Why Not Say Yes? | GMJ 340

Why Not Say Yes? | GMJ 340

From Game Master's Journey by Lex Starwalker

April 29, 2026 · 48 min · Season 19 · Episode 340

About this episode

The episode discusses the benefits of saying yes as a GM and compares leveling in Daggerheart with other RPG systems.

A lot of times as a GM, we can be tempted to say no to a player. Why not say yes instead? Not only is this embracing the “yes, and” philosophy of improvisation, but it will lead to more fun for the players and for us too. I also discuss leveling in Daggerheart compared with other games I’ve played. There is no such thing as xp in Daggerheart. How does this impact leveling? I compare 1st level Daggerheart characters with beginning characters in games like D&D, Pathfinder, Cypher System, and World of Darkness. Play Daggerheart with Me on Start Playing Games. Sign up for my newsletter . Subscribe via RSS, Appl e Podcasts , or Spotify . Check out my sci-fi novel, Critical Balance . Have you read Critical Balance ? Please leave a review on Amazon . Follow me on Bluesky . Join my Discord server . Email me . Check out my YouTube channel . Join my Book Club , now on Discord. Check Out my OTHER PODCAST - Lex Out Loud Call the Game Master's Journey voice mail: 951-GMJ-LEX1 (951-465-5391).

People in this episode

Host: Lex Starwalker

Topics covered

  • game mastering
  • improvisation
  • player engagement
  • Daggerheart leveling
  • comparison of RPG systems

Keywords

  • game master
  • yes and philosophy
  • Daggerheart
  • leveling
  • RPG comparison
  • D&D
  • Pathfinder
  • Cypher System
  • World of Darkness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Start Playing Games, Amazon, Bluesky, Discord, YouTube, Lex Out Loud

Products: Daggerheart

Books & works: Critical Balance

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