Kiera Mensah

Kiera Mensah is a bright star in the gaming journalism universe. With a smile that disarms and a wit that charms, Kiera's reviews and articles for the latest RPGs are a treasure trove of clever insights and pro-gamer tips. Her passion for storytelling shines through every piece, engaging readers with her lively analysis and captivating narratives. Kiera's pen is her sword, her keyboard her shield, as she navigates the digital realms with ease. She champions the inclusive spirit of gaming, always ready to highlight indie gems or deep-dive into the cultural impact of the medium. Whether it's a nostalgic look back at classic 8-bit adventures or a critical take on the newest VR experience, Kiera's words resonate with gamers of all backgrounds. I am Spartacus! I am a wage slave! I am Paul Bellow!

How I Use ChatGPT to Prep a Full DND Tabletop Session in 10 Minutes

by Kiera Mensah

We have all been there: it’s 5:30 PM, the session starts at 6:00, and all you have is a vague idea about goblins and a sticky note that says “cool sword.” The reality of being an adult Dungeon Master is that time …

When Dungeons & Dragons Rules Your Marriage

by Kiera Mensah

Marriage is an epic campaign. It has a long runtime, high stakes, and requires a massive amount of resource management. For some of us, however, the line between the vow “till death do us part” and the mechanics of a Death Saving …

Drunken Master Monk 5e: Top Reasons to Start Playing This Overlooked Monk Subclass Today

by Kiera Mensah

Blinking neon tavern lights flickered in the rain, painting slick stones with colors that promised both danger and laughter. Deep inside the Player’s Handbook, masked by half-hearted chuckles and the rolling eyes of table veterans, slumbered a subclass most would dismiss as …

10 Powerful Worldbuilding Tips Extracted from Obscure D&D Novels You’ve Never Read

by Kiera Mensah

Wizards’ archives overflow with the clattering bones of forgotten stories. Flickering between pages heavy with promises and woe, Dungeon Masters seeking more than charted dragon-haunts or over-polished lich kings find a gold-veined seam in the old, dog-eared novels passed over since the …

How to Survive Your First DND Session as a New Player (2025 Beginner Guide)

by Kiera Mensah

No one steps inside the world of Dungeons & Dragons with a map already etched in their head. You sit down, heart snagging on the unknown, every errant rule and wild possibility wrapping around your mind as the dice rattle in your …

10 Different Ways To Discover New Books

by Kiera Mensah

Need a new book to read? While it’s possible that you may already have a pile of novels to get through, you may still find yourself in a position where nothing in your to-read list is currently taking your fancy. In these …

How to Build the Highest-Damage Cleric in D&D 2025 (Better Than Fighters!)

by Kiera Mensah

In Dungeons & Dragons, the distinction between martial and magical prowess is becoming increasingly blurred. Clerics, once pigeonholed into the role of healers or support, now have the potential to rival—or even out-damage—fighters with the right build choices. The options available in …

5 Overpowered Rogue Builds for Dungeons & Dragons 2025 That Break the Game

by Kiera Mensah

Rogues have always held a special place in the hearts of Dungeons & Dragons fans. Their reputation as agile, resourceful, and cunning individuals keeps them at the center of countless legendary tales, from sneaking past deadly traps to orchestrating daring heists. Their …

Complete Guide to All DnD 5e Classes and Subclasses for New and Experienced Players

by Kiera Mensah

Few choices in Dungeons & Dragons matter more—or carry more weight—than your character’s class. This decision doesn’t simply determine how you roll for damage or which spells you fling in combat; it fundamentally shapes how your hero acts, feels, and grows, both …

DnD 2024 Evocation Wizard Subclass Guide: Full Deep Dive & Analysis

by Kiera Mensah

Few subclasses in the wizard’s sprawling legacy evoke—pun intended—the instinctive thrill of harnessing pure, eruptive magic as vividly as the Evoker, newly rechristened for clarity in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. The Evocation tradition is as old as Dungeons & Dragons itself, tracing …

How to Write LitRPG: Integrating Game Systems Into Your Story Without Losing Readers

by Kiera Mensah

LitRPG—short for “literary role-playing game”—occupies a rare crossroads where the pulse of video and tabletop mechanics meets narrative prose. It’s a genre that lures readers with the promise of familiar progression: stat sheets, level-ups, skills, and experience, all wrapped inside a living, …

Beyond Owls and Cats: Unique Familiars to Deepen Your D&D Character’s Lore

by Kiera Mensah

A woman in a star-patterned cloak stands in a mystical forest at night, surrounded by glowing lanterns and fireflies. She gazes in awe at a large, illuminated moth—her unique familiar—hovering near her hand, adding depth to her character lore.

There’s something quietly mesmerizing about the bond between a spellcaster and their familiar. To outsiders, these arcane companions might seem like little more than magical pets, summoned for utility and soon forgotten. But seasoned roleplayers and shrewd Dungeon Masters know the truth: …

D&D Starter Set 2025: Heroes of the Borderlands, Inside the Stunning Revival of a Classic!

by Kiera Mensah

An adventurer with long red hair stands on a rocky cliff, embodying the spirit of the Heroes of the Borderlands. With a bow in hand, they overlook a vast mountain valley at sunset. A billowing cape and pine trees frame the scene, evoking exploration and freedom.

The world of tabletop role-playing games is on the cusp of a thrilling evolution with the anticipated release of “Heroes of the Borderlands,” the new D&D Starter Set slated for September 16, 2025. This set deftly reimagines the legendary “The Keep on …

AI as Dungeon Master: Game-Changing Innovation or Your Worst D&D Nightmare?

by Kiera Mensah

A young woman in a cloak looks amazed as she sits at a wooden table with open books and glowing runes, much like an AI Dungeon Master weaving tales. Magical symbols and light swirl around her in a mystical room, creating an aura of enchantment and discovery.

Imagine a scene where you and your friends gather around the table for a session of Dungeons & Dragons. But this time, something’s different. Instead of your usual living, breathing Dungeon Master, it’s an AI—powered by GPT-4 or another language model—guiding your …

DnD Conditions Unlocked: Master Every Status Effect at the Table

by Kiera Mensah

A person with long hair and a red scarf is dramatically falling backward in a stone tunnel, paralyzed with fear. Debris and rocks are scattered around, while a hand desperately reaches out to them. A treasure chest and some chains are visible in the dimly lit background.

When entering a D&D session, think of conditions as delightful surprises waiting to spice up your gaming experience. Imagine an encounter where everyone is engaged, but suddenly, someone gets hit with a spell that Paralyzes them mid-action. It’s in moments like these …

How to Boost Your Party’s Magic in Any RPG (Simple Incantations That WORK)

by Kiera Mensah

A lone armored warrior woman in a hooded cloak stands defiantly, wielding a book of incantations and a sword, against the backdrop of a medieval battlefield. This black and white RPG illustration captures the mystic energy of magic, with soldiers and flags in the midst.

Magic: it’s the enchanting secret ingredient that transforms a standard RPG party into an unforgettable fantastical spectacle, one that deftly weaves itself into the fabric of players’ recollections, allowing them to reminisce and recount wild tales for weeks on end. Picture this: …

D&D Alignment Guide: Roleplaying Lawful vs. Chaotic Characters

by Kiera Mensah

In a fantasy scene, two women in armor and robes stand back to back—a study of lawful vs. chaotic characters. One holds a book, the other a magical orb. Theyre flanked by bearded men in cloaks and armor, torches lighting this D&D alignment-themed chamber.

When it comes to Dungeons & Dragons (any edition of D&D), alignments serve as a compass for character behavior, delineating a spectrum where order clashes with chaos. This eternal struggle not only shapes individual actions and narratives but also provides fertile ground …

100 Eccentric and Random Encounter Ideas for a D&D Carnival That’s Spiraled Out of Control

by Kiera Mensah

A hooded adventurer in armor strides through an eccentric, mystical market, where colorful striped tents and glowing lanterns create a D&D Carnival vibe. Beyond the ornate towers lies a foggy scene filled with mysterious figures, offering endless encounter ideas.

Once upon a time, there existed a magical carnival, a kaleidoscope of whimsy and wonder where every corner promised enchantment and every game whispered of delightful mischief. But as the fates would have it, this traveling spectacle has become a chaotic carnival …

How to Handle Romantic Storylines with Confidence in Your Tabletop RPG Sessions

by Kiera Mensah

A diverse group of fantasy characters, including an elf, a mage, a warrior, and a rogue, joyfully roast marshmallows around a campfire. Hearts float above as if from romantic storylines in tabletop RPG sessions. A dog and white ferret join the cheerful scene in a forest clearing with a tent.

Navigating romance in tabletop RPGs is like casting a love spell—beware the critical fails! Do: get consent and keep it lighthearted. Don’t: serenade the dragon or woo your DM for extra loot. Keep it fun, and maybe pack some emotional armor!

How to Run Large-Scale Battles in Dungeons & Dragons Without Slowing the Game

by Kiera Mensah

A determined warrior in battle armor stands at the forefront, gripping a sword, reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons hero. The background features medieval soldiers and flags with crosses under a dramatic sky, evoking the intense focus of a tabletop RPG session.

Imagine crafting an epic tableau of clashing armies and roaring dragons, where heroes dart through spears and arrows like shadows. Sounds thrilling, right? But here’s the challenge: running large-scale battles in Dungeons & Dragons can be a daunting task, a balancing act …