D&D CAMPAIGN SETTINGS - The Multiverse is a Soda Fountain and We're Bad at Choosing

Welcome to the RPGBOT.Podcast, where tonight we bravely attempt to eat the entire Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting menu in one sitting. No tie-ins, no supplements, no "this was technically in Dragon Magazine once" nonsense: just the official D&D settings, served tasting-menu style. From post-apocalyptic deserts where magic killed the planet, to punk fantasy with robot soldiers, to the setting so generic it's basically carbonated water, we're ranking, roasting, and reminiscing about the worlds that shaped tabletop roleplaying games. Grab your character sheet, loosen your belt, and prepare for Forgotten Realms Coke vs Greyhawk Pepsi discourse. Show Notes In this episode of the RPGBOT.Podcast, we review the official Dungeons & Dragons campaign settings created by Wizards of the Coast (excluding licensed tie-ins and sub-settings) to help players and Dungeon Masters understand what makes each world distinct. Rather than deep dives, this episode delivers a high-level overview of each D&D setting's tone, themes, and playstyle, helping listeners decide which campaign setting best fits their table. Campaign Settings Covered Birthright – A kingdom-management focused D&D setting where divine bloodlines grant rulers supernatural authority. Ideal for players who want politics, rulership, and domain-level play alongside traditional adventuring.Dark Sun – A grimdark, post-apocalyptic fantasy setting defined by ecological collapse, psionics, scarce resources, and moral ambiguity. One of D&D's darkest campaign settings.Dragonlance – Epic fantasy rooted in legendary novels, fallen gods, returning dragons, and mythic heroism. A classic D&D setting built around narrative arcs and world-shaking events.Eberron – A pulp fantasy and dungeon-punk setting where magic functions as technology. Airships, warforged, political intrigue, and post-war fallout define this highly popular D&D world.Forgotten Realms – The default D&D campaign setting for 5e. High-magic, high-fantasy, dense lore, iconic characters, and flexible adventure design make it the most widely recognized setting.Greyhawk – The original published D&D setting, emphasizing sword-and-sorcery, moral ambiguity, and classic fantasy roots tied to iconic spells and characters.Mystara – A simplified fantasy setting originally designed for Basic D&D, featuring lighter tone, fewer races, and a more approachable style for new or younger players.Nentir Vale – A minimalist fourth-edition setting designed as a flexible framework rather than a fully realized world—perfect for Dungeon Masters who prefer homebrew.Planescape – A multiversal setting centered on Sigil, the City of Doors. Philosophical factions, planar travel, cosmic weirdness, and reality-bending concepts define this fan-favorite.Ravenloft – Gothic horror fantasy featuring cursed domains, tragic villains, and psychological dread. A setting focused on atmosphere, consequences, and survival.Spelljammer – Space fantasy for D&D, blending swashbuckling adventure with crystal spheres, astral travel, and magical ships sailing between worlds. Key Takeaways Not all D&D campaign settings are designed for the same playstyle—some emphasize politics, others horror, survival, or pulp action.Forgotten Realms works as the most flexible and accessible default setting, especially for new players.Eberron stands out for its coherent worldbuilding and logical use of magic as technology.Dark Sun and Ravenloft require player buy-in due to their heavy themes and darker tone.Planescape offers unmatched freedom and philosophical depth but demands strong DM preparation.Nentir Vale exists primarily as a DM toolkit rather than a narrative world.Older settings like Greyhawk, Dragonlance, and Mystara remain relevant for groups seeking classic fantasy vibes or nostalgia-driven campaigns.Dungeon Masters should choose a setting that reinforces—not fights—the story they want to tell. Welcome to the RPGBOT Podcast. If you love Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and tabletop RPGs, this is the podcast for you. Support the show for free: Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast app. It helps new listeners find the best RPG podcast for D&D and Pathfinder players. Level up your experience: Join us on Patreon to unlock ad-free access to RPGBOT.net and the RPGBOT Podcast, chat with us and the community on the RPGBOT Discord, and jump into live-streamed RPG podcast recordings. Support while you shop: Use our Amazon affiliate link at https://amzn.to/3NwElxQ and help us keep building tools and guides for the RPG community. Meet the Hosts Tyler Kamstra – Master of mechanics, seeing the Pathfinder action economy like Neo in the Matrix. Randall James – Lore buff and technologist, always ready to debate which Lord of the Rings edition reigns supreme. Ash Ely – Resident cynic, chaos agent, and AI's worst nightmare, bringing pure table-flipping RPG podcast energy. Join the RPGBOT team where fantasy ...