This D&D Direct was... lackluster compared to last year. It appeared to be more of a Hasbro merch grab then it was informing the D&D public of anything of serious note. But, that being said, there was some interesting and important details to still be gleaned from this D&D direct. I truly think this D&D direct says more about the future of D&D, and the current state of D&D, then anything else that has happened in recent memory (besides maybe the whole OGL fiasco). 

So get cozy, grab a snack, and listen to my thoughts on this D&D Direct, as well as the thoughts from a new D&D player as a special guest! 

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Improvisation or Improv and D&D are often referred to each other in the same sentence. I have even discussed the common phrase of “Yes, And” many different times on this podcast, but have never delved into much detail on what exactly that entails. D&D at it’s core is an Improv based game, there isn’t a script, there isn’t a set path (in good games), and you and your group are constantly creating on the fly. So if we’re going to be playing an Improv game then we should learn Improv skills and elements that will make our games even better.

Insert the wonderful book by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton from the world renowned comedy theatre The Second City in Chicago. This book takes the skills they have used and taught in The Second City for decades and repurposes them to be used in different settings instead of just on a stage. Reading through this book gave me a lot of insight into ways to enhance my own D&D game and experience, but also how to be a better member in groups. So let’s discuss how we can utilize these Improv skills to enhance your D&D game, and TTRPG experience. 

Book mentioned - Yes, And: How Improvisation Reverses "No, But" Thinking and Improves Creativity and Collaboration--Lessons from The Second City by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton : https://www.amazon.com/Yes-Improvisation-Reverses-Creativity-Collaboration-Lessons/dp/0062248545

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

One Shots are an important part of the microsystem that is D&D and TTRPGs. They are an easy way to introduce newcomers to a system, to play with a group of people you don't particularly know very well, try out some new ideas, or just take a break while somebody else runs a game for you for once. They are one of the main sources of things you can buy on DMsGuild or DriveThruRPG as they are easier and quicker for authors to make instead of creating an entire campaign.

So let's talk about One Shots, and what makes them so special. Hop into the discord or into the YouTube comments and let me know what your favorite (or least favorite) one shot story/memory is!

Book mentioned - Mini Dungeon Tome by AAW Games : http://mdt.aawgames.com

Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/dungeoncrawlnetwork

Links & Discord - https://linktr.ee/dungeoncrawlpod     

Sound effects obtained from https://www.zapsplat.com
Additional sound effects obtained from https://www.audioblocks.com/and Synrinscape
Music from https://filmmusic.io
"Unseen Horrors" by Kevin MacLeod (https://incompetech.com)
License: CC BY (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)