Alphastream

The Alphastream Game Design Blog

Dragon Talk: The Game Master’s Guide to Evolving Magic Items

How do we make magic items awesome? I answer this on the Dragon Talk official D&D podcast and in my new supplement The Game Master’s Guide to Evolving Magic Items!

January 14, 2022 · 6 Comments

How DMs can make the Most of Patron-Driven Dungeons & Dragons Campaigns

Make the most of D&D’s patron rules, creating a more interesting and engaging campaign where players are united by common goals.

December 23, 2021 · 2 Comments

Dragon Talk: Give Your D&D Campaigns Purpose with Group Patrons

Want an awesome D&D campaign? Make the most of 5E’s rules for a Group Patron – an organization or entity that oversees the party, often acting as employer, financier, or mentor.

December 15, 2021 · 1 Comment

Solving the Problem of Heroes Leaving Their Home Behind

Leaving home can lessen the emotional ties heroes have, and undermine their motivations. Let’s explore alternate approaches to correct this!

October 18, 2021 · 7 Comments

Why Do Heroes Leave Their Home Base Behind?

Why do heroes leave their home base behind, and what are the consequences of this design?

October 14, 2021 · 3 Comments

For an Epic Hero, What is the DC to Pick a Lock?

A level 20 hero finds a treasure chest in a D&D 5E game. What should the DC be to pick a lock? Let’s review two approaches and how to make them shine.

September 16, 2021 · 6 Comments

These Adventures Teach Us How to Offer Players Choices

Adventures that offer real choices? Let’s take a look at some from… get ready for this… 4E.

September 3, 2021 · 5 Comments

Why Adventures with Flowcharts May Offer No Choices

Just like a classic “choose your own adventure” book, a flowchart may offer no actual choices. Here’s how to change that.

August 12, 2021 · 7 Comments

Reviewing Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft for Players and DMs: A Mastering Dungeons Index

We provide an index to our podcast coverage of the book Van Richten’s Guide to Ravenloft.

July 15, 2021 · Leave a comment

Special Reasons Why DMs Have Trouble Challenging Players

We review special reasons why a DM may have trouble achieving the right challenge level for their players.

June 23, 2021 · 1 Comment

How to Challenge Players? Just Add Damage!

Why adding damage works better than other options for resolving the problems with encounter challenge… with some important considerations.

June 10, 2021 · 23 Comments

Why So Many DMs Have Trouble Challenging Players

Let’s look at the reasons why so many DMs struggle to challenge their players.

June 4, 2021 · 44 Comments

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