Wild Surge is currently on hiatus. But feel free to go through our backlog of 16 issues.

If you'd like to write an article or draw art for an article, email
[email protected] or send me or
@deltago a message.

The sorts of articles we're looking for are book reviews, mod reviews, game reviews, game first impressions, character overviews, custom D&D rules (e.g., for BG, IWD, or pen and paper), and similar things. If you'd like to draw art for articles (e.g., like the shields in the 5e dwarven defender rules article), give us a shout.
Our primary focus are IE games, then other D&D games and books, then other RPGs, then other genres. For every issue, we're aiming to have a game or book review, a mod review, a poem, and Corpse's Corner. Most articles are 500 to 3000 words. We post theme issues, where most articles match the issue's theme.
If you have any general questions about contributing, feel free to ask here. If you have a specific article you want to write, send a message to me or
@deltago.
Current Issues
Issue 1: d Infinity
Cover Art ...............by Bartosz “O_Bruce” Rudy
The Poem: Finding the Familiar ...............by Mark “Lord Rumfish” Burton
We Need a Name! (and other fan suggestions) ...............by Julius Borisov
A Wizard’s Life: Interview with Elminster ...............by Tyler “deltago” Smith
Demivrgvs’ Item and Spell Revisions Mods ...............by Chris “semiticgod” Dix
Customizing D&D’s 5e Ruleset: Shields ...............by Ashe “Vallmyr” Leggett
God’s Take on Tyranny: Review ...............by Mike “God” Millaire
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Issue 2: Dwarves
Cover Art ...............by Bartosz “O_Bruce” Rudy
The Poem: Inscription from a Dwarven Rune ...............by Mark “Lord Rumfish” Burton
History of Dwarves ...............by Julius “Bengoshi” Borisov
The Top Ten Dwarves ...............by Paul “Grum” Abels
An Alien’s Novel Idea, a book review ...............by Marcelo “mlnevese” Esteves
Why you should play a dwarf ...............by Chris “Tresset” Ethier
The Mod Highlight: SCS ...............by Chris “semiticgod” Dix
The Modding Tutorial, part 1 ...............by Lava Del’Vortel
Dwarves, The Game review ...............by Tyler “deltago” Smith
D6: Custom D&D 5e Rules, The Dwarven Defender ...............by Ashe “Vallmyr” Leggett
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Issue 3: Dragonspear and Torment
Cover Art ...............by Bartosz “O_Bruce” Rudy
The Poem: Happy Birthday, Dragonspear ...............by Mark “Lord Rumfish” Burton
Dragonspear Review ...............by Chris “semiticgod” Dix
Andromeda, First Impressions ...............by Tyler “Deltago” Smith
D6: Custom D&D 5e Rules, The Kitsune ...............by Ashe “Vallmyr” Leggett
The Modding Tutorial, part 2 – Banters ...............by Lava Del’Vortel
Totally Called PST:EE ...............by Britta “Buttercheese” H.
Torment: Tides of Numenera Review ...............by Tilly “Typo_Tilly” Underwood
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Issue 4: Villains
Cover Art ...............by Bartosz “O_Bruce” Rudy
The Poem: We Want You ...............by Mark “Lord Rumfish” Burton
Sarevok vs. Irenicus ...............by Shannon “Nonnahswriter” Ozog
5 Games where the player is the villain ...............by Tyler “Deltago” Smith
The Modding Tutorial, part 3 ...............by Lava Del’Vortel
A Suped-Up Vanilla ...............by N “CrevsDaak” Clotta
Injustice 2 Review ...............by Tyler “Deltago” Smith
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Issue 5: Thieves
Cover Art ...............by Bartosz “O_Bruce” Rudy
The Poem: Taker of the Gold ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Silk: Character Highlight ...............by Marcelo "mlnevese" Esteves
D6: Custom D&D 5e Rules, Shadowdancer ...............by Ashe “Vallmyr” Leggett
Persona 5 Review ...............by Shannon "Nonnahswriter" Ozog
Icewind Dale Mega Mod Review (sarevok57) ...............by Chris "semiticgod" Dix
The Modding Tutorial, part 4 (Romances and Friendships) ...............by Lava Del'Vortel
Pool of Radiance Review ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Lander's Adventures, chapter 1 (Nightlight Visitor) ...............by Tilly "typo_tilly" Underwood
Corpse's Corner ...............by Andy “Anduin” Beale
Issue 6: Ghosts and Spirits
Cover Art ...............by Scott "Lord-Jyssev" Fischer
The Poem: A Ghostly Pause Before Wailing ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Meet the Marags ...............by Marcelo "mlnevese" Esteves
Diablo 3: Rise of the Necromancer Review ...............by Bartosz "O_Bruce" Rudy
Icewind Dale 2: Weeping Widow Inn ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Pillars of Eternity Review ...............by Ashe “Vallmyr” Leggett
A Ballad for a King ...............by Shannon "Nonnahswriter" Ozog
Durlag's Story ...............by Tilly "typo_tilly" Underwood
Modder Freebie: The Crumbling Chapel ...............by Scott "Lord-Jyssev" Fischer
Corpse's Corner ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Issue 7: Sounds of Gaming
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: The Rambling of Sidekicks ...............by Tilly "typo_tilly" Underwood
Infinity Engine: The Score ...............by Ryley "Fandraxx" McKiernan
An Interview with Jacob Burgess ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
A Good Book Speaks Volumes ...............by Marcelo "mlnevese" Esteves
Modding Tutorial Part 5: Soundsets and Voiced Dialogue ...............by Lava Del'Vortel
Music of Past Times ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Reviews of Lords of Waterdeep & Tomb of Annihilation ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Corpse's Corner ...............by Shandaxx
Issue 8: Neverwinter
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: The city of summer, spring, and fall ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Waking the Witch: An Interview with Rob Bartel ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Before Neverwinter Nights, There was Neverwinter Nights ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Unlocking the Secrets of the Vault: An interview with niv ...............
Neverwinter Nights: The Opus ...............by Ryley "Fandraxx" McKiernan
A Guide to Neverwinter Night’s Persistent Worlds ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Shadows of Undrentide Review ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Neverwinter Nights 2 Opinion Pieces ...............by ComeandSee and mr_otyugh
A Look at D&D’s 4e Neverwinter Campaign Setting ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Corpse's Corner ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Issue 9: Chickens
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: Chicken Chicken! ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
In Search of the Hyper Chicken ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
The Chicken Quests of Baldur’s Gate ...............by Chris "semiticgod" Dix
Continuing the Search for the Hyper Chicken ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
An Interview with Davide ...............by Matthew "Dragonspear" Brown
Hyper Chicken Badge: Speculation ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Thayan Labs Presents: Cluckendoom ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
Metal Album reviews: Pink Bubbles Go Ape ...............by Ryley "Fandraxx" McKiernan
A Peek into the Vault: Chicken Theme ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
A Review of Troma’s Poultrygeist: Night of the Chicken Dead ...............by Shannon "Nonnahswriter" Ozog
Chicku game review ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Corpse's Corner ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Issue 10: Fan Fiction
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
Nobleman Chase ...............by Luc Roumen
The Tale of the Necromancer ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
The Entropy Blade ...............by Adantilus
Alienna: The Start ...............by Shannon Ozog
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine game review ...............by Tyler "deltago" Smith
Corpse's Corner ...............by Andy "Anduin" Beale
Issue 11: Magic
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: Magic is... ...............by Andy Beale
Melting the Ice: Soloing IWD:EE ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
Supplementing 5e: An Interview with Mark Burton ...............by Tyler Smith
A Wizard’s Concoction: A look at Ravnica ...............by Shannon Ozog
A Kind of Magic: Magic in Literature ...............by Marcelo Esteves
Forgotten Lore: Review of Magic of Faerûn ...............by Tyler Smith
On the Nature of Sigils ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
Metal Album reviews: Heroes of Mighty Magic ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Sacrifice: A game review ...............by Tilly Underwood
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Andy Beale
Issue 12: Giants
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: A Giant Farce ...............by Andy Beale
A Look at Yaga-Shura ...............by Tilly Underwood
Giants of the Realm: Giantcraft Review ...............by Tyler Smith
Metal Album Review: Giants of Canaan ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Chasing the Giant: Review of Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire ...............by Tyler Smith
The Ruins of Mehrihnmar ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
Godzilla Anime Trilogy Review ...............by Tilly Underwood
Giants: Citizen Kabuto Game Review ...............by Tilly Underwood
A Soundtrack of Two Gods: Giants: Citizen Kabuto Album Review ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Andy Beale
Issue 13: Loot
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: Beauty in Nature ...............by Tyler Smith
The Degeneration of Loot ...............by Tyler Smith
Interview With Luke Rideout ...............by Tilly Underwood
Baldur’s Gate Loot Sheet ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
Creating Synergy: Loot in NWN PW ...............by Tyler Smith
Valuable Discoveries: Loot in Fantasies ...............by Marcelo Esteves
Treasure Island Book Review ...............by Tilly Underwood
Metal Album Reviews: Down in The Dark by Blazon Stone ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Red Dead Redemption 2 Review ...............by Tyler Smith
Red Dead Redemption 2 Soundtrack Review ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Issue 14: Time
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: Troubled Times ...............by Tilly Underwood
The Cultural Concepts of Time ...............by Marcelo Esteves
A Look Back at Chrono Trigger ...............by Tilly Underwood
Lessons Worth Dying For: Happy Death Day Review ...............by Chris Dix
Chrono Series OST Review ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Prince of Persia: Warrior Within Review ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
Retro Review Presents: The Lost Vikings ...............by Tilly Underwood
Metal Album Reviews: The Mystery of Time by Avantasia ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Tower of Time Review ...............by Tyler Smith
Just In Time: Axis & Allies Announced ...............by Tilly Underwood
Issue 15: Star Wars
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: Shot First ...............by Tyler Smith
Upcoming In The Star Wars Universe ...............by Tyler Smith
Ranking the Star Wars Movies ...............by Tilly Underwood
A Look at The Legends of the Old Republic ...............by Tyler Smith
Knights of the Old Republic First Impressions ...............by Rik Kirtaniya
A Look At Star Wars Holiday Special ...............by Tilly Underwood
The Score of Star Wars ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Reviewing Star Wars Toy Documentaries ...............by Tyler Smith
A Look At The Ewok Movies ...............by Tilly Underwood
Fandraxx Metal Album Review: Iron Maiden’s Somewhere in Time ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Corpse’s Corner ...............by Shandaxx
Issue 16: Goblins
Cover Art ...............by Andrii Shafetov
The Poem: Step Lightly ...............by Tilly Underwood
Making M’Khiin: Andrew Foley Interview ...............by Chris Dix, Tyler Smith, and Tilly Underwood
Goblin Grandma: A Reminiscing Appreciation of M’Khiin ...............by Chris Dix
First Impressions of Goblins of Elderstone ...............by Tyler Smith
Goblin Quest Review ...............by Tilly Underwood
Redefining 1/3 Challenge Rating: An Interview with Ellipsis Stephens ...............by Tilly Underwood and Tyler Smith
Guide to Goblins: 5e ...............by Tilly Underwood
Troll 2 Movie Review ...............by Tyler Smith
Metal Album Review: Rhapsody’s The Emerald Sword Saga ...............by Ryley McKiernan
Mushroom Moonshiner ...............by Lolien
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Comments
I'd like my submission to be topical, if at all possible. Would I be able to know the theme for July's issue beforehand? That way I could possibly focus on a game with said theme to review, or some such thing.
We're also interested in article writers. We'll post our planned issue themes for 2018 later this year. We might hold a poll on this later. Here are suggestions, mostly from the ghost issue thread.
Issue Ideas
weak monsters (in BG and pen & paper + alternative takes)
wild magic
gnomes
mummies
mummified gnomes
goblins (add Jig the Dragon Slayer!)
kobolds
IE behind the scenes stories (assuming we can get stories from IE devs)
Wild Surge behind the scenes (how an issue is made)
quest mods review
quest mod tutorial
item creation tutorial
AI scripting tutorial
IE easter eggs
IE food recipes (I'm not taste-testing Dradeel's recipes!)
Article Thoughts
'A day in the life of...' for some minor characters might be a fun feature.
On the topic of reviews I like the format of 'things I liked' vs. 'things I would change'. It's more positive than cold hard numbers
The secret ingredient is Dradeel's Belladonna Bun-cakes.
Send me or deltago a message if you're interested in reviewing NWN campaigns, especially if you want to review player made campaigns or other great mods you know about! Also, if you'd like to write about making mods or making neat character builds. Or if you have other ideas involving NWN.
EDIT - Also, if there are any devs on the board reading this, we'd love to ask you a few questions about your time working on the original NWN or enhanced NWN.
...
I smell a @Shandaxx
We need NWN reviews for all the official mods!
I was thinking about this since I saw these yesterday. With so many forumites on here, and the breadth of time of the Forum.
Could you maybe have a "meet the forumite" section. Where you get to know important or influential forumites here?
I see you did one for Elminster, but there are many an interesting forumite around here.
Dunno, just a thought.
I'll also shoot an email to you about the idea.
And we need the communities help for our next issue:
Know any games (besides Baldur's Gate Trilogy obviously) that have interactive chickens?!
We know of Dungeon Keeper and Hearthstone.
There is Slime Rancher, NWN: SoU and even Rise of the Tomb Raider.
There is even an easter egg Chicken in Gears of War.
Zelda series counts even though they aren't really called chickens, and then there is Pokémon's Torchic and Combusken which sorta look like chickens... I guess.
But do you all know any others?
Many players, testing their newfound agency, decided to attack the chicken.
Unfortunately it seems the locals are quite fond of this chicken. The whole town turns on you if you attack it. It's a bit much for a newbie adventurer to handle.
Submit a short story about any Baldur's Gate character mentioned in the saga (e.g., Alaundo, Winthrop, Minsc) by April 20th (2018
Go to the link for more details.
What's next up?
Magic: August
Giants: October
Loot: December
??? (to be decided): February
Star Wars: April
As always, if you'd like to contribute, let us know.
Send me a message if you'd like to write an article describing it and recommending it.
That's 11 issues so far.
After that, we have an undecided issue topic for February followed by Star Wars in April. And after that? Well, we'll have to decide on a few more topics for the rest of 2019!
Creatures and Classes
weak monsters (in BG and pen & paper + alternative takes)
wild magic
gnomes
mummies
goblins
kobolds
druids
Behind the Scenes
IE behind the scenes stories (assuming we can get stories from IE devs)
Wild Surge behind the scenes (how an issue is made)
Mods and Modding
mod reviews
quest mod tutorial
item creation tutorial
AI scripting tutorial
Miscellaneous
IE and NWN easter eggs
IE and NWN food recipes (I'm not taste-testing Dradeel's recipes!)
IE and NWN art
Different D&D campaign settings
Apocalyptic
Article Types
'A day in the life of...' for some minor characters might be a fun feature.
As always, if you're interested in writing articles or drawing non-cover art for articles, post here or send me or Deltago a message.
Every time we release an issue, I look at it and see its flaws. I think about going back and re-editing things or tweaking image placements. But we're improving overall.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the magazine over the years.