CRIT ACADEMY
BLOG
Make sure you check in regularly for up-to-date Strategies, Tips & Tricks, and tons of Guides!
You can also subscribe to our newsletter!
Become a subscriber today for FREE Dungeons & Dragons Loot!
Receive a FREE copy of our electrum bestseller Challenge Accepted!
Receive a FREE resource guide that includes not only our favorite finds but some custom resources we created as well.
You will also be entered to win any PRIZES we give away on the show.
Get the latest news & updates
Be the first to know about the latest news and releases
Get notifications when a new blog or other important event occurs.
If you are looking for a specific topic or guide,
you can search our blogs here!
Should You Incorporate Eyewear Into Your D&D Gameplay?
With the Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition revision set to officially release in the Fall, many DMs are already awaiting the new playbook it will bring and the adventures it will unlock. While many players, especially long-time vets, are feeling a little lukewarm regarding the latest mechanics and revisions that 5e brought, it inarguably opens up a lot of exciting opportunities.
Among these is the chance to revisit the tools of your trade. This includes eyewear, which can be considered a highly beneficial piece of gear for DMs and players, both in-game and real life. But just how does eyewear do this? Read on to find out.
Campaign Crafter: Understanding Player Types
Are you a new Dungeon Master (DM) eager to run an unforgettable D&D campaign? Running a great game involves more than following rules or creating an interesting storyline; it's about understanding your players, pacing your game effectively, and creating an engaging environment. Here’s a step-by-step guide for new DMs to elevate their game and make every session memorable!
1. Know Your Players’ Types and Motivations
Understanding the different types of players in your game is crucial. Players come with different motivations and playstyles, so let’s explore each type and how you, as a DM, can engage them.
Actors: They love roleplaying and fully immersing themselves in their character's personality. To engage Actors, design social encounters, and encourage in-character dialogue.
D&D: 5 Tips on How to Be a Better Player in Dungeons & Dragons
How Do I Become a Better Dungeons & Dragons Player? You Can Start by Reading this Blog!
This isn’t a question many players ask themselves. How do I become a better Dungeon Master? This is a question almost every DM asks themselves. Why is it that making sure that the game is fun rests solely on the DM? Don’t they have enough work to do? Yes…yes they do. So not it’s your turn to put in some work!
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Dungeons & Dragons Enthusiasts This Black Friday 2023
The Ultimate Gift Guide for Dungeons & Dragons Enthusiasts This Black Friday & Holiday Season 2023
Black Friday, the most anticipated shopping day of the year, is just around the corner! While many rush to score deals on electronics and apparel, there’s a special group of individuals for whom finding the perfect gift can be a bit more challenging: Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) players. This guide is dedicated to helping you find the best gifts for the D&D enthusiast in your life this holiday season.
Immersive Adventures with Eldritch Foundry
In the ever-evolving world of tabletop role-playing games (RPGs), immersion is key. A well-crafted miniature can be the bridge between imagination and reality, breathing life into your characters and adventures. This is where Eldritch Foundry steps in, offering a digital platform that empowers players and game masters to create highly detailed, customized miniatures for their tabletop journeys. In this in-depth review, we will explore the features, customization options, and overall experience of Eldritch Foundry.
Furhaven Campaign Overview & Additional Tips to Enhance Your Game
Furhaven Campaign Overview & Additional Tips to Enhance Your Game
The Furhaven campaign, a captivating and perilous adventure designed specifically for the Fates End Furhaven RPG.
The Furhaven campaign takes place in the town of Furhaven, where tensions between two factions, the Furs and the Feathers, are escalating. The players, a group of young adventurers known as the Younglings, are caught in the middle of a conspiracy orchestrated by Master Alodar, a corrupted paladin from the Society of the Talon.
Embark on a Prehistoric Odyssey with "The Star-Shaman's Song of Planegea"
Imagine a world where time flows like a river, carrying you to a realm untouched by the hands of modernity. "The Star-Shaman's Song of Planegea" by David Somerville is not just a campaign guide; it's an enchanting journey that plunges you headfirst into a primal universe of kinetic action, primordial horror, and mystic wonder. With an arsenal of creativity at his disposal, Somerville has created a prehistoric masterpiece that leaves an indelible mark on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition landscape.
Furhaven: Character Creation and Furry Adventure
Enter Furhaven, a realm where sentient animals roam and thrive. Choose your fur type and delve into a world brimming with rich lore and diverse cultures. Unleash your creativity as you craft a unique character, blending fur traits, backstory, and mechanics for an unforgettable journey in this vibrant setting.
Introduction to Fate’s End: Furhaven
Step into the shadows of Furhaven, a captivating settlement within the expansive fantasy world of Aloria. Let’s embark on an adventure like no other, exploring the clandestine organizations, hidden agendas, and untold stories that shape the realm of Furhaven. Join us as we delve into the significance of the 5e-compatible RPG, Fate's End: Furhaven, and share our first impressions of the gameplay experience. Get ready to be immersed in a world of power, honor, and loyalty, where your perception will be challenged at every turn.
Advanced Techniques and Tips for Mastering Monster of the Week
Have you ever struggled with keeping your players engaged and invested in your campaigns? Monster of the Week offers a unique approach to storytelling that can help. Listen in to learn how to create memorable moments and build tension in your games.
Custom moves are the heart and soul of Monster of the Week, allowing you to tailor the game to your unique campaign vision. In this section, we'll explore advanced techniques for crafting custom moves that not only suit different settings, genres, or campaign themes but also enhance gameplay and storytelling. Dive into examples and gain inspiration on how to create compelling custom moves that will surprise and challenge your players.
Creating and Running a Monster of the Week Campaign
Creating and Running a Monster of the Week Campaign
Do you struggle with balancing combat and investigation in your RPGs? Monster of the Week offers a unique approach that can help. Tune in to learn how to keep your players engaged and entertained.
Introduction to Monster of the Week
Have you ever daydreamed about fighting monsters like Buffy the Vampire Slayer or joining the ranks of the Winchesters from Supernatural? Well, dust off your stake, grab your trusty shotgun, and get ready to dive into the thrilling world of Monster of the Week, the tabletop roleplaying game that lets you live out your wildest supernatural hunting fantasies!
What is Monster of the Week?
Mastering the Shadows: Advanced Gameplay in Blades in the Dark
Get ready to level up your Blades in the Dark game! We're diving into advanced gameplay techniques to enhance your experience. From fiction-first gaming to supernatural elements, we'll explore important aspects of playing at a high level. Join us as we discuss Doskvol's history and cultures, advanced abilities, and more. So grab your dice and let's dive in!
Blades in the Dark is a tabletop roleplaying game that takes place in Doskvol, a city of darkness and danger. The game is designed to be fast-paced, gritty, and full of action, with players taking on the roles of daring scoundrels trying to make their way in a world of gangs, corrupt officials, and supernatural beings.
How to Create Characters and Crews in Blades in the Dark
Blades in the Dark - How to Create Characters and Crew Sheets
Welcome to Duskvol, the dark and industrial city of the underworld. In Blades in the Dark, you can become a daring thief, assassin, or scoundrel trying to make a name for yourself in the criminal factions. But first, you need to create your character and crew sheet, and that's where we come in.
Creating Characters
Step 1: Choose a Playbook
Choosing your playbook is like choosing your character class in other roleplaying games. Are you a Cutter who likes to dish out some pain, or a Whisper who's more into the arcane and supernatural? Other playbooks include the Lurk, Slide, Hound, and Spider, each with their own unique abilities and specialties.
Step 2: Choose Heritage and Background
How to Tell a Great Story as Game Master
How to Tell a Great Story as a Game Master
Being a Game Master is all about storytelling. Whether you're running a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, a Star Wars RPG, or any other tabletop roleplaying game, your job is to immerse your players in a fictional world and guide them through a thrilling narrative. But how do you make sure your story is engaging, memorable, and fun? In this blog, we'll explore some tips and tricks from various forms of media to help you become a master storyteller at the tabletop.
Step into the World of Blades in the Dark for Thrilling RPG Heists
Welcome to Crit Academy: Dice & Dialogue, where we take you on a journey through the world of RPGs. In this episode, we're excited to step into the dark and dangerous world of Doskvol with our Blades in the Dark mini-series. Join us as we guide you through the seedy underbelly of this gritty city and experience thrilling heists, dangerous encounters, and nail-biting action. Whether you're a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to the world of RPGs, our podcast will keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you craving for more. Are you ready to roll the dice and take on the shadows?
Game Master Toolkit: 10 Urban Fantasy Dangers for your RPG
10 urban dangers to challenge your players and add depth to your fantasy RPG world
Are you a game master looking to add some excitement and danger to your urban fantasy campaign? Do you want to challenge your players with more than just the standard bandit or monster encounter? Look no further! In this blog, we'll explore ten urban dangers that will test your players' skills and wits as they navigate the treacherous landscape of the city. From corrupt officials to cursed objects, natural disasters to dark magic, these dangers will keep your players on their toes and add depth and intrigue to your world. So, grab your dice and get ready to immerse your players in a world full of peril and adventure!
Building Character in D&D: Exploring Friend Ideas for Your PC
The Friends You Didn't Know Your D&D Character Needed (But Now You Can't Live Without)
Oh boy, when you're creating your Dungeons & Dragons character, you put so much effort into choosing the right race, class, feats, and powers. You probably think long and hard about their personality, abilities, and even their backstory. But hold up there, adventurer! Have you thought about your character's friends?
Sure, D&D is a social game, and forming friendships with your party members is important. But what about your character's BFFs? I mean, they must have had some friends before getting into the whole "fighting monsters and saving kingdoms" business, right?
Don't worry, I'm not trying to suggest that you need to be a social butterfly to play this game. But let's face it, friends can be a huge influence on how you behave, what you believe, and how you see the world. Plus, who doesn't want a few extra NPCs to add to their entourage?
So, let's talk about some friend ideas for your D&D character. You can use them as inspiration or mix and match them to create your own unique crew of buddies.
The Fantastical Emporium: 10 Unique Shops for Your Fantasy RPG Adventure
Welcome to The Fantastical Emporium, where we showcase the most unique and intriguing shops for your fantasy RPG adventures. From magical trinkets to rare books, our list features a variety of establishments run by fascinating NPCs. Each shop comes with a read-aloud description and a list of special items that will surely capture the interest of your players. Whether your characters are seeking powerful artifacts or quirky souvenirs, The Fantastical Emporium has got you covered. So step inside and explore the wondrous world of fantasy shopping!
Cypher System Rules & Mechanics to Enhance your TTRPG Experience
This is the third part of our Numenera and Cypher system coverage. You can find 1 and 2 here. Numenera is a tabletop role-playing game system that was created by Monte Cook in 2013. It is a science-fantasy RPG set in the distant future, where players explore the ruins of past civilizations and discover strange and powerful artifacts. Numenera is known for its simple and streamlined rules, which prioritize storytelling and creative problem-solving over complex mechanics. In this guide, we will offer ways you can enhance any roleplaying game with some of the amazing rules in the Cypher System to create engaging and immersive campaigns, no matter what RPG you’re playing.