TheWestMarchGuys

In this episode, JT and Joe discuss when it may be time to start over, whether it's starting a new character or starting a new campaign. We also dig into pacing and how to maintain interest of both the players and the DM.

In this episode, JT, Joe and special guest Corey dig into Corey's West March game 'The Fading Forest' as our first episode in our 'Masters of the Marches' interview series. We look at all sorts of new ideas and ways to run a West March very different from our own. We cover topics like running a massive nexus of information on discord, how to balance players, general DND banter and more.Join us as we tap a new source of information for running a West March style campaign.And if you like Corey as much as we do check out https://anchor.fm/obscurednd 

In this episode, AJ, Joe and our returning guest Aaron dive into some new homebrew things with some tangents into what is currently being done in our game. We talk about additional meta magics for sorcerers, adding mechanics for multiple player characters pulling off damage combos, and finish off with some zero G combat.

In this episode, JT, AJ and Joe kick off season two by breaking down what we have been doing for the last 9 months. In case you don't know or haven't heard, we have been running a West March on Twitch! We will start with a breakdown of what has been going on with the game since we've been doing it online. We will dig into issues we still have as well as issues that have been solved. We also chomp into what we feel has been mastered, how we've used organization to our advantage, what we've scraped, and what remains unchanged.If you want to see the campaign find us on Twitch or Youtube 

In this episode, the West March Guys are back JT, Joe and AJ are so excited to announce were are back. This is a quick one but the first full episode is right around the corner so stay tuned. 

In this episode, the whole gang is here. We run through a WMG update we talk closing out current campaigns, big bads, and prep for the new season. We chat about when is too much prep, because sometimes that's a thing. Get hyped about our panel next weekend September 11, 2021 at Connecticon. Check out the details for that here :https://connecticon.org/events

In this episode, Joe with special guests Aaron and Sam start the series on wrapping up a campaign. We give a look at what an epilogue for wrapping up a campaign can look like. Join us for a great example of making your players feel whole after you wrap up a campaign and even get a taste of some role play along the way.

In this episode, Jon, JT and Joe are getting noodly and digging into the details as they discuss ability scores, Armor class (AC) and Hit Points (HP). We continue to pick apart ability scores, what they mean, and what is the most important. We discuss what to look at when choosing that dump stat so you don't miss out on feats later on. We also discuss dealing with mixed AC's in a party and how do you handle a AC25 and AC13 fighting side by side. Finally we dive into HP. What does it mean, what is a healing potion really doing when you drink it and give you a new way to consider rolling hit points. Come join as we continue our new series digging into the details of all the different stats in DND 5E.

In this episode, JT, Jon, and Joe are getting invaded by Aly and Sam with the Art of the Ramble Podcast for a dive into DND - Ramble style. We cover all sorts of topics like the female perspective of DND, history of DND, favorite moments and everything in between.Definitely go check out Art of the Ramble @ https://www.artoftheramble.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/artoftheramble/  

In this episode, AJ, JT and Joe are getting noodly and digging into the details as they discuss abilities and how they use them. They begin to pick apart ability scores and how they implement them. They talk about their favorites, what are essential in a character, and the "worst" ability. They also talk about setting DC's and using sliding scales when determining outcomes. They finish off with the ultimate debate athletics or acrobatics. Come join our new series as we dig into the details of all the different stats in DND 5E.

In this episode, JT and Joe discuss mixing player experience. This involves possibly introducing players new to the game with seasoned players or bringing someone into your game who has played in a different group with different styles. They discuss what to do about fitting the character into the world, what do about the difference in character levels and how to try and balance combat. Come join us as we try to mix it up see what a new view of the game can do for advancing it even further.

In this episode JT and AJ discuss what they have been doing recently to advance their DND. They talk about streaming, including how different it is versus playing in person and what they have changed (or not changed) because of it. They discuss starting to use a 3D printer for everything from character minis to terrain, which leads to dreaming on some DND set ups. They wrap it up with looking more at prepping and running evil campaigns.  Come join us as we try to advance our DND to the next level and let us know your dream DND set up.

In this episode Joe, Jon, and JT discuss DND Burnout. Maybe you have experienced it, or you're feeling like the game is just not jiving like it used to. We are here to let you know it's good to take a break. We have all experienced it ourselves and hopefully we can give you a few ideas to make taking a break easier as well. Come join us and let us know what you do to recharge your DND brain.

In this episode Joe, Jon, and JT discuss favorite monsters. Being mainly DM's we have spent a fair share of time flipping through the various monster manuals and want to share what we think of some of our favorites. We discuss our overall favorites, favorite type, favorite environment or ones we struggle the most with. Come join us and let us know what your favorite monster is. 

In this episode Joe, Jon, and special guest Aaron discuss Min-Maxing in DND 5e. Come join as we discuss what it is, what we think, and spin some wild builds. We may even give you some crazy ideas to try.

Have you ever had someone ask you what is going on in the DND game your playing? Have you tried to explain it only to have it go hilariously awry? Well we did too and recorded it. In this episode Joe brings in special Guest Ken, one of our newest players. Listen as we discuss what DND is and what exactly is going on when we play.

In this episode, the whole crew is here. Listen as we discuss our TPK. In case you missed the live stream, we included the after math of our very first TPK and even some of what happened after the stream turned off. Then we go through and dissect what happened, what we could do differently and how to handle it if it happens to you. If you want to watch the whole session you can find it here: https://youtu.be/bn6hI8fksho

In this episode, the whole crew is here. Listen as we discuss everything that's left. In this episode, we go through the end of the book wherein lies all the stuff our DM brains are really craving. More monsters, spells, magic items, environments, scenarios and of course puzzles. Come join us as we discuss what we are excited to use and what scares us as DM's in the final part of our four-part series dissecting Wizards new book Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

In this episode, the whole crew is here. Listen as we discuss more new subclass options being included for fighters, monks, paladins, rangers, rogues, sorcerers, warlocks and wizards. Come join us as we discuss what we are excited to play and what scares us as DM's in part three of our multi-part series on dissecting Wizards new book Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

In this episode the whole crew is here. We finally got a chance to review it and the second part is here. Listen as we discuss the new artificer class and some of the new subclass options being included for barbarians, bards, clerics and druids. We will be back with the rest of the subclasses in the next episode. Come join us as we discuss what we are excited to play and what scares us as DM's in part two of our multi-part series on dissecting Wizards new book Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

In this episode the whole crew is here. We finally got a chance to review it and the first part is here. Listen as we discuss the new rule changes for character creation and changes that are being implemented for it. I know you're thinking, "There are only 5 pages of changes like that in the book, how did they spend over a half hour on it?" You'll have to listen to find out.  Come join us as we debate the changes and start our multi-part series on dissecting Wizards new book Tasha's Cauldron of Everything

In this episode the whole crew is here. Ever wanted to run a one shot at a convention? Or for your friends that have never played before? Maybe the holiday one shot looks appetizing. Listen as we discuss the art of the one shot. We talk about ones we have run and what we have learned along the way. Come join us in this discussion and find out how to make it a true one shot with a satisfying ending.

In this episode the whole crew is here. Listen as we handle character death, discuss good and bad death, and whose fault it is really. We also chat about spell components, death as a punishment, permadeath and everything in-between. We find there are so many factors to consider and try to figure out what is the best way to handle it. Come join us in this discussion and find out that in the end most of us are softies.

In this episode the whole crew is here. Listen as Jon, JT, AJ, and Joe build a one shot right before your eyes (well ears, technically). We will give you a peak behind the curtain as we set the framework for a Halloween one shot that you could run. We discuss what we think about, key components to make it feel halloween-y, and the individual input into what gives a session our specific flair. Come let us do the work for you in this spooky episode.

In this episode the whole crew is back as Jon, JT, AJ and Joe discuss one of our most hotly debated topics: challenge ratings. Love them or hate them, challenge ratings are a big part of 5E. We discuss how we use them, when we don't, and everything in between. Come enjoy this deadly episode.

In this episode, Jon and Joe chat about how to get players to engage in sessions and the story as a whole. They talk about the tricks and tips they use to get the players to bite. They also discuss different ways that anything and everything can be used to push the narrative, with lots of tangents along the way. Come let us lead you along on this episode.

In this episode, JT and Joe chat about how they got in to role playing games, D&D and fantasy in general. They talk their influences and hope to give you a glimpse into how their styles came to be. Come by and listen to story time.

In this episode, JT, AJ, Joe, and Jon answer your questions! We discuss two in this episode:Now that you guys have been playing more and with different DMs, do you find yourself thinking about anything differently/noticing things that didn't stand out to you as much in the DM seat?How do you feel about different visualization strategies including 3D maps, Drawn maps, Digital maps/minis, and all in your head (no map!)?

In this episode, JT, AJ, Joe, and Jon discuss the always hotly debated topic of Alignments in DND. We talk about what they are for, using them to guide players, how we handle enforcing them, and what they even mean to the game. What Alignment are you?

In this episode, JT, AJ, Joe and Jon, discuss what their prep looks like. We talk about strategies, organization and leaning on each other to put together each session. Come check it out.

In this episode, JT, AJ, and Joe talk with Jon, their newest addition to the DM table about the "South marches", what it's like starting a brand new west march campaign, and his history with DND in general. Come check it out as we get schooled in the ways of DND :)

In this episode JT and Joe continue their downtime interviews with their Special Guest Aaron. They try to give the player perspective on playing in a West March Campaign and Role Playing Games in General.If you liked listening to Aaron definitely also check him out at:https://www.facebook.com/PWRUPBAND/https://pwrup.bandcamp.com/releases

In this special episode, JT, AJ, Joe and Special Guest Ben from Neurodiverse Gaming give an intro to DND and RPG's in general. If you have never played DND 5E and you are curious what is is all about this episode breaks it down. We discuss how the game is formated, how to build a character, what resources to use and anything else we think you need to get started play DND 5E.Please check out Neurodiverse Gaming and all the great things they do:https://neurodiversegaming.comhttps://www.facebook.com/neurodiversegaming

In this episode AJ and Joe continue their downtime interviews with their Special Guest Samantha. They try to give the player perspective on playing in a West March Campaign and Role Playing Games in General.If you liked listening to Samantha definitely also check her out at:https://www.facebook.com/samwin.cosplayInstagram: @samwin.cosplayTwitter: @samwin_cosplay

In this episode AJ and Joe continue their downtime interviews with their Special Guest Tom. They try to give the player perspective on playing in a West March Campaign and Role Playing Games in General.

In this episode AJ and Joe kick off their downtime interviews with their Special Guest Nicole. They try to give the player perspective on playing in a West March Campaign and Role Playing Games in General.If you liked listening to Nicole definitely also check her out at:Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/lahtnesorInstagram @maplesaurcosplay https://www.neurodiversegaming.com/

In this episode AJ and Joe kick off their downtime interviews with their Special Guest Aly. They try to give the player perspective on playing in a West March Campaign and Role Playing Games in General. If you liked listening to Aly definitely also check her out at:https://www.facebook.com/itouchmyshelf/ Instagram: itms_podcast

In this episode, JT, AJ, and Joe talk about communication and talking to your players. They discuss what they do to provide an open line of communication between everyone at the table. This episode kicks off our mini-series of episodes to come with our players and how a west march looks from the other side of the table.

In this episode, JT, AJ, and Joe talk about moving to online play and how they've done it. They discuss what works for them and the struggles they have encountered so far. They also will try and give you some tips for player engagment when you can't all be at the table. Warning: During this episode COVID-19 will be discussed. If you are not in a good place, please stay safe and keep your mental heatlh a priority. 

In this episode, JT, AJ, and Joe dig into homebrewing in a West March setting and beyond. Making magic items can be a fickle thing and if they aren't explored completely, can affect your campaign in a unintentionally negative way. They detail all sorts of different ways to make magic items work for you, how to adjust on the fly if you find that something was too powerful, and and how you can apply homebrew assets to all facets of your game.

In this episode, JT, AJ, and Joe are joined by special guests Nick (https://www.twitch.tv/zechipew)  and Nick (https://www.twitch.tv/equosthegremlin)discuss how they run a mini-series. They detail what went into their approach and how it looks different from a typical West March Session.

In this episode, JT, AJ, and Joe detail how to make the world fight back and why it's important. They touch on how this helps a West March Style campaign feel more immersive and detail how they've utilized this to make it work at their table.

In this episode, JT and Joe detail what they do to plan a session in a West March Environment. They touch on why it's different from a normal campaign, steps to take to enable continuity between sessions, and encourage flexibility in how the session plays out at the table. 

In this episode, AJ, JT and Joe dive into their encyclopedia and what it takes to put it together. Check out the current document here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NZ9WmvSGThoAUAT5SjgAKNT6sse4tjMATvEDSSGspMc/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode, AJ, JT and Joe dive into playing with multiple DM's and how to make it work. This includes when to talk to your fellow DM's and when to do it alone. They also discuss how to keep continuity, when to restrict and allow freedoms within the world and tips on adding new DM's to the game.

In this episode, AJ, JT and Joe dive into staying organized with large groups of players.They detail how they keeping people returning to the table, address how to deal with playing with multiple character levels, touch on power leveling, and discuss how to run a session with a lot of people at the table at once.

In this episode, AJ and JT begin to touch on what it means to run an evil-focused West March "The East March" congruent to a traditionally good-focused campaign. Warning: This episode contains evil characters doing evil things and touching on subjects that some may find triggering include rape and murder. Listen at your own discretion. 18+

In this episode, Joe details character downtime and how he uses it to expand the breadth of a West March style campaign. He'll also spend some time explaining what the benefits are and more importantly how execute it with room to make it work for you

JT brings on one of the players as a guest and they discuss having a Player Driven Campaign, Plot Hooks, and what it's like playing with multiple DM's.

Joe, JT, and AJ talk about what a West March DND campaign is and how to effectively run for 10+ People.