A while ago, I wrote an article about the best skills to cultivate as a Dungeon Master, and now it’s time for a companion:
Here are the 4 best skills you can work towards as a D&D player.
- Check these out:
Work with your table
Everyone is there to have fun, and working with the energy of your fellow players makes more fun for everyone. You are stronger together than apart, even when you’re not in combat.
Naturally, this works best if everyone is also on the same page — so the more fun you have while playing this way, the more others will want to emulate your playing style. Plus, if the party wants to stay together, it makes life for your DM much easier; they don’t have to jump through hoops to keep the other party members from going on solo missions.
Supporting and encouraging the rest of your party helps you avoid all kinds of in- and out-of-character struggles of interest.
Don’t cheapen emotions
I think this might be the most important ground rule of roleplaying, especially so if your party is naturally inclined towards more light-hearted comedy.
When you notice that someone is really reaching out of their comfort zone to be serious for a couple of minutes; try your best to support them in it. The emotions will come all the easier, and you will have a deeper connection with the other players as a result.
Show your opinions/motives
This is a golden rule for crafting stories: if you know what you want and what you think about stuff, you have a compass for every decision you make.
This is pretty easy to come up with (as long as you don’t think too hard), but what’s much harder is fitting these pieces into your game. Verbally reacting to something another player says (or even just showing an exaggerated facial expression) is pretty simple, and usually helps the DM and other players to build off of what you are expressing. Just like improv!
KNOW YOUR CHARACTER
Ya’ll, DMs have soooo much going on. Especially if you’re playing a spellcaster or a funky multiclass, they simply don’t have the capacity to help you play, too.
You don’t have to be perfect, but for the love of Pelor, when I’m DMing and doing everything except rolling for my player, it’s exhausting! Write out your attack bonus next to your weapon. Research your feat. Make spell cards. Pleaaaase.
Dungeon Masters get a lot of attention, which is deserved — but a good player who is actively trying to improve their game can make a huge difference and can make the whole experience that much better for everyone.
-@lilybet.writes