HUGE NEWS and an action-packed mega episode! Beyond the Material is launching a brand new website with more content and features, and to celebrate, we’re giving away copies of some classic D&D video game adaptations! Find the details at the end of the Notes Below!
In this episode, Zach, Stephen and Drej dissect the backbone of all D&D games: the encounter! What is it? How do you define the goals of an encounter? What makes them sometimes incredibly fun, and other times absolutely terrible? The BtM crew breaks it all down for you, and offer tons of creative ideas to make your encounters more interesting and engaging for everyone at the table. PLUS a new feature, the Surprise Round! Find out which D&D class the guys would be if such things were possible in everyday life, and as always a brand new Design of the Week - this time it’s a two-for-one, two different summoning items with potential to make great narrative or deadly traps: the Fire Snake Candle and Salamander Candle.
GIVEAWAY!! Beyond the Material is giving away THREE COPIES of Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition and one copy of Solasta: Crown of the Magister. The first three people to write a review for the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser and contact us with a screenshot of their review will receive a copy of Baldur’s Gate (distributed through DRM-free Serial key via Good Old Games). EVERYONE that submits a review and contacts us (even our lucky BG winners) will be entered in a drawing for the copy of Solasta. We have to receive your review by 11:59pm EST, September 14 2022 to be eligible for the drawing. You can submit your review screenshot through the contact section on www.beyondthematerialpodcast.com or via email to contact@beyondthematerialpodcast.com. GO FOR THE EYES, BOO!
Episode Points of Interest:
0:22 Welcome
1:37 Website Launch! Giveaways!
4:06 Surprise Round!
6:10 What is an Encounter?
10:36 Defining the point
13:07 Balancing Encounters
18:25 Should all encounters be winnable?
21:33 Encounter Turning Points
24:10 Encounters and Expectations
28:44 What Makes Encounters bad?
31:05 Ways to Make Encounters Better
35:40 Adjusting Difficulty mid-encounter
38:49 Design of the Week: Salamander Candle
Beyond the Material is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.