[5 min read]
I have now been playing, DM'ing and voraciously consuming D&D content for over a year now, and I think it high time to talk about those content creators that have sustained me between sessions the most. I consume these in Podcast and Youtube audio form whilst I handle the mundanity of life with two small kids, so I have centred the lists around these channels. But I also read Reddit, Quorum and an assortment of other blogs when I am at the desk and looking for a quick hit. These written sites are not included below, but I might do a blog roundup in the future!
Best for players
For players looking for general lore, guides to the rules, character builds and optimisation, here are my most recommended channels:
The Dungeoncast
If you're new to D&D Fifth Edition, start here! This long running podcast runs through races, classes, sub-classes, deities, monsters and planes of existence, not only introducing their mechanics, but with a healthy dose of exposition on their lore. They are also very approachable and often hilarious.
Dungeon Dudes
The Dungeon Dudes are one of the most well-known creators with a broad range of content in the form of player guides, DM tips and their own D&D live play series. They post at least twice a week with high production quality and are pitched at a level that will appeal to new and experienced players alike.
D4 D&D Deep Dive
My first introduction to optimisation in D&D, Colby from D4 picks a character concept each week with a unique theme, and then recommends an optimal way to build out the character. He assesses and ranks them based on simple formulas for damage, healing, survivability etc depending on the role of the character build. Colby delivers these with a warm and engaging style.
Treantmonk's Temple
Treantmonk has been building character guides and providing videos for many years and is respected by the community for often bringing a different point of view than the conventional wisdom. His character builds often have unusual combinations that are supported with serious number-crunching.
Best for Dungeon Masters
For new or experienced Dungeon Masters looking for tips on how to run better, more fun sessions, here are my most recommended channels:
Matt Colville (MCDM)
Matt Colville is an ex-video game developer and long time Dungeon Master, whose DM-focused videos are now considered one of the best ways to learn how to run the game. Matt brings a ton of energy and personality to his over 100 videos on the topic that is well worth checking out if you want to take the plunge from player to DM.
Sly Flourish
Sly Flourish is a D&D blogger and author who is also active on Youtube and podcasts, bringing his intelligent recommendations on how to DM sessions with the right level of preparation. His hardcover book, Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master is hallowed reading in the DM community and I thoroughly recommend it.
The Dungeon Coach
Are you looking to bring your DM game to the next level? The Dungeon Coach is a high-energy, passionate personality who specialises in publishing home-brewed rules supplements in areas of the Fifth Edition that are lacking e.g. mass combat, expanded travel rules, and new tactical combat options.
Bob World Builder
Bob World Builder creates a range of interesting, diverse content, that often brings in real world parallels to help contextualise the D&D ruleset. E.g. Bob walked 24 miles to see if overland travel rules in D&D were realistic! But I personally leaned on Bob for more of his great suggestions on how to run campaigns like Dragon of Icespire Peak and how to combine with Lost Mines of Phandelver. He also does very abbreviated let's plays of the missions he provides guides on, which is a really cool way to show and not just tell.
Honourable mentions
Best livestream - Dungeons of Drakkenheim
After trying Critical Role, High Rollers, MCDM Chains of Acheron, and many other live streams, I settled on the Dungeon Dude's live play in their home-brewed Drakkenheim setting. I find Monty's thoughtful and evocative DM style works well in podcast form, and the players do a great job roleplaying out the tough decisions in a very faction-heavy, cosmic horror campaign.
Best product roundups - Nerd Immersion
Shout out to Ted from Nerd Immersion who is my go-to for D&D news & product reviews. His excellent monthly round-up of DM's Guild content is great for shining a light on the best independent content available.
Best for laughs - DnD Shorts
DnD Shorts exploded on to the scene recently and quickly amassed a bunch of subscribers thanks to his hilarious, creative and well produced videos. These are mostly centred on players who want to hack or exploit the D&D rules (e.g. how to get 200 hit points at level 1) or generally push the power level to the limit. DMs be warned if your players start watching!
Best high brow - Dungeon Masterpiece
Fashion points for the classiest personality in D&D go to Baron de Ropp of Dungeon Masterpiece. His blurb outlines his focus:
how to run better D&D sessions by critically analyzing gaming systems, and illustrates superior worldbuilding and quest hooking through the lens of History, Sociology, and Geopolitics. This is great stuff for DMs creating believable, home-brewed worlds.
Best mainstream success - Critical Role
It would be remiss of me not to mention the juggernaut that is Critical Role. While I've had trouble sticking with their live plays all the way through given their heavy emphasis on character development and roleplaying over combat, tactics, and exploration (my personal penchant), they have catapulted D&D into the mainstream and brought in a huge new audience. Critical Role blazed the trail into making serious coin from content creation in D&D, likely helping the others on my list on their way to doing the gig full-time.
Final thoughts
These talented creators have provided me hours upon hours of great content to help guide my character choices, level up my DM'ing, and generally sustain me between sessions. Hopefully you find something that speaks to you in the list above and dive into some new D&D goodness today!
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