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Artwork for The Black Notebook Podcast

The Black Notebook Podcast

The Evil Dungeon Master
Dungeons & Dragons
Advanced Dungeons & Dragons
AD&D
Role-Playing Games
Unearthed Arcana
Game Mechanics
Dungeon Master's Guide
Dragon Magazine
Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeon Master
Gary Gygax
Fiend Folio
Clerics
Magic Items
Magic User
Experience Points
Dual Classing
Palladium
Oriental Adventures
Character Classes

Welcome to the Black Notebook. A working DM’s notebook. D&D prep, campaign notes, rules breakdowns, and media worth stealing from for Old School Gamers!

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes347Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureGames

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Black Notebook Podcast

Latest Episodes

The AD&D 1st Edition Druid is often treated like a Cleric with trees, animals, and a few nature spells. That misses the point.In this episode, I look at what made the Druid different. True Neutral alignment. Limited weapons and armor. Terrain control... more

This is a look at what Fighters really did in classic AD&D, why they mattered, and why many modern players miss the point. If you enjoy old school gaming, Gygax era design, and practical talk about how these games actually played, this one is for you... more

AD&D does not balance encounters around your party. It never tried to. The world exists as it is, and you walk into it whether you are ready or not.In this video, I break down why that design choice matters. You can meet something far above your leve... more

Why is the AD&D called the gold standard? In this video, I break down why Gary Gygax’s classic book still stands above so many games that came before & after it. This game was a toolbox packed with random tables, world building advice, campaign struc... more

Key Facts

Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

THACO's Hammer
THACO's HammerDM Glen, DM Cory, DM Brian, DM FULONGAMER

Recent Guests

DM Rivers
A guest DM with a YouTube channel focusing on RPG content
Rivers RPG Channel
Episode: AD&D - The Cavalier Class, Over Powered or Just Powerful Fun?
DM Will
Returning guest, a fan favorite with extensive gaming knowledge
Episode: Call of Cthulhu, the game and its mindset with DM Will

Host

Vince
Primary host persona across episodes, connected with the AD&D universe and related game design discourse.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 527 ratings
  • Fun listening

    Fun snippets of AD&D goodness. This is the best edition.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DM Dan
    United Statesa year ago
  • Always enjoyable and informative…

    I’ve been a long time listener through all of Vince’s various podcasts. We have very similar tastes in games (I’m mostly old school) and have always enjoyed his take on things. Vince and his gang are easy and fun to listen too, and who will always inspire you to roll some dice. What more could you ask from a podcast?

    —RoboRob76

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RoboRob1976
    United States2 years ago
  • Always enjoyable

    Love Vince's reviews and actual plays, especially when he has a full table.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Esper Ranger
    United States2 years ago
  • Fantastic Show

    What a great show and good to hear Vince of RFI fame still putting out top notch material.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DM Leroy Canada
    Canada6 years ago
  • The Vince is back...

    With loads of great advice and knowledge for those of us who still love Gary’s game.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Isearn
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Vince keeps old-school fans happy with deep-dive analysis and witty commentary.
Good balance of theory, modules, and storytelling; episodes are easy to listen to and actionable.
Engaging, nostalgia-driven looks at classic AD&D with practical tips.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#20
New Zealand/Leisure/Games
Apple Podcasts
#207
New Zealand/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

AD&D - Sticky Situations: The Adherer Unleashed
Q: How would you use the Adherer creature in your game?
Vince encourages the audience to think creatively and share their ideas about utilizing this creature in their campaigns.
AD&D - Let's reflect on magical mirrors
Q: What are some creative uses for the magical mirrors in campaigns?
Mirrors can be treasure items, misleading traps, focal points for villain schemes, or part of interactive puzzles.
End of the Year Wrap up show, Emptying the email bag!
Q: How do you handle experience points awarded for monsters?
The host generally follows the book's guidelines but adjusts for role-playing and clever problem-solving, giving extra experience for creative gameplay instead of just combat.
End of the Year Wrap up show, Emptying the email bag!
Q: Do you use hirelings and henchmen as written?
The host typically does not use hirelings or henchmen due to group size, favoring a more organic relationship based on how players treat them.
End of the Year Wrap up show, Emptying the email bag!
Q: Is there flexibility in spell access for high level magic users?
Yes, the host allows high level magic users to access lower level spell books if they find them, as it's based on who they learned from.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Black Notebook Podcast

What is The Black Notebook Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Old-school AD&D guidance with a sharp, provocative edge. Listeners tune in for practical DM tips, deep-dive module analysis, and creative storytelling prompts drawn from decades of tabletop experience. Episodes emphasize atmosphere, tactical play, and the ethics of tabletop design, often critiquing modern trends while celebrating early editions. Noteworthy is the creator's unapologetic, no-nonsense voice and a steady stream of actionable ideas for running classic campaigns, plus occasional system-agnostic riffs that still feel rooted in 1st Edition sensibilities.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Black Notebook Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Black Notebook Podcast:

1. The Vintage RPG Podcast
2. THACO's Hammer

How many episodes of The Black Notebook Podcast are there?

The Black Notebook Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 347 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Black Notebook Podcast?

Recent guests on The Black Notebook Podcast include:

1. DM Rivers
2. DM Will

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