How We Roll Gaming

How We Roll Gaming

How We Roll Gaming is a bi-weekly tabletop RPG podcast with hosts Daryl, Nick, and Robert, exploring what makes great games work—for both players and game masters. Each episode breaks down the craft of play: practical tips, storytelling techniques, better scenes and pacing, memorable NPCs, and the choices that create lasting table moments. Alongside this, the hosts share insights and stories from their own gaming experiences, all grounded in a shared love of RPGs and the ongoing pursuit of better games and better stories. Find more information about How We Roll Gaming, our social media links, and our merch store at https://howwerollgaming.com

Episodes

September 16, 2026 • 73 mins

What makes a memorable RPG villain? We explore how Game Masters can create compelling tabletop RPG villains with clear goals, distinct personalities, meaningful weaknesses, and motivations beyond simply “being evil.”

We discuss memorable villains from Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, Buffy, and our own campaigns—and how to keep antagonists active and engaging throughout an RPG campaign.

And the one foolproof way to mak...

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This episode, we’re joined by Alex Damon of Star Wars Explained and Hyperdice to talk about taking a familiar galaxy in a new direction. From choosing and customizing a non-Star Wars RPG system to becoming a first-time GM and bringing a filmed actual play to life, Alex takes us behind the scenes of Hyperdice—including player-driven campaign creation, adapting Teens in Space, learning to prep less, and embracing the unex...

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Roleplaying doesn’t require a great voice, a dramatic performance, or a background in theater. It’s about finding a way into your character and feeling comfortable enough to play them.

In this episode, we talk about how players and GMs can encourage more roleplaying at the table—from using pre-generated characters and familiar archetypes to finding inspiration in other media, embracing little character quirks, and ...

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Daryl, Nick, & Robert kick off with a recap of the GenCon 2026 D&D/Wizards of the Coast announcement that sparked confusion over whether Edge Studios still holds the Star Wars RPG license (they do), which leads into a deep-dive history of the license's rocky journey from Fantasy Flight Games to Edge Studio. From there, the crew shifts to the main topic: five practical frameworks GMs can use to make a well-trodden IP like St...

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Every great RPG campaign has a villain the players never forget. In this RPG Glory Stories episode, Daryl, Nick, and Robert share stories about the masterminds, monsters, rivals, and Big Bads they loved to hate. Tune in for memorable villains, epic showdowns, and the lessons that made these antagonists unforgettable.

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https://merch.howwerollgaming.com

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Anatomy of a Campaign begins with one of our most ambitious RPG experiences: Delta Green: Impossible Landscapes.

Nick shares what it was like running this acclaimed published campaign, while Daryl, Nick, and Robert discuss the unique approach that made it our own. Between the campaign's major acts, each of us run original "interlude" adventures set during the years- and decades-long gaps in the story, expanding the lives of the agen...

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This episode, Daryl and Nick welcome Betsy and Lauren to discuss LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion in tabletop gaming. Betsy talks about building welcoming tables where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves, while Lauren shares stories from the games she runs and the creative ways her players express identity through roleplaying. It's a thoughtful conversation about community, storytelling, and why gaming is at its best ...

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Robert is away, so Daryl and Nick are left unsupervised for another installment of Let's Stat an Overpowered Adversary! This time, they're diving into a galaxy far, far away to build RPG stats for Din Djarin (The Mandalorian), Grogu, and Rotta the Hutt. From beskar armor and Force powers to Hutt-sized ambitions, the hosts break down what makes these characters so formidable—and how to bring them to your tabletop.

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This time out, the crew talks about one of the most important GM skills: reading the room. Knowing when players are engaged, when they’re checking out, and when it’s time to pivot before the campaign stalls out completely. Daryl & Nick also share the story of a Star Wars campaign where the GM missed the warning signs, leaving the party stuck in one location for way longer than anyone at the table wanted.

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Sometimes players leave campaigns—life changes, schedules shift, or interests move on. In this episode of How We Roll Gaming, we discuss practical and creative ways to handle player departures without losing the momentum of the story. From character exits and party dynamics to keeping the table engaged, we explore how to turn an awkward challenge into an opportunity for stronger storytelling and better games.

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Character death doesn’t have to end the story—it can elevate it. In this episode of How We Roll Gaming, we explore how to handle player character death in ways that respect players, enrich the narrative, and turn loss into powerful, memorable moments at the table.

Homepage
https://howwerollgaming.com

Merch Store!
https://merch.howwerollgaming.com

Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/HowWeRollGaming

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Social encounters shouldn’t hinge on a single die roll—and in this episode, we break down how to make them dynamic, player-driven, and memorable. With richer NPCs, meaningful choices, and real consequences, because talking your way through trouble should be just as thrilling as fighting your way out.

Homepage
https://howwerollgaming.com

Merch Store!
https://merch.howwerollgaming.com

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https://www.patreon.com...

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We’re diving into Star Trek Adventures 2e—as new players and a rookie GM! Join us as we fumble, learn, and explore starship combat, alien encounters, and storytelling on the fly. Come along as we boldly go where no dice have gone before!

Homepage https://howwerollgaming.com

Merch Store! https://merch.howwerollgaming.com

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This time on How We Roll Gaming, we dive into the art of embracing chaos, rolling with the unexpected, and turning total derailment into unforgettable storytelling. Because sometimes the best adventures are the ones you never planned. 

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https://howwerollgaming.com 

Merch Store!
https://merch.howwerollgaming.com 

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https://www.patreon.com/HowWeRollGaming 

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In this episode, we compare Evolved Edition to first edition—breaking down rules refinements, stress mechanics, campaign play tweaks, and whether the updates make it deadlier, smoother, or just different. Is this a true evolution…or just a fresh coat of Weyland-Yutani paint?

Homepage
https://howwerollgaming.com

Merch Store!
https://merch.howwerollgaming.com

Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/HowWeRollGaming

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February 18, 2026 • 100 mins

On this episode, Daryl is joined by guest co-host Lauren to talk about RPGs adapted from movies, TV, books, and more. What do they expect when a favorite franchise becomes a tabletop game? They break down what makes these adaptations succeed—or fall flat—and what designers need to capture to make them truly shine at the table.

Homepage
https://howwerollgaming.com 

Merch Store!
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The tables turn this episode as we talk about how players can help the GM keep the game running smoothly. We dig into practical examples like tracking initiative, taking session notes, and even rolling for NPCs—small assists that can make a big difference and keep the game moving for everyone at the table.

Homepage
https://howwerollgaming.com

Merch Store!
https://merch.howwerollgaming.com

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https://www.patreon.com...

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In this episode, Daryl, Nick, & Robert explore when - or if - adversaries should go for the kill against player characters. We discuss balancing tension, fun, and expectations, and how lethal choices shape the story and table trust.

Homepage https://howwerollgaming.com  
Merch Store! https://merch.howwerollgaming.com
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/HowWeRollGaming
DriveThru RPG affiliate link https://legacy.drive...

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Daryl, Nick, & Robert are back with an updated take on our Session Zero Manifesto. After another year at the table, we talk about setting expectations, aligning playstyles, and making sure everyone’s on the same page before the dice start rolling. A quick, practical chat on why Session Zero still matters—and how it can make your whole campaign better.

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https://howwerollgaming.com

Merch Store!
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In this episode, Daryl, Nick, & Robert explore how to create and use religions in roleplaying games to add depth, conflict, and story hooks. They share tips on building believable belief systems, integrating faith into characters and cultures, and using religion as a narrative tool without turning your table into a theology lecture. A concise, practical guide for GMs and players looking to make belief matter in their games.

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