Nine Dungeons & Dragons Influencers to Follow
Since its humble beginnings on Gary Gygax’s coffee table in the early 1970s, Dungeons and Dragons has grown into a world-famous brand valued at $15 billion. D&D is now played by approximately 50 million people, and the game is supported by a whole community of influencers and content creators.
Whether you’re looking to start playing or are already a seasoned Dungeon Master looking to explore new facets of your dice habit, here’s a list of nine of the most interesting DnD influencers to follow.
Important role
There is no one more influential in Dungeons and Dragon than Critical Role . The web series, which features a group of charismatic voice actors from Los Angeles rolling dice, has changed the way just about everyone plays, with character improvisation and free-flowing storytelling thanks to super-grandmaster Matt Mercer replacing the math of D&D . -and-tactical roots. Since Critical Role launched in 2015, it has amassed over 2.4 million subscribers on YouTube and has inspired countless people to head to the hobby store on game night or grab a starter kit and start throwing magic missiles.
Dingo Doodles
On the other side of the continuum from Critical Role is Dingo Doodles, a quirky homegrown YouTube channel created by a man who clearly loves the game. Dingo is a young illustrator/animator who has been regularly posting videos for the past six years showcasing the ongoing episodic Dungeons and Dragons campaign called Fool’s Gold, interesting videos about things like all-out gang kills , and random tips for players and DMs , for example, how best to improvise.
Bonus action
Being a Dungeon Master is hard , but there is a ton of educational content out there, like Bonus Action . This YouTube channel, which details the art of being a dungeon master, includes countless videos that try to help DMs improve their game, covering topics such as the most powerful phrases DMs use to hook players , how to create memorable NPCs, and gameplay in them. and how to create an exciting fight . But rather than just giving an opinion, Bonus Action presents examples of some of the best DMs in the world to get the point across. Viewing is required for private messages.
Pictures of Deerstalker
Sydney-based production company Deerstalker Pictures creates short comedy videos based on Dungeons and Dragons, with impressive production values, talented and charismatic performers and (usually) funny jokes. The Deerstalker 1 For All series ( DnD nerds will get the joke) is in its fifth season and features an ongoing story that switches from players at the table to their characters in the game world, often with full musical numbers. This is very impressive. Watch Clash of the Bards to see what I mean.
Stephen Colbert
Having previously hosted CBS ‘ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and Comedy Central’s Colbert Report , Stephen Colbert has some real influence in the real world, but he’s also a longtime D&D player. I use Colbert to introduce all of Hollywood’s role-playing game nerds, including Vin Diesel , Jon Favreau , Joseph Gordon Levitt , and many more. Either way, watch Colbert play one-off with Matt Mercer in the video above—the joy on his face is contagious.
Dungeon Dudes
People like Stephen Colbert and the Critical Role actors play D&D , and it’s kind of nerdy, but they’re not really nerdy . Kelly McLaughlin and Monty Martin, the hosts of the YouTube channel Dungeon Dudes , are real people: basement-dwelling, pale-skinned, rule-abiding, real-life D&D nerds . Hi all! Their channel goes into depth on topics such as the new fifth edition subclasses , crafting magic items , the best cantrips , and more.
Dungeons and daddies
To me, Dungeons and Dragons is part game, part jokes we make around the table, the spirit that Dungeons and Daddies embodies. This is the funniest Dungeons and Dragons podcast in the world. This real-life gaming series tells the story of a group of suburban dads who are transported to the Forgotten Realms. It’s a great concept, and the cast of professional writers like Anthony Burch, Matt Arnold and Will Campos are smart and ready for every weird twist and ridiculous situation.
Experience up to level 3
A lot of people who play Dungeons and Dragons are jerks—confident jerks with no social skills. “Munchkins,” as we called them, are annoying, but they are an important thread in the great tapestry of tabletop role-playing games. I’m using XP up to level 3 to represent this sub-genre of gamers, but mainly because it looks the part. His videos have a munchkin vibe, but he’s probably not a bad dude. I’m sure he knows the rules better than I do, and I bet he has more miniatures too.
Ginny Dee
Jeannie Dee’s personality, style and enthusiasm are infectious. She seems like one of those people who didn’t play D&D before, but now it’s more inclusive, she’s an expert. Dee’s YouTube channel offers advice to both players and DMs, with videos such as “How to Be a Dungeon Master If You Have ADHD” , “How to Create a Wizard Who Isn’t Boring ” and ” 5 Backstories of Bad Habits That Are Driving Your DM Crazy ” (which should be required viewing for every new player.)