The Dm's Deep Dive With Mike Shea

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 00:00 Show Intro 00:45 Lazy DM's Companion Art and Maps Preview 03:53 D&D Errata and Feedback 17:39 Kickstarter and Blockchain - Ugh. 25:48 D&D Beyond Combat Tracker Automatically Includes Character Initiative! 31:45 Dungeon Craft Reviews Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master 33:45 RPG Spotlight on Index Card RPG 40:48 Patreon Questions 41:07 Patreon Question: Filling Empty Rooms 46:05 Patreon Question: Homebrewing Rest Mechanics 49:28 Patreon Question: One-line 5e Monster Stat Blocks? 51:44 Patreon Question: What's In the Lazy Player's Guide? 53:37 Patreon Question: Adding Fate-style Aspects to D&D Games 56:12 Patreon Question: Advice for Adventurer's League DMs? Links D&D Errata Kickstarter on Blockchain Kickstarter Announces Blockchain Future, Doubles Down After Users Say 'No Thank You' D&D Beyond Combat Tracker Auto-Tracking Character Initiative Dungeon Craft Ultimate Dungeon Terrain Dungeon Craft review of Return of the La

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike offers some thoughts and shares some experiences on the topic of what it takes to "make it" in the D&D and RPG industry. No magic bullets here but hopefully some useful thoughts on the topic. Contents 00:01:03 What does "Making It" Mean to You? 00:04:30 Advice is Bullshit 00:06:28 The Duality of Optimism and Pragmatism 00:09:46 Practical Advice (oops) 00:13:07 Use Lots of Platforms 00:14:38 The Marketing Funnel 00:21:33 The Value of Email Newsletters 00:28:09 Getting Attention - Go Wide 00:28:42 What About Podcasting? 00:32:17 What About Conventions? 00:33:59 Consistency + Visibility. Both Are Important. 00:38:13 40% Find Me Through YouTube 00:43:17 What Products Should One Make? 00:54:37 RPG Writer's Workshop 00:56:22 Where Do You Sell Your Stuff? 01:08:37 Final Thoughts (NOT ADVICE!) Links Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon John Baldessari and the Three Rules for Artists Washington Post article about

Mike does a spotlight look at the new Wizards of the Coast hardcover D&D sourcebook and adventure, Strixhaven, a Curriculum of Chaos. Contents 00:00 Show Intro 02:16 Digital vs. Physical. Why not both? 04:08 A Different Kind of Sourcebook 05:57 Magic University 07:15 Three Facts about Strixhaven 17:39 A Place You Want to Go 26:42 Character Options 44:06 School is in Session 52:31 Mike Hates the D4. Worst Die Ever. 56:20 Let's Look at Monsters Links Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

Mike talks about all things D&D! Open up these notes for video contents and links. Contents 00:00 Show Intro 01:33 Lazy DM's Companion Update 04:09 Tips for High CR Monster Damage 13:10 Product Spotlight: Southlands by Kobold Press 37:59 DM Tip: Don't Punish Characters Taking Initiative 42:47 Patreon Questions 43:16 Patreon Question: Restarting an Old Campaign 45:42 Patreon Question: Transitioning a Game to a New DM 48:02 Patreon Question: Unconnected Fronts 51:31 Patreon Question: What's the Problem with Twilight and Peace Clerics? 59:16 Patreon Question: Breaking Up with a Player or Game Links Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Preoder the Lazy DM's Companion Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Southlands by Kobold Press

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Lazy DM Companion update, Polls on Fudging HP, Silvery Barbs and Opting-In for Non-Core books, Blades in the Dark, and Patreon Questions! Contents 00:00 Show Start 00:39 Lazy DM's Companion Update 07:55 Fudging Hit Point Polls for DMs and Players 11:06 Silvery Barbs and Opting-In for Non-Core Books 23:16 Blades in the Dark Spotlight 38:32 December Patreon Questions 39:08 Patreon Question: Too Much Hoarding of Physical Books? 42:13 Patreon Question: Options for Zombie Characters? 44:47 Patreon Question: Procedures for Dungeon Crawls 47:49 Patreon Question: Balancing the Campaign Theme and Six Truths in Spiral Campaign Development 51:43 Patreon Question: High Charisma "Face" Characters Stealing the Show in RP Scenes Links Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Preoder the Lazy DM's Companion Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Fudging HP Poll (Players) Fudging HP Poll (DM) Think DM: Why Are DMs Banning Silvery Barbs Blades in the Dark Blades in the Dark

Mike chats about all things D&D! Contents 00:00:00 Show Intro 00:01:12 Lazy DM Companion Update 00:03:59 The Sly Flourish After-School RPG Grant 00:06:22 D&D Beyond Usage Poll 00:11:45 Patreon Q&A 00:12:16 Patreon Question: Tuning Encounters Around Your Group 00:19:30 Patreon Question: Noir-Style Adventures in Tier 2+ 00:24:00 Patreon Question: Running Fun High-Level (Level 16+) Campaigns 00:30:36 Patreon Question: More Stuff for Martial Characters 00:34:11 Patreon Question: Players Hoarding Relics and Magic Items 00:38:34 Patreon Question: Getting Players to Use High Level Spells 00:39:54 Patreon Question: Balancing Custom Monsters 00:45:26 Patreon Question: Completely Improvising a Session 00:49:02 Patreon Question: Making Use of Tool Proficiencies 00:52:55 Patreon Question: Avoiding Plot-Armor for Character-Focused Plots 00:55:45 Patreon Question: Rewarding Magic Items While Avoiding Overpowering Characters 01:01:53 Patreon Question: Incorporating Character Secrets 01:05:50 Ch

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 01:02 Lazy DM's Companion Kickstarter Update 02:30 Mastering Dungeons on Fizban's Treasury of Dragons 08:14 Improvising Monsters With Stat Tables 18:16 Using Different Monster Books for Different Areas 19:52 Sharing Experiences - Not Offering Advice 23:26 Patreon Questions 23:42 Patreon Question: The Non-Core Books with the Biggest Impact on D&D 27:44 Patreon Question: Running Games at a Game Store 31:48 Patreon Question: Using Old School Essentials to Teach D&D? 36:17 Patreon Question: Challenging both Optimized and Non-Optimized Characters 41:52 Patreon Question: Guidelines for Alternative Systems 45:02 Patreon Question: Thinking About Villains Early On 47:17 Patreon Questions: Managing PC Home Bases 48:38 Patreon Question: Managing Character Creation for New Players 51:26 Patreon Question: Is D&D Become Less Flexible? No. Links Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Preoder the Lazy DM's Companion Subscribe to the Sly Flourish New

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 00:00 Intro 00:34 Patreon Update: Sly Flourish's Uncovered Secrets Volume 1 & 2 02:59 Lazy DM Companion Update 03:55 DM Prep with Obsidian.md 13:19 Kickstarter: Expedition to the Mysterious Peaks 15:16 Kickstarter: cy_borg 20:05 Product Spotlight: Mork Borg Feretory 27:18 DM Tip: Beefing Up 5e Vampires 31:05 Using Fizban's Treasury of Dragons in Play 34:14 Patreon Question: Setting the Mood 39:10 Patreon Question: Planning Upward and Downward Beats 42:42 Patreon Question: Has Character Death Become Taboo? 50:57 Patreon Question: Satisfying Conclusions for Weak Villains Links Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Preoder the Lazy DM's Companion Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Obsidian.md Nicole van der Hoeven's video on using Obsidian with D&D Prep Kickstarter: Expedition to the Mysterious Peaks Kickstarter: cy_borg Mork Borg Feretory Descent into Avernus: Fall of Elturel Campfire Story Prom

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 00:00:44 Preorder Page for the Lazy DM's Companion 00:03:21 Thoughts on Fizban's Treasury of Dragons 00:12:43 WOTC's Problem with High CR Damage 00:20:45 Kickstarter: Planegea by Atlast Games 00:23:05 Kickstarter: Skyraiders of Abraxis by Laura and Tracy Hickman 00:25:06 Kickstarter: Rewards and Rarities by 2C Gaming 00:27:13 Kickstarter: Reliquaries by Dwarven Forge 00:32:04 Transitioning to 70% Online Play 00:35:39 Spotlight: Vault of Magic by Kobold Press 00:44:19 Patreon Questions and Answers 00:45:14 Patreon Question: Transitioning to Published Adventures 00:47:46 Patreon Question: Worrying about Subverting Expectations 00:50:37 Patreon Question: Character Deaths and New Characters 00:53:21 Patreon Question: Keeping Track of Characters' Knowledge 00:55:02 Patreon Question: Handling NPC to NPC Conversations 00:56:34 Patreon Question: Adding Details to Fantastic Locations Links D&D Talk Show YouTube Playlist Subscribe to the Sly Flourish

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 00:01:01 Lazy DM's Companion Kickstarter 00:02:14 Thoughts on Ravenloft Halloween One-Shot 00:13:32 Fizban's Treasury of Dragons 00:21:50 Kickstarter: Amazing Encounters and Places 00:24:29 Kickstarter: Potbellied Kobold's Guide to Villains and Lairs 00:25:33 Kickstarter: Planebreaker 00:28:24 Numenera Humble Bundle 00:30:02 Kickstarter: Book of Ebon Tides 00:31:02 Building RPG Companies Around Kickstarter 00:32:43 Patreon Question: Best Encounters for 1st Session 00:36:54 Patreon Question: Ideal Sidekicks for One-on-One Games 00:38:46 Patreon Question: Running Natural Disasters as Villains 00:41:57 Patreon Question: Ideal Facts for the "Six Truths" when Campaign Building 00:43:38 Patreon Question: Lazy Prep for Dungeons 00:46:42 Patreon Question: Process for Building Boss Monsters 00:50:58 Patreon Question: Tell Players about Monster Immunities and Legendary Resistances 00:54:02 Patreon Question: Lazy Prep for Marathon Sessions 00:56:22 Patreon

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 00:00 Intro 00:39 Artwork from the Lazy DM's Companion 03:22 Mike on D&D Beyond Talking Fizbans 04:21 Call from the Netherdeep Announced 06:23 Critical Role Season 3 08:10 Critical Role's Gaming Room 10:03 How Much Better Would Your Game Be with a Million Dollar Gaming Room? 20:15 Mastering Dungeons 20:59 WOTC's D&D Growth Over Time 25:01 Paizo's Union 27:23 Level Up: Advanced 5e Kickstarter 29:42 Raiders of the Serpent Sea Kickstarter 31:04 Kickstarters are the Most Interesting Growth Areas of RPGs 35:36 Patreon Questions! 36:11 Patreon Question: Running Lighthearted Campaigns 41:38 Which Third Party Products to Trust? 48:24 Running Chases in D&D 55:43 Avenues for Indy RPG Creation - Newsletters!! Links Lazy DM's Companion Kickstarter Mike on D&D Beyond Talking about Fizban's Treasury of Dragons Call from the Netherdeep Critical Role in Variety Critical Role's Gaming Room Hidden Brain podcast on Fear of Missing Out Select

Mike uses material from the Lazy DM's Companion to continue his preparation for a single-session D&D game! Back the Kickstarter!

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Frostmaiden YouTube Video Playlist Notion Frostmaiden Campaign Notebook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master