Happy Jacks RPG Podcast: GM & Player Tabletop RPG Advice
636 episodes - English - Latest episode: 19 days ago - ★★★★★ - 342 ratingsA weekly tabletop advice show for GMs and players that combines friendship, friendly banter, and unbridled enthusiasm to bring you a show that is inclusive, informative, honest and funny. If you’re looking for an RPG podcast with diverse opinions and a friends-hanging-out vibe, look no further — you’re home.
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Episodes
HJRP2419 Encouraging Young GMs, Dealing With Teens, Choosing to Fail
July 27, 2019 03:33 - 1 hour - 28.8 MBhjrp2419 Our 10th Anniversary! (which we almost forgot...) Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy In this Episode: Bevin writes in about fostering a next-generation GM. Drayle88 writes in about the case of the teenage edgelordling. Ben from Texas throws in his two cents about players choosing to fail.
HJRP2418 Player Engagement During Combat, Non Gaming Table Issues, GM SO Syndrome
July 13, 2019 03:11 - 47 minutes - 22.5 MBhjrp2418 Your Hosts: Stu, Tappy, Kurt In this Episode: ZombieHeart asks for help maintaining player engagement during combat. A HIPPA-minded GM asks about non-gaming issues at the table. Davio asks about the GM's SO Syndrome.
HJRP2417 Sympathetic Villains, Villainous Heroes, Success and Horror
July 06, 2019 04:10 - 1 hour - 28.7 MBhjrp2417 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Stork In this Episode: Jorn from Sweden writes in about sympathetic villains and villainous heroes. Axel in the UK sends us a success story. And Eric from NJ sends us a horror story.
HJRP2416 Failing Intentionally, PC Player Knowledge, the Otherworldly
June 29, 2019 04:27 - 1 hour - 33.4 MBhjpr2416 Yours Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy In this Episode: Corbin Twa writes in about players intentionally failing dice rolls. Joe Crack writes in about Player vs Character knowledge. Steve in SoCal discusses playing otherworldly beings.
SHADOWCON22 Happy Jacks One-Shots, Shadowcon, A Town Called Malice
June 23, 2019 22:51 - 2 hours - 74 MBshadowcon22 Campaign: ShadowCon | SYSTEM: | GM: | Info: You’ve come here because you’d heard of it, and you’ve been on this trip, a shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a convention that does not exist. Who knows when it all came to light? Maybe from pieces of a conversation you weren’t even supposed to hear, or a tip from a friend of a friend. But, yeah, this place exists and it’s got tabletop RPGs! All kinds! With d6s and d20s, sure, but there’s percentiles and maybe even d3s...
HJRP2415 Returning to GMing, Polling the Hosts, Being a Good Player
June 22, 2019 03:13 - 57 minutes - 27 MBhjrp2415 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Stork In this Episode: Mattison asks for tips as he's returning to GMing after a long while. Eric from New Jersey polls the hosts. And Simon from London sends suggestions for being a good player.
HJRP2414 PVP, Math, Progression
June 16, 2019 04:21 - 1 hour - 37.3 MBhjrp2414 Your hosts: Stu, Pooja, Tappy In this Episode: Vyrrk writes in about PVP at a con game. Byron writes in about math in RPGs. And Ryan writes in about character progression and engagement.
HJRP2413 Player and Character Knowledge, Decompressing
June 09, 2019 20:24 - 1 hour - 34.6 MBhjrp2413 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Gina, Stork In this Episode: Andreas writes in about character vs player knowledge. Christopher Grey send a confession. Chris from Scotland asks how to unwind after an intense game.
HJRP2412 Tactics and Theater of the Mind, DnD and New Players, GMing and Charity
June 01, 2019 03:41 - 1 hour - 30.5 MBhjpr2412 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy In this episode: Andreas writes in about tactical option for theater of the mind gaming. Jonas writes in about DnD and new players. Eric from NJ writes in about an idea that won't leave him alone.
HJRP2411 Live from Gamex 2019 Sponsored by Easyrollerdice
May 29, 2019 19:30 - 2 hours - 60.2 MBhjrp2411 Live from Strategicon's Gamex 2019. Thank you to the Strategicon staff for their support and hospitality. Thank you to EasyRollerDice.com for sponsoring this episode. Go to: easyrollerdice.com/giants to check out their Dice of the Giants Kickstarter.
HJRP2410 Character Advancement, Murder Hobos, REVISED
May 18, 2019 03:39 - 1 hour - 33.2 MBhjrp2410 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy, Joey In this Episode: Andreas asks "do we need character advancement?" Ryan send thoughts on DnD classes. McWyrm writes in about a 10-year-old murder hobo.
HJRP2409 Pyrrhic Successes, Face in DnD, APs and TTRPG
May 11, 2019 03:29 - 1 hour - 32 MBhjrp2409 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Jason, Stork In this Episode: We discuss Pyrrhic successes, Kurt writes in about Face characters in DnD. Ryan writes in to ask what effects APs are having on the TTRPG hobby.
HJRP2408 DnD Classes, Parting With Game Stuff, Noir, Anniversary
May 04, 2019 03:33 - 1 hour - 29.8 MBhjrp2408 In this Episode: Midas from Adelaide writes in to defend DnD classes. JimTo asks about parting with game materials and regrets. Joecrack asks, "Is Detective Noir a playable game?" Anniversary wishes.
HJRP2407 NPC Crowd Control, Players Driving, Coast-ism
April 27, 2019 03:46 - 1 hour - 35.7 MBhjrp2407 In this Episode: Steffi in Scotland writes in about NPC crowd control. Ben from Texas suggests letting the players drive. Alex calls us on our coast-ism.
HJRP2406 People of Color in RPGs
April 17, 2019 00:45 - 1 hour - 36.5 MBhjrp2406 Your hosts: Aabria, Jim, Pooja, and J. In this Episode: Elderman writes in about fantasy races in RPGs and how they're bad. Fredrix writes in about portrying PCs of color. Eric writes in about his gaming group's lack of diversity. and Bobcatt asks about a good scenario for first-time players.
HJRP2405 Fan of the PCs, 1d4 Con, Hippie Games
April 06, 2019 03:26 - 1 hour - 29.6 MBhjrp2405 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Jason, Gina In this Episode: Eric from NJ asks "Can the GM be too much of a fan of the PCs?" James writes in about 1d4 Con, which starts May 3rd. And Joe wants to know what Stu thinks a hippie game is.
HJRP2404 Exotic Atmospheres, Con Report, Horror
April 04, 2019 01:52 - 1 hour - 32.7 MBhjrp2404 Your hosts: Stu, Adam, Joey In this episode: Steve from SoCal writes in about exotic atmospheres in Traveller. OutOfPrintGM sends us his report from Aricon. Slojack sends us a horror story.
HJRP2403 Clues, Finding Gamers, Professions as Skills
March 23, 2019 03:24 - 1 hour - 29.2 MBHJRP2403 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy, Joey In this episode: Davio writes in about making sure players find clues. Mike from MI writes in about finding and holding on to gaming groups. And Byron writes in about jobes and professions in DnD.
HJRP2402 Player Memories, Classes, Learning the Rules
March 16, 2019 03:36 - 1 hour - 35 MBhjrp2402 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Stork, Joey In this Episode: Steve in SoCal writes in about player and PC perceptions. Johnny sends us an email about classes and DnD. Craig (whodo on the forum) asks about getting players to learn the rules.
HJRP2401 Passing Time, Getting Rules Wrong, Horror
March 09, 2019 05:09 - 1 hour - 29 MBhjrp2401 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Aabria, Tappy In this Episode: Brian writes in about the passing of time. Juho from Finland writes in about people getting rules totally wrong. And Dave from Tampa sends in a horror story.
DRAGON08 Happy Jacks RPG Actual Play, Dragon Heist, DnD5E
March 03, 2019 22:15 - 3 hours - 86.4 MBDRAGON08 GM: Aabria Game: Dragon Heist System: Dungeons & Dragons 5e GM: Aabria Players: Jason, Mac, Teri, Adam Summary: A grand urban caper awaits! Our party tests their skill and bravado against villains the likes of which they've never faced before, and let the dragon hunt begin! Famed explorer Volothamp Geddarm needs them to complete a simple quest. Thus begins a mad romp through the wards of Waterdeep as they uncover a villainous plot involving some of the city’s most influential f...
HJRP2320 Social Skills, Gaming and Life, Horror and Triumph
March 03, 2019 22:05 - 1 hour - 31.7 MBhjrp2320 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Stork, Adam In this Episode: EricaB brings up a very old Necro-Topic: Social Skills. Byron writes in about gaming and life balance. And JoeGun sends us a Horror Story turned Triumph.
HJRP2319 Con Reflections, Setting Rules, New Systems
February 23, 2019 21:44 - 1 hour - 28.7 MBhjpr2319 Your hosts: Stu, Gina, Tappy, Christopher In this Episode: We reflect on Orccon2019. Jonnie from New Zealand writes in about setting rules. Greg from Virginia writes in about trying new systems.
HJRP2318 Live from Orccon 2019
February 17, 2019 21:18 - 2 hours - 64.2 MBhjrp2318 Live from Orccon 2019 Note: this is a convention show. As such, it does not use the same format as our regular shows. If this is your first episode, you might want to listen to another episode, to hear a more usual episode.
HJRP2317 Partial Pre-Gen PCs, Sand Box, Playing the Persecuted
February 11, 2019 05:02 - 1 hour - 39.4 MBhjrp2317 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Jim, Tappy In this Episode: We discuss the upcoming Orccon2019. We talks about partial pre-gen PCs or convention games. Brian resurrects the Sand Box horse-lich. And Eric from New Jersey writes in about playing persecuted minorities.
HJPR2316 Seven Deadly Sins of GMing, Abstract Role Playing, Senses and Immersion
February 02, 2019 21:23 - 1 hour - 29.4 MBhjrp2316 In this Episode: We discuss GMing sins. Doggos writes in about abstract RP. And Karlen from Austin writes in about senses and immersion.
HJRP2315 Player Expectations, Horror
January 28, 2019 04:33 - 1 hour - 36.2 MBhjrp2315 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Mac and Tappy In this Episode: KSC write in coining the term for what I was talking about in the last episode. Julie writes in on when to stop. And Doggos sends us a horror story.
HJRP2314 Short Sessions, Gaming With Kids, Horror
January 21, 2019 00:05 - 1 hour - 34.4 MBhjrp2314 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Gina, Stork In this Episode: Matt writes in to ask how to get the most out of a short session. Jeb writes in about gaming with kids. And Hanna from the Windy City writes in about an over-reaching player.
HJRP2313 The Gauntlet, Trackless Railroads, Horror
January 12, 2019 20:30 - 1 hour - 29.3 MBYour hosts: Stu, Kimi, Jason M, Aabria, and Jason from the Gauntlet. In this Episode: Mr CJ writes in about railroads without tracks. Jason writes in to vent, and convey some horror. Johan writes in about picking up campaigns where others left off.
HJRP2312 Feedback, Horror
January 05, 2019 22:54 - 1 hour - 32.2 MBhjrp2312 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, JiB, Stork. In this Episode: Nathan writes in about post-game feedback. Taurelin writes in about a situation where players are too in-character. And Niklas from Sweden sends us a story of horror and sorrow.
HJRP2311 PC Concepts, GMPCs and Horror
December 29, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 32.7 MBHJPR2311Your Hosts: Stu, Samantha, Aabria and Stork In this Episode: We discuss coming up with player character concepts. Fengrong writes in on GMPCs. And Riff sends us a horror story.
HJRP2310 Holiday Game, Fish Tanks, NWoD
December 23, 2018 22:26 - 1 hour - 29.8 MBhjrp2310 This episode of Happy Jacks is sponsored by EasyRollerDice.com. Check out their Metal Dice of Ancient Dragons series of dice now on Kickstarter, easyrollerdice.com/dragondice. In this Episode: Steve from Atlanta needs some validation for a holiday game. Johann from Sweden writes in on the Sandbox debate, but this time about Fish Tanks! Eric from New Jersey writes in about NWoD.
HJRP2309 PC Questionaires, Horror
December 16, 2018 21:49 - 1 hour - 32.3 MBhjrp2309 This episode is sponsored by easyrollerdice.com. Check out their new line, Metal Dice of Ancient Dragons, which is on Kickstarter now. In This Episode: We discuss PC questionnaires. Andreas from Sweden asks about the new Savage Worlds. And Johann from Sweden sends us a horror story.
HJRP2308 Player Choice, Castle Storming, Horror
December 09, 2018 22:11 - 1 hour - 30.9 MBhjrp2308 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Gina, Stork In this Episode: Ryan writes in about the nature of player choice Harold from St Louis writes in about castle storming. And Carl in Wisconsin sends a con-game horror story.
HJRP2307 Sequels, Loot, Horror
December 02, 2018 22:07 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBhjrp2307 Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy In this Episode: We discuss campaign sequels and continuations. Kitor asks "Can Loot be Intimidation?" And Jeb sends us a horror story
HJRP2306 Mapped vs Mapless.
November 24, 2018 19:36 - 1 hour - 34.7 MBhjrp2306 In this Episode: We discuss mapless vs mapped combat. Rands writes in about consequences. Joshua in Edmonton writes in about Sandboxes.
HJRP2305b Rainbow Railroad Farewell
November 19, 2018 00:11 - 8 minutes - 3.91 MBThis is just a brief closing to our 24-hour gaming marathon fundraiser for RainbowRailroad. You can donate at happyjacks.org/rainbow.
HJRP2305a Rainbow Railroading Kickoff, GMing Guidelines
November 19, 2018 00:07 - 1 hour - 33.4 MBhjrp2305a Your hosts: Stu, Kimi, Adam In this Episode: We discuss the following 24-hour gaming streamathon from rainbowrailroad. You can donate at happyjacks.org/rainbow. We discuss some basic rules for good GMing. Dave from Tampa sends us a possible GM success story? And Fredrix sends us a 24-hour gaming marathon horror story.
HJRP2304 Fundraiser Announcement, One Note, NPC Personalities, Cthulhu, Horror
November 10, 2018 22:56 - 1 hour - 37.7 MBhjrp2304 In this Episode: We announce our upcoming fundraiser to benefit rainbowrailroad.com. Donate at happyjacks.org/rainbow. Watch Friday, November 16, at 6:30pm Pacific time through Saturday, November 17 at 8:00pm. We'll start with our Friday night advice show and play six four-hour game sessions. Should be plenty of AP goodness for every time zone. Carl writes in about One Note and NPC personalities. Jonas asks for some advice about his Nyarlathotep campaign. Johan writes in with a hor...
HJRP2303 Party Splitting, Exploding Dice, Burps in Canada
November 04, 2018 23:46 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBhjrp2303 Your hosts: Stu, Tappy, Mac, Clara In this Episode: Johan from Sweden talks party splitting and exploding dice. Joshua from Canada sends us a couple stories and contends that burps are okay in Canada. Steve in So Cal writes in on the virtues of accurate timekeeping, per the Gygax.
HJRP2302 Recordkeeping, Bibles
October 28, 2018 22:44 - 2 hours - 58.2 MBHJRP2302 In this Episode: We discuss GM in-game recordkeeping. Joe from the IE sends us an interesting resource he’s discovered. Show bibles. And Gaz the GM from the Netherlands sends us a followup.
HJRP2301 Player Solutions, Women in Gaming
October 21, 2018 20:42 - 2 hours - 70.5 MBhjrp2301 Your Hosts: Kimi, Gina, Tappy, Jim In this Episode: Steve from So Cal asks about anticipating player solutions. The Reverend Doctor Johnson writes in about women in gaming. Kosta from Adelaide sends a story of player pride. Gaz the DM from the Netherlands needs some urgent advice.
HJRP2220 GMPCs, Pacificsts, Modules
October 14, 2018 20:07 - 1 hour - 38.9 MBhjrp2220 In this Episode: Jason asks about GM PCs, NPC party members and has a brief confession Tom from Oklahoma writes in about pacifists and modules. Harold from St. Louis asks about effects that “lock down” PCs.
HJRP2219 Sandboxes, Small DnD Games, Convention Game Sequels
October 08, 2018 03:51 - 1 hour - 39 MBhjrp2219 Your Hosts: Stu, Aabria, Jim, Tappy In this Episode: Sean from NJ writes in about sandboxes. Drayle88 sends us a rebuttal about 2-player DnD campaigns. Tadd in Kansas asks about convention game sequels.
HJRP2218 Consistency Tactical Combat Deja Vu Mundane Fear
September 30, 2018 22:09 - 1 hour - 42.2 MBhjrp2218 In this episode: Ed from Florida says consistency is key with world design. MRCJ disagrees with us on tactical combat systems and calls us snotty. Isaac sends a remarkably familiar email... And JAD writes in about mundane fear. Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Stork, Gina
HJRP2217 One-Shots, NOT Space Combat, Conversion
September 23, 2018 18:02 - 1 hour - 34.3 MBhjrp2217 In this Episode: Hour 11 sends us a question about one-shots. Kurt illustrates now NOT to do space combat. Terry from Idaho sends a story about a conversion.
HJRP2216 NPC Plot Immunity, Dice Curses, Annoying
September 16, 2018 19:03 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBhjrp2216 In this Episode: Kevin from Jackmonkeygames.com writes in about NPC plot immunity. Mike from PA believes he has the dice curse. Larry sends us a game day report and a question. JimTo sends us an annoying Con Game story.
HJRP2215 Rule Zero, Space Combat, Success
September 09, 2018 18:32 - 1 hour - 42.6 MBhjrp2215 Your Hosts: Stu, Kimi, Tappy, Gina In this Episode: Steven writes in to question Rule Zero (at least one definition of it). Sam from Lakewood says space combat isn’t boring!! Isaac from Texas sends us a success story.
HJRP2214 Happy Jacks Live from Gateway 2018
September 03, 2018 04:57 - 2 hours - 66.9 MBhjrp2214 This show was recorded live at Gateway 2018. Thank you to the Strategicon.net staff for their hospitality.
HJRP2213 Exploration, Small Groups, Success, Food
August 26, 2018 20:10 - 1 hour - 45.6 MBhjrp2213 Your hosts: Stu, Tappy and Jim Join us, August 31 to September 3 at Strategicon.net's Gateway 2018. Next week's show will be at Gateway 2018, on Saturday at 8pm Pacific time. Location TBA. Show Notes: The Magic Octopus sends us questions about GMing small groups and hex crawls. Steve from Atlanta sends us a success story. Andreas from Sweden writes in about settings and using food and drink an props.