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Beth Rimmels

Beth Rimmels is a journalist, editor, and marketing professional. In addition to EN World, her game industry writing has ranged from CityBook VII to The Vampire Codex, as well as Awesome 8's, the multi-setting RPG she is currently designing. She has been a D&D Adventurer's League store organizer and taught a wide range of games at stores and conventions.

A D&D Gift Guide for Everyone

Dec 17

With D&D's popularity, either passionate players or people interested in the game are probably on your shopping list. Below are gift ideas for a variety of circumstances and interests.

Eberron: Rising from the Last War - A Review

Dec 06

Almost as soon as 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons launched, vocal fans started asking for Eberron. In multiple surveys it was a top request. In response, Wizards of the Coast released the PDF-only Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron. A “living document” that would be updated as they refined the setting,it was met with equal parts joy and frustration (e.g., it was missing the artificer class at...

Dungeons & Dragons vs. Rick and Morty: A Review

Nov 25

The Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set was a no-brainer considering how wrapped into the TV series the role-playing game was. Close behind in terms of an obvious decision is Dungeons & Dragons Vs. Rick and Morty, the newest D&D starter set that capitalizes on the popularity of both the animated series and the Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons comic. Like the comic series, the...

Tyranny of Dragons: A Review

Nov 11

Revising Hoard of the Dragon Queen and Rise of Tiamet into one book, Tyranny of Dragons (which was always the name for the unified adventure) makes sense for the fifth anniversary of Dungeons & Dragons' 5th Edition. If you didn't buy the original versions, picking up Tyranny is an easy choice if you like this sort of adventure (more on that in a minute), but a more complicated decision if...

The Return of Tyranny of Dragons: First Impressions

Oct 21

Gamers don't usually ask for a revision to an existing adventure unless it's to adapt it to a new edition, yet that's exactly why Wizards of the Coast produced the new edition of Tyranny of Dragons. Fans online have been asking for an updated edition for some time. The fact that Tiamat and the Cult of the Dragon, especially one very prominent Tiamat follower, factors into the newest adventure...

Deep Dive into Descent Into Avernus

Sep 16

The seeds for Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus were planted in last year's release, Mordenkainen's Tome of Foes (MToF). At the time, D&D Lead Designer Jeremy Crawford described the theme of that book as “conflict” and the chapter on the Blood Wars between devils and demons in the D&D multiverse is the foundation for Descent Into Avernus.

Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus First Impressions

Sep 10

In Dungeons & Dragons lore and games, jokes are frequently made about Baldur's Gate going to hell or being hell. With the newest adventure book, Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus that's a real (so to speak) and distinct possibility.

Dungeons, Mayhem, and Dice Accessories: A Review

Sep 07

To go with the official release of Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus (my review will be released shortly), Wizards of the Coast is releasing a few accessories. As with some other recent books, like Tomb of Annihilation and Guildmasters Guide to Ravnica, a dice set is one of them, but Baldur's Gate: Descent Into Avernus Dice and Miscellany is more than a few polyhedrals.

D&D Essentials Kit Offers a New Place to Start

Jun 24

One of the biggest surprises at D&D Live 2019: The Descent was the announcement of the D&D Essentials Kit. The D&D Starter Set has already been around several years so it was surprising that that Wizards of the Coast would make another set for new players. It seemed even more odd once they explained that the Essentials Kit was not replacing the Starter Set.

Acquisitions Incorporated Takes Over D&D: A Review

Jun 21

Wizards of the Coast's collaboration with Penny Arcade to create a Dungeons & Dragons supplement featuring Acquisitions Incorporated has been 10 years in the making (sort of) – the original Acquisitions Incorporated podcast debuted in 2009. It should definitely please fans of AI and draw in those new to AI. In case you don't know, Acquisitions Incorporated, which has expanded to streaming...

Acquisitions, Inc.: First Impressions

Jun 17

Acquisitions Inc. has earned a special, beloved place in the actual play segment of the game industry. In 2009, long before Critical Role, Sirens of the Realms, or Dice, Camera, Action, Penny Arcade debuted D&D games presented as podcasts. They later transitioned to video and live-play in front of an audience at conventions, and have even had a comic book. Crowds for those live events have grown to larger and larger venues.

Ghosts of Saltmarsh: A Review

May 15

Wizards of the Coast is promoting Ghosts of Saltmarsh as an adventure book with a setting and rule supplements so since I already did a spoiler-free review of the book overall, let's take a closer look at the adventures it contains. While I avoid significant spoilers, be aware that broad information about each adventure is mentioned.

Ghosts of Saltmarsh: First Impressions

May 10

Ghosts of Saltmarsh will make Greyhawk fans happy without losing newer D&D 5th Edition players. Billed as a supplement for nautical adventures, it's a mix of new rules for ships and sea travel, adventures and supplemental material for any coastal campaign.

Stranger Things and D&D at Last: A Review

Apr 18

The Stranger Things Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set was pretty much inevitable. From the moment we saw Mike DM D&D for his friends early in the first session of the Netflix series, the clock started ticking when some crossover product would be released. Announced at Toy Fair earlier this year, Hasbro is heavily gearing this product to the mass market, not just hobby game stores.

Murders, Capers, and Laughter: An Interview with Craig Campbell

Apr 09

Most companies design an RPG and use the same rule set, with or without new editions, for everything. With NerdBurger Games, Craig Campbell created three RPGs using three very different sets of original mechanics.

War Birds Dives Into WWII History: A Review

Mar 15

RPGs are commonly played to blow off steam and as a bit of wish fulfillment, but they can also be used to immerse yourself in a new experience as well as be a teaching tool. The game anthology War Birds by Unruly Designs definitely falls into the latter category. Set during WWII, it focuses on forgotten stories about the “Greatest Generation.”

Love and Sex in the Ninth World: A Review

Feb 14

Despite the title, Love and Sex in the Ninth World, this supplement, or as Monte Cook Games calls it, “Glimmer,” could be very useful for any GM, not just those that run Numenera.

Strongholds & Followers: A Review

Feb 05

After raising $2,121,465, Strongholds & Followers might be the most anticipated Kickstarter RPG (at least until the next record is broken). Of course, the bulk of the money raised went to the “Streaming” part of the Kickstarter so creator Matt Colville could get a proper studio for his very popular YouTube channel. The book definitely fills a need within the 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons landscape.

RPG 2019 Resolutions: New Year, New Game, New You?

Jan 10

A new year brings new resolutions and why should gaming life be any different? Whether you're a player or GM, these ideas can improve your games.

Burning Questions: What Do New DMs Need to Know?

Dec 14

This week’s burning question: What are some basics to remember as a first time DM when starting up a new D&D campaign? DMing for the first time can be scary so here are a few tips to make DMing your first D&D (or any kind) of campaign easier.