Welcome to Radio Free Borderlands! Here we will discuss topics of D&D from the viewpoint of those who have played the game for many years. Discussions will include not only topics of optimal play, but also delve into previous editions and history as well.

Categories

general

Archives

2022
September
August
May
April
February

2021
October
July
May
February
January

2020
November
September
August
June
April
February
January

2019
November
September
August
June
May
March
February
January

2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2015
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2014
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April

March 2024
S M T W T F S
     
          1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31

Syndication

Links


Radio Free Borderlands

Promote Your Page Too

Episode 85: News Feed, March 2016

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: News on Curse of Strahd, new Classics, minis, and some rambling about Pine-Sol.

Direct download: RFB-085.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:50pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 84: Crash & Burn

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: My campaign has crashed & burned. Let's discuss why, and maybe figure out ways to fix it!

Direct download: RFB-084.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:46pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 83: News Feed, February 2016

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Updates on the D&D Movie, Curse of Strahd, D&D Classics, GMs Guild, and the passing of two legends of the art.

Direct download: RFB-083.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:49pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 82: Through the Multiverse

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Love it or hate it, the idea of PCs jumping from one campaign setting to another has always been with the game. In this episode is some history, as well as my own opinions on the subject and how to make it work under certain circumstances.

Direct download: RFB-082.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:46pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 81: Retro Review - Palace of the Silver Princess

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: It's been awhile since I've done one of these, so I decided to delve into a true classic, B3 Palace of the Silver Princess. I include information on the controversial origins of the module, pricing if you want to find it now, some of the interesting choices of formatting & more.

Direct download: RFB-081.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:50pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 80: News Feed, January 2016

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Despite the unfortunate technical problems that plagued the previously recorded and now scrapped episode, I am back with this month's news feed. And what a month of news it was.

Direct download: RFB-080.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:01am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 79: Travelogues - Birthright

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: The holidays are over, and the travels continue! This time we will be visiting the realm of PC nobles, Birthright! Learn all about what makes this setting special.

Direct download: RFB-079.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:54pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 78: Travelogues - Mystara

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: In this first of a relatively frequent new series of episodes, I give the basics of Mystara, the Known World, for those of you who are uninitiated to the setting. Also included are the campaign settings based on Mystara, including Red Steel and Hollow World.

Direct download: RFB-078.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:22am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 77: News Feed, November 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Dan catches you up on all the D&D news from the past month, including new classics downloads, rumors from Chris Perkins, the White Wolf purchase, and more.

Direct download: RFB-077.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:14pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 76: Terrain Talk

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al. SYNOPSIS: You have your minis to show combat, but how about their surroundings? Tonight we discuss the options of the past and present for making your minis feel like they're in the dungeon.

Direct download: RFB-076.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:14pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 75: The Economy of Gaming

YOUR HOST: Dan. SPECIAL GUEST: Al. SYNOPSIS: Al from Geekery in General Podcast joins me tonight to discuss the economics of D&D, from the distribution of treasure and cash as a DM to finding ways for the players to spend their money.

Direct download: RFB-075.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:53pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 74: News Feed, October 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Even though the news is lacking this month, there's still some interesting stuff to talk about! 4e PHB, Sword Coast Legends, Conversion docs, and more!

Direct download: RFB-074.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:07am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 73: Converting Up Modules

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: This week I try to show that your old previous-edition modules aren't useless, as we discuss ways to convert old modules up to later editions.

Direct download: RFB-073.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:27pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 72: Comedy and Shtick

YOUR HOST: Dan SYNOPSIS: Using jokes, humor, and shtick in game. How much is too much?

Direct download: RFB-072.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:16pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 71: News Feed, September 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Another month has passed, and some news has fallen to us, including the WotC forums, new minis, new PDFs, and ranger fixes.

Direct download: RFB-071.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:39pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 70 - Out of the Abyss: The Speed Review

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Out of the Abyss has released, and I have my hands on a copy! We're going to do a quick review of the adventure, while avoiding any potential plot spoilers.

Direct download: RFB-070.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:29pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 69: Characters Based on the Party

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: While I have ranted about this idea in the past, I feel like I should give some clarity as to why, and discuss how I think this idea can work.Shoutouts to Den of Earth and Eric the Cavalier!

Direct download: RFB-069.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:25pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 68: News Feed, August 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: New movie! New PDFs! New books! Old video games! All sorts of news this month!

Direct download: RFB-068.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:47pm EDT
Comments[0]

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: I'm calling myself out on some issues. The laundry has been cleaned. This transition episode discusses where we were, where we are, and where we're going as a podcast.

Direct download: RFB-067.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:49pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 66: Retro Review - Creative Campaigning (1993)

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Let's warp back in time to 1993, the era of Soundgarden and flannel to review this made-for-DMs guide, and what the book may or may not be good for.

Direct download: RFB-066.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:57pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 65: One Podcaster’s Gen Con Experience

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: All by my lonesome I give my first-hand account of Gen Con 2015! From food truck lines, event book errors, and impromptu board games to a whole lot of lost income, I go day-by-day.

Direct download: RFB-065.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT
Comments[0]

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Shannon. SYNOPSIS: We're only a few days out until the con! Dan & Shannon discuss some of the specifics of this year's convention so that you can have a great year, including some travel & weather tips.

Direct download: RFB-064.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:51pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 63: Preserving Your Legacy

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Tonight Dan discusses creating a legacy of characters within the same bloodline; the benefits, possible issues, and some ideas that may help in creation.

Direct download: RFB-063.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:43pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 62: News Feed, July 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Once again, here's your monthly stream of news

for D&D! While the topics are fewer due to the summer wait for convention announcements, there are still some great pieces of news, and a quick roundup of Gen Con events!

Direct download: RFB-062.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:01pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 61: Year One of Fifth Edition in Review

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: In this episode, Dan discusses what he and his group see as the positives and negatives of 5e so far, as well as some public feedback found as well as hopes and expectations for year two!

Direct download: RFB-061.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:01am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 60: That's My Backstory & I'm Sticking To It

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al. SYNOPSIS: Backstory can be a good or bad thing, depending on the amount & detail you put into it. In this episode we discuss the finer art of ensuring your backstory is both detailed and peppered with bits for the DM to use.

Direct download: RFB-060.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:01am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 59: News Feed, June 2015

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al. SYNOPSIS: All the compiled news that I could find since the last news feed is here for your listening joy.

Direct download: RFB-059.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:42pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 58: Retro Review - Fiend Folio (1981)

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: The format of this book makes the review less lengthy as normal. But today Dan reviews the ultimate in psychedelic weirdness for D&D!

Direct download: RFB-058.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:30am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 57: Geek Snobbery

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: In a combination angry rant/editorial, Dan decides to discuss this bullshit involving "fake geeks" and other such snobbery.

Direct download: RFB-057.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:06am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 56: Retro Review - Races of Destiny (2004)

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Tonight I delved into the not-so-distant past and dug up one of the 3.5 racial books! And there was good, bad, and ugly all around for this one.

Direct download: RFB-056.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:03pm EDT
Comments[0]

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al. SYNOPSIS: In this episode, we take a time-warp backwards to when TSR decided to start publishing novels to accompany the RPG products. We talk about the Endless Quest books and the beginnings of the Dragonlance, Greyhawk, and Forgotten Realms novel sets, and how they helped to shape the D&D multiverse.

Direct download: RFB-055.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:11pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 54: Just the Basics

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: This week, Dan takes you through the historical journey of the entry-level sets for D&D, from the Holmes Basic set through the 5e PDFs. This nostalgia trip is rife with free dice, CDs with shitty acting, and badly-timed releases.

Direct download: RFB-054.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:05am EDT
Comments[0]

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Poop goes the news dump. Core rule PDFs, new storyline, cons, and a Kickstarter that killed a minis company. All this and more for you as we head into summer & convention season!

Direct download: RFB-053.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:11pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 52: It's A Conspiracy!!

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Today we take the inane and rather crazy conspiracy theories and meld them into your D&D campaign! We take three existing theories, as well as create a bat-shit crazy one from scratch, as well as walk through how to do this on your own.

Direct download: RFB-052.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:46pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 51: Retro Review - Wilderness Survival Guide (1986)

YOUR HOST: Dan SYNOPSIS: Back in for May with a retro-review of one of the environmental books of the 1st edition era! Dan gives his opinions & information on this tome of rules that will cause damage if you don't wear your jacket like your Mom told you to.

Direct download: RFB-051.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:48pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 50: The Art of DMing on The Fly

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Tim. SYNOPSIS: Number 50! That's some kind of milestone, right? Right? Anyway, in this listener-requested topic, we talk about our own thoughts & techniques concerning unscripted DMing, or what is also referred to as the ability to bullshit at will.

Direct download: RFB-050.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:46pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 49: Retro Review - Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: First off is a quick explanation pertaining to the absence of David. Hopefully we can get him back soon! This time around though is another retro review: Mordenkainen's Magnificent Emporium from late 4th edition! I realize that four years old (it came out in 2011) isn't very retro, but it's now a previous edition, so it is, so nyah.

Direct download: RFB-049.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:49pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 48: News Feed, April 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Time once again for the news to dump into your iPod! Hopefully it wipes. This month has news concerning online e-tools, new products, vague tweets from WotC, new ideas in articles, and more cons!

Direct download: RFB-048.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:10am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 47: Gettin' Your Mojo Workin'

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Dan uses the troubleshooting method to help you get your DM/D&D mojo back if you feel the gamer blahs. You'll notice it all seems to fit in with previous discussions.

Direct download: RFB-047.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:01am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 46: Monster Rights!!!

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Tim, Shannon. SYNOPSIS: Tim starts with the situation that sets up today's topic. Should DMs give the monsters the right to act as tactical, intelligent and bloodthirsty as they are? Or should punches be pulled?

Direct download: RFB-046.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:39pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 45: The Reaper Bones Review

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Taking the solo tour again, this time with a more recent review. While the licensed D&D minis seem to be lacking in a decent quantity of monsters right now, I take a look at the Reaper Bones line, cheaper plastic (compared to metals anyway) unpainted minis with a large assortment of PCs and monsters.

Direct download: RFB-045.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:57pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 44: News Feed, March 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Happy spring, here's the March

news for your game! From updates to the Elemental Evil

storyline to botched Spell Cards, we have all the March

Madness that's about D&D and not basketball. Seriously, if

you're looking for NCAA tourney info, you should probably go

to a sports news site (Go Badgers!)

Direct download: RFB-044.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:15am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 43: Retro Review - Dark Sun Campaign Setting (1992)

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al. SYNOPSIS: We're back, and this time we go through the original Dark Sun box set, discussing everything from the format, art, rules, and whether or not the wire bindings on the flip books was a good idea or not.

Direct download: RFB-043.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:43am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 42: The Glorious Basement

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al. SYNOPSIS: We all know the trope about gamers hiding away in the basement. But we ask, is it really all that bad? This week we discuss the fun we had gaming in the basement back in the day, and why it may have been the optimal place to sling dice.

Direct download: RFB-042.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:16pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 41: Retro Review - The Red Box

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: In the first of what I hope is a long line of retro reviews, where we review older D&D products, I started with probably the most iconic set of them all, the legendary Red Box Basic set, released in 1983. These are the rules that are the foundation of what would be the BECMI rules, and the booklets within were written & edited by Frank Mentzer.

Direct download: RFB-041.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:21pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 40: Setting Conversions

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Dave. SYNOPSIS: Wow, it seems like forever since it's just been the two of us on a show! After Dan's enthusiasm over receiving his Bones II Kickstarter stuff from Reaper (and yes it rules) the guys tackle the topic of using a non-D&D setting in the game using conversions into game terms. The primary example used is the 4th edition campaign that Dave was DM for that he set up in the world of the video game series Suikoden.

Direct download: RFB-040.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:31pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 39: News Feed, February 2015

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: New show type, with the news & rumors over the month of February and partly into March. As much information that has been leaked that I thought was interesting enough to mention! This month: Reaper, Dwarven Forge, Elemental Evil storyline, Temple of Elemental Evil board game, Sword Coast Legends, new D&D columns on WotC page, and a get well wish to the almighty Bruce Dickinson.

Direct download: RFB-039.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:29pm EDT
Comments[1]

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Al & Dave. SYNOPSIS: Right off the bat, Al has a dissenting opinion on a past topic, specifically the amount of sucking that the old NES cart "Heroes of the Lance" sucks. After that and some other distractions, we discuss the little details that you can add to your gameworld to give it a more realistic feel and add some interesting depth.Dave talks food, Al uses his Religious Studies degree, and Shannon chimes in with a cameo to school us on some Aztec stuff.

Direct download: RFB-038.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:48pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 37: EDITORIAL - To Reboot or Not Reboot

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Seriously, there was a good reason you had to wait until tonight for a new show. And to apologize, we're giving you another show later this week! The main topic, however, is an editorial from Old Loudmouth on whether or not campaign setting reboots are a good idea for WotC in fifth edition, specifically discussing Dragonlance and Greyhawk.

Direct download: RFB-037.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:49pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 36: Accessories and Frivolities

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & John. SYNOPSIS: Does your game only have books and dice? Of course not! There's all sorts of unnecessary crap that you can get to make your game more fun, easier to follow, or just to look cool! From everything from fighting wheels, dungeon tiles, spell cards and player's screens to the Dice Boot and more!

Direct download: RFB-036.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:10pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 35: 5e Character Creation Review

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & John SYNOPSIS: This week the three of us (plus mike-chicken Shannon) created our first characters for fifth edition! This is our post-creation discussion talking about how we feel about the process, and the options available in the Player's Handbook for new characters.

Direct download: RFB-035.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:32pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 34: Are Options Really Optional?

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Another solo run this week. I discuss whether or not optional supplements are really all that optional if we are spending money to bring them to the table. At the cost of these books, one would be hard-pressed to dismiss them!

Direct download: RFB-034.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:18pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 33: Is the Golden Age Now?

YOUR HOST: Dan. SYNOPSIS: Dan's flying solo again with another editorial show. This time discussing how the options given right now, as well as the current positive sentiment amongst the gaming community, allow for a good argument that we are in the golden age of table-top gaming and D&D.

Direct download: RFB-033.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:27pm EDT
Comments[2]

Episode 32: Let's Get This Party Started Again!

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & John. SYNOPSIS: The sickness & schedule conflicts are over finally, for both the show and our campaign! So, we're going with the best way to restart the show by talking about restarting your campaign after a month or two off. We talk reboots, retcons, and more.

Direct download: RFB-032.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:33pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 31: The Dungeon Masters Guide-A-Thon!

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & John. SYNOPSIS: John & Dan finally got their mitts on the 5e DMG, so we can finally do our run-through of this necessary tome through the years! We talk about how the 1e DMG set an almost impossible bar to meet, how the 2e DMG was ingenious in its matching the PHB content, how the 3.5 DMG became absolutely required for players also, how the 4e DMG was almost perfect in its advice for new DMs, and our initial thoughts on the 5th edition book!

Direct download: RFB-031.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:32pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 30: 2014 D&D Audio Wishbook!

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Al SYNOPSIS: Now that Thanksgiving has past and Black Friday is here, it's time to discuss the things that would have been in our own version of the Wishbook catalog from days ago! We talk about all the great stuff you can ask for for your holiday-of-choice, and where to potentially find these items! Also, if you aren't the kind of person to drop hints as to what you want, we recommend you have one of the people you may have buying you stuff listen to this one.

Direct download: RFB-030.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:08pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 29: These Levels are Epic

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & Tim. SYNOPSIS: This week we talk about the play-style of higher levels, how or if they break down, and how to handle epic level play as a DM. And we all agree that, no matter the edition, druids are just plain wrong at high level.

Direct download: RFB-029.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:43pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 28: Magic, Mystery, and Awe

YOUR HOST: Dan SYNOPSIS: With the sick going around in the RFB headquarters, Dan takes the helm solo for this show. After a quick talk about the recently-shipped Dwarven Forge Kickstarter (AWESOME!), I decide to expand on the concept of gaming "magic" from our earliest days of chucking dice, through anecdotes of my earlier gaming. I hope you enjoy this one, as the personal stories of gamers are what makes the game great.

Direct download: RFB-028.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:47am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 27: Rose-Tint My First Character

YOUR HOSTS Dan, Dave & Tim. SYNOPSIS: The guys power through multiple interruptions and discuss how awesome and yet totally awful our first characters were, as well as why they may have been and if we managed to learn our lessons by the time character #2 came around (spoiler alert: we didn't). We also ponder why we have such fond memories of such shitty characters, and how to get that feeling of awe and mystery back.

Direct download: RFB-027.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:58pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 26: OGL in Hindsight

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Tim & Jim. SYNOPSIS: This week the guys discuss the impact that the OGL & SRD have had on D&D and its community, including the onset of Pathfinder, OSR and retro-clones. Was the OGL beneficial in the end or not? We bring up a few points and try to show different angles to the discussion.

Direct download: RFB-026.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:07pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 25: D&D For Your TV, Cinema, & Stereo

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & Tim. SYNOPSIS: This week we discuss the successes and failures of all things D&D-media. To be honest, it's mostly failures. But that doesn't affect our optimism! Our sad, misplaced optimism..... We talk the cartoon, record album & CDs, and the film series with the blue-lipped guy that made the audience all go "dafuq?" together.

Direct download: RFB-025.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:02pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 24: Fighting Amongst Ourselves

YOUR HOST: Dan SYNOPSIS: I have seen many instances of geek culture shooting at each other, from conventions, to online forums and in the FLGS. This week, I have decided that I would like to discuss this. This show is a bit of an editiorial, and is my opinions, so fair warning. Take what I say, think about it, and decide for yourself if you wish to agree or disagree and why. Take care.

Direct download: RFB-024.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:29pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 23: Know When to Fold 'Em...

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & Tim SYNOPSIS: First, Tim brings forward a discussion based on the KodT article this month on "lawful Stupid." Our main topic this week is ending campaigns from a player & DM perspective, including knowing when to end the campaign and allowing for a happy ending for the characters.

Direct download: RFB-023.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:52pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 22: You're Dead

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave & John. SYNOPSIS: We have one more short episode for you until we get our drive space back (I blame Shannon). This week we decided to look back on the death rules through the years and how they have evolved, ending with the 5e death rules.

Direct download: RFB-022.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:42pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 21: Newbies Needed!

YOUR HOSTS: Dan & Dave. SYNOPSIS: We all know that we need new players in order for D&D and role-playing to survive. In order to do this, we need to find better ways of teaching the newbies without being overwhelming. This week, we discuss a few ways to do this, along with whether or not to throw character creation at the newbie.

Direct download: RFB-021.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:27pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 20: The Player's Handbook Extravaganza!

YOUR HOSTS: Dan, Dave, & John. SYNOPSIS: This week we broke out the time constraint to conduct part two of one of our serial sets, this time discussing the progression of the Player's Handbook through the years. From Brazier-holding idols, paladins on horseback, magic tomes with gaudy round gems, cavernous explorers with heaving boobs, to fighting the great King Snurre, we talk the positives, negatives, and dafuqs of each book. We specifically cover 1e PHBs from 1978, 1983, & 2012; 2e PHBs from 1989, 1995, & 2013; 3rd & 3.5 PHBs from 2000, 2003, & 2012; 4e PHB from 2008; and the newly released 5e PHB.

Direct download: RFB-020.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:53pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 19: The Tolkien Influence

In this week's episode, Dan & Dave talk about the influence that J.R.R. Tolkien had on the game, to the chagrin of Gary back in the day. From maps & trilogies to the rich setting of Middle-Earth, we explore how the legacy of Tolkien influenced how we play D&D today, and whether or not the Tolkien influence is still as prevalent as it was early on.

Direct download: RFB-019.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:19pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 18 - Monstrous Evolution (Sans Leprechaun After 2e)

This weeks hosts are Dan, Dave & John. With the upcoming release of the 5th Edition Monster Manual, we thought it would be interesting to look back on the previous incarnations of this book, and its companion books, such as the Fiend Folio and MM2 (1e), Monstrous Compendium Annuals (2e) Monster Manuals 2-5 (3e/3.5) and MMs 2 & 3 (4e). From artwork, layout, and stat-blocks to the conspicuous disappearance of the leprechaun in 3rd edition onwards, we have lots of fun talkinga all about our likes & dislikes of the books. And we prove we're not edition warriors.

Direct download: RFB-018.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:25pm EDT
Comments[1]

Episode 17: The Gen Con Decompression Session

This week Dan & Tim, along with new guest Shannon (yes, she does exist!) have a full discussion on their weekend in Indianapolis! From rampaging over fake bananas and broken treadmills to nearly being ran over by Wil Wheaton, we discuss all our experiences. Other highlights include an impromptu Fate Core game, multiple critical misses while fighting gods, ire over people with hand carts & strollers in the exhibit hall, Gary choosing "Meth," the cadre of various incarnations of the Doctor, abusing the privelege of free coffee from Mayfair Games, and our agreed-upon love of Steak N' Shake.

Direct download: RFB-017.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:06pm EDT
Comments[0]

Sorry this is a bit late; recording didn't prove to be feasable at the convention. This is just a quick post to fill in the gap until Sunday's big episode. Tonight Dan fills everyone in on what happened (the short version) through the fog of sleepy.

Direct download: RFB-016.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 12:45am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 15: Accepting Critiques & Gen Con Mania

This week is a bit of a hodge-podge of topics, which turned out to be very lively. We talk about how and why Shannon is to blame for everything wrong with the podcast. We give our opinions on the proper levels of magic loot to hand out. We opine on how to handle player complaints and critiques. And we end with some fun Gen Con stories as Tim & Dan are quite excited for their upcoming trip.

Direct download: RFB-015.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:22pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 14: Things That Go "Splat"

We're Daveless again this week, but Tim & Dan bring in John & Jim for some lively discussion! This week, we discuss the usage, over usage, and preferences concerning so-called "Splat-Books," expansions which add to the combat rules with new options or methods. We also have a DM horror story session, where Tim is shocked to learn he is not the subject of one of John's stories.

Direct download: RFB-014.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:51pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 13: A Not-So-Mini Mini Episode

We have some free room on our server, so how about another Thursday show! This time around, Dan & Al discuss the history of the D&D/AD&D branded miniatures, from the Minifigs line all the way up to the new Gale Force 9 & WizKids sets that are about to be unleashed! And Dan shares a little secret about the fate of the legendary and awesome Ral Partha line from the 90s....

Direct download: RFB-013.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:16pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 12: Ruling My House

This week, Dan, Tim & Dave are a bit distracted, but we do manage to have a reasonable discussion on house rules. We also discuss what we (sans Dave) are looking forward to for Gen Con, and blame all problems on the show on Shannon, who refused to defend herself on a microphone.

Direct download: RFB-012.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:09pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 11: Satanic! Panic!

Hey, it's Thursday, but we still have some extra upload space available for July! So have a freebie show! In this one, Dan and Al discuss the Satanic scares from the late 70s - early 90s. Try not to take offense to anything said, no offense was intended.

Direct download: RFB-011.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:39pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 10: Cinema Theft, part 1

Dan, Dave & Tim decided this week to steal a whole bunch of movie plots and develop them into D&D campaigns, proving that almost anything can be converted into your weekly adventure. We also have a discussion on Gen Con & properly Role-Playing your shitty dump-stat.

Direct download: RFB-010.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:41pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 9: Class Warfare & Race Riots!

With WotC's tease of the races in the upcoming 5e PHB, the guys decided to have a discussion on their favorite & lease favorite races & classes through the history of the game. We still have not decided handedly the worst race ever; Kender (Tim) or Shardmind (Dave & Dan).

Direct download: RFB-009.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:52pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 8: Convention Season!

Dan & Tim are flying sans Dave this week (hope you feel better bro!). In the news, we discuss the release of the 5e basic rules PDF, as well as the Starter Set that Dan picked up on Thursday; he may have actually talked Tim into trying it! Our main topic this week is about convention season, discussing running & playing con games, differences in vibe between small & large conventions, common courtesy during the convention, and how to be a positive ambassador for the gaming community while at the convention's host city.

Direct download: RFB-008.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:28pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 7: EVIL!

Dan, Dave & Tim discuss Tim's excursion down to St. Louis for Fear the Con, the upcoming Starter Set, a war on novels, and our main topic of running a campaign of all evil characters.

Direct download: RFB-007.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:25pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 6: Our Childhood Path to D&D

*Note: This week's episode is dropping early due to scheduling issues. Next Sunday evening should go back to the normal schedule.*

 

Prepare yourself for the nostalgia bomb that goes off in this episode. As members of Generation X, Dan & David (and most others of our generation) had many similar influences which pointed us into the direction of gaming and D&D. Today we explore these influences, have some fun remembering them, and tie them into how they may have paved the way for gaming.

http://radiofreeborderlands.libsyn.com/
rfbpodcast@gmail.com

Direct download: RFB-006.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:44am EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 5: Okay, Now What?

This week Dan & David have a discussion on the many things that can completely screw a campaign, and how to cope with them. Examples include TPK, personal player issues, real-world problems, and our group's love of football. We also debut a new segment where we answer submitted or found questions, as well as some new news.

http://radiofreeborderlands.libsyn.com/
rfbpodcast@gmail.com

Direct download: RFB-005.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:26pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 4: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Today's show introduces two guests on the panel: Al Seeger from Point of Insanity Game Studio and Tim from the Funnybooks Podcast! WotC announced the free Basic D&D rules for 5th edition, which will be available as a PDF. They also discuss the potential of a new OGL without actually telling us anything. Nice. We also have a quick discussion on whether or not Tomb of Horrors was meant to be a deathtrap or not. In our main topic, we discuss the concept of stepping out of your comfort zone to create a more interesting game.

Direct download: RFB-004.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:09pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 3: DM Prep

In this episode, Dan & David talk about all the exciting news about 5th edition that was released to the public by WotC, and discuss preperations that DMs need to make before their game.

Direct download: RFB-003.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 10:37pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 2: Adult Themes vs. Mature Themes

In this episode, Dan and David discuss the topics of adult themes and mature themes, examples of each, and how to integrate them. Also, we introduce the news portion of the show, with recent information about the D&D world.

Direct download: RFB-002.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:49pm EDT
Comments[0]

Episode 1: Let's Start at the Beginning

In our debut episode (after introductions), Dan & Dave discuss some of the recommended concepts that a group should discuss when beginning their campaign, from edition choice to snackies. And the dog barks on. http://radiofreeborderlands.libsyn.com/

Direct download: RFB-001.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:45pm EDT
Comments[0]

If you are reading this, and are interested in the content description above, please bookmark this page! We are currently getting everything ready for our first episode. Check back soon.

Category:general -- posted at: 10:37pm EDT
Comments[0]