Difficulty Class
197 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 20 ratingsWelcome to Difficulty Class, a Podcast about all things Dungeons and Dragons and occasionally other fun TTRPGs. Hosted by Treavor Bettis and Allie Deutschmann, each week we bring a topic to talk about, plus give time for listeners to write in with questions or their own advice for playing D&D.
If you’d like to be part of the show you can write in to [email protected]
Intro/Outro by Jay Yi @PoundJayYi
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Episodes
Ep. 62: Dropping to Zero Hit Points & We Make a Spell!
November 13, 2020 15:00 - 58 minutes - 54.5 MBThis week Allie and Treavor talk about dropping to zero hit points - and what that means at higher levels. They even make a new house rule for their games around it! After that Allie needs to make a spell and Treavor has never done that before. Yay for learning together! If you have a question, topic, or suggestion for the show you can send them in to [email protected]
Previously On: Catching up with Allie
November 07, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 58 MBAllie is back! And this episode is all about her and the Sword Coast Guard! Find out what they have been up to in the past few weeks and try to count how many action movie moments they had! Music and Sound by Syrinscape. syrinscape.com/?att_Difficulty_Class Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/?id=16068&id=44988&id=12155&id=499&id=25971
Ep. 61: Tableside Chat with Lee Goldberg of Griddle Champions and DanCakes.com!
November 06, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 66.1 MBThis week Treavor sits down with Lee Goldberg - pancake artist extraordinaire who makes all the awesome characters and monster of Idle Champions into delicious treats. After we get to know him and his story we talk about embracing your characters flaws to make a more interesting story. If you want you question, topic, or advice read on the show you can send them in to [email protected]!
Ep. 60: Tableside Chat with (some of) The Golden Pals!
October 30, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBThis week Treavor sits down with three of his players - Kristy, St. James, and Alex. They talk about starting the campaign we started two years ago and the thought behind their characters and the Golden Pals. After that Treavor does a DM Check In with his players - not just to find out how things are going in his game, but to give an example of how that could go for your group.
Bonus Episode 11: UA Subclasses 5
October 28, 2020 21:44 - 46 minutes - 37.3 MBAllie is back for a bonus episode! We sit down to talk about the recently released Way of the Ascendant Dragon and the Drakewarden. Find out what we think about these two new subclasses as we go through the whole UA.
Previously On: You're Making This Weird
October 24, 2020 14:00 - 48 minutes - 36.6 MBDusty Hill from Shouting in Place joins Treavor once again as they talk about Monster of the Week prep, their Pathfinder Second Edition game, and what ridiculous things the Golden Pals are up to this week. Music and Sound by Syrinscape. syrinscape.com/?att_difficulty_class Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/?id=7&id=10459&id=25971&id=26452
Tableside Chat with Luna from Luboffin YouTube Channel
October 23, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 46.3 MBThis week Treavor sits down with Luna to talk about her Luboffin YouTube Channel that's all about helping people learn DnD and give advice from her experiences. After that they talk about note taking for a bit and why you should be doing it. Stay tuned after the episode to hear a preview of Champions of Lore - the new twitch stream / podcast from Codename Entertainment hosted by Treavor with B. Dave Walters and Erin M. Evans talking about all the awesome lore behind some of Idle Champions cha...
Previously On: You Need to Know a Few Things First...
October 17, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBOn this episode Dusty from Shouting in Place Podcast joins Treavor as they talk about their recent games. Music and Sound by Syrinscape. syrinscape.com/?att_Difficulty_Class Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/?id=12155&id=7&id=26452&id=25971&id=16067
Ep. 58: Tableside Chat with Jasper William Cartwright from Three Black Halflings Podcast
October 16, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBThis week Treavor sits down with Jasper from Three Black Halflings Podcast. We talk about how he got into DnD and his side of how the Podcast got started. After that we talk about how we go about making our characters interesting - but get into a lot of tangents along the way. If you would like your questions, topics, or suggestions read on the show send them in to [email protected] and we'll talk about them on a future episode!
Ep. 57: Tableside Chat with The Xanathar (AKA Dusty Weathers)
October 09, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 44.8 MBThis week Treavor (with terrible audio he feels bad about) sits down with Dusty Weathers - the mortal behind the Xanathar account on Twitter and host of the new podcast Behoster. They talk about what it's like running a parody account, how awesome it is to start a podcast, and plenty of tangents along the way. You can find him at the links below: https://linktr.ee/BehostPod https://twitter.com/TXanathar https://twitter.com/DustyWeathers
Previously On: For Glory
October 03, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 73.9 MBOn this weeks Previously On Allie has an adventure on the Wildemount Sea, the Sword Coast Guard eat some weird bread, the Golden Pals walk through a crypt, and the Harrowed become legends. Twice. If you want your story read on the show send them in to [email protected]!
Ep. 56: Sorta Homebrew & The Rules Don't Matter
October 02, 2020 14:00 - 52 minutes - 57 MBThis week we talk about how and why we only sorta do Homebrew with our games and what we like about doing it that way. After that we get real honest and tell you, well, the rules don't matter. If you would like your topic, question, or advice read on the show you can send them in to [email protected].
Previously On: King is acting real sus
September 26, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 72.6 MBOn this weeks Previously On the Golden Pals make a strange new friend, the Harrowed become legend, and the Sword Coast Guard play Among Us with some gnomes! Music and Sound by Syrinscape. syrinscape.com/?att_difficulty_class Because Epic Games Need Epic Sound Complete list of credits here: https://syrinscape.com/attributions/?id=21522&id=23029&id=10460&id=44983&id=16068
Ep. 55: Rime of the Frostmaiden First Impressions & Starting at Higher Levels
September 25, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 58.5 MBRime of the Frostmaiden is out! This week we sit down and talk about our Non-Spoiler First Impressions of the new campaign book and if we're excited about running things from it. After listener Aaron gives us the topic of Staring at Higher Levels. We talk about our experience with that, as well as starting a new prewritten campaigns with with established groups. If you would like your questions, topic, or suggestions read on the show you can send them in to [email protected]! Thank ...
Previously On: Dahlia Talks to the Great White Moose
September 19, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 78.3 MBWelcome to the first episode of Previously On - a show where Allie and Treavor of Difficulty Class talk about the games they are a part of. If you love hearing about other peoples games as much as we do we think you'll love this. On this episode we reintroduce ourselves, talk about the groups that we are currently in, and then get into what's been going on in our weekly games. Timestamps: 31:00 - Rime of the Frostmaiden Spoilers 57:15 - Descent into Avernus Spoilers Music and Sound by ...
Ep. 54: XP vs Milestone & Combat Pacing
September 18, 2020 14:00 - 55 minutes - 60.5 MBThis week we try out a new format! With this new way of doing the show we are getting straight into the topics - but don't worry! If you enjoy us talking about our games that has been broken out into it's own show called Previously On which will go up on this same feed every Saturday morning. We would really love for you to check it out. On this episode we talk about Experience Point Leveling vs Milestone Leveling and why we prefer one over the other. After that we get into some combat paci...
Ep. 53: MIA Players & Making NPCs
September 11, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 67.7 MBThis week we sit down to talk about what we do when Players aren't able to make a session or are just straight up MIA. After that we get into our ways of making NPCs and what success we've had with out methods. You can send in your questions, topic suggestions, and advice to [email protected] and we'll talk about them on a future episode!
Ep. 52: Making NPCs & House Rules
September 04, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 90.5 MBThis week we sit down to talk about how we go about making NPCs - both on the fly and ahead of time - as well as what House Rules we use and why. At the end we answer a listener question about what Movie we would make into a DnD Campaign! If you would like your question, topic, or advice read on the show send them in to [email protected] and we'll talk about them on a future episode!
Ep. 51: Saltmarsh Review & Using DnD Books for Homebrews
August 28, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 100 MBThis week we review and rank Ghosts of Saltmarsh and talk about Using prewritten DnD Book for Homebrews. Spoilers - we get cheerier after the Salrmarsh Review. If you would like your questions, topics, or advice read on the show you can send them in to [email protected] and we'll read them on a future episode. Thank you to DungeonNotebook.com for sponsoring this episode. You can pick up the Tome of Delving for 5e today and upgrade your character sheet for your next adventure!
Ep. 50: Tableside Chat with Unati from Three Black Halflings
August 21, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 77.1 MBThis week we sit down with Unati from the Three Black Halflings podcast! We talk about her getting her start with dnd, how the show came to be, and how we can all put diversity in our games. If you would like your questions, topic, or advice read on the show you can send them in to [email protected] and we'll talk about them on a future episode!
Ep. 49: Storytelling as a DM and Prepping Revisited with Eric Jordan
August 14, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 88.5 MBOn this weeks episode we sit down once again with the ever awesome Eric Jordan from Codename Entertainment. We talk about Storytelling as a DM and revisit an old topic of How We Prep. If you would like your questions, topics, or advice read on the show send them in to [email protected]!
Ep. 48: Dark Matter 5e with Justin Forkner
August 07, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 89.5 MBThis week we sit down with Justin Forkner from Mage Hand Press to learn all about Dark Matter for 5e. If you like space and D&D this episode was made for you. After that we take a deep dive into their current Kickstarter for the Dark Matter Starter Kit and everything that's coming with it. If you want your questions, topics, or advice read on the show you can send them in to [email protected]
Bonus Episode 10: UA Subclasses 4
August 05, 2020 23:12 - 46 minutes - 48.1 MBOn this bonus episode we sit down to talk about the recently released Unearthed Arcana - which has the College of Spirits Bard and the Undead Patron for Warlocks. Check out what we thought about this UA and what we think these playtests might be leading to.
Ep. 47: Transitioning Systems & Fudging Dice Rolls
July 31, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 91.4 MBOn this weeks episode we are joined by our friend Dusty Hill from the Shouting in Place Podcast! We talk about what systems we would change our on-going games to if we were to leave DnD and what our thoughts are on Fudging Dice rolls on both sides of the screen. We're also announcing a t-shirt fundraiser to give money to Color of Change and Black Table Arts - check out our twitter @DifficultyClass for more!
Ep. 46: Recognizing Burnout & Media to Inspire You
July 24, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 77.8 MBOn this weeks episode we talk about recognizing burnout with RPGs and how media has inspired us as DMs. After that we answer a fun mechanical question from our friend Dusty Hill. If you want to send in your questions, topic suggestions, or advice you can send them in to [email protected]!
The Diversity Problem in Dungeons and Dragons
July 22, 2020 14:00 - 40 minutes - 45.4 MBIn this episode we talk about the problem DnD currently has with diversity - both in print and in real life.
Ep. 45: State of Our Games
July 17, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBThis week we talk about how our games have been going over the summer; what's happened, what's changed, and even some new ways we found to play our favorite TTRPG. You can send in your questions, topic suggestions, and/or advice to [email protected] and we'll probably talk about it on a future show!
Ep. 46: State of Our Games
July 17, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBThis week we talk about how our games have been going over the summer; what's happened, what's changed, and even some new ways we found to play our favorite TTRPG. You can send in your questions, topic suggestions, and/or advice to [email protected] and we'll probably talk about it on a future show!
Bonus Episode: UA Feats 2020
July 15, 2020 16:12 - 44 minutes - 41.2 MBIn this bonus episode we sit down and go over the recently released Unearthed Arcana - which brought a whole bunch of cool feats to the table!
Ep. 45: Tableside Chat with Eric Jordan
July 10, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBThis week we sit down with the CEO of Codename Entertainment, Eric Jordan. We talk about his early career, getting to make Idle Champions, and his love for making items for his DnD games. Don't forget to get your Idle Champions code during the show because it's worth TWO Gold Chests this week!
Ep. 44: Tableside Chat with Eric Jordan
July 10, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBThis week we sit down with the CEO of Codename Entertainment, Eric Jordan. We talk about his early career, getting to make Idle Champions, and his love for making items for his DnD games. Don't forget to get your Idle Champions code during the show because it's worth TWO Gold Chests this week!
Bonus Episode: Thornblood Manuscripts Epilogue
July 05, 2020 14:00 - 28 minutes - 29.7 MBWe recorded a bonus episode right after we finished playing the Thronblood Manuscripts talking about what we thought of Call of Cthulhu. It was a much needed light episode after the insanity of what Ben ran us through and over all a fun discussion about the system itself and what we all think of it. We'll be back next Friday with an all new episode of Difficulty Class! Send in your questions to [email protected]
The Thornblood Manuscripts: Episode 4 (Finale)
July 03, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 90.9 MBFour Arkham residents are thrust together into a mystery of horror and magic as something old and forgotten begins to infect the minds of their city. Ben (AKA Puffinforest) runs us through an absolutely horrifying adventure using the Seventh Edition of Call of Cthulhu. Did we die? Did we lose our minds? Find out in this four part series!
The Thornblood Manuscripts: Episode 3
June 26, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBFour Arkham residents are thrust together into a mystery of horror and magic as something old and forgotten begins to infect the minds of their city. Ben (AKA Puffinforest) runs us through an absolutely horrifying adventure using the Seventh Edition of Call of Cthulhu. Did we die? Did we lose our minds? Find out in this four part series!
Bonus Episode 9: DnD Live 2020 with Justice Arman
June 24, 2020 16:51 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBWe decided to sit down with our friend Justice Arman and talk about all the awesome cool stuff announced at DnD Live 2020. Check Justice out on Twitter at @justice_arman, and find his work on dmsguild.com as well as beadleandgrimms.com.
The Thornblood Manuscripts: Episode 2
June 19, 2020 14:00 - 50 minutes - 53.8 MBFour Arkham residents are thrust together into a mystery of horror and magic as something old and forgotten begins to infect the minds of their city. Ben (AKA Puffinforest) runs us through an absolutely horrifying adventure using the Seventh Edition of Call of Cthulhu. Did we die? Did we lose our minds? Find out in this four part series!
Bonus Episode 8: We're a Year Old!
June 14, 2020 14:00 - 42 minutes - 46.5 MBOn this bonus episode we celebrate the podcasts First Birthday! Yes, it's a lot of us talking about ourselves, but we hope you'll enjoy this stroll down memory lane.
The Thornblood Manuscripts: Episode 1
June 12, 2020 14:00 - 54 minutes - 57.6 MBFour Arkham residents are thrust together into a mystery of horror and magic as something old and forgotten begins to infect the minds of their city. Ben (AKA Puffinforest) runs us through an absolutely horrifying adventure using the Seventh Edition of Call of Cthulhu. Did we die? Did we lose our minds? Find out in this four part series!
Introduction to Call of Cthulhu
May 29, 2020 14:00 - 57 minutes - 58.4 MBThis week Treavor and his lovely wife Tara run through a solo adventure for Call of Cthulhu - Alone Against the Flames - which can be found in the Starter Kit. This will hopefully help everyone understand some of the rules for Call of Cthulhu ahead of the next four episodes in which Ben (Puffin Forest) will be running us through his homebrew game. Enjoy!
Tableside Chat: Monster of the Week
May 24, 2020 14:00 - 36 minutes - 37.7 MBATTENTION: If you haven't listened to Episode 5 of Witchwood do that first before listening to this bonus episode. After finished our Witchwood game we started up another recording to talk about how we felt about Monster of the Week as a system. The players talk about character creation, learning the rules, and actually playing the game. After that Treavor talks for a little bit about how setting up the Mystery and overall running Monster of the Week went for him.
Witchwood: Episode 5
May 22, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 85.9 MBIn this finale episode the hunters have to work together, but separately in order to defeat the monster lurking in the town of Witchwood. Thank you once again to Dungeonnotebook.com for sponsoring this Witchwood series - and please go check out their product, the Tome of Delving, and upgrade your character sheet today!
Witchwood: Episode 4
May 15, 2020 14:00 - 58 minutes - 54.1 MBOn this episode the Hunters come in contact with their Monster of the Week.
Bonus Episode: UA Phantom, Genie, and Order of the Scribe
May 13, 2020 23:29 - 52 minutes - 55.3 MBOn this bonus episode we talk about the recently released Unearthed Arcana which reimagines the Revived Rogue, the Noble Genie Patron, and the Artificer Archivist into the Phantom, the Genie, and the Order of the Scribe.
Witchwood: Episode 3
May 08, 2020 15:54 - 59 minutes - 55 MBThis week the hunters get closer to figuring out what's going on in and around Witchwood. Their investigation leads them out into the forest, following strange lights in the dark. Are these lights helpful? Or a new threat? Thank you again to DungeonNotebook.com for sponsoring Witchwood. Check out the Tome of Delving today and upgrade your 5th Edition character sheet!
Witchwood: Episode 2
May 01, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 70.7 MBOn this episode the hunters follow their line of clues around Witchwood and start uncovering things that aren't so dreamy about the mountain town. This Season of Games is sponsored by DungeonNotebook.com and their Tome of Devling. Check out this hard cover character folio and upgrade your game!
Witchwood: Episode 1
April 24, 2020 14:00 - 54 minutes - 50.5 MBUPDATE: Audio has been fixed! In this first episode of our Monster of the Week game the Hunters arrive in Witchwood, CA and start to investigate the death of Nancy Strickland. Was it a bear attack? Or was it something darker? This Witchwood series is sponsored by Dungeonnotebook.com - the maker of the Tome of Delving! Check out this awesome character notebook and fancy up your next Dungeons and Dragons game!
Witchwood: Session Zero
April 17, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBThis week we are making characters for our Monster of the Week game titled Witchwood. Allie, Spencer, Tara, and Dusty create four urban fantasy characters that are going to uncover a mystery and maybe a monster terrorizing a small northern California town. If you've never heard of or played Monster of the Week this is a good episode to listen to ahead of our first episode of the mystery next week. Write in with what you think of the characters and what they might face to DifficultyClass@gmai...
Bonus Episode: Psionic Options Revisited
April 15, 2020 21:21 - 1 hour - 84.4 MBA new UA means a new Bonus Episode. Find out what we think about the new options and where we want to see Wizards go with this concept in the future.
Ep. 43: Listener Questions!
April 10, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 106 MBBefore we start up an Actual Play season we're answering all the listener questions in our email. We have some really good discussions about future UAs, spicy combat - and more!
Ep. 42: Tableside Chat with Ryan Blake Hall AKA Storyteller Mars
April 03, 2020 14:00 - 1 hour - 82.7 MBOn this episode we sit down with Ryan Blake Hall AKA Storyteller Mars on Twitch to talk about his journey and a lot of Idle Champions. Seriously - a lot of idle champions. After all of that we answer a listener question about campaign settings we'd like to see brought to 5e and we go to some interesting places with that one. If you'd like to send in your own question, topic, or whatever you can email them to [email protected]!