. But in the right hands, it can cause greed, suspicion, and all kinds of trouble at the table. I will cover how to use it as a DM, why it is more dangerous than it looks, and how to make it the centerpiece of an entire adventure. #AD…

1
AD&D - The Catoblepas, with its Death Gaze! 14:47

3M ago14:47

14:47

Today we shine a light on one of the nastiest creatures hiding in the Monster Manual. The Catoblepas is slow, ugly, and looks like it should be easy to kill. It isn’t. One look in its eyes and you are dead. No, not dying. Dead. I’ll walk through the stats, how to use it in your game without making it a cheap “gotcha” monster, and why this ugly swam…

1
AD&D - The Black Dragon Game 12:13

3M ago12:13

12:13

In this episode, I talk about a Gen Con AD&D game where I played a 5th-level fighter investigating some missing villagers. Classic setup... until it wasn’t. Turns out the culprit was a black dragon in a cave. I break down how the DM built tension, how the fight played out, and why black dragons make better villains than half the NPCs your players h…

1
AD&D Book of Vile Darkness: More Than Just an Evil Tome 12:47

3M ago12:47

12:47

The Book of Vile Darkness isn’t just loot, it’s a campaign driver. In this episode, I talk about how to make this infamous artifact matter at your table. From corrupting heroes over time to whispering to NPCs before the party even touches it, this book should feel alive, dangerous, and unpredictable. I cover ways to make it the focus of a quest, th…

1
AD&D Efreeti: Wishes, Fire, and Loopholes 16:20

3M ago16:20

16:20

Today on the AD&D Universe, we crack open the fiery prison that is the Efreeti entry. These towering tyrants from the Elemental Plane of Fire aren't just big bruisers with flaming swords... they're schemers, wish-twisters, and nightmare genies wrapped in smoke and hatred. I’ll show you how to use Efreeti as villains, manipulators, and ticking time …

1
AD&D Evil Dead: Necronomicon, Deadites, and Doomed Cabins 14:21

3M ago14:21

14:21

Today’s episode is full homebrew mayhem. I’m talking about how to take the Evil Dead film series and drop it straight into your AD&D campaign. From ancient tomes to cursed forests, undead monstrosities to possessed party members, this is how you build the right tone and tension. I’ll walk through ideas for pacing, encounters, and how to make the Ne…

1
AD&D Wraithform: Now You See Me... 13:09

3M ago13:09

13:09

Today we’re digging into an interesting illusionist spell, Wraithform. Found on page 69 of Unearthed Arcana, this third-level illusion turns the caster and their gear into an insubstantial, ghostlike form. I break down what it does, how to use it, and the sneaky power it gives illusionists. We’re talking wall-slipping, trap-dodging, undead-fooling …

1
AD&D Random Monsters: Build It, Then Kill It 14:58

3M ago14:58

14:58

Tired of your players memorizing monster stats? This episode is for you. I crack open Dragon Magazine #10 and take a look at the “Random Monsters” article by Paul Crabaugh. We talk about how to roll up completely original creatures on the fly using tables for hit dice, type, limbs, attacks, colors, and even weird traits like “no head” or “commands …

1
AD&D Dual Classing: Power Move or Painful Mistake? 13:15

4M ago13:15

13:15

In today’s episode, I dig into one of the most confusing and underused rules in AD&D... dual classing. It’s only for humans. It takes serious stats. And it forces you to give up everything from your old class... for a while. So why do it? I break down how it works, where it gets messy, and when it might actually be worth the risk. If you’ve ever th…

1
AD&D Nilbog: Hit Me Again, It Feels Great 13:37

4M ago13:37

13:37

Today we take a strange turn into the warped world of the Nilbog... a creature that breaks the rules just by existing. This goblin flips logic on its head, turning damage into healing and making every attack against it an act of kindness. I talk about its origins in the Fiend Folio, the spatio-temporal weirdness that defines it, and why this chaoti…

1
AD&D Tree Spell: Hide, Watch, Wait... 10:34

4M ago10:34

10:34

In today's episode, I talk about what could be the sneakiest spells from AD&D... Tree. This spell lets a druid blend into the forest like a pro, but it raises a fun question... how else can we use it? Could a villain fake their death and hide as a tree? Could a cursed item cast Tree on the bearer when triggered? What about druids turning into shrub…

1
AD&D Stoneskin Spell, What does it really block? 9:42

4M ago9:42

9:42

We crack open the Stoneskin spell... first seen in Dragon Magazine, then polished up for Unearthed Arcana. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. What does “a single attack sequence” even mean? Is it one swing, one volley, one round? Does a monk’s flurry count as one or many? Does falling count as an attack? We talk about how DMs have handled it, what makes …

1
AD&D: Good Hits, Bad Misses... and Worse Tables 16:05

4M ago16:05

16:05

Ever wonder what happens when your sword swing goes from epic to oops? In this episode, we crack open Dragon Magazine Issue 39 and talk about Carl Parlagreco’s critical hit and fumble rules... a brutal, hilarious, and gloriously unfair addition to your AD&D table. From decapitations to weapon tangles to accidentally stabbing your foot... we go over…

1
AD&D Minotaur: The Brute with a Twist 11:33

4M ago11:33

11:33

The Minotaur is a classic AD&D monster... but that does not mean it has to be predictable. In this episode, I break away from the usual maze-bound brawler and explore strange, unexpected ways to use Minotaurs in your campaign. From ritual performances to extradimensional bureaucracy, this is how you take the brute... and give it a twist. #TSR #ADnD…

1
AD&D Vanish Spell: The Ultimate Exit Spell? 10:52

4M ago10:52

10:52

In this episode, I dig into the Vanish spell from AD&D. It is a seventh-level alteration spell that lets a magic-user remove objects, doors, and even themselves from existence... by slipping into the ethereal plane. I cover how it works, what makes it different from Teleport or Passwall, and how you can use it for escapes, heists, ambushes, or long…

1
AD&D Dire Corby: Doom in the Dark 9:43

4M ago9:43

9:43

In this episode, I dig into the Dire Corby from the Fiend Folio, an aggressive, bird like creature that charges screaming from the shadows with claws and no fear. I talk about how to use them in your campaign, from ambush flocks in deep caves to rivals of the drow or goblins. Whether you need a brutal combat encounter or a strange mystery in the Un…

1
AD&D Talisman of Pure Good: A Crack Opens. Evil Falls 12:59

4M ago12:59

12:59

In this episode, I take a look at an interesting magic item in AD&D, the Talisman of Pure Good. With just a single command, a Cleric can open a flaming crack beneath an evil cleric and send them straight to the planet’s core. I break down how it works, who it targets, and why this seven-charge stone is one of the most extreme alignment-based items …

1
AD&D - Phase Door, The Sneakiest Spell in the Game? 10:10

5M ago10:10

10:10

Today's episode is an email request from "Death Metal!". Most seventh-level spells in AD&D are flashy. Fireballs, force cages, prismatic sprays. Then there’s Phase Door. It doesn’t explode. It doesn’t kill. It just opens a way through solid stone that no one else can see or use. In this episode, I break down how to use Phase Door as a clever tool f…

1
AD&D - Using the Guand in your Campaign 11:22

5M ago11:22

11:22

The Gaund, created by Ed Greenwood and found in Dragon Magazine issue 46, is not your typical cave monster. It’s fast, it climbs, it leaps, and it sprays acid. In this episode, I talk about how to drop Gaunds into your game in a way that makes players nervous every time they hear a dripping sound in the dark. Whether you're looking for a brutal amb…

1
AD&D - The Electrum Dragon the Philosopher 15:24

5M ago15:24

15:24

Not all dragons are fire and fury. The Electrum Dragon, introduced by Ed Greenwood in Dragon Magazine 74, is a rare, spellcasting creature that values thought over treasure and dialogue over bloodshed. In this episode, I explore how to use this Neutral Good dragon in your AD&D campaign, not as a monster, but as a mentor, oracle, or moral challenge.…

1
AD&D - Psionics, What was Gygax Thinking? 13:22

5M ago13:22

13:22

Hidden in the back of the AD&D Player’s Handbook is a section most people skipped. Psionics. A secret mental power system that only a few characters ever got, filled with attack modes, defense modes, and powers that feel more like a comic book than a fantasy game. In this episode, I explore what Psionics actually were, how they worked, and why most…

1
AD&D - The Assassin: Too Evil for your table? 16:24

5M ago16:24

16:24

Cold. Calculated. Lawful Evil. The AD&D Assassin is a class built around stealth, disguise, and sanctioned murder. So why did most DMs quietly ignore it? In this episode, I take a look at what the Assassin was supposed to be, how the mechanics actually worked, and why it never found a comfortable place in most groups. Was it too evil? Too specific?…

1
AD&D - Did Dragon Magazine #53 Fix the Monk? 20:52

5M ago20:52

20:52

The AD&D Monk was always the odd class out. Weird powers, bad survivability, and advancement rules that made players give up by level five. But in Dragon Magazine #53, they tried to fix it. Did they succeed? In this episode, I break down the proposed changes, including new XP tables, expanded monk abilities, and optional advancement rules. It’s all…

1
AD&D - Why Nobody Plays the Monk? 13:16

5M ago13:16

13:16

The Monk is one of the most interesting classes in the game, but yet not a lot of people play a Monk. d4 hit points, no armor, limited weapons, and yet it’s expected to fight on the front lines. In this episode, I dig into what the Monk actually was, how its abilities worked, and why almost nobody picked it at the table. Was it secretly awesome, or…

1
AD&D - Was the Thief Actually Useless? 12:01

5M ago12:01

12:01

This is kind of a follow up episode where I am talking about some of the comments I've been seeing about the thief class and pondering about it. Low hit points, weak armor, and a skill list that rarely worked… the AD&D 1st Edition Thief had a rough start. But was it really useless, or just misunderstood? In this episode, I look at the numbers, the …

1
AD&D Training Costs: The Rule Everyone Ignored? 12:30

6M ago12:30

12:30

You earned the XP. You survived the dungeon. You're ready to level up. Not so fast, this is AD&D 1st Edition. In today’s episode, we take a look at the infamous training cost rules buried in the DMG. Gold, time, instructors... and even alignment-based fees? I break down what the rule actually said, why it made sense on paper, and why most tables co…

1
AD&D Fighters: Powerhouses or Punching Bags? 11:25

6M ago11:25

11:25

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 rolli…

1
AD&D - Godlike Stats & Divine Powers – Deities, Dragon #67, and Demigod Dreams 19:48

6M ago19:48

19:48

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…

1
AD&D - Hatched to Kill: Assassin Bugs in your game! 13:11

6M ago13:11

13:11

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 homebrewi…