Dungeons & Dragons has surged in popularity in recent years. Whether that’s due to the Stranger Things hype, the monumental success of Baldur’s Gate 3, or the spotlight on nerd culture as a whole — it’s really anyone’s guess.
What was once a misfit’s favourite hobby is now a mainstream interest, something no one could have expected. Unfortunately, unless we’ve managed to make a career out of it, us Dungeons & Dragons fans can’t play it all day every day — we have lives to live, adult responsibilities and jobs to attend. Not only that, but not everyone is lucky enough to have a group of friends interested in playing it, never mind getting them all in the same room together once a week.
So, if you’re looking for that Dungeons & Dragons fix, if you want to experience the joys and the laughs that come with your usual D&D campaign, then living vicariously through other people might just be the answer. We’ve put together a list of some of the best Dungeons & Dragons podcasts so you can scratch that D&D itch.
It would be insane not to mention Critical Role in this list of Dungeons & Dragons podcasts — they’re best at what they do and it shows. Every week you’ll be treated to multiple new episodes, oftentimes from varying campaigns like Branching Paths, Knives and Thorns, or even a one-shot episode set in the world of Dispatch. Each world and story is unique, so there’s plenty to choose from, and you’ll always be guaranteed some fantastic improv, excellent acting, and unexpected plotlines.
With Matthew Mercer (Chief Creative Officer at Critical Role, as well as the voice behind characters like Attack on Titan’s Levi Ackerman and Final Fantasy VII’s Vincent Valentine), Travis Willingham (CEO and the voice of Sonic the Hedgehog’s Knuckles) and Marisha Ray (Creative Director and The Legend of Vox Machina’s Keyleth) behind the wheel, as well as guest appearances from the likes of Brennan Lee Mulligan and Ashley Johnson, there’s no shortage of creativity oozing from the pores of this D&D powerhouse.
One of the key components in any Dungeons & Dragons campaign is the bond shared by those playing the game. Character moments in a shared fictional story can bring out genuine emotion in the players and can create long-lasting memories… That’s one of the reasons The Adventure Zone works so well.
The Adventure Zone is the creation of the McElroy brothers (Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy) and their dad (Clint McElroy). The brothers initially started off with a comedy podcast, but as they found their feet and their voice, they were able to turn what they loved into a career that consisted of a TV show, graphic novels, and more podcasts.
In every episode of The Adventure Zone, you can feel the natural chemistry between them that only a family has, as well as the creative, heartfelt stories that come from their campaigns.
Sanspans Radio is Australian comedy powerhouse. Having risen in popularity due to their Plumbing the Deathstar podcast, they’ve gone on to create various different podcasts, created a boardgame and hosted their own live shows.
D&D is for Nerds, another of their offerings, is 21 seasons deep, following a faithful band of loveable idiots headed up by Dungeon Master Carnevale and players Jackson Baly, Joel Zamit, and Cass Paige. Due to their comedic roots and their comfortability in the podcast space, as well as their inherent nerdiness (their flagship podcast is literally called Plumbing the Deathstar, after all), they’re clearly right at home here, with each campaign taking hilarious and interesting turns each episode.
If there’s one thing you’re guaranteed with this show, it’s a lot of laughs; their chemistry is undeniable, and you can tell they love doing it. There’s something to be said about doing what you love as a career, especially when it’s something you spent your childhood doing.
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Dungeon Masters
Dungeon Masters takes a behind-the-curtain look into the world of Dungeons & Dragons, told through the lenses of the creator of the game, Gary Gygax (played by Wil Wheaton) and of private investigator William Dear (played by Jon Hamm), a swashbuckling tough guy in 1979.
Gygax guides the audience through this incredible true story as our Dungeon Master, as we follow Dear on his quest to find Dallas Egbert, a Michigan State student, who supposedly disappeared in the steam tunnels under his university while enacting a real-life version of D&D. What Dear encounters on this journey and ultimately discovers, defies all expectations, and changes the culture as we know it.
With every Dungeons & Dragons campaign, there will always be laughs due to its improvisational nature and the unpredictable rolling of the dice, but it hits even harder when you get the chance to explore meaningful conversations and engage in hard hitting storybeats.
In Three Black Halflings, three nerdy friends, Jasper William Cartwright, Olivia ‘Liv’ Kennedy, and Jeremy Cobb, join forces to explore storytelling and relevant, real life issues through D&D. As well as their heartfelt campaigns, they conduct interviews with streamers and entertainers, and also discuss pop culture from nuanced perspectives.
Again, as is the case with any podcast and D&D campaign, it’s the hosts’ chemistry that makes this so special and engaging. It’s easy to sit down, listen, and feel like you’re there with them.
For people who have never played Dungeons & Dragons, it can be difficult to try and wrap their head around it. On paper, it sounds like it should be an average board game with a strict set of rules, but… it’s not. The concept of a game that relies on your imagination (and dice rolls and stats, of course) doesn’t quite compute with everyone; it can take a while to fully comprehend it. Not only that, but it can be extremely entertaining (or, depending on who you ask, frustrating) trying to get someone into it for the first time.
With that in mind, may we turn your attention to Girls Who Don’t DnD? The girls in question are Indy, Stacey, and Alana, joined by their Dungeon Master (who owns all the D&D books), Corey. They’re now on season 2 of their campaign, so they’ve gained a lot more experience in the game, but it’s still a great listen and bound to put a smile on your face with some of the situations they get themselves into.
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Sam Hollis a writer and video creator based in the UK. You can find his work on YouTube and Substack.