Are you ready to embark on a thrilling adventure, explore new worlds, and unleash your creativity? Look no further than Dungeons and Dragons (DnD or D&D), a popular tabletop role-playing game that has been captivating audiences for decades. With its rich storytelling, engaging gameplay, and endless possibilities, DnD has become a cultural phenomenon, inspiring numerous podcasts, web series, and online communities. In this article, I’ll delve into the world of DnD, exploring the best podcasts, shows, and resources for beginners and seasoned players alike.
The Best DnD Podcasts for Beginners and Fans
If you’re new to DnD, podcasts are an excellent way to get started. They offer a unique blend of entertainment, education, and inspiration, allowing you to learn the game while enjoying engaging stories and gameplay. Here are some of the most popular and highly recommended DnD podcasts:
Hearthfire Tales
Let’s start the list with Hearthfire Tales. Not only is this an excellent D&D podcast (which is the most important part), but it’s an Irish DnD podcast. We all know us Irish have a special ability to tell stories and that doesn’t stop just because it’s DnD.
Hearthfire Tales is made up of Jim Tuohy, Dylan Smith and Ryan Andrew Dillon, who perform at conferences and on their bi-weekly podcast. A strong start to the list.
The Adventure Zone
The Adventure Zone is a popular actual play podcast that combines elements of comedy and adventure, primarily featuring the McElroy family—brothers Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy, along with their father Clint. The podcast began in 2014 as a special episode of their other show, My Brother, My Brother and Me, and quickly evolved into its own series due to its popularity.
Dimension 20
Dimension 20 is a popular tabletop role-playing game show that blends comedy with the mechanics of Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition. Created and generally hosted by Brennan Lee Mulligan, the show is produced by CollegeHumor and broadcast on Dropout, a streaming service launched by CollegeHumor in 2018. The show is known for its unique format, which includes distinct story arcs set in various imaginative settings
NADDPOD
Not Another D&D Podcast (NADDPOD) is a popular actual-play podcast focused on the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. Created by Brian Murphy, the show features a blend of comedy and fantasy storytelling, making it accessible and entertaining for both seasoned players and newcomers to the game.
Dungeons and Daddies
This podcast features a heartwarming and hilarious campaign, with a focus on family-friendly gameplay and storytelling.
Girls Who Don’t DnD
Girls Who Don’t DnD is a real-play Dungeons and Dragons podcast that offers a unique and humorous take on the game. It features three women—Stacey, Indy, and Alana—who have never played DnD before, along with their Dungeon Master, Cory, who owns all the books but hasn’t read them. The podcast provides an entertaining and beginner-friendly approach to DnD, making it accessible to listeners who are new to the game.
Critical Role
Critical Role is a renowned web series and podcast where a group of professional voice actors play Dungeons and Dragons. The show is known for its engaging storytelling, humour, and the dynamic interplay between its cast members. It began streaming in 2015 and has since grown into a significant influence in the tabletop gaming community.
High Rollers
High Rollers is a live-play Dungeons and Dragons podcast that features Dungeon Master Mark Hulmes and his players as they explore the world of Altheya: The Dragon Empire. The show is part of Europe’s largest independent tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) stream. Episodes are released on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with live streams available every Sunday at 5 PM UK Time on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Oxventure
Oxventure is a Dungeons and Dragons actual play podcast presented by the Oxventurers Guild, featuring hosts Jane Douglas, Andy Farrant, Mike Channell, Ellen Rose, Luke Westaway, and Johnny Chiodini. The podcast offers audio versions of classic Oxventure sessions originally recorded for video episodes, live streams, and live shows published on YouTube.
Known for its humorous and chaotic storytelling style, Oxventure provides new commentary alongside these sessions. Episodes are updated fortnightly, and the show has a strong following due to its entertaining blend of comedy and fantasy
Three Black Halflings
Three Black Halflings is a TTRPG podcast that explores diversity within the worlds of D&D and pop culture. Hosted by Jasper William Cartwright, Olivia Kennedy (Liv), and Jeremy Cobb, the podcast combines actual play campaigns with discussions on game mechanics, lore, and diversity issues.
The show emphasizes the Black and BIPOC experience in gaming while providing DM tips and thought-provoking conversations. It features a variety of content from interviews to campaigns like “Tales of Wagadu: The Curse of the Spider Queen,” making it a unique space in the podcasting world
Tabletop Champions
Tabletop Champions is another actual play Dungeons and Dragons podcast that features a group of friends playing through various campaigns. Known for its casual and comedic approach to DnD, the show provides listeners with entertaining adventures filled with humour and camaraderie among its cast members.
Is Dungeons and Dragons Good for Your Brain?
DnD is often seen as a niche hobby, but it offers a wide range of cognitive benefits that can improve your mental health, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Here are just a few ways that DnD can be good for your brain:
- Improves creativity: DnD encourages players to think creatively, using their imagination to solve problems and overcome challenges.
- Enhances problem-solving skills: DnD requires players to think critically and strategically, using their problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
- Boosts social skills: DnD is a social game that encourages collaboration, communication, and teamwork, helping players develop essential social skills.
- Reduces stress and anxiety: DnD can be a fun and relaxing hobby, offering a healthy distraction from the stresses of everyday life.
What is the Best Dungeons and Dragons?
The “best” DnD is subjective, depending on personal preferences and playstyles. However, here are a few popular options:
- Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition: This is the most popular and widely played version of DnD, offering a balanced and engaging gameplay experience.
- Pathfinder: This game is similar to DnD, but offers a more complex and challenging gameplay experience.
- Dungeon World: This game is a more narrative-focused take on DnD, emphasizing storytelling and role-playing.
Time to Give D&D a Go?
Dungeons and Dragons is a rich and rewarding hobby that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a beginner, there’s never been a better time to get involved. With its engaging gameplay, rich storytelling, and endless possibilities, DnD is the perfect way to unleash your creativity, challenge yourself, and have fun. So why not give it a try? Grab some dice, gather some friends, and embark on a thrilling adventure that will take you to new and exciting worlds.
A great way to get started is get stuck into the content the guys behind Hearthfire Tales create and take it from there.
This article was created with the support of Goosed.ie’s in-house AI-assisted writing tool, designed to aid our writers, not replace them. While the tool offers outlines and context, all content is crafted and edited by the Goosed team.
