Please help us get to 5k by the end of August! Be sure you're subscribed. Even if you have subscribed be sure to check that RUclips hasn't unsubscribed you. I don't know if it's a real glitch (RUclips has glitches) or a conspiracy theory (It could be?) but several channels, even large ones, have reported this happening. Thanks and I hope to see you in our Discord! EDIT: And I shouldnt need to say this but if you post personal insults or other non NSFW language you will be immediately banned without hesitation. If you want to complain about how I look, please do that on Reddit, not here. Better yet, just block the channel and live your happy life.
Nice topic. Separating player knowledge from character knowledge is certainly a challenge for some (and I have played with some people that simply won't do that), but it is definitely part of the "game". In my opinion, that is the first step to making the transition to thinking as your character would. I like the following statement from TMNT & Other Strangeness: "In a role-playing game there are no simple answers. There are also no limits to what you can do. The only restrictions are that you cannot go beyond the physical, mental, and emotional limits of your character."
When you make decisions about what your character would do in a given situation you are roleplaying. *Simples*. You, the player, know things your character doesn't know. Your character, who grew up in world knows things you don't know: feel free to ask me, the GM, what they know about . On Matt and CR, I'm still utterly perplexed about the number of people who can't distinguish between Actor and Role, that a VoiceActor is a kind-of Actor, that Actors know about the structure and pacing of stories, or that Actors are trained to drop in and out of Character. At the table we aren't (necessarily) the Actors, we are the Writers' Room.
Something I had to learn the hard way was that you NEVER share the ideas and plans you had that never entered the games, or what possible solutions there were to the problems they face (especially the ones they struggled with). The tight-lipped GM keeps the players guessing, and when they players are guessing, they are engaged.
I admit I struggle with this still. Also my players are very quiet and passive and sometimes needs nuges to get going. Like they want me to hand them things on a plate.
But what about players who are stuck in a puzzle room. In a recent session of Pathfinder 2e I played, we were stuck in a puzzle room for 3 hours and the GM refused to drop any hints. We solved it in the end but everyone was so frustrated, the session ended badly. I'm my opinion the GM should have told us the answer about 30 minutes in.
@RealLordFuture There is a point where they should input for sure. However what caught my eye in @kimkahn's comment was the part about other possible solutions or the ideas you had that you didn't use. Or if the solution the players had was not the 'intended' one. And it might not feel good after a while but I've seen players tune out when they aren't challenged enough, (though after 30+ min they probably should have given a hint or something)
@@tntori5079 I noticed this after the advent of MMOs that spoon feed people. They have a hard time realizing they can do whatever they want. Once they get it, their eyes light up with a new found freedom.
@@RealLordFuture Either the answer or dropped more clues. I run into the opposite issue. My wife and kids are so good at puzzles they solve them way to easy. By the way, I suck at puzzles, so they get that from their mom.
As usual, your insights are takes are fascinating and unique. I LOVE the snark and energy =) also you talk about things I don't hear others really talk about. That globetrotters reference? Perfect. As soon as you said it I understood EXACTLY what you were getting at.
I find it easy to break an RPG experience into its two fundamental aspects: the Mechanics (aka dice rolling) and the Narrative (you know...role playing) but moreso it's about storytelling and how players provide the action and interactions within the story.
I was a theatre major in college, but I don't do much acting while role playing my character. I just try to get in the characters mindset and take actions as the character based on what the character would do in that situation. I will occasionally try to vocalize things in character, but most of the time I don't worry about it.
I'd say another influence on the issue of confusion, it's the language we use in discussion. We refer to in-game Social Interaction as "roleplay." This further reinforces the notion that the Social aspect is the only element of roleplay and is divorced from the rest of the game. /rant
Oooohhhhh, someone's in a mood. ;) As a DM, I occasionally put on specific voice tones, body language, wording, etc. when portraying specific NPCs. I don't pretend to be good at it, but my group appreciates the effort. But it is never required of Players, and they also appreciate THAT. :). Secrets are important. It especially extends to the DM. In play, depending on circumstances, I might preface descriptions with "You see ...." or "It SEEMS to be..." instead of "It IS ...", just to keep Players on notice, as it were. The added advantage of playing it close to the chest is, the Group sometimes comes up with much cooler ideas than what I had originally planned. So, I might quietly switch paths and do some improvisation to incorporate their thoughts. This also lulls them into a false sense of security, "Hey, we've TOTALLY figured you out, right?" Heh, heh, heh. :) Haven't watched much CR, heard plenty about it. Rather overrated, in my personal opinion. If talking problems in current RP, I'd put *some* blame on online gaming. Certain individuals and groups in those are known to get quite toxic without any true consequences, and I suspect that is where a lot of bad behavior originates - people shifting from those to TTRPGs, and taking the exact WRONG lessons learned along with them. That would seem to be at the core of a lot of RPG horror stories these days.
My opinion about Critical Role vastly changed after I saw several of their Vines from (I guess?) Matt's home long before they became famous. He genuinely loves the game and is a true fan. And he has brought a lot of people into the hobby ... for better or worse ... so us long time players are here to help train his recruits.
This is a really nice discussion about the game and the role playing. We are pretty lucky in our game, everyone is pretty good about trust and know that sometimes the character is gonna suffer or not get what they want right now. As a GM I will ask some players who are NOT in the "scene" (room, encounter etc.) take on the roles of some of the NPCs, I'll hand them some guidelines and goals and then they can play instead of waiting for their character's activity. (the dreaded "down time"). We have a good group that is able to separate player from character and it usually works out because everyone stays engaged and has a shared story even if their character was not directly involved. We have also been able to create some of those wonderful and memorable NPCs that people go on about.)
I've often had to remind my players that just because they know something from a book, movie, or video games doesn't mean that applies to the table. One of my more experienced players recently sighed and mumbled "my character wouldn't know that" and then did something he knew would make the situation harder. I was so proud...lol
The Globetrotters analogy is a family friendly version of the comparison to adult films. Yeah, all of that can happen, but it’s stylized and curated for the audience and you might be sorely disappointed, when you find out reality is not scripted.
Excellent video! Keeping knowledge separate, between player and character, is one of the challenges that must be addressed to achieve the kinds of role-play we're talking about in tabletop gaming (as opposed to therapeutic RP, corporate training RP, etc.). Probably, a lot of that starts with the player understanding themselves pretty well; to some extent, that seems like a necessary precursor to understanding how a fictive personality would make different decisions when confronted by a particular series of events. Accents, costumes, and props of all kinds are, indeed, all just ways to a "focus" that keeps you in touch with that character's "head space." That said, I also think it's an overall enhancement to have some definite, concrete features that exist prior to engagement from one of the players/player characters; in other words, the world shouldn't be entirely determined by random inputs that "could happen," or that just aren't deemed to be immediately game-breaking. I think the development of character should occur along lines provided by the context of the setting. For example, if one is going to play an elf, then that character should be informed by the status and condition of elves in that setting. That's where there are some choices to make about what we can make up, on-the-fly, at the table. So, for example, someone says that they're going to play their character like a stereo-typical elf, dwarf, halfling, etc.; but, what does that mean in the setting for playing that particular game? There's nothing inherently wrong with just using a pastiche of media tropes, as long as that's enjoyable to the people playing at that table. Lord of the Rings (movies or books) characters, or Harry Potter (movies or books) characters are both legitimate sources of inspiration for fantasy elves. I love ElfQuest ; so, I'll throw some of that elf lore into it if we're all just throwing stuff out there to become permanently part of the shared world. Then it's, "hey!, why not Keebler elf lore"? I wanna be like Ernie! A lot of those choices can be obviated by by choosing to play within the specific lore of an established intellectual property, or having a home-brewed setting with established parameters of its own. Traditionally, that has been something that mainly comes from the GM's side; however, there's nothing inherently wrong with collaboratively deciding on the world's general parameters before the first play session. Essentially, prior to collaboratively engendering a story through playing it out, there should be a shared framework that establishes the general status and conditions of the collaborative creation space. I guess the summary thought is, to draw on the Gygax article, between "role play" and "role assumption," there should be "role context," because that's where the relationship between character and setting is truly established. To know how that character will make decisions requires knowing that character's position (social, physical, etc.) within the context of the setting as a whole. Best!
Youre correct on all points, however that's the advanced class! :) I have a whole thing on playing fantasy species and very high ability scores that I trimmed from this video because it gets a little too deep for most beginning players.
I think most people are able to roleplay, but many have never associated the TTRPG concept of it with what they used to do as kids. Once they find that connection, it becomes a lot easier. Space for motivational message about finding one's inner child and so on and so forth... ...that said, the world would be a much better place if everybody remembered how to role play again. Plenty of food for thoughts in this video, it's very much appreciated.
Long time ago I readed in a TTRPG the section "What is a TTRPG?" and it said "playing Indians and Cowboys " but with rules when 2 players shout:Bang bang I hit you.Not only I didn't find it offensive I find it wonderful.
Great video. I'm playing DnD with someone atm, who is relatively new to TTRPGs and she's not that great at keeping secrets from her character yet, but we are trying to teach her. Sadly she doesn't understand english, otherwise I would have shown her this video😅
But but but... I love transforming into a werewolf... Of course your snark is hilarious and the Scooby-Doo Harlem Globe Trotters bit was awesome. This is a great video, thank you Aten for all that you do, also the funny thing about the Matt Mercer DM style as I've heard it called is that.... I have had many DMs who have run games basically the same way before Critical Role was even a thing, not to knock the man, he has some good DM chops from what I've seen, but I personally believe the Matt Mercer effect as it's called is just basically fan bias and sensationalism. A good DM is just a good DM, how Matt Mercer does or doesn't do it will not and has never factored in to matters of solidarity. Sorry, drunk ranting again. Anyways, good luck and best wishes from me and the kobold collective on reaching 5k. You can do it, me and the mice in my pockets believe in you. *The mice cheer.*
Nice video, Aten. Professional online streaming games give "beauty filter" picture of what the hobby is. Just roll some dice in person or with friends and have a good time. Don't worry if you're doing it right.
Wait, you had a 'Steve' too? I've been playing solo through published adventures and one of the ways I used to manage meta knowledge is to put it to a test. How likely would the PC suspect a thing is true? Then I look over the character sheet and see if there's a stat that can sway the odds. If I'm playing a game that incorporates personality or triggers into the mechanics, it's pretty straight forward. Otherwise, I'll assign an odds and roll on it; usually with a d6. Of course, as Tomkin of Ironsworn would advise, 'Go with the most interesting outcome.' Which is how I play it now. So, yeah, I'd have my character pick up that cursed gem.
I have a whole thing on Meta Gaming. It can't be helped. It's going to happen. But there can be guidelines and some of it can help explain very high INT or WIS scores. I'll try to cover it in depth in the near future.
Enjoyed the video and think it is precise in describing the state of the game and the anxiety/expectations of some players. Role playing is assuming a persona in the game that is different from your personal skill/abilities. Good role players also will make decisions based more upon that character than their own knowledge of the game or personal feelings. The theatrical acting out of characters is a personal choice, not a prime requisite of the game or an indication you are "doing" D and D better than others, although it can add immersive elements and flavor to campaigns. And finally, if you LARP for our group we are doing the new heros thing and we are in the post-apocalyptic world where you dress as Zardoz.
Really enjoyed that. Way too much pressure is put on people to be actors in an RPG. Mostly it just makes me uncomfortable when Bob is trying to talk with She Elf voice. Sort of takes the fun out of it. Thanks for always having great content!
I'm a natural PT Barnum when I play. So when I get into a character I'll even physically act out some of their actions. Like when I was in a caged wagon as a prisoner, I stood next to my GM who stayed sat down because she was playing a character walking beside the wagon. And I already towered above her when we both stood. But it felt right and natural. And that's the trick, it needs to feel natural to you. You're assuming the role sure, but you're not that character, not really. It needs to feel right to you or it will feel forced and uncomfortable.
TTRPGing is easy, you just have to spend 200 or 300 bucks on books and essential accessories, internalize some hundred pages of rules (and as gm, additional 100 or pages of adventures), watch some weeks worth of YT video about the greatest mistakes, RPG horror stories, problem players and generally what can go wrong and there you... hey, where are you going? Come back!
0:45 Oh, my God! Although this is an image of you, I can't help but think of my own group back in the day, as I was the only Black Kid interested in this little hobby back then 😏 When I went to college I did get to know a couple more, and we became quick friends based on our experience of being the 'Only One' in their neighborhood. Sadly, both of the guys i knew have since gone on that Last Great Adventure. Although in this Modern Day its no longer a curse to be a 'Blerd (Black Nerd)', their will never be anyone as important to me as Larry and Bob ("Save a spot at the Big Table for me lads; I'll be there someday......and don't touch my dice! 😌)
Remember, all board games are technically role playing games. For instance, in Monopoly the plates take the roles of real estate moguls (slum lords) as they attempt to control whole sectors of the economy and make deals to drive their competition into bankruptcy. Or if you absolutely hate monopoly (because you use the fake rule of putting money in the middle of the board for players landing on free parking) you got Catan putting the players in the role of settlers in a new wilderness staking out territory and gaining resources to be the most successful colonizer. So yeah. These games can include over acting, background stories and funny voices but there’s no YT show featuring that so no one thinks about it. What a shame.
Maybe there's a market? We could change the course of humankind and create a Monopoly streaming channel where we dress in period clothing and smoke cigars in a small room under a single hanging light.
Oh the amount of videos I've seen that say, "How to be a great DM/GM or Player." And all the say is follow the rules but improvise and then give voice acting tips is frankly infuriating.
Be a great DM? Learn when to say Yes and when to say No. and learn to bluff convincingly. Everything else is just prepping to make the game easier to present to the players.
Roleplaying is talking and acting like a different person, taking on a different role. Roleplaying is not rolling a die and describing what you do. That's rollplaying. Everyone that's been around for a while makes this distinction on what type of player you are. Playing a video game like Final Fantasy is also not roleplaying. We don't get paid to play our D&D game, and our voice acting isn't as good, but we have more fun than they do on CR. No, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn express last night.
@@welovettrpgs - Not talking like your role and only telling the DM what you do is rollplaying. If you are being yourself, that's not roleplaying. That's acting normal or being yourself. Unless you are saying that playing D&D doesn't require talking in funny voices, then I would agree.
@@sleepinggiant4062 Yeah, it's what I'm saying in the video. Think like the other person. Then you'll act like the other person. But you never need to use a funny voice.
@@welovettrpgs - ok then, yes, that's very true. However, I have known many players that will never roleplay while playing D&D. No amount of encouragement or directly engaging them with conversation works. They just flat out don't like it and will always describe what they are trying to do rather than have a conversation in character.
@@sleepinggiant4062 There might be some misunderstanding. There's nothing wrong with a player "describing what they'll do" and they don't have to in any way "talk like their character." I think what you're trying to convey is a matter of first person vs third person perspectives. All that matters is their choices, actions, behaviors and thought process are that of the character from the character's perspective and the player MUST separate that from their own perspective (other than translating the game mechanics.)
So the last video I saw of yours was about visiting the grave of Bruce Lee, and now this one tells me to take what works for me and discard the rest, hmmm? 🤔
@@welovettrpgs I wouldn't consider him a screamer. He really set the ground for me DMing. But I digress. He made some good points about "doing the voice." Doesn't mean you're doing quality roleplay. He has a great example of an event from his campaign where no one was " acting" but we're making some pretty heavy decisions based on the PCs they were playing that were not maybe the best way to win.
Also I find he's very inclusive and anti bullying stance refreshing. He speaks from is diaphragm like I do so I'll say this. "I'm not screaming I'm passionate!"
Please help us get to 5k by the end of August! Be sure you're subscribed. Even if you have subscribed be sure to check that RUclips hasn't unsubscribed you. I don't know if it's a real glitch (RUclips has glitches) or a conspiracy theory (It could be?) but several channels, even large ones, have reported this happening. Thanks and I hope to see you in our Discord! EDIT: And I shouldnt need to say this but if you post personal insults or other non NSFW language you will be immediately banned without hesitation. If you want to complain about how I look, please do that on Reddit, not here. Better yet, just block the channel and live your happy life.
The algorythm will kick in sooner or later. Just don't forget about us channel grognards once you pass 50k.
@@TakaD20 Thank you my friend! Of course I will not forget you!
Loved it, 5k+ on the near horizon or I'll eat my hat. Which is not made from primarily edible materials. lol
Snarky yet dapper.
Interesting that Gygax warned of this decades ago
The Globetrotters reference is spot on - Thanks Aten! 🍪☕
Wow! The nostalgia as you read that section from the Marvel RPG hit hard! I can remember reading that very passage myself many years ago. Good times.
That's awesome! This make me truly happy to hear! Thank You!
Nice topic. Separating player knowledge from character knowledge is certainly a challenge for some (and I have played with some people that simply won't do that), but it is definitely part of the "game". In my opinion, that is the first step to making the transition to thinking as your character would. I like the following statement from TMNT & Other Strangeness: "In a role-playing game there are no simple answers. There are also no limits to what you can do. The only restrictions are that you cannot go beyond the physical, mental, and emotional limits of your character."
When you make decisions about what your character would do in a given situation you are roleplaying. *Simples*.
You, the player, know things your character doesn't know.
Your character, who grew up in world knows things you don't know: feel free to ask me, the GM, what they know about .
On Matt and CR, I'm still utterly perplexed about the number of people who can't distinguish between Actor and Role, that a VoiceActor is a kind-of Actor, that Actors know about the structure and pacing of stories, or that Actors are trained to drop in and out of Character.
At the table we aren't (necessarily) the Actors, we are the Writers' Room.
Something I had to learn the hard way was that you NEVER share the ideas and plans you had that never entered the games, or what possible solutions there were to the problems they face (especially the ones they struggled with).
The tight-lipped GM keeps the players guessing, and when they players are guessing, they are engaged.
I admit I struggle with this still. Also my players are very quiet and passive and sometimes needs nuges to get going. Like they want me to hand them things on a plate.
But what about players who are stuck in a puzzle room. In a recent session of Pathfinder 2e I played, we were stuck in a puzzle room for 3 hours and the GM refused to drop any hints. We solved it in the end but everyone was so frustrated, the session ended badly. I'm my opinion the GM should have told us the answer about 30 minutes in.
@RealLordFuture There is a point where they should input for sure. However what caught my eye in @kimkahn's comment was the part about other possible solutions or the ideas you had that you didn't use. Or if the solution the players had was not the 'intended' one. And it might not feel good after a while but I've seen players tune out when they aren't challenged enough, (though after 30+ min they probably should have given a hint or something)
@@tntori5079 I noticed this after the advent of MMOs that spoon feed people. They have a hard time realizing they can do whatever they want. Once they get it, their eyes light up with a new found freedom.
@@RealLordFuture Either the answer or dropped more clues. I run into the opposite issue. My wife and kids are so good at puzzles they solve them way to easy. By the way, I suck at puzzles, so they get that from their mom.
As usual, your insights are takes are fascinating and unique. I LOVE the snark and energy =) also you talk about things I don't hear others really talk about. That globetrotters reference? Perfect. As soon as you said it I understood EXACTLY what you were getting at.
Wow, thank you!
I find it easy to break an RPG experience into its two fundamental aspects: the Mechanics (aka dice rolling) and the Narrative (you know...role playing) but moreso it's about storytelling and how players provide the action and interactions within the story.
I agree. I have a prior video about GMs as storytellers as well.
I was a theatre major in college, but I don't do much acting while role playing my character. I just try to get in the characters mindset and take actions as the character based on what the character would do in that situation. I will occasionally try to vocalize things in character, but most of the time I don't worry about it.
The Globetrotters reference is so accurate, and gave me a hearty belly laugh! thanks Aten. You do excellent work -
☕🍪
Glad you enjoyed it!
Even playing a board game, like Monopoly, my brothers and I would role play. The banker wringing his hands with maniacal laughter. It’s all fun.
I'd say another influence on the issue of confusion, it's the language we use in discussion. We refer to in-game Social Interaction as "roleplay." This further reinforces the notion that the Social aspect is the only element of roleplay and is divorced from the rest of the game. /rant
You're always polite even when you rant so feel free to share your frustrations.
@@welovettrpgs let's not open up a can of worms 😅👌
@@Mr_GoR_ haha!
Babe wake up, new We Love TTRPGs video
haha! thanks!
Oooohhhhh, someone's in a mood. ;)
As a DM, I occasionally put on specific voice tones, body language, wording, etc. when portraying specific NPCs. I don't pretend to be good at it, but my group appreciates the effort. But it is never required of Players, and they also appreciate THAT. :).
Secrets are important. It especially extends to the DM. In play, depending on circumstances, I might preface descriptions with "You see ...." or "It SEEMS to be..." instead of "It IS ...", just to keep Players on notice, as it were. The added advantage of playing it close to the chest is, the Group sometimes comes up with much cooler ideas than what I had originally planned. So, I might quietly switch paths and do some improvisation to incorporate their thoughts.
This also lulls them into a false sense of security, "Hey, we've TOTALLY figured you out, right?" Heh, heh, heh. :)
Haven't watched much CR, heard plenty about it. Rather overrated, in my personal opinion. If talking problems in current RP, I'd put *some* blame on online gaming. Certain individuals and groups in those are known to get quite toxic without any true consequences, and I suspect that is where a lot of bad behavior originates - people shifting from those to TTRPGs, and taking the exact WRONG lessons learned along with them. That would seem to be at the core of a lot of RPG horror stories these days.
My opinion about Critical Role vastly changed after I saw several of their Vines from (I guess?) Matt's home long before they became famous. He genuinely loves the game and is a true fan. And he has brought a lot of people into the hobby ... for better or worse ... so us long time players are here to help train his recruits.
This is a really nice discussion about the game and the role playing. We are pretty lucky in our game, everyone is pretty good about trust and know that sometimes the character is gonna suffer or not get what they want right now.
As a GM I will ask some players who are NOT in the "scene" (room, encounter etc.) take on the roles of some of the NPCs, I'll hand them some guidelines and goals and then they can play instead of waiting for their character's activity. (the dreaded "down time"). We have a good group that is able to separate player from character and it usually works out because everyone stays engaged and has a shared story even if their character was not directly involved. We have also been able to create some of those wonderful and memorable NPCs that people go on about.)
I love the editing in this video. It's well done.
Thank you very much!
I've often had to remind my players that just because they know something from a book, movie, or video games doesn't mean that applies to the table. One of my more experienced players recently sighed and mumbled "my character wouldn't know that" and then did something he knew would make the situation harder. I was so proud...lol
West coast drop times always throw me off. Wtf? 8 hrs late to get on my feed?!
I still love this channel and RUclips needs to know!
The Globetrotters analogy is a family friendly version of the comparison to adult films. Yeah, all of that can happen, but it’s stylized and curated for the audience and you might be sorely disappointed, when you find out reality is not scripted.
Excellent video! Keeping knowledge separate, between player and character, is one of the challenges that must be addressed to achieve the kinds of role-play we're talking about in tabletop gaming (as opposed to therapeutic RP, corporate training RP, etc.). Probably, a lot of that starts with the player understanding themselves pretty well; to some extent, that seems like a necessary precursor to understanding how a fictive personality would make different decisions when confronted by a particular series of events. Accents, costumes, and props of all kinds are, indeed, all just ways to a "focus" that keeps you in touch with that character's "head space."
That said, I also think it's an overall enhancement to have some definite, concrete features that exist prior to engagement from one of the players/player characters; in other words, the world shouldn't be entirely determined by random inputs that "could happen," or that just aren't deemed to be immediately game-breaking. I think the development of character should occur along lines provided by the context of the setting. For example, if one is going to play an elf, then that character should be informed by the status and condition of elves in that setting.
That's where there are some choices to make about what we can make up, on-the-fly, at the table. So, for example, someone says that they're going to play their character like a stereo-typical elf, dwarf, halfling, etc.; but, what does that mean in the setting for playing that particular game? There's nothing inherently wrong with just using a pastiche of media tropes, as long as that's enjoyable to the people playing at that table. Lord of the Rings (movies or books) characters, or Harry Potter (movies or books) characters are both legitimate sources of inspiration for fantasy elves. I love ElfQuest ; so, I'll throw some of that elf lore into it if we're all just throwing stuff out there to become permanently part of the shared world. Then it's, "hey!, why not Keebler elf lore"? I wanna be like Ernie!
A lot of those choices can be obviated by by choosing to play within the specific lore of an established intellectual property, or having a home-brewed setting with established parameters of its own. Traditionally, that has been something that mainly comes from the GM's side; however, there's nothing inherently wrong with collaboratively deciding on the world's general parameters before the first play session. Essentially, prior to collaboratively engendering a story through playing it out, there should be a shared framework that establishes the general status and conditions of the collaborative creation space.
I guess the summary thought is, to draw on the Gygax article, between "role play" and "role assumption," there should be "role context," because that's where the relationship between character and setting is truly established. To know how that character will make decisions requires knowing that character's position (social, physical, etc.) within the context of the setting as a whole. Best!
Youre correct on all points, however that's the advanced class! :) I have a whole thing on playing fantasy species and very high ability scores that I trimmed from this video because it gets a little too deep for most beginning players.
what a rollercoaster of emotions o.o great conclusion tho!
I think most people are able to roleplay, but many have never associated the TTRPG concept of it with what they used to do as kids. Once they find that connection, it becomes a lot easier.
Space for motivational message about finding one's inner child and so on and so forth...
...that said, the world would be a much better place if everybody remembered how to role play again.
Plenty of food for thoughts in this video, it's very much appreciated.
Thanks for another great video Aten! =)
Greetings from Switzerland 😀
Thanks! I hope you're doing well!
Excellent Monologue Sir.
Long time ago I readed in a TTRPG the section "What is a TTRPG?" and it said "playing Indians and Cowboys " but with rules when 2 players shout:Bang bang I hit you.Not only I didn't find it offensive I find it wonderful.
Brilliant points and extra snark. I loved it.
Thanks!
I came for the snark! I wasn't disappointed! ;-)
😁
Great video. I'm playing DnD with someone atm, who is relatively new to TTRPGs and she's not that great at keeping secrets from her character yet, but we are trying to teach her. Sadly she doesn't understand english, otherwise I would have shown her this video😅
Entertaining as always
Very good video and sounds advice 🧙♂🧙♂
I love your videos, keep 'em coming :)
Glad you like them!
Once again you did a great job! I appreciate your sarcasm. I think you must be an awesome DM.
I appreciate that!
Nicely done sir!
Thank you kindly!
mehn i love your vids, im new to dnd and running games and you have been amazing thank you.
Glad you like them! Thanks!
Another great video Aten. Speaking of quick costumes, ive often wondered where you source your wardrobe?
Historical Emporium.
I enjoy all of We Love TTRPGs videos v🎉😊
"OK Steve!" 😮😮😮
But but but... I love transforming into a werewolf... Of course your snark is hilarious and the Scooby-Doo Harlem Globe Trotters bit was awesome. This is a great video, thank you Aten for all that you do, also the funny thing about the Matt Mercer DM style as I've heard it called is that.... I have had many DMs who have run games basically the same way before Critical Role was even a thing, not to knock the man, he has some good DM chops from what I've seen, but I personally believe the Matt Mercer effect as it's called is just basically fan bias and sensationalism. A good DM is just a good DM, how Matt Mercer does or doesn't do it will not and has never factored in to matters of solidarity. Sorry, drunk ranting again. Anyways, good luck and best wishes from me and the kobold collective on reaching 5k. You can do it, me and the mice in my pockets believe in you. *The mice cheer.*
Nice video, Aten. Professional online streaming games give "beauty filter" picture of what the hobby is. Just roll some dice in person or with friends and have a good time. Don't worry if you're doing it right.
Another Banger!
Thanks!
Straight up a banger of a video.
thanks!
Wait, you had a 'Steve' too?
I've been playing solo through published adventures and one of the ways I used to manage meta knowledge is to put it to a test. How likely would the PC suspect a thing is true? Then I look over the character sheet and see if there's a stat that can sway the odds. If I'm playing a game that incorporates personality or triggers into the mechanics, it's pretty straight forward. Otherwise, I'll assign an odds and roll on it; usually with a d6. Of course, as Tomkin of Ironsworn would advise, 'Go with the most interesting outcome.' Which is how I play it now.
So, yeah, I'd have my character pick up that cursed gem.
I have a whole thing on Meta Gaming. It can't be helped. It's going to happen. But there can be guidelines and some of it can help explain very high INT or WIS scores. I'll try to cover it in depth in the near future.
Enjoyed the video and think it is precise in describing the state of the game and the anxiety/expectations of some players. Role playing is assuming a persona in the game that is different from your personal skill/abilities. Good role players also will make decisions based more upon that character than their own knowledge of the game or personal feelings. The theatrical acting out of characters is a personal choice, not a prime requisite of the game or an indication you are "doing" D and D better than others, although it can add immersive elements and flavor to campaigns. And finally, if you LARP for our group we are doing the new heros thing and we are in the post-apocalyptic world where you dress as Zardoz.
haha Connery!
Really enjoyed that. Way too much pressure is put on people to be actors in an RPG. Mostly it just makes me uncomfortable when Bob is trying to talk with She Elf voice. Sort of takes the fun out of it. Thanks for always having great content!
Thank You!!
I'm a natural PT Barnum when I play. So when I get into a character I'll even physically act out some of their actions. Like when I was in a caged wagon as a prisoner, I stood next to my GM who stayed sat down because she was playing a character walking beside the wagon. And I already towered above her when we both stood. But it felt right and natural. And that's the trick, it needs to feel natural to you. You're assuming the role sure, but you're not that character, not really. It needs to feel right to you or it will feel forced and uncomfortable.
A bowler? With that facial hair? Surely you meant to don a magnificent top hat!
But then the snark alone may justify the bowler, so we’ll played
I'm wearing the top hat in my Horror video! :)
brutal.
a bit? :)
TTRPGing is easy, you just have to spend 200 or 300 bucks on books and essential accessories, internalize some hundred pages of rules (and as gm, additional 100 or pages of adventures), watch some weeks worth of YT video about the greatest mistakes, RPG horror stories, problem players and generally what can go wrong and there you... hey, where are you going? Come back!
haha ikr?
That's exactly why I'm here
I really ought to get my players watching some of these videos...for their sake, not mine.
Thanks!
I mean your mustache is glorious.
Thanks! it keeps me busy! :)
Excellent video.
Thank you very much!
0:45 Oh, my God! Although this is an image of you, I can't help but think of my own group back in the day, as I was the only Black Kid interested in this little hobby back then 😏
When I went to college I did get to know a couple more, and we became quick friends based on our experience of being the 'Only One' in their neighborhood.
Sadly, both of the guys i knew have since gone on that Last Great Adventure. Although in this Modern Day its no longer a curse to be a 'Blerd (Black Nerd)', their will never be anyone as important to me as Larry and Bob ("Save a spot at the Big Table for me lads; I'll be there someday......and don't touch my dice! 😌)
Thank you for your beautiful story! And I'm still good friends with the two non white kids in that picture.
Remember, all board games are technically role playing games. For instance, in Monopoly the plates take the roles of real estate moguls (slum lords) as they attempt to control whole sectors of the economy and make deals to drive their competition into bankruptcy.
Or if you absolutely hate monopoly (because you use the fake rule of putting money in the middle of the board for players landing on free parking) you got Catan putting the players in the role of settlers in a new wilderness staking out territory and gaining resources to be the most successful colonizer.
So yeah. These games can include over acting, background stories and funny voices but there’s no YT show featuring that so no one thinks about it. What a shame.
Maybe there's a market? We could change the course of humankind and create a Monopoly streaming channel where we dress in period clothing and smoke cigars in a small room under a single hanging light.
@@welovettrpgs monopoly LARPing, excellent
Oh the amount of videos I've seen that say, "How to be a great DM/GM or Player." And all the say is follow the rules but improvise and then give voice acting tips is frankly infuriating.
Then I'm not missing out. I hope this one is better: ruclips.net/video/gf1qh9GocxQ/видео.html
Be a great DM? Learn when to say Yes and when to say No. and learn to bluff convincingly. Everything else is just prepping to make the game easier to present to the players.
YESSSSSSSSSSSS - sir ian!!!!
I’m still gonna be a commenting gremlin XD but subbed.
Roleplaying is talking and acting like a different person, taking on a different role. Roleplaying is not rolling a die and describing what you do. That's rollplaying. Everyone that's been around for a while makes this distinction on what type of player you are. Playing a video game like Final Fantasy is also not roleplaying.
We don't get paid to play our D&D game, and our voice acting isn't as good, but we have more fun than they do on CR.
No, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn express last night.
You don't have to talk like a different person. You simply have to think like them. Then the "acting like a different person" will come naturally.
@@welovettrpgs - Not talking like your role and only telling the DM what you do is rollplaying.
If you are being yourself, that's not roleplaying. That's acting normal or being yourself.
Unless you are saying that playing D&D doesn't require talking in funny voices, then I would agree.
@@sleepinggiant4062 Yeah, it's what I'm saying in the video. Think like the other person. Then you'll act like the other person. But you never need to use a funny voice.
@@welovettrpgs - ok then, yes, that's very true.
However, I have known many players that will never roleplay while playing D&D. No amount of encouragement or directly engaging them with conversation works. They just flat out don't like it and will always describe what they are trying to do rather than have a conversation in character.
@@sleepinggiant4062 There might be some misunderstanding. There's nothing wrong with a player "describing what they'll do" and they don't have to in any way "talk like their character." I think what you're trying to convey is a matter of first person vs third person perspectives. All that matters is their choices, actions, behaviors and thought process are that of the character from the character's perspective and the player MUST separate that from their own perspective (other than translating the game mechanics.)
So the last video I saw of yours was about visiting the grave of Bruce Lee, and now this one tells me to take what works for me and discard the rest, hmmm? 🤔
Yeah thats why I'm not allowed back in that graveyard. :p
I don't know if you have seen Matt Colville's video on this, but it's pretty dead on IMO.
No, not a fa. I'm not into over caffeinated people screaming into cameras.
@@welovettrpgs I wouldn't consider him a screamer. He really set the ground for me DMing. But I digress. He made some good points about "doing the voice." Doesn't mean you're doing quality roleplay. He has a great example of an event from his campaign where no one was " acting" but we're making some pretty heavy decisions based on the PCs they were playing that were not maybe the best way to win.
Also I find he's very inclusive and anti bullying stance refreshing. He speaks from is diaphragm like I do so I'll say this. "I'm not screaming I'm passionate!"
Doooooood.... 🙃😜