Alphastream

The Alphastream Game Design Blog

Make the Most of 5E’s Planescape Adventures in the Multiverse

D&D brings back Planescape! Here’s how to make the most of the 5E adventure, Turn of Fortune’s Wheel, and the accompanying monster and setting books.

January 8, 2024 · Leave a comment

Improve Your Adventures and Campaigns by Focusing on Threats

The 5E Dungeon Master’s Guide narrowly defines a villain and their role in an adventure. By widening the definition and leaning into the concept of Threats, we can create better campaigns and adventures.

June 1, 2023 · 2 Comments

How to DM a Spelljammer Campaign

How can a DM make the most of the Spelljammer D&D campaign setting? I discuss key elements such as ship combat and exploration on the Dragon Talk podcast!

September 27, 2022 · Leave a comment

Spelljamer’s Locations and NPCs – Roll20 Dispatch

The final Roll20 Spelljammer blog focuses on the locations and NPCs in 5E’s Spelljammer. 32 years later, Spelljammer is back!

August 15, 2022 · Leave a comment

Your Game’s Lore? Make it Actionable!

Lore is often encyclopedic, hard to use and even intimidating for Dungeon Masters. Here is how actionable lore can change your game.

June 2, 2022 · 3 Comments

Reviewing Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons: A Mastering Dungeons Index

Learn all about Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons with this index of our Mastering Dungeons podcast review!

February 22, 2022 · Leave a 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 · 11 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

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

Learn to Play the New Dune RPG with this Mini-Series!

Want to learn how to play the new Dune RPG by Modiphius Entertainment? Of course you do! And your time to do that starts today, June 6th, at 5:30 PM Pacific (8:30 PM Eastern)!

July 6, 2021 · 4 Comments

Collaborative Campaign Creation on the Dragon Talk Podcast

Hear me on the official D&D podcast, discussing collaborative campaign building. Then get my free guide walking you through the process!

May 19, 2021 · Leave a comment

For a Great Campaign, Ask the PCs What Happens 10 to 100 Years After It Ends

This technique is a great way to end a campaign – but it is also how we can begin the design for a great campaign.

February 24, 2021 · Leave a comment

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