Jess Hamlet Website

Jess Hamlet

Board, Card, and Dice Game Expert

Jess Hamlet is a board, card, and dice game expert based in Springfield, Missouri. She is the owner of Village Meeple, Springfield’s first board game cafe. The cafe charges an admission fee that grants customers access to over 420 board games while they enjoy the atmosphere. They also serve food and drink, sell board games and accessories, and host private events. They host events of their own and put on teaching sessions for various tabletop games for community members to learn. Their board game shop boasts a wide variety of products, including party games, small box games, kid-friendly games, and dice games. Village Meeple champions the growth of in-person gaming, educational encounters, and tabletop adventure in the community.

Education

  • Master of Business Administration, Southwest Baptist University
  • BS, Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, Missouri State University

Professional Achievements

  • Owner of Village Meeple Board Game Cafe
  • Featured in multiple publications, including KOLR 10 news, Springfield Newsleader, Springfield Daily Citizens, and 417 Gamer Podcast

Certifications & Organizations

  • Horizon Fellowship awardee, The Game Manufacturer's Association (GAMA)

Favorite Piece of Advice

  • There is no right or wrong board game to like. Your opinions are valid, and there’s no wrong answer to your preference!
  • Role Playing Games like Dungeons and Dragons are a wonderful way to broaden your horizons and grow as a person. One needs improv, critical thinking, teamwork, collaboration, problem-solving, humor, and grace to play these games.
  • You are no less of a “gamer” because you only like silly or easy games. You don’t have to sit at a table for three-plus hours on one game before you get your Gamer Card. Play the games that make you happy, and you have your Gamer status!

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Forum Comments (1)

What are the best DND weapons?
Regarding which are the best D&D weapons, the real answer is a boring “whatever best fits your character build and backstory.” Maybe your sorcerer has a scimitar from his homeland that he enchants with green flames to increase damage. Or your rogue’s poison-tipped daggers are her weapon of choice.

That being said, with a blank character sheet, some weapons are a little more inherently useful than others. You want to make sure you have both a reliable melee and a ranged weapon. Short bows are excellent, as long bows need a bit more room to work. A great axe does the most damage (d12) of any basic weapon, so if your character can wield it, that’s a great choice.

Q&A Comments (13)

Is there a way to perfectly roll a dice?
No, you can’t perfectly roll a standard dice to get the number you want every time—it’s random by design. There are cheating methods like loaded dice or controlled throws that exist, but they’re unfair and ruin the fun. Some novelty dice are weighted to favor certain numbers, but those aren’t standard and don’t count in real games. Rolling dice is all about luck, and that unpredictability is what makes it exciting and fun to play.
How do I get the rolls that I want?
If you want specific rolls, there are methods like weighted dice or controlled rolling techniques that can be used or learned. But these methods are generally considered unfair and unreliable. What everyone wants is fair play, and the best method is to let the roll of the dice be up to chance.
Where's the best scenario for using the Guidance spell?
Guidance is really useful if your party is about to attempt an ability check that really matters. It's perfect for skill challenges where every point counts, like picking a crucial lock, sneaking past a guard, or persuading a stubborn NPC. Because it adds a 1d4 to an ability check, you can use it to tip the scales in your favor. A good example is when you have a rogue that is about to disarm a deadly trap or your bard is trying to talk their way out of trouble, casting guidance gives them a little extra edge. It really is useful outside of combat, where you often have the time to cast it without worrying about turns.
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Co-authored Articles (41)

180 Mystical Names for Sorcerers & Sorceresses

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Shoot Dice

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What Fairy Type Am I Quiz

If you were a fairy, would you control fire, help flowers grow, control the stars, or calm a bubbling brook? Answer these fun personality questions to learn what type of magical fairy you’d be! link=|alt=An illustrat...

Dungeons & Dragons Name Generator

Create customized names for your DnD charactersAre you a druid, fighter, ranger, or rogue? Are you impish and clever, or solemn and strong? Whoever your DnD character is, find their perfect name with our custom name gene...

How to Play Sorry the Board Game: Beginner's Guide

Sorry is a family friendly game that can be played by 2-4 players age 6 and up. The object of the game is simple: get all four of your pawns from start to home before your opponents do. But the game can get tricky becaus...

D&D Race/Species Quiz

Are you a massive fan of ''Dungeons & Dragons''—or its video game relative, ''Baldur’s Gate 3''? If so, this is the quiz for you. ''D&D'' has many playable bloodlines and species, from ethereal elves and fairies to ...

The Ultimate Tiefling Character Name Generator for D&D

Plus a collection of male, female, and virtue names for inspirationAre you struggling to come up with a perfectly poetic name for your next tiefling character? We’ve got you covered! Below, you’ll find a tiefling nam...

200+ Cool & Creative Dark Elf Names

Epic names inspired by Elder Scrolls, D&D, Warhammer & moreWhether you’re making a new dark elf character for your own original story, coming up with a D&D character, or naming your new ''Skyrim'' or ''Elder Scrolls'' ...

The 160+ Most Unique & Powerful Druid Names (with Meanings)

Plus, a generator to help you create a mystical druid nameDo you need some help naming your next druid character? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re gearing up for a ''Dungeons & Dragons'' campaign, build...

What Are Ability Score Improvements & How Do They Work in D&D 5e?

How to increase your ability scores (and when to pick a feat instead) You’re leveling up your D&D 5e character and you’re prompted with a choice: should you give them an ability score improvement or a feat? This can ...

How to Get Started in Warhammer: What to Buy and More

A guide on getting into the Warhammer 40k tabletop game What is Warhammer 40k? This competitive one-on-one tabletop game is played with miniatures, which makes it extremely unique among other games out there. Unlike ''Du...

110+ Cool & Funny Tabaxi Names

Board game expert Jess Hamlet explains the Tabaxi naming conventions in Dungeons and DragonsIn Dungeons & Dragons, the Tabaxi are a race of humanoid felines—and their names are just as unique as their appearance. Like ...

50 Names for Male & Female Half-Elves

Get personalized name options for your half-elf characterHalf-elves are a popular race in ''Dungeons & Dragons'', ''Baldur’s Gate 3'', and many other fantasy worlds. If you’re creating your own half-elf, give them a ...

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Play Dice (2 Dice Gambling Games)

Forms of dice have been popular in many cultures, with cubical, 6-sided dice having been found in China around 600 B.C. Originally used for divination, dice were soon used for various games, including games of chance. Wh...

The Ultimate Guide to the Changeling Race in D&D 5e

Create a shapeshifter to play in your next tabletop adventureChangelings are a playable D&D race that can change their appearance, offering a range of possibilities for roleplay. Changelings can be amazing spies or crimi...

Dexterity in Dungeons & Dragons 5e: All You Need to Know

Explore the many ways your Dexterity comes into play during D&D As one of the main ability scores in D&D 5e, Dexterity can be super important for many characters—but what is it, and why does it matter so much? Dexterit...

True Neutral (Alignment): Everything You Need to Know

A closer look at true neutral characters and what motivates them Are you wondering what a true neutral character thinks and acts like? Maybe you’re thinking of playing a true neutral ''Dungeons & Dragons'' character, ...

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Play Magick and Monsters

Ever wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons but didn't want to buy everything? Then Magick and Monsters can help! When all you need is paper and a pencil, it couldn't be easier. Also, if your parents don't approve you could...

Darkness Spell for Dungeons & Dragons 5e: An Easy Guide

Explaining how magical (and nonmagical) darkness works in D&D 5e You’re playing D&D and in the middle of a battle, looking for ways to cause a little chaos on the battlefield. Could the Darkness spell help you out? In ...

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Make Warhammer Terrain

Warhammer games are the most fun when you have an active imagination. If you are creative you can take some simple, ordinary objects and turn them into incredible battle environments. All it takes is a lot of glue, paint...
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