Wandering DMs

Wandering DMs
  • 5.0 (3)
  • GAMES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Dan "Delta" Collins and Paul Siegel host weekly discussions on topics relating to old school D&D, tabletop RPGs, DM advice, and D&D history.

  1. 4D AGO

    How Not To Be a Potato | Showing Up at the Table | Wandering DMs S08 E05

    Dan and Paul tackle a deceptively common table problem: the potato player - someone who shows up, sits quietly, and never quite engages. Coined as shorthand for disengaged play, “potatoing” can look the same from the outside but come from very different places on the inside. In this episode, we break down the difference between intentional potatoes and accidental ones, passive watchers vs bored or overwhelmed players, and why silence at the table is not always disinterest. We offer practical advice for players who want to participate more confidently, as well as concrete tools for DMs to invite engagement without putting anyone on the spot. Whether you fear becoming a potato yourself or want to help your players stay involved, this episode is about agency, table expectations, and how to help everyone show up to the game.

    1 hr

  2. FEB 2

    Rangers in D&D | Wilderness Experts | Wandering DMs S08 E04

    Paul and Dan chat about the history of Rangers in D&D. Inspired directly by Tolkien, they're one of D&D's earliest and most appealing sub-classes! With abilities to surprise, track, cut down giants, and even cast spells, they're not your normal fighter. How has their appearance evolved over the years? Does their presentation really fit the intended purpose? And how do presentations in other game systems fare?

    1h 1m

  3. JAN 26

    Puzzle Dungeons | Chris “Directsun” on Designing Meaningful Puzzles | Wandering DMs S08 E03

    Dan and Paul revisit one of Wandering DMs’ earliest topics - puzzles in tabletop RPGs - this time with special guest Chris M, aka Directsun. Back in Season 1, we wrestled with why puzzles so often fall flat at the table, becoming roadblocks, immersion breakers, or exercises in frustration. In this episode, we return to that question with Chris, the designer behind The Seer’s Sanctum and Aberrant Reflections, two widely praised puzzle dungeons that treat puzzles not as isolated tricks, but as interconnected systems that teach players how the dungeon works. We discuss how puzzle design differs from riddles, why failure states matter, how to avoid "guess the GM" moments, and what tabletop designers can learn from escape rooms and video games without losing the soul of TTRPG play. We also look ahead to Chris’s upcoming project, A Familiar Tower, an escape-room-style puzzle dungeon crowdfunding during Zine Month 2026.

    1 hr

  4. JAN 19

    Star Frontiers in 2026 | Life in the Future | Wandering DMs S08 E02

    Dan & Paul chat about the classic 1980's sci-fi RPG, Star Frontiers, from the makers of D&D. We're still running it today for younger players and having a great time. What are the great things about it that still work, and what places have we found for improvements to change with the times? It's a high-frontier, shoot-em-up, percentile-rolling blast from the past!

    59 min

  5. JAN 12

    The Rule of Cool | When Breaking the Rules Makes the Game Better | Wandering DMs S08 E01

    Dan and Paul kick off Season 8 by diving into one of the most debated ideas in tabletop RPGs: The Rule of Cool. When should a GM stick to the written rules, and when is it better to bend or ignore them because the table is fired up about a particular moment? We talk about why this principle feels so powerful at the table, how it can elevate dramatic scenes and player creativity, and where it can quietly undermine consistency, fairness, or long-term play if it becomes a crutch. From heroic stunts to narrative twists, we explore how to use the Rule of Cool as a tool rather than an excuse.

    1h 3m

  6. 2025-12-16

    2025 Year in Review | Wandering DMs Season 7 | Wandering DMs S07 E41

    Dan and Paul close out Season 7 of Wandering DMs with their annual Year in Review, looking back at what defined the season. They revisit standout episodes, recurring topics, and memorable conversations, along with the moments where the show broke from its usual patterns. From deep dives into core play procedures and campaign structure, to episodes shaped by history, live events, conventions, and special guests, this episode reflects on the full range of what Season 7 covered. It’s a chance to highlight what the season lingered on, where it experimented, and how those threads came together before turning the page to what’s next. Thank you to everyone who joined us throughout Season 7.

    58 min

  7. 2025-12-09

    Illusions in D&D | Disbelieve What You See | Wandering DMs S07 E40

    Paul & Dan reflect on the state of illusions in D&D, across the many editions of the game. Can a basic illusion deal actual damage to your character, or not? Can they trap your character in hallucinatory pit? How robust is an illusory monster, and what can your character do to counter the peril? The answers may surprise you! Read Dan's blog on "Phantasmal Force Through the Ages"

    1h 1m

  8. 2025-12-01

    Player Prep in D&D | Lessons from Gygax’s “Successful Adventures” | Wandering DMs S07 E39

    Dan and Paul discuss the often-overlooked idea that players can (and perhaps should) prepare for a D&D session. Using Gary Gygax’s “Successful Adventures” section from the back of the AD&D 1E Player’s Handbook, they explore how early D&D expected parties to organize missions, plan loadouts, coordinate spells, establish marching formations, avoid unnecessary encounters, and operate like a disciplined expedition. How do these expectations compare to modern table norms? What echoes of this philosophy appear in West Marches play? And what lessons can today’s players still take from Gygax’s advice? We’ll dig into the text, test its ideas against practical experience, and look at how player preparation changes the feel of a campaign.

    1h 1m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Dan "Delta" Collins and Paul Siegel host weekly discussions on topics relating to old school D&D, tabletop RPGs, DM advice, and D&D history.

Information

  • Creator
    Wandering DMs
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Wandering DMs
  • Show Website
    Wandering DMs

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