Kathy Stone

Kathy Stone has been in love with words (and games) since she was a child. Kathy’s favorite books growing up were from the Sweet Valley High series, Nancy Drew, and the Goosebumps series. She loved playing the Nintendo and later the Super Nintendo. She is a mother of one and is living in Indianapolis, IN. Kathy loves a good book, a good laugh, and has been occasionally known to partake in a D&D session or three. I am Spartacus! I am a wage slave! I am Paul Bellow!

D&D Encounter Design Guide: How to Make Every Dice Roll Matter in Your Campaigns

by Kathy Stone

It’s a familiar scene: the table is set, miniatures stand ready upon the gridded map, and the dice begin to tumble. Yet, despite the promise of adventure, something feels off. The tension fizzles, conversation drifts to snacks or social media, and the …

Best Backgrounds for Barbarians in D&D 5e: Complete Guide for Roleplay & Combat Synergy

by Kathy Stone

Backgrounds in Dungeons & Dragons 5e are far more than a quick menu pick; they’re a secret ingredient for character depth, offering a taste of who your hero was before gathering with other adventurers. These origins shape not only what your character …

Play as a Bounty Hunter in D&D With This Mandalorian-Inspired Homebrew Class

by Kathy Stone

D&D… But You’re a Mandalorian Bounty Hunter? This is the way! A galaxy far, far away collides with the winding corridors of forgotten dungeons: welcome to the Mandalorian Bounty Hunter, a homebrew D&D class that braids the enigmatic culture of Mandalore into …

DnD 2024 Magic Item Crafting Rules Explained: What’s Changing and Why

by Kathy Stone

In the annals of Dungeons & Dragons, crafting magic items has long dwelled on the fringes—a whispered possibility, a vestige from earlier editions that most tables ignored or handled with broad DM fiat. It was a tool for the rare Artificer or …

New DnD 2025 Monster Manual Stat Block Format Revealed (Full Breakdown)

by Kathy Stone

There are few Dungeons & Dragons innovations more iconic—or more scrutinized—than the monster stat block. Since the earliest days of AD&D, those compact grids of abilities, traits, and attacks have been the Dungeon Master’s silent ally. Each edition has shaped, stretched, and …

How to Keep Your D&D Players Engaged Every Session Without Burning Out

by Kathy Stone

Every Dungeon Master knows the anxiety: the table is set, the snacks are out, dice glint in the light—yet half your players drift off midway through the session, checking their phones, lost in the fog of boredom. Or perhaps they show up …

8 Practical Tips for Balancing Combat and Roleplay in Every Dungeons & Dragons Session

by Kathy Stone

A female armored warrior sits by a campfire in a forest, surrounded by gear, a sword, a shield, a helmet, an open book, and mugs. Tall trees and smoke create a misty, medieval fantasy atmosphere.

In every corner of the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse, a quiet struggle simmers beneath the clash of swords and the whispered secrets of darkened taverns: the art of balancing combat and roleplay. Dungeon Masters everywhere know this tension—the pressure to deliver satisfying, …

How to Use Backstory Generators to Create Deep D&D Rivalries and Unbreakable Alliances

by Kathy Stone

A lone adventurer with a sword stands at a forest crossroads at dawn, where banners hint at D&D rivalries, as mist swirls among ancient stone markers and trees.

In the intricate dance of Dungeons & Dragons storytelling, every character arrives at the table with secrets, scars, and dreams stitched into their soul—real or imagined. These hidden histories, particularly the ones entangled with rivalries and alliances, can ignite a campaign with …

Master the Rage: How Barbarians Dominate the Battlefield in Dungeons & Dragons

by Kathy Stone

A fierce female barbarian warrior in fur and armor stands against a fiery sky on the battlefield, gripping a large axe. Silhouettes of soldiers and flags loom behind her as she gazes ahead with an intense, determined expression.

When the thunderous roar of combat echoes through the dungeon halls, few classes blaze a trail of utter devastation quite like the barbarian. Theirs is the art of unrestrained force—a relentless storm of muscle, fury, and unbreakable grit that strikes fear into …

Live-Action D&D TV Show: Why Fans Keep Hoping (& Studios Keep Struggling)

by Kathy Stone

A woman in armor studies a script on the film set of a live-action D&D TV show. She stands before a large camera, surrounded by crew members and medieval-style props, capturing the imagination of fans with its historical or fantasy flair.

If you haven’t noticed, Dungeons & Dragons has experienced a significant surge in popularity, especially in the wake of the movie “Honor Among Thieves.” This renewed interest has sparked excitement around expanding D&D into more diverse forms of media, notably a live-action …

How TikTok and Instagram Made Board Games Cool Again…and Why You’re Missing Out

by Kathy Stone

A woman smiles while playing a board game in a cozy room. A camera on a tripod records her. The room has wooden shelves, plants, and a large round light fixture. Everything is mostly in black and white, with board game pieces in color.

In recent years, board games have experienced a cultural renaissance, with their presence extending beyond the traditional realms of family gatherings and enthusiast circles. This resurgence can be attributed, in large part, to the influence of social media platforms such as TikTok …

We Put Dance Dance Revolution Into Our D&D Game (And It Got Weird…but Fun!)

by Kathy Stone

Illustration of a person balancing on one hand over a patterned stone platform, reminiscent of a D&D dungeon challenge. They are dressed in rugged clothing with a holstered gun. The platforms glowing symbols hint at an ancient puzzle or trap, as if dodging dragons in an epic adventure.

Believe it or not, a weird new homebrew trend is taking both Dungeons & Dragons (DND) and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) enthusiasts by storm. Imagine a world where your nimble-footed bard challenges a fire-breathing dragon to a dance-off, or where a wizard’s …

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