Critical Roll because... 1. Matt Mercer tells an amazing story. 2. The world is highly developed. 3. The characters are complex and engaging. 4. I learn new strategies on how to improve my own game. 5. Critter fan community is a community.
recent examples (obliquely referenced to avoid spoilers)... Jester's Blueberry Cupcakes A druid from Rumblecusp Caduceus' after dinner speech
All the above are good - depending on what you are in the mood for.
Turncloaks is also an interesting podcast that is quite dark if you are in the mood for that. Stopped in the middle of nowhere for some reason.
Dimension 20 is something that everyone should see. Brennan is in the top 3 DMs along with the two Matts.
Adventure zone is interesting to see how a prewritten starter set can be turned into an intricate and interesting homebrew campaign. (Good pointers for new DMs imo. Start with the framework and make it your own).
MCDM - gives a view of a different type of (imo) more normal game. The Chain was also a good idea about running a group and I have stolen that to solve a particular in game problem. Also good to have his aftershow stuff where he talks about how he made mistakes and what he should have done etc.
MCDM is Matt Colville's channel for his gameplay videos. He did about 2 dozen episodes of his Chain of Acheron before they went on hiatus, which was him streaming D&D. I liked the Chain...
The other "podcasts," such as I have seen, I haven't really liked... I find them very theatrical -- over-produced, possibly very entertaining as "shows," but not really very much like a D&D game is. I'm not sure other than Colville's, I'd want to actually *watch* a D&D game, for entertainment purposes. I watch the MCDM stuff to learn as a DM... although I do find them entertaining. Anna in particular can be very funny, usually without trying to. (Which is another contrast with the "shows" I have seen, none of which I will name here... that the players are trying to be funny for the cameras, and I don't really like it.)
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WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
MCDM is Matt Colville's channel for his gameplay videos. He did about 2 dozen episodes of his Chain of Acheron before they went on hiatus, which was him streaming D&D. I liked the Chain...
The other "podcasts," such as I have seen, I haven't really liked... I find them very theatrical -- over-produced, possibly very entertaining as "shows," but not really very much like a D&D game is. I'm not sure other than Colville's, I'd want to actually *watch* a D&D game, for entertainment purposes. I watch the MCDM stuff to learn as a DM... although I do find them entertaining. Anna in particular can be very funny, usually without trying to. (Which is another contrast with the "shows" I have seen, none of which I will name here... that the players are trying to be funny for the cameras, and I don't really like it.)
I agree and that is why I ended up finding Turncloaks - most of the other podcasts are aiming for humour and I generally don't find them funny. I wanted a more serious game. Turncloaks is extremely produced though and so is much different from MDMC.
MDMC is fantastic for all the reasons you have said. It feels like a real D&D game, not a produced stage show. While produced shows have their place as entertainment it can do a disservice to the hobby when people expect something like Dimension 20 or Critical Role when they are playing. Dimension 20 has a whole crew of people building sets and painting and kit bashing minis, for example, not something a lone DM could (or at least should be expected) to do - especially if you are running weekly.
I also liked the stylistic difference of the players through MDMC. Critical Role (et al) tend to RP through acting. Voices etc - nothing wrong with this but not my style. MDMC the players tend to RP strongly but not act (do voices etc) that is fine and more my style. It was very sad that Matt Colville decided to pull the podcast because he was overly critical about the quality of the video and sound (of which I could find no fault). Really hoping once they get the second book out of the way more content will pop up.
I do like Dimension 20 though and have found myself learning about how to DM from Brennen.
Surprised nobody has mentioned the DM’S Deep Dive with Mike Shea - one on one interviews and discussion around a single specific topic. Also the spin-off Lazy DMs prep sessions - I find those far more interesting to listen to than commit hours watching/listening to an actual play session, no matter how good they are.
I watch 2 of the 7 that are in that the official Dungeons & Dragons Annual 2021. (Though in one of those two, they totally left out the DM in the cast list though the DM is in the cast picture. The newest addition isn't in the cast list, either, but she just joined.)
Which 2 in the D&DA2021? Viva La Dirt League and Oxventure. Yes. They're all performers, but I can roll dice any time I want and don't really care to watch just dice rolling and seeing people recite "RaW". I got the books.
Watching a group of storytellers is something special. I know enough to know that Oxventure is fast-and-loose "Rules as Fun" mostly and enough to know that VLDL is setting-focused "Rules as Intended" with heavy influence from RaW (and no RaF). I'm not into watching tournaments. So, I go for entertainment when I watch something.
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Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider. My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong. I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲 “It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
Yes. They're all performers, but I can roll dice any time I want and don't really care to watch just dice rolling and seeing people recite "RaW". I got the books.
I agree, which is why, although I have watched these shows in the past, I don't watch any of them except Colville's anymore. I watch Colville's not as a show, but to see how he does things as a DM. (And I find his players, particularly Anna, Phil, and Thom #2, likable.) The other stuff is more entertaining as a "TV show," to be sure... but I find it not as entertaining as watching an actual TV show -- so meh, I don't really watch any of it. At least not as "entertainment." Because it isn't, to me.
But that's me -- not saying anyone else can't love them.
I love critical role, but I'd love it way more if the episodes weren't 4 hours long. Adventure Zone is what really brought me back into d&d though and it takes the top spot for me.
What is your favorite D&D podcast? Mine are Critical Role and Not Another D&D podcast
A New DM up against the World
Critical Roll because...
1. Matt Mercer tells an amazing story.
2. The world is highly developed.
3. The characters are complex and engaging.
4. I learn new strategies on how to improve my own game.
5. Critter fan community is a community.
recent examples (obliquely referenced to avoid spoilers)...
Jester's Blueberry Cupcakes
A druid from Rumblecusp
Caduceus' after dinner speech
In no particular order:
Dungeons of Drakkenheim
MCDM
Acquisitions Incorporated
Critical Role
High Rollers
All the above are good - depending on what you are in the mood for.
Turncloaks is also an interesting podcast that is quite dark if you are in the mood for that. Stopped in the middle of nowhere for some reason.
Dimension 20 is something that everyone should see. Brennan is in the top 3 DMs along with the two Matts.
Adventure zone is interesting to see how a prewritten starter set can be turned into an intricate and interesting homebrew campaign. (Good pointers for new DMs imo. Start with the framework and make it your own).
MCDM - gives a view of a different type of (imo) more normal game. The Chain was also a good idea about running a group and I have stolen that to solve a particular in game problem. Also good to have his aftershow stuff where he talks about how he made mistakes and what he should have done etc.
Loads of others.
What is MCDM?
A New DM up against the World
MCDM is Matt Colville's channel for his gameplay videos. He did about 2 dozen episodes of his Chain of Acheron before they went on hiatus, which was him streaming D&D. I liked the Chain...
The other "podcasts," such as I have seen, I haven't really liked... I find them very theatrical -- over-produced, possibly very entertaining as "shows," but not really very much like a D&D game is. I'm not sure other than Colville's, I'd want to actually *watch* a D&D game, for entertainment purposes. I watch the MCDM stuff to learn as a DM... although I do find them entertaining. Anna in particular can be very funny, usually without trying to. (Which is another contrast with the "shows" I have seen, none of which I will name here... that the players are trying to be funny for the cameras, and I don't really like it.)
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I agree and that is why I ended up finding Turncloaks - most of the other podcasts are aiming for humour and I generally don't find them funny. I wanted a more serious game. Turncloaks is extremely produced though and so is much different from MDMC.
MDMC is fantastic for all the reasons you have said. It feels like a real D&D game, not a produced stage show. While produced shows have their place as entertainment it can do a disservice to the hobby when people expect something like Dimension 20 or Critical Role when they are playing. Dimension 20 has a whole crew of people building sets and painting and kit bashing minis, for example, not something a lone DM could (or at least should be expected) to do - especially if you are running weekly.
I also liked the stylistic difference of the players through MDMC. Critical Role (et al) tend to RP through acting. Voices etc - nothing wrong with this but not my style. MDMC the players tend to RP strongly but not act (do voices etc) that is fine and more my style. It was very sad that Matt Colville decided to pull the podcast because he was overly critical about the quality of the video and sound (of which I could find no fault). Really hoping once they get the second book out of the way more content will pop up.
I do like Dimension 20 though and have found myself learning about how to DM from Brennen.
Surprised nobody has mentioned the DM’S Deep Dive with Mike Shea - one on one interviews and discussion around a single specific topic. Also the spin-off Lazy DMs prep sessions - I find those far more interesting to listen to than commit hours watching/listening to an actual play session, no matter how good they are.
Drakkenheim (Dungeons and Shadows) and CR are my go-to's
I watch 2 of the 7 that are in that the official Dungeons & Dragons Annual 2021. (Though in one of those two, they totally left out the DM in the cast list though the DM is in the cast picture. The newest addition isn't in the cast list, either, but she just joined.)
Which 2 in the D&DA2021? Viva La Dirt League and Oxventure. Yes. They're all performers, but I can roll dice any time I want and don't really care to watch just dice rolling and seeing people recite "RaW". I got the books.
Watching a group of storytellers is something special. I know enough to know that Oxventure is fast-and-loose "Rules as Fun" mostly and enough to know that VLDL is setting-focused "Rules as Intended" with heavy influence from RaW (and no RaF). I'm not into watching tournaments. So, I go for entertainment when I watch something.
Human. Male. Possibly. Don't be a divider.
My characters' backgrounds are written like instruction manuals rather than stories. My opinion and preferences don't mean you're wrong.
I am 99.7603% convinced that the digital dice are messing with me. I roll high when nobody's looking and low when anyone else can see.🎲
“It's a bit early to be thinking about an epitaph. No?” will be my epitaph.
I agree, which is why, although I have watched these shows in the past, I don't watch any of them except Colville's anymore. I watch Colville's not as a show, but to see how he does things as a DM. (And I find his players, particularly Anna, Phil, and Thom #2, likable.) The other stuff is more entertaining as a "TV show," to be sure... but I find it not as entertaining as watching an actual TV show -- so meh, I don't really watch any of it. At least not as "entertainment." Because it isn't, to me.
But that's me -- not saying anyone else can't love them.
WOTC lies. We know that WOTC lies. WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. We know that WOTC knows that we know that WOTC lies. And still they lie.
Because of the above (a paraphrase from Orwell) I no longer post to the forums -- PM me if you need help or anything.
I love critical role, but I'd love it way more if the episodes weren't 4 hours long. Adventure Zone is what really brought me back into d&d though and it takes the top spot for me.
Acquisitions Incorporated all the way!
What is it about.
A New DM up against the World