The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish

Mike describes how to quickly an easily build legendary boss monster for your D&D game. D&D Tips YouTube Playlist Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Contents 00:00 Intro 00:55 Kobold Fight Club Returns! 02:12 Esper Genesis Quick Look 14:27 Finally, Arby's Dice! 17:12 Alexandrian on Non-Focal Random Encounters 23:58 Taking Patreon Questions 25:53 Patreon - Sean H on Balanced vs. Situational encounters 36:46 Patreon - Raymond C on Deviating from Plotted Campaigns 44:11 Patreon - Eloy C on Rolling in the Open Links D&D Talk Show YouTube Playlist Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Kobold Fight Club Esper Genesis Core Book (PDF) Esper Genesis Core Book (Hardcover) Esper Genesis Technicians Guide (PDF) Esper Genesis Threats Database (PDF) Esper Genesis Threats Database (Hardcover) Esper Genesis Free Preview (players) Esper Genesis Free Preview (GMs) Arby's Dice (Finally) Alexandrian on Non-Focal Random Encounters

Mike talks about the value of thinking through the eyes of our NPCs in D&D. Original YouTube Video The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

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 ten uses for index cards in your D&D game. Contents 00:00 The Value of Index Cards 00:26 Index Cards for Initiative 00:53 Numbered Table Tents for Initiative 01:28 Quest Cards 02:01 Magic Items 02:26 Zone-based Combat 03:44 X Card 04:20 NPC Info for DMs or Players 04:34 Secret Notes to Players 04:50 Monster Customizations Links Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Easier Initiative Cards Zone-based combat Fate Condensed Index Card RPG X Card

Mike chats about all things D&D! Contents 00:00 Show Intro 00:32 The fall of Kobold Fight Club 06:54 The fallacy of the adventuring day 08:12 Don't become dependent on digital tools 13:50 On the Lazy Encounter Benchmark 18:33 Start with the story 24:58 Owlbear Rodeo, scenery, and new features 33:10 Call from the Deep Review 46:01 Hidden Costs of DM's Guild Publishing Links D&D Talk Show YouTube Playlist Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Mob Damage Calculator Running Hordes the Lazy Way Lazy Encounter Benchmark Owlbear Rodeo V 1.10 Token Video Forgotten Adventures tokens and scenery Call from the Deep

Mike talks about the advantages and disadvantages of ending your D&D game right before a big battle. Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

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 battling back the voice in our head that tells us we aren't ready to run our D&D game. Original YouTube Video The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike chats about all things D&D! Contents 00:00 Intro 00:29 YouTube Videos of D&D Beyond Appearances 10:24 Would I Still Do This if D&D Were 10% as Popular? 20:14 Kobold Press Tome of Heroes 23:18 Vorpal Board for Broadcasting Physical Tabletop RPGs Online 31:53 Thoughts on Streaming D&D Games 39:17 Frostmaiden Grievances and Accolades Links D&D Talk Show YouTube Playlist Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Mike on D&D Beyond Talking about the Lazy Dungeon Master Mike on D&D Beyond Talking about Encounter Building Kobold Press Tome of Heroes Kickstarter Vorpal Board for Broadcasting Physical Tabletops Online Mike and Enrique Play D&D One on One Frostmaiden Grievances and Accolades

Mike discusses the balance between realism and fun in our D&D games. YouTube video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

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 the value of reinforcing a cooperative character motivation to smooth out inter-party conflicts in your D&D game. Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike discusses the latest D&D news and tips for lazy dungeon masters! Contents 00:00 Intro 00:31 Mike's Appearances 00:53 D&D Beyond Appearance 01:46 Mike with Matt Coleville and James Introcaso talking D&D and Arcadia 6 02:25 Why Am I Called Sly Flourish? 03:20 New Uncovered Secrets and Adventure Generators: Gods, Lost Kingdoms, Legendary Villains 22:13 Scarlet Citadel by Kobold Press 32:02 Tome of Beasts 2 by Kobold Press 33:59 Avatar Last Airbender Kickstarter 38:08 No More UA in D&D Beyond 43:46 My OK D&D game, Give Players Things to Do 51:20 13th Age and 5e Links Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Mike on the D&D Beyond Stream Mike on MCDM talking about Arcadia 6 MCDM Patreon Scarlet Citadel by Kobold Press Tome of Beasts 2 Avatar Last Airbender Kickstarter D&D Beyond on Not Including Unearthed Arcana Content 13th Age 13th Age Bundle on Humble Bundle (tremendous deal)

Mike extols the virtues of taking a walk while pondering your D&D game. YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Buy the Lazy DM's Workbook

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

Feel like darkvision is overpowered? Mike talks about the combination of rules that makes darkvision not as good as many DMs think. Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about the latest D&D news and topics. Click "SHOW MORE" for links and details. Contents 00:00 Intro 00:18 Kickstarter Date for Lazy DM's Companion 04:06 Chris Perkins on Canon 09:59 Grim Accord in Arcadia 6 14:34 Chris Spivey on Independent RPG Struggles 22:42 Christian Zuech: Encounters in Barovia 30:29 Elven Tower 34:46 Patreon and Kickstarter For Most Interesting RPG Content 36:56 Dungeoncraft Videos 46:30 Paid DMing. I'm all for it! Links Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Chris Perkinson D&D Canon Mastering Dungeons on D&D Canon Arcadia 6 with the Grim Accord MCDM Patreon Chris Spivey from Darker Hue Studios Tweet Harlem Unbound Christian Zuech Products on the DM's Guild Encounters in Barovia Elven Tower Patreon Elven Tower Products on DriveThruRPG Faith For Fools Dungeoncraft Channel Ultimate RPG Terrain Dungeoncraft on Proficiency Dice and Background Proficiency

Mike discusses the value of using "knives" as a DM in your D&D game. How do you wield the fiction that players bring to the table responsibly and effectively to let your stories expand ever outward. YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Worldbuilding for Lazy Dungeon Masters Pax Unplugged Panel 2021

Mike discusses D&D news! Podcast Contents 00:00 Intro 00:37 New Tal'Dorai sourcebook 07:32 My Evil Adventuring Group in Arcadia Issues 6! 10:04 MCDM's New Monster Manual 16:47 Details of Fizban's Treasury of Dragons 19:05 Crawford on Streaming's Influence on WOTC Production 32:51 Printable Heroes Patreon 41:41 Tabletop Audio Patreon 45:23 You Get to Decide What's Canon Links Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn MCDM Patreon for Arcadia Matt Coleville and James Introcaso on the MCDM Monster Book Details on Fizban's Treasury of Dragons Crawford on Streaming Influence on D&D Printable Heroes Printable Heroes Patreon Tabletop Audio Tabletop Audio Patreon D&D Spinoffs Aren't Canon

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 discusses the importance of understanding how to facilitate decisions in D&D. Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! Click Show More for notes and links. Table of Contents 00:00 Intro 02:13 Wild Beyond the Witchlight 04:16 Fizban's Treasury of Dragons 08:44 Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos 13:53 Running D&D In Person Again 18:39 Dread Metrol: Into the Mists by Keith Baker 34:18 The Dogs of War Adventure Generator with Dread Metrol 36:59 Iskandar City Sourcebook by MT Black 45:29 Miniatures, too expensive for new DMs? 54:14 Sad WOTC didn't make Planescape? Buy the Old One Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Nerdarchy on Wild Beyond the Witchlight Nerdarchy on Fizban's Treasury of Dragons Nerdarchy on Strixhaven: Curriculum of Chaos Dread Metrol: Into the Mists Iskandar City Sourcebook Wizkids Witchlight Miniature Collectors Pack Spelljammer on the DM's Guild

Mike talks about the value of running small battles in the Theater of the Mind. YouTube Video Sly Flourish's Guide to to Narrative "Theater of the Mind" Combat in the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Buy the Lazy DM's Workbook

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

Mike offers options and tips for handling rests in D&D. Click "Show More" for notes and links. Original YouTube Video Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

Mike chats about all things D&D! 00:00 Show Start 00:44 D&D and Magic the Gathering 08:07 Playing MtG again 16:37 Reviewing Patreons Next Week 18:54 Knife to Know You by Doryen Chin 24:25 Mork Borg 36:46 Downtime in D&D 48:07 Getting back to playing in person Links Original YouTube video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master In Scarlet Flames D&D MtG Adventure The Hidden Page D&D MtG Adventure Knife to Know You by Doryen Chin Mork Borg Running Downtime in D&D

Mike talks about the best, and cheapest, ways to improve your D&D game. The best tools to improve your D&D game are free. Original YouTube video Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

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

Mike describes how to use Lu Quade's "Stars and Wishes" to get great feedback from your players on your D&D game. Original YouTube Video Stars and Wishes by Lu Quade Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike talks about all things D&D! 00:00 Video Intro 00:13 TSR (3) and the Ernie Gygax Situation 05:46 Gender Identity Thoughts from an Old Cis White Dude 12:14 How Important is D&D Voicework Poll 16:41 Why I Review Third Party Products 18:27 Empire of the Ghouls by Kobold press 27:56 Where the Machines Wait 34:17 MtG D&D Adventures and Pregen Characters 38:05 Making Cheap D&D Tokens from MtG Cards 40:44 Rolling for Monster Horde Damage 46:37 Matt Colville making his own RPG? Level up 5e RPG 49:21 Dungeons of Drakkenheim Links YouTube Video Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Enworld on TSR (3) and Ernie Gygax Morrus's Unofficial Podcast on Ernie Gygax How Important is DM Voicework poll on Twitter Empire of the Ghouls PDF Empire of the Ghouls Hardcover Where the Machines Wait PDF Where the Machines Wait softcover In Scarlet Flames free D&D MtG Crossover Adventure D&D MtG Planeswalker Character Sheets Lazy Monster Tokens Level Up, Advanced 5e Dungeons of Drakkenheim Kickstarter

Mike uses the Adventure Generators from the Sly Flourish Patreon to build an adventure from scratch for his Saturday D&D game. Part 2 of 2. Zoho Annotator Dysonlogos Maps Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

Mike offers a tip for thinking up secrets and clues by considering the types of secrets the characters may discover and how they might discover them. Types of secrets Character secrets NPC secrets Story secrets Villainous secrets Location secrets Historical secrets Theological secrets Ways to discover them Character background NPCs (friendly or hostile) Books, journals, notes, and scolls Items Frescos and mosaics dreams and portents sentient magic items Links Original YouTube video Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

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

Mike offers a tip to get players to think more about monsters in the story of your D&D game by asking them to define interesting physical characteristics of monsters. Original YouTube Video A Troll Named Handbag: Player-Driven Monster Identification Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Another episode of the Lazy D&D Talk show. Topics include how to steer damage away from the boss, the Mercer effect, yam-shaped adventures design, and reviews of Grymmworld and the Oath of the Frozen King. Contents 00:00 Intro 00:36 Finding a D&D group 05:07 How did my Keep of the Black Gate game go? 07:05 Player tip: Always have a ranged attack 08:36 DM Tip: Redirect damage away from the boss 13:30 The Mercer Effect 24:21 Grymmworld by Grant Ellis and Ryan Servis 33:40 Oath of the Frozen King by Absolute Tabletop 40:32 Too many quests in chapter 1 of Frostmaiden 43:49 Yam-shaped adventure design Links Original YouTube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Finding and Maintaining a D&D Group Dungeoncraft on the Mercer Effect Grymmworld Oath of the Frozen King

Mike uses the Adventure Generators from the Sly Flourish Patreon to build an adventure from scratch for his Saturday D&D game. Part 1 of 2. Zoho Annotator Dysonlogos Maps Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

What makes a good D&D map and where can a lazy DM easily find them? Original Youtube version Dyson Logos Maps The Alexandrian: Jaquaying the Dungeon Lazy DM's Workbook Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

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

Mike prepares for his latest session of Icewind Dale, Rime of the Frostmaiden! Original YouTube Video 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 the value of heralds who announce villains far and wide. Original YouTube video How to Create Pay-Per-View Worthy Adventures or "How to Stop Worrying and Start DMing Like Vince McMahon" Building Villains like Pro-Wrestlers Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

Mike chats about all things D&D! Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Show Contents 00:00 Intro 00:17 Tricks for the D&D Encounter Builder 12:35 Mork Borg 17:41 Old School Essentials 24:40 Runehammer Games's 5e Hardcore Mode 32:14 2C Gamings Total Party Kill Bestiary 2 37:42 Nord's Dreaded Accursed 40:19 Increasing the Deadly Encounter Benchmark at level 11+ 46:09 Returning to our one-on-one D&D game Links D&D Beyond Initiative Parser to Discord Text Mork Borg Old School Essentials 5e Hardcore Mode Total Party Kill Bestiary 2 Dreaded Accursed

Mike discusses how to prepare for your game in about 15 minutes. Original Youtube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

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

Mike offers two tools for better D&D 5e encounter building. Original YouTube Video Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon

The lost recording of the Worldbuilding for the Lazy Dungeon Master panel at Pax Unplugged, December 2019, hosted by James Haeck with Makenzie De Armas, Mike Shea, Morrigan Robbins, and Renee Rhodes. James Haeck @jamesjhaeck Makenzie De Armas makenzielaneda Mike Shea @slyflourish Morrigan Robbins @MorriLoremother Renee Rhodes @raedeanner Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike chats about D&D! Show Contents 00:00 Show Start 00:52 Translations Pushing Back 6e Predictions 5:00 Reviews of Third Party Books 07:22 Arcana of the Ancients 12:07 Ptolus 15:07 Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands 18:04 Ironsworn 20:56 Adventures of the Potbellied Kobold' 23:51 Mike's Appendix N (what's yours??) 37:25 Mike's Take on Stress Effects 58:15 Player vs. Player and Player vs. DM Consent 1:10:20 Rant about Adventurer's League Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Arcana of the Ancients Ptolus Shadowed Keep on the Borderlands Ironsworn Adventures of the Potbellied Kobold

Mike talks about the importance of being nice to 1st level characters and offers three tips to make their lives a little easier. Original Youtube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Mike discusses the importance of managing time in your D&D game. Original Youtube Video Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Join Sly Flourish's Patreon Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master

Recently recovered from the deepest depths of the ancient Sly Flourish libraries, I bring you my interview with Paige Leitman in which we discuss D&D Adventurer's League, our favorite conventions, and all sorts of fun topics. Video Contents 00:00 We love Winter Fantasy! What We've enjoyed. 03:07 Who's Paige Leitman? 06:07 Paige's there new tips for current DMs 07:15 Use an X Card (see the link below) 08:44 Cater to your audience and ask them what they want 09:01 Read your published adventures 11:00 What's changed in 2 years? AL moving towards story. 16:56 How are the changes being accepted? 19:20 What people think of Waterdeep: Dragon Heist 21:17 Other trends from the 5e Facebook: greater diversity and inclusion. 22:30 Interesting homebrew is popping up. 23:20 The impact of D&D Beyond 26:30 Navigating the curve between tactical and story 31:58 Play a different game X Card Buy Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon