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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