Many of us are struggling right now and for those who need to ground themselves in something normal and lighthearted, I have decided to post this video as scheduled. Please be kind to each other (and yourselves) today. ❤
I'm just imagining that one TikTok where someone talks about their cat coming up to their table and started rolling the dice while one player was away, so they just ran with it, said the druid is just in permanent wild shape, and pulled up a whole new chair for the player once they got back! XD
While I don't consider myself a "socializer" player, I love seeing my party regularly and spending quality time with them! 🥰 It's a really lovely bonus to a fun game.
Love this kind of video. So many people talk about practicing good communication, session zero, and to make sure your play group is all on the same page and wants the same things outta the game, but it's so rare to see people actually dive into it. It's rare to hear about _how_ to communicate well, _how_ to run a session zero, and detailing _how_ to get on the same page and figure out if you want the same things.
Thanks so much! You know I’m a big fan of session zero-it’s such a game-changer for building a group that clicks. I really want to help make it easier for anyone to dive into, especially if they’re new to the process!
I found that when I stopped treating it as a night where "I run a game of D&D" to "we play a game of D&D" the games became much more enjoyable and the stories became much better. (I also want to say I really like how you do your sponsor segments. They're always adorable and so well done.)
It must be inconceivable for young people how some dude running into a dungeon managed to become one of the biggest memes of a previous generation. But here we are. Absolute generational gap.
Best. Video. Ever. Seriously… I’ve been a follower for years… this is so important, so accessible. Really, really nicely done. Back in the late 1970s, nobody looked at what ‘type’ of player someone was… they used terms like ‘good’ and ‘bad’. ‘Murder hobos’ and ‘loot ninjas’ are terms still heavily over used. There is a right table for most players… but gaming with folks who you aren’t compatible with just sucks. Bravo… really good work.
Thank you so much! It’s amazing to hear that this resonated, especially from a long-time player. Having a framework for player types opens up so many new ways to build the right group for everyone. Really glad you enjoyed this one!”
I have always used the term Loot Goblin instead of Ninja, there is nothing stealthy about the way every enemy corpse gets stripped to their skivvies. I am a proud loot goblin and will always be so.
LEEEEEROOOOOOY JJJJEENKIIINS! Awesome! I did actually read this ages ago, but with conflicting interests only recently bubbling to the surface in our group, I needed a reminder! Someone need to make a 40 question quiz which gives you an 8 pointed radar chart with your scores in these various stats. From 1-20, of course. And a player matching guide with suggestions on types you might match or clash with. Hold my Mercury Gatorade (yes, that is a thing now), I have to make a spreadsheet! Aaaand, I think I just revealed my nature as a problemsolver/optimizer multiclass. But I ready knew that. After all, I had a full 30 level progression plan ready for my 3.5-character before we hit lvl 8. But also an 8 page backstory, soooo who tf am I?!
This was really useful for me, I played D&D for the first time last week and felt like I maybe hadn't done a very good job because I wasn't great at the roleplay part (my character calls people "dude" a lot more often than they really should), but after watching this I realise I'm just a not that type of player and that's ok. I did loot every dead body finding some important keys though, and asking the right question when the DM described a wall as being "mostly" hewn rock lead to us finding the secret passage that the other players were going to miss, so maybe I'm just more of an explorer type!
That sounds like a great first session! Not everyone needs to be heavy on roleplay to enjoy D&D, and it sounds like your instincts as an Explorer are spot-on. Picking up on details and finding those hidden keys and secret passages is the kind of game-changing contribution every party needs!
I think I’m an Actor-Storyteller-Optimizer, BUT I always make sure to optimize for the good of the group. Like, I love pulling off game-breaking combat combos, but ONLY when it involves another player (that way, I’m helping others feel cool, instead of just it being the Me Show). I also currently play a blaster-support for this reason, as, while she doesn’t get kills often, she’s always making everyone else more efficient, making her super impactful without stealing the spotlight.
I love your take on optimization! Pulling off big moves while making the whole team look awesome is next-level. That’s the kind of party member everyone loves to have around!
I consider myself a storyteller-optimizer, which for me means I want to optimize within the bounds of my character concept. Which concept is often weird and suboptimal itself.
Storyteller 🌞 Explorer ⬆️ Actor 🌙 - Great video! I actually always make my new players take a mini personality quiz for these player types before we have our session zero so I can help them build PCs they’ll enjoy playing 😂
@@StephaniePlaysGames I hate being that guy who says "oh my god, I have a video idea you should make," so I'm terribly sorry for what I'm about to say. But, as a fan of yours, I'd genuinely love to see you talk about that sometime. I have taught a lot of new players how to play, so I'm always looking for tips on how to better do that the next time I have to. I would also just love to hear what kind of success you have had with it, ways you might wanna improve it, etcetera, etcetera.
I want every player to have a subplot, a story arc, and growth. Changing the world around you is satisfying and emotionally investing. Grab hold of that plot! I guess that makes me the storyteller. =)
Good that you use the sword two-handed when dealing with socializers (based on damage). But if they interrupted your character acting, add the +2 Rage bonus.
D&D was a huge part of finding my way as a human. It let me speed run meeting all sorts of players while playing all sorts of personalities. LARP, even more so. Also, I met the woman I would marry… whilst dressed as a Gargoyle.
I’m a forever DM, but as a player, I think I’m an actor/optimizer/storyteller/socializer. I love getting into character, telling a good story, and making my character powerful, but at the end of the day, I’m here to have a good time with my friends. Also, great job with the sword joke; you really had me shivering with antici…
I played a game last night that had me saying "I need a drink" after an amount of in-game time of about 15 seconds. It was one of the most stressful 90 minutes of my life. That is what I want.
I think I saw myself as an Optimiser for way too long. Optimising was just what my ADHD brain did when I couldn't play as much as I wanted to. And I've always prioritised what's fun and makes sense in the world for characters I actually play. In reality at the table I'm more of a problem solver/storyteller. The more I try to plan out of the game for what can happen in game, the less fun I have and that took me a LONG time to learn and a lot of frustration that cool things I wanted to do just didn't happen... for years of playing a character built for it. These days I just give myself options when making a character but other than that, I let the game decide where things go, take notes, ask questions and I'm much more interested in the big picture and helping NPCs than any personal gain. That said I've wanted glamoured armour for 30 years and I've never fucking had any and I'm still salty! At the end of Waterdeep Dragonheist we got our reward and went shopping, there was glamoured studded leather armour for sale. it would have cost 80% of the total party funds from a 2 years social game to buy it, for a campaign that was wrapping up. I'll be honest, my enjoyment of wrapping up that game died in that shop. So maybe there is a little actor in there that wants a new fancy outfit on command while wearing armour, I just don't like the spotlitght.
At the beginning of every campaign I DM--and at with every group of new players I join--I always send out a survey asking players to rank which of these playstyles they most identify with. Does a good job helping players be aware of their preferences, and helps me better tailor the game to player preferences. Granted, because I'm big into Narrative, Optimizing, and Acting, those will sneak their way into my encounters anyways . . . xD
Yes! I love a session zero or player survey 🥰 That’s such a smart approach - getting everyone to think about their playstyle right from the start can make a world of difference, and it sounds like you’re giving players a fantastic experience.
Here's where you're wrong! I think I'm a socialiser/storyteller and I watch your channel because I enjoy your vibe and original characters so that's definitely a 'socialiser' reason to watch you haha
I'm definitely a Storyteller. I live for worldbuilding and finding out how my Character fits into the world, and I even choose my exact Subclass based on my Character's Background and Backstory.
I'm sharing this in my Discord servers. In the larger ones especially, this would be very useful to make new groups to play a particular game. I think I am a mix of many of these... I'll have to rewatch to decide! Or maybe I'll just ask my group what do they think of me, heh.
I love shenanigans in game! Goofing around with the party and pranks. I also like at least one combat encounter per session. I definitely go into the actor style.
Happy to help! 💖 That simple question is such a smart way to get everyone on the same page. And yep, it’s all in the DMG-it's wild how much good stuff is tucked away in there!
As a DM I use these a lot! I think it’s really interesting that you have a session zero to find these out: for me, I think I know what types all of my players are, so I can know what things to give them they’ll enjoy the most. I doubt they themselves know that they are a certain type of player though 😂
Love that you know your players so well-it’s such an advantage for tailoring the game! For newly formed groups, though, a session zero is super helpful to get everyone on the same page and uncover those player types early on - especially for DMs that aren't as good at reading others.
Thank you so much, Ginny! I've been wanting to get into DMing again, but have struggled in the past to properly communicate what kinds of games I enjoy running. As a player, I only stumbled into my perfect type of game once, honestly, and haven't dived back into DnD since I moved a few years ago. I think this will really help me for either of those things in the future.
Oh I know what kind of D&D player I am. Eberron, with its mix of pulp fiction, noir, and high action. Basically, kind of D&D game I like is the same as the movies and television shows I like - The Matrix, John Wick, Guardians of the Galaxy, The X-Files and so on.
I think im a mix of all of these in one way or another, i love role-playing like the actor,problem solver, and love to know lore of a campaign like explorer. But also i do enjoy combat like the fighter and i do optimize my characters in a way fits their flavor but makes them unique but still very useful
"You will prove encounter balancing tools are nothing to a person witha hyperfixation and a reddit account" killed me I had to pause the video for several minutes. (Realistically I relate to a lot of these, while I think tools like this can help understand some mentalities, but it's still easy to go "yeah that's fun that's also me fr fr", like I don't usually aggressively optimise or plan out builds or specific multiclasses, but I do hyperfocus on rules and abilties to know what options I do have and how I can try to help the group make characters they will enjoy playing, much to the dismay of my DM as I told the barbarian and ranger about GWM and SS which both got doubled up by me playing a grave cleric with their channel divinity, but I also really like problem solving, acting, the wider story is always the biggest hook for me, and I do really like moment to moment fights because turn based rpgs are some of my favourite video games so getting to play that with a bunch of friends even if it means having less control than in a BG3 or an Octopath traveller or final fantasy or whatever, still really captures me, I only really clash with instigators or people who don't engage with enough good faith/ seriousness, there's going to be jokes and I am prone to referencing other things a lot but there's a time to know that you need to respect the story. This would get into an anecdote about a problem player in a campaign I ran but this comment is already long and rambly but tldr in the backhalf of my wddh campaign they were just taking the piss out of everything, constantly making dumb moves and I didn;t want to just shut the down or seem overly harsh so I ended up rolling with it and it made some moments lack a lot of punch they should have, Xanathar not disintegrating the guy that mocks him TWICE was probably the moment I should've seen how much of an impact it was having)
I am an Actor/Explorer/Optimizer/Problem Solver/Storyteller. In my one on one game with the wife GMing, I tend to try to defuse EVERY encounter unless the enemy is completely unredeemable. And when combat is necessary, my extremely optimized builds and carefully considered tactics tend to make short work of them, after which not a body goes unlooted. I like silly voices and tend to write unnecessarily long backstories. There was one game where I had carefully talked with every single named NPC in town, identified all their problems, solved every mystery, and it all culminated in a carefully orchestrated uprising that resulted in a favorable outcome for everyone EXCEPT the main antagonist. That is just how I roll.
I play DnD to have fun with my friends, and hopefully make/ experience a fun story while playing. It's my first DnD campain and we're on session 4. I am mainly a fighter and investigator/ explorer with a bit socializing in between when people are looking things up or taking small breaks. I'm here for the story, and try to give input. I just dont feel comfortable being an actor/ storyteller yet, but im making progress and starting to use 3rd person to describe my actions and first person to ask questions to npcs.
My main group right now is a Fighter (me), an Optimizer, and a Socializer. Works out pretty well, definitely a "minimal roleplay" table. The other group I play with has an Actor, an Instigator, and a couple others I haven't quite pegged yet, but I suspect they may both be Storytellers. Lots more RP going on there. The problem is that the DM has set up an Exploration-heavy campaign, and I'm not sure anyone's really into it...
Your videos are always fun to watch and learn from as a person who plays dnd and has adhd I get the struggle that most people have when playing and I get it!
Homebrew rewards is the secret to getting optimizers to play well with others. Having actual powerful magic items and other rewards that interact in interesting and unexpected ways with their current build helps them stop obsessing over the next level up since the most optimal choices depend on the available items. It gets them excited about unique builds that only work because of the items they get.
What describes me from Greatest to Least .... 1 > Fighter 2 > Optimizer 3 > Explorer 4 > Actor 5 > Socializer 6 > Instigator 7 > Storyteller 8 > Problem Solver
My favorite problem solver anecdote. Back in the '80s, I ran a competition module at a local con. One of the players asked if he could add some items to his pre-generated chacter -- specifically, "A pot of honey and a book of bad elvish poetry." Sure. No problem. Later in the adventure, when they were trying to sneak into a building unnoticed, he walks up to a locked door that had a small window. "I take out my honey," he tells me, "and smear it all over the glass. They I rip pages out of the poetry book and stick them all over the honey. Now I use the pommel of my dagger to carefully break the glass and, since it's stuck to the honeyed paper, it won't fall in and crash on the floor, alerting the guards... right?" You're darn tootin', buddy. Have some luscious extra XPs for that bit of cleverness!
It's interesting how the different types of player described above correspond to different approaches in the psychology of learning and play. There is an important model of the psychology of Learning/play by honey and Mumford. Based on earlier work by kolb. they divide learning/play into four key parts. Activity, reflection, theorising, and testing. Everybody uses each of these steps however most people have a favourite place to start. Activists love to jump in and get things going, reflectors like to get their ducks in a row organising their actions before they act, theorizer's like to strategize 1st, testers like to poke it with a stick and see what happens.
That’s fascinating! The connections between player types and learning/play models really add another layer to how we approach D&D. The model makes so much sense here-‘activity’ as instigators, ‘reflection’ as storytellers, ‘theorising’ as problem solvers, and ‘testing’ as explorers. It’s amazing how D&D taps into these psychological preferences in such a natural way!
@@GinnyDi This can also help build an understanding of both party dynamics and player dynamics. Activists want to jump in and get going. Strategists want to hold back and think things through. the barbarian wades in before the battle master forms a plan. This creates tension between them. Reflectors like to get there ducks in a row before they act. Testers like to deliberately upset things to see what happens. the rouge was to start a fight to see what happens, the bard wants to control with charm and persuasion. This creates tension between them. Often (but not always) players like to explore different approaches through their characters e.g. players with highly strategic day jobs like cut loose with an activist barbarian in the evenings.
I'm a bit of an unlikely combo: Primarily I'm and Actor archetype first, but I'm also a bit of an Optimizer. My character has a backstory that rivals novels, and I work with the DM to make sure it's woven into the game's lore. I develop speech patterns and mannerisms for each character that are different from myself. And I'm always down to 'talk it out' in character rather than fight - However, I also know the rules, and like to theory-craft builds that match my characters' flavors. I usually end up with a very powerful combat build so that if/when diplomacy does fail, I pack one hell of a punch
Great video! While roleplay, combat, exploration and other parts already exist in DND, ratios in gameplay and themes also exist. Certain classes and species would be better for certain settings than others (e.g. elf glamour bard in Witchlight instead of Eberron or Borovia, etc.)
Thanks! You’re absolutely right-choosing a class or personality that really ‘fits’ the setting or game style can make a huge difference. A low-INT fighter in a political intrigue game could be fun for a bit, but it might get a little old after a while.
i am mostly an explorer and an emersion nut, for me the thing i love the most(and am lacking the most as an eternal dm) is when the world reacts to me or acknowledges things i have done. for an example an npc offering me thanks for saving their relative in another town, or when a puzzle comes along that requires a specific set of skills only i have cause of the character built i chose, or the backstory i wrote.
We have an absolute optimizer in our group - Our last campaign was in Pathfinder 1E (basically D&D 3.75) and he would regularly roll Perception checks in the 70s.
Rest and find comfort where you can and as you need. Then, figure what you can do in your local community with the folks who are feeling like you do right now.
"What do you actually want from a D&D game? Do you even know? Because if you don't, you're going to keep ending up in D&D games that aren't right for you." Thaaat's why I'm here. I don't really care about anything in life, and that's why everything is beautiful...... buuut makes it really hard to come up with a character when there's always a part of the mind that goes "but I also wanna play that, and I wanna play that". Doesn't help that I'm more interesting in seeing what my friends are doing, and I kinda just like to chill and vibe after doing work all day. Also, been doing D&D for almost 5 years now. In super strong burnout right now and taking a bit of a break. With all that rambling out of the way: Actor - I definitely find this very fun. I am with myself all day everyday, thus I find myself to be the most boring person since I'm used to myself. However, get a character that isn't me, and then I get to go wild with thinking of all the decisions, emotions, nuances, and all that other stuff that the character would do that I otherwise wouldn't have a real reason to think about so I get a different perspective on life (even if there's silly reasons). My favorite D&D group was done in VR, so people were a lot more energetic as they moved around doing silly poses to act out what they were doing in D&D while using an avatar that somewhat fits their character (one of these days i'll learn how to make avatars so I can just become my D&D characters). Anyways, This is one reason why I've been tempted to be a DM, because then I can swap very frequently, and sometimes think of multiple personalities as they interact with each other at the same time. Also I have a hard time getting into characters when they are getting swapped out constantly every session because the party keeps traveling because they want loot. My favorite D&D group was when I tried to be a chaotic neutral/evil Kobold as I wanted him to be the opposite of my previous lawful good paladin Dragonborn who was rather boring. That said, as time went on he was less chaotic, and I could never pull the evil bit off, and tried to make him neutral. Explorer - If D&D was a single player game, I would be an explorer 100% just because growing up with games I always loved stumbling upon secret stuff, glitches, among other things. Though this is just a kind of habit sort of thing, as I generally don't really care about what I find generally. Definitely don't want to hold up my friends with their exploring though. Fighter - Video games are like my go-to hobby for fun, so I don't quite care about the damage dealing or item looting in D&D. 'course, my group doesn't get too descriptive of their combat actions, and they're always looking for the next loot so the loot they already have isn't talked about much. Instigator - I wanna do things, but not enough to bother doing it because it's about even with doing nothing to see what other people will do. Yeah, definitely not an instigator Optimizer - Not really me. I just pick a character/story and then min/max to make the combat functional. That said, monk/artificer hybrid kinda stumped me because of how polar opposite they are. All other characters I've been able to make work reasonably well. Problem solver - My favorite D&D group had the entire campaign take place in a single small town so we had to figure out what all the people want, and what was causing problems in the town. It was really fun! Storyteller - I kinda wanna do this, but I'm just so indecisive about what story I want. It's just "yeah this story is alright/good, just as good as the other ones". Then it's hard when it comes to listening to other people's stories because I also get the "yeah that's nice/good!". Problem is there's never anything from myself or others that make me go "omg this is amazing, I absolutely love it and strongly want to do this kind of story!" Socializer - I mean that is why I started D&D because friends wanted me to try it and I've been interested in a while. Mainly there for my friends though. Though I would like to be able to get more invested in it in some way so there is something that stands out to other hobbies my friends share. Still trying to figure out how to get myself to want to do things within D&D as a player. I'll figure it out eventually so I stop wanting to just chill as my friends do things, then feel bad that I'm not doing anything because I dunno what my character really is because I don't really know what I want ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am a storyteller DM and I get sad when I have players that are not half as interested in storytelling as I. I am running a game for one player who is also a storyteller and it is glorious but I would love to see what a group of storytellers would do.
That sounds amazing-a whole table of storytellers would be so unique! When everyone’s invested in the narrative, it really takes the game to another level... though sometimes you just need someone to swing a sword 😂
THIS! Our group is half storytellers and half Fighters/Instigators….and our DM is also a storyteller. I love our group but I really do wonder what a full group of us would be like.
@@catdragon1313 I ran a group with an instigator who compromised. She'd say "You have ten minutes to finish making an attack plan. If you don't have a plan by then, I'm going to run in and throw of barrel of fish a them" And she did keep a barrel of pickled fish on hand.
I usually try to fit to what the party needs. Currently Im fulfilling the role of "actor instigator" after I managed to slip the role of forever DM. Most of my party doesn't do much roleplay and just wants to dungeon delve. My character gives the party agency to follow up on the Dm's plot hooks as the party attempts to save my character's boss. I like to have 1 or 2 moments where my character gets the spotlight (even if its just them getting beat up again) and I'm happy to fade into the background for the rest of the session.
Do I need to worry about myself if I feel like I’m every one of them? (Apart from the socializer, that is) Anyway, I feel like it doesn’t get mentioned enough, but I really love your writing skills. Your scripts are always on point: not a single second of the video is wasted, and every line delivers either in content or entertainment. Comedic times are on point, and everything works together really well. Seriously, keep doing great things!
This is such a refreshing video. When I saw Ginnys prep for D&D in a castle, I was struck at how much (she?) prepped compared to how much milage Ginny got from her preparation. It seems to much prep to create eventuality, and to more cohesively create an antithetical villians that challenges the players and characters assumptions about the world. In other words, know what you want as a player and as a character. If what you want does not click with the table, keep looking. Each table has a place where one can fit.
I actually don't think this has much to do with the way I prep, lol. I'm an anxious person, and prep helps me assuage that anxiety. Something like D&D in a Castle was a deeply anxiety-inducing experience and there was no way I was going to rely on improv to deliver for that table regardless of what types of players any of them were.
I'd suggest another type: Helper. The players who really like to play a cleric. The spellcasters whose favorite spell is Identify. The ones who prefer a support role in the group, using ranged weapons instead of melee weapons. The ones who collect obscure magic items that "might come in handy someday." They're quick to help the little girl find her lost puppy, without ever wondering if the little girl's adult vocabulary might be a tip-off that she's a polymorphed sorceress looking for a victim. They are the opposite of instigators, the best friend of fighters, and they don't have much use for explorers.
Oh, I don't think they missed anything - like I said, these "types" aren't mutually exclusive. You can absolutely have multiple types, or even all of them.
Socializer defines my last three campaigns I've run. With different people in each. :) Many of them are new to the game and want to learn and see what D&D is about. And I love to teach one of my favorite games. I'm an Actor/Optimizer myself. My last PC game I learned that my Pact Weapon can deal Necrotic damage (First Warlock), and we needed to break down a door. I conjured a maul swinging it at the door using green flame blade. I pictured a screaming skull of fire with each swing. :)
I can highly recommend having these kinds of discussions at session zero. I didn't know about this before I started DMing my campaign and now it's really caused some problems.
There are aspects of multiple types I identify, I like roleplay but I don't use a different voice, I like planning out my character from 1 to 20 before session 1 using pathbuilder. But I don't sit there and look to far into items and such, I sit there and question the motivation of everything every npc does, but I don't like solving actual puzzle, I like loot but if my character isn't a murder hobo then mi don't play it that way. My first character was a barb and he wanted to punch everyone in the face. I am playing a sniper now and he is very disconnected from everything, doesn't care. He'll do his job but that's it, I was motivated to play for social interaction but I also take the game seriously, to a healthy degree.
I can see aspects of all these things in me. For example I think a character should have something they are best at and have fun buildign different builds, many of which I never play (optimizer), I think D&D is a social game, and having some time at beginning and end to hang out with friends is a big part of the appeal (socializer), I love being part of a good story and love when my backstory comes up (storyteller), but there are other times when I'm totally fine with a random encounter. I for sure spend some time planning what I'm going to do before doing it (problem solver), because that's generally how many of my characters would act (actor), and its satisfying seeing a plan come together. That said I get bored if we are not moving the story forward (instigator), and I do often end up being the person who is like "fine I do X to Y" to just get things to move forward, especially if everyone is being a problem solver and noone can agree on what to do. BTW a table full of only problem solvers can also be frustrating. You need at least one person to act as an instigator or nothing will ever get done and the palyers will argue about what to do forever. I also GM games and have played in many though, so I guess I've come to love many aspects of the game over the years, and what motivates me at one table in one setting, with one system might not at another. I'd say if there is one I'm least of from anything else, I'd say actor, because I can't do voices and being in character stresses me out (even when GMing I often say "X NPC does Y" instead of trying to act as that NPC (I can be good with descriptions, but they tend to be 3rd person ones).
You absolute genius predicted me twice in attempting to predict your sword joke. Like when the Problem Solver came Up I was getting giddy because I was sure it would come now and then you pull the rug away. Unbelievable. btw. "Problem Solver" is a pretty good sword name
I carry parts of 4 of the types! I love acting my character, but also see the story include parts of my character's backstory and NPC's. While not at the table I do like optimizing to some degree, giving my build a purpose, but aren't afraid to also pick something that flavors the character. I also like puzzles a lot, giving me a dip in the problem solving feats, but sadly not enough to figure out the bigger plot in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
I didn't hear myself in any of these until you got to Storyteller. Suddenly I was completely called out. How dare you so easily define me?! Great video. Loving the content.
Love writing storys for others to enjoy, Voice acting my NPCs and villains (Or PCs), the social contact and right now, a goood distraction from the world Btw I love your Videos they are just so Wholesome,, help me calm down some times and are just really helpful. Thanks a lot for making them
Th....th....thats all me. I Roleplay-acting especially fights, I love to explore the World a GM has made, want to see every bit he has put efford in and appreciate it. I completeley micromanage-optimize Chars for resembling their Character to the best, so for "Roleplay as well as Combat depending on the Role the Char has - and a "Minmaxxed Jack of all Trades" is exactly the opposite of Minmaxxing - yet, no pure Fighter is complete without Charisma, which is Selfconfidence and Determination as well, allowing for Social Roleplay as well. I always tend to use "Chaos" when all other Options are stuck and the Party not knows how to proceed - also, when the Game comes top loose its drive I start something before it comes to a boring, screeching hold (only if the GM does not mind/react on his own). I loive solving Riddles and that - as they are part of the effort a GM has put into the Game I love to appreciate. I love to roleplay the solving in Character as well as discussing it out-Character. I give a Fuck about XP mostly as long as the Game was a wonderful trip into a Fantasy that was enjoyable or similar captivating and thus all my Chars come with a Background a GM can build on and with that offers also some foundation for the Char to be as they are. I love the socializing Aspect as "making a Break in a 8h-Session where alll Cook some Food toigether and such. It all is an Aspect absoluteley neccesary for a complete, awesome Experience everyone should treat him- or herself to like for everyone else. I can live with Players that are checking at least one of thoose Boxes aside the "Socializer" - here, we do not need to play an TTRPG, we an do stuff that is more Fun than "not doing what is Fun about it" - liek having a good conversation, have a walk in the Park - everything. But, hanging out to not do what is Fun instead of having a fun Time is rather a betrayal towards the social relation we could have rather than "Fun itself". Heck, we can sit on a Bench in silence together and watch Birds and People pass by and it is more viable Fun than "pretend to enjoy not pretending in a Game of pretending to be someone else". And learn the Rules at least to a basic bit everyone - if you still ask how to roll for something a 10th Time, you are not a socializer - you are rude and ignorant to the Others Hobby they put efford in. Constantly have to ask about basic Rules told 10 Times is just disruptive, nothing else - and as much as People enjoy your Company, someone WILL get pissed about it eventually.
I like games where magic users can experiment with spells. Kinda specific but as written magic users just replicate already made spells so I love a dm that let's us make our own spells, regardless of if they work or not.
i'm a storyteller that wants to be immersed in the life of my character and make emotional judgement calls (and then write 3 pages of notes after every session). Agnata was a charisma build knight who had lost everything before the campaign, and made decisions based on how she could protect those she cares about. my best friend joined the campaign and is an instigator. one session we broke role play and got into a fight because they wanted to charge recklessly while my character was concerned about the consequences. Their character died and my character internalized it. They made a new character the next session and we had so much fun again, i learned i kinda had to just let go and let every player play their game.
Thank you for this video. As for me, I’m an actor… only if everyone is like super nice and there is another actor at the table. Maybe problem solver rising, but I’ve never had a grueling puzzle session
Actor? I do love describing what my character is doing exactly. Especially when it's cool or funny. I love playing different personalities, experimenting with accents and making my character a _character._ Check. Explorer? Well, my current (and favourite) character has expertise in Investigation, uses it frequently, and I'm an obsessive note taker, so I'm going to say check. Fighter? I love a good fight and love playing a character who's good at it. It is _especially_ satisfying when an enemy simply has to have the crap beaten out of it, when otherwise both me and my character would feel obligated to at least _try_ to talk them down. Check. Instigator? Big risks? Intelligently approached, but absolutely! We're heroes, taking risks is what we do, in the name of defeating evil and doing good. Negative consequences? Fuck yeah! No stakes, no drama, and a tragic but heroic death can be just as satisfying as an epic win. Actions and choices matter? Abso-fucking-lutely! Otherwise, what's the point? We're here to save the world and help people. A big ol' check. Optimiser? I usually know the rulebook backwards and forwards and spend heaps of time pouring over them to make my character exactly how I want them. I inevitably multiclass (current main character Fighter 5, Rogue 1, (soon to be Bladesinger) Wizard 1) to get the exact abilities I want and _love_ it when my characters are really good at what they do, though they are rarely hyper-specialised, because I like participating in many aspects of the game. Check. Problem solver? I love puzzles, especially of the logic variety. I _love_ planning and frequently have plans A through D when having the chance to prepare. (Otherwise only A through C: A: Fight. B: Set something important to the enemy on fire. C: Run away.) Though I know you can't plan for everything and there are times when you just have to jump in or take advantage of opportunities. I do like insight checks, though given my current character is bad at them, I default more to logically deducting their motivations from their words and actions. I do like a good planning session before a big fight or heist - it's _so_ satisfying to pull a fast one on the enemy. And I insist on putting a few points into intelligence whatever character I play, just so I can justify them coming up with workable plans. _CHECK._ Storyteller? Don't even need to hear the rest: *CHECK.* My main reason for playing TTRPGs is the stories we can tell along them way. I _love_ planting seeds for character arcs and love it when there's a good twist. When I GM my main goal is telling a fun and satisfying story together. Narrative impact is the entire reason for my characters - power and wealth are only ever vehicles for that goal. My character's backstory being interwoven into the plot is _soooooo_ satisfying. I am less interested in combats that are random, though I generally try to further personal character goals (by playing them with all their ideals and flaws) so they're still relevant. I already mentioned I'm an obsessive note-taker, and my main reason for this is so I can reread our adventures after I would otherwise have forgotten a lot about them. Socialiser? I use TTRPGs as the main way to hang out with my friends, without which I would only rarely see them, given our busy adult lives. I'm also organising a family game night where I'm going to GM, to give my family more chances to just hang out and do stuff together. So, I'd say check. Huh. Ginny, this didn't really clarify things for me., help!
This is a genuinely useful when it comes to trying and figure out what players may want in a campaign. Maybe not asking "are you X?" if they're beginners, but at least it can still provide some guidelines on things they may want Also, I'm definitely a fighter and storyteller, with a bit of the optimizer and some sprinkles of the actor 😅
Somewhere between just a fighter/instigator (or as I call myself, red-button pusher) and a optimizer/instigator… and I optimized for beeeg combat skills. Damage, Saving Throws, and more. I also minored in being an Actor, something I’ve learned from my table mates rather than was a natural with. As a GM, I run best with much of the same, with less emphasis on Power Gaming (a term I prefer over Minmaxing/Munchkining for my own style) and a greater emphasis on Storytelling. I like the grand arcs and plot twists that my players like. I also like the challenge them with tough fights, puzzles, and challenging situations that characters can’t always just punch their way out of.
HI HELP I THINK I'M ALL OF THEM??? 😭😭😭 I for sure allign with some more than others, but I feel a decent connection with all of these styles. I've always been one to say I enjoy socializing/combat/exploration in an equal balance (the Avatar of all 8 Player Types.. (but when the world needed her most, she vanished (to recover from recent news, thanks for this normal vid btw
I'm a Fighter/Optimizer Major, Actor Minor. However, since a lot of people I play with are Actor or Explorer Majors, I build characters in those campaigns that actively avoid combat until initiative is rolled. Once someone throws an attack, however, I get to cut loose and unleash my inner bloodlust. The characters I play for these campaigns tend to have somewhat Jekyll & Hyde qualities to them. Fully committed to encouraging other players and what they want. But the day will always come when the answer is violence, at which point I release a bloodcurdling war cry and throw myself into maximum carnage.
I think I'm a Fighter with Actor/Storyteller and Socializer elements. Currently playing with an Optimizer/Actor and a Socializer, and our DM is a total Storyteller
I have previously identified heavily with the actor and the optimizer and the instigator but hearing it now I feel like what mostly appeals to me and perhaps always has were things that matter to the story teller.
Definitely an Optimizer - Fighter - Storyteller mix. I optimize for both combat and roleplay. My last character I made took me 9 real life hours to put together because of how much research I did on optimizing it and developing a cohesive, well done backstory. I prefer Pathfinder to DnD, so a lot more to think about. I also can't play at tables with an Instigator. They've always gotten on my nerves lol
Im a fighter with a sprinkle of optimizing. Sadly, i seem to be in the minority. Luckily, im am introvert and prefer playing solo. I once sat in a session when our combat was shorter than my party at the tavern asking about a vegan menu... i can't
I'm a pie chart of Storyteller Fighter & Instigator. (Probably 45-45-10). I can probably shift the percentages of Storyteller and Fighter to fit with the rest of the group's baselines if needed.
Many of us are struggling right now and for those who need to ground themselves in something normal and lighthearted, I have decided to post this video as scheduled. Please be kind to each other (and yourselves) today. ❤
As a new DM your channel is my absolute favorite. It is must watch I have learned so much!
Thank you I really needed this rightbnow
all of the above 🥲
Thank you, Ginny
Thanks for the video, gives me another thign to watch while I ignore the world.
Maybe its time to start watching campaign 3 of critical role...
I'm the 8th secret type of player: The Creature....
It's not invited to your table, but it's there anyway. Out of the corner of your eye. Lurking.
I'm just imagining that one TikTok where someone talks about their cat coming up to their table and started rolling the dice while one player was away, so they just ran with it, said the druid is just in permanent wild shape, and pulled up a whole new chair for the player once they got back! XD
I'm Problem Solver - Socializer, rising Leroy Jenkins
Ah yes, just the right amount of planning… with a healthy side of ‘why tf did you do that?!’ 😂
@@GinnyDi balance in all things, as is da way 🤣
@@GinnyDi Because there was a shiny thing and it JUST happened to be on a button...
MUAHAHAHA! I did exactly that last session. "Okay, so we need to do x, y, z, and *LEEEEROOOOOYYYYYY!!!!*"
The quality time with wonderful friends / family during in person games.
While I don't consider myself a "socializer" player, I love seeing my party regularly and spending quality time with them! 🥰 It's a really lovely bonus to a fun game.
"you gotta know your... Rising... Mercury Gatorade... Or whatever"
I feel so seen
Love this kind of video. So many people talk about practicing good communication, session zero, and to make sure your play group is all on the same page and wants the same things outta the game, but it's so rare to see people actually dive into it. It's rare to hear about _how_ to communicate well, _how_ to run a session zero, and detailing _how_ to get on the same page and figure out if you want the same things.
Thanks so much! You know I’m a big fan of session zero-it’s such a game-changer for building a group that clicks. I really want to help make it easier for anyone to dive into, especially if they’re new to the process!
I found that when I stopped treating it as a night where "I run a game of D&D" to "we play a game of D&D" the games became much more enjoyable and the stories became much better.
(I also want to say I really like how you do your sponsor segments. They're always adorable and so well done.)
Love the Sword Joke running gag holding us in Anticipation 😂
You could cut the tension with a...
@@GinnyDi ...spoon?
@@sebastianevangelista4921 ...cutting word?
The true sword of Damocles
Right now? I need a good distraction. Time to throw myself into DND prep and other stuff.
I have players asking if we can play tonight to take their mind off things, so I feel that.
Sometimes creating your own world is exactly the catharsis you need. Hope your prep is a helpful distraction ❤️
Good luck with that friend and never forget:
Even on the darkest night follows an inevitable sunrise.
I appreciate that Leroy Jenkins joke.
I do not appreciate being called on my age.
I came here just to say exactly this!
It must be inconceivable for young people how some dude running into a dungeon managed to become one of the biggest memes of a previous generation. But here we are. Absolute generational gap.
At least I have chicken
I appreciated it but I'm in my twenties 😅
Best. Video. Ever.
Seriously… I’ve been a follower for years… this is so important, so accessible. Really, really nicely done.
Back in the late 1970s, nobody looked at what ‘type’ of player someone was… they used terms like ‘good’ and ‘bad’. ‘Murder hobos’ and ‘loot ninjas’ are terms still heavily over used. There is a right table for most players… but gaming with folks who you aren’t compatible with just sucks.
Bravo… really good work.
Thank you so much! It’s amazing to hear that this resonated, especially from a long-time player. Having a framework for player types opens up so many new ways to build the right group for everyone. Really glad you enjoyed this one!”
I have always used the term Loot Goblin instead of Ninja, there is nothing stealthy about the way every enemy corpse gets stripped to their skivvies. I am a proud loot goblin and will always be so.
LEEEEEROOOOOOY JJJJEENKIIINS!
Awesome! I did actually read this ages ago, but with conflicting interests only recently bubbling to the surface in our group, I needed a reminder!
Someone need to make a 40 question quiz which gives you an 8 pointed radar chart with your scores in these various stats. From 1-20, of course.
And a player matching guide with suggestions on types you might match or clash with.
Hold my Mercury Gatorade (yes, that is a thing now), I have to make a spreadsheet!
Aaaand, I think I just revealed my nature as a problemsolver/optimizer multiclass. But I ready knew that. After all, I had a full 30 level progression plan ready for my 3.5-character before we hit lvl 8. But also an 8 page backstory, soooo who tf am I?!
Hold my Mercury Gatorade-I’m so ready for this spreadsheet! 😂
This was really useful for me, I played D&D for the first time last week and felt like I maybe hadn't done a very good job because I wasn't great at the roleplay part (my character calls people "dude" a lot more often than they really should), but after watching this I realise I'm just a not that type of player and that's ok.
I did loot every dead body finding some important keys though, and asking the right question when the DM described a wall as being "mostly" hewn rock lead to us finding the secret passage that the other players were going to miss, so maybe I'm just more of an explorer type!
That sounds like a great first session! Not everyone needs to be heavy on roleplay to enjoy D&D, and it sounds like your instincts as an Explorer are spot-on.
Picking up on details and finding those hidden keys and secret passages is the kind of game-changing contribution every party needs!
As someone who says they like a mix of combat and roleplay, it's quite funny that I'd be a mix of both storyteller and fighter.
I think I’m an Actor-Storyteller-Optimizer, BUT I always make sure to optimize for the good of the group. Like, I love pulling off game-breaking combat combos, but ONLY when it involves another player (that way, I’m helping others feel cool, instead of just it being the Me Show). I also currently play a blaster-support for this reason, as, while she doesn’t get kills often, she’s always making everyone else more efficient, making her super impactful without stealing the spotlight.
I love your take on optimization! Pulling off big moves while making the whole team look awesome is next-level. That’s the kind of party member everyone loves to have around!
I consider myself a storyteller-optimizer, which for me means I want to optimize within the bounds of my character concept. Which concept is often weird and suboptimal itself.
00:16 How did Ginny know that Citizen Kane and Boss Baby 2 were my two favorite movies??? I feel seen.
They really cover the whole spectrum of bossdom.
Storyteller 🌞 Explorer ⬆️ Actor 🌙 - Great video! I actually always make my new players take a mini personality quiz for these player types before we have our session zero so I can help them build PCs they’ll enjoy playing 😂
Love that! Such a fun idea. Have you written your own personality test or do you use an online one? 🥰
@@GinnyDi I wrote one out! I forgot that TH-cam doesn't like comments with links 😂but if you're interested I'm always more than happy to share!
@@StephaniePlaysGames I hate being that guy who says "oh my god, I have a video idea you should make," so I'm terribly sorry for what I'm about to say. But, as a fan of yours, I'd genuinely love to see you talk about that sometime. I have taught a lot of new players how to play, so I'm always looking for tips on how to better do that the next time I have to. I would also just love to hear what kind of success you have had with it, ways you might wanna improve it, etcetera, etcetera.
@StephaniePlaysGames I second Thomas! And I bet we're not alone!
I needed to see this. I'm trying to help my friends not spiral, but it is so goddamn hard. I think more than ever, I need your positivity. Thanks.
Chin up ❤️ One day at a time
@@GinnyDi Maybe you could attach some fundraisers to future videos to help mitigate the oncoming damage.
I want every player to have a subplot, a story arc, and growth. Changing the world around you is satisfying and emotionally investing. Grab hold of that plot!
I guess that makes me the storyteller. =)
So glad to finally see Paddington 2 getting the recognition it deserves
Honestly, cinema at its finest 🤌
@@GinnyDi 100%!
Ginny: Can you imagine dressing up as your D&D character?
Na'Krasha: I CHIMED IN-
but.... the door was already closed....
@@Slanse Look, you... 😂
Omfg….my table is one of each of this. No wonder why I feel like a world class juggler
The sword joke was well worth the wait. Patience rewarded 😅
Rising mercury Gatorade for me😂
Was a very good joke
Good that you use the sword two-handed when dealing with socializers (based on damage). But if they interrupted your character acting, add the +2 Rage bonus.
D&D was a huge part of finding my way as a human.
It let me speed run meeting all sorts of players while playing all sorts of personalities.
LARP, even more so.
Also, I met the woman I would marry… whilst dressed as a Gargoyle.
What's the saying? "If you can’t handle me at gargoyle, then you don’t deserve me at my best", right?
Bold of you to assume gargoyle isn't his best
I’m a forever DM, but as a player, I think I’m an actor/optimizer/storyteller/socializer. I love getting into character, telling a good story, and making my character powerful, but at the end of the day, I’m here to have a good time with my friends. Also, great job with the sword joke; you really had me shivering with antici…
I played a game last night that had me saying "I need a drink" after an amount of in-game time of about 15 seconds. It was one of the most stressful 90 minutes of my life. That is what I want.
Ooh, sounds like we’ve got an Instigator sun with a Problem Solver rising! That's a thing, right?
I think I saw myself as an Optimiser for way too long.
Optimising was just what my ADHD brain did when I couldn't play as much as I wanted to. And I've always prioritised what's fun and makes sense in the world for characters I actually play.
In reality at the table I'm more of a problem solver/storyteller.
The more I try to plan out of the game for what can happen in game, the less fun I have and that took me a LONG time to learn and a lot of frustration that cool things I wanted to do just didn't happen... for years of playing a character built for it.
These days I just give myself options when making a character but other than that, I let the game decide where things go, take notes, ask questions and I'm much more interested in the big picture and helping NPCs than any personal gain.
That said I've wanted glamoured armour for 30 years and I've never fucking had any and I'm still salty! At the end of Waterdeep Dragonheist we got our reward and went shopping, there was glamoured studded leather armour for sale. it would have cost 80% of the total party funds from a 2 years social game to buy it, for a campaign that was wrapping up. I'll be honest, my enjoyment of wrapping up that game died in that shop.
So maybe there is a little actor in there that wants a new fancy outfit on command while wearing armour, I just don't like the spotlitght.
At the beginning of every campaign I DM--and at with every group of new players I join--I always send out a survey asking players to rank which of these playstyles they most identify with.
Does a good job helping players be aware of their preferences, and helps me better tailor the game to player preferences.
Granted, because I'm big into Narrative, Optimizing, and Acting, those will sneak their way into my encounters anyways . . . xD
Yes! I love a session zero or player survey 🥰 That’s such a smart approach - getting everyone to think about their playstyle right from the start can make a world of difference, and it sounds like you’re giving players a fantastic experience.
This is a really good question i haven't thought of, so spoiled Ginny makes all these videos for us
Here's where you're wrong! I think I'm a socialiser/storyteller and I watch your channel because I enjoy your vibe and original characters so that's definitely a 'socialiser' reason to watch you haha
Haha, fair point! I’m happy to stand corrected on this one 😊
Love the “Ginny reads the dms guide” content
I'm definitely a Storyteller. I live for worldbuilding and finding out how my Character fits into the world, and I even choose my exact Subclass based on my Character's Background and Backstory.
I'm sharing this in my Discord servers. In the larger ones especially, this would be very useful to make new groups to play a particular game.
I think I am a mix of many of these... I'll have to rewatch to decide! Or maybe I'll just ask my group what do they think of me, heh.
I love shenanigans in game! Goofing around with the party and pranks. I also like at least one combat encounter per session. I definitely go into the actor style.
Thx Ginny, I needed this
Happy to help! 💖 That simple question is such a smart way to get everyone on the same page. And yep, it’s all in the DMG-it's wild how much good stuff is tucked away in there!
As a DM I use these a lot! I think it’s really interesting that you have a session zero to find these out: for me, I think I know what types all of my players are, so I can know what things to give them they’ll enjoy the most. I doubt they themselves know that they are a certain type of player though 😂
Love that you know your players so well-it’s such an advantage for tailoring the game! For newly formed groups, though, a session zero is super helpful to get everyone on the same page and uncover those player types early on - especially for DMs that aren't as good at reading others.
Thank you so much, Ginny! I've been wanting to get into DMing again, but have struggled in the past to properly communicate what kinds of games I enjoy running. As a player, I only stumbled into my perfect type of game once, honestly, and haven't dived back into DnD since I moved a few years ago. I think this will really help me for either of those things in the future.
So glad it resonated - I think it takes all of us a little while to figure this stuff out!
Oh I know what kind of D&D player I am. Eberron, with its mix of pulp fiction, noir, and high action. Basically, kind of D&D game I like is the same as the movies and television shows I like - The Matrix, John Wick, Guardians of the Galaxy, The X-Files and so on.
I think im a mix of all of these in one way or another, i love role-playing like the actor,problem solver, and love to know lore of a campaign like explorer. But also i do enjoy combat like the fighter and i do optimize my characters in a way fits their flavor but makes them unique but still very useful
"You will prove encounter balancing tools are nothing to a person witha hyperfixation and a reddit account" killed me I had to pause the video for several minutes.
(Realistically I relate to a lot of these, while I think tools like this can help understand some mentalities, but it's still easy to go "yeah that's fun that's also me fr fr", like I don't usually aggressively optimise or plan out builds or specific multiclasses, but I do hyperfocus on rules and abilties to know what options I do have and how I can try to help the group make characters they will enjoy playing, much to the dismay of my DM as I told the barbarian and ranger about GWM and SS which both got doubled up by me playing a grave cleric with their channel divinity, but I also really like problem solving, acting, the wider story is always the biggest hook for me, and I do really like moment to moment fights because turn based rpgs are some of my favourite video games so getting to play that with a bunch of friends even if it means having less control than in a BG3 or an Octopath traveller or final fantasy or whatever, still really captures me, I only really clash with instigators or people who don't engage with enough good faith/ seriousness, there's going to be jokes and I am prone to referencing other things a lot but there's a time to know that you need to respect the story. This would get into an anecdote about a problem player in a campaign I ran but this comment is already long and rambly but tldr in the backhalf of my wddh campaign they were just taking the piss out of everything, constantly making dumb moves and I didn;t want to just shut the down or seem overly harsh so I ended up rolling with it and it made some moments lack a lot of punch they should have, Xanathar not disintegrating the guy that mocks him TWICE was probably the moment I should've seen how much of an impact it was having)
I am an Actor/Explorer/Optimizer/Problem Solver/Storyteller.
In my one on one game with the wife GMing, I tend to try to defuse EVERY encounter unless the enemy is completely unredeemable. And when combat is necessary, my extremely optimized builds and carefully considered tactics tend to make short work of them, after which not a body goes unlooted. I like silly voices and tend to write unnecessarily long backstories.
There was one game where I had carefully talked with every single named NPC in town, identified all their problems, solved every mystery, and it all culminated in a carefully orchestrated uprising that resulted in a favorable outcome for everyone EXCEPT the main antagonist.
That is just how I roll.
My friend is an instigator, actor and that leads to him seeing gold in a lake, role playing his thief and jumping 120 feet to get it
I play DnD to have fun with my friends, and hopefully make/ experience a fun story while playing.
It's my first DnD campain and we're on session 4.
I am mainly a fighter and investigator/ explorer with a bit socializing in between when people are looking things up or taking small breaks. I'm here for the story, and try to give input.
I just dont feel comfortable being an actor/ storyteller yet, but im making progress and starting to use 3rd person to describe my actions and first person to ask questions to npcs.
My main group right now is a Fighter (me), an Optimizer, and a Socializer. Works out pretty well, definitely a "minimal roleplay" table.
The other group I play with has an Actor, an Instigator, and a couple others I haven't quite pegged yet, but I suspect they may both be Storytellers. Lots more RP going on there. The problem is that the DM has set up an Exploration-heavy campaign, and I'm not sure anyone's really into it...
Your videos are always fun to watch and learn from as a person who plays dnd and has adhd I get the struggle that most people have when playing and I get it!
Homebrew rewards is the secret to getting optimizers to play well with others. Having actual powerful magic items and other rewards that interact in interesting and unexpected ways with their current build helps them stop obsessing over the next level up since the most optimal choices depend on the available items. It gets them excited about unique builds that only work because of the items they get.
A little fairy with a southern accent is the best unexpected combo I've ever seen
What describes me from Greatest to Least ....
1 > Fighter
2 > Optimizer
3 > Explorer
4 > Actor
5 > Socializer
6 > Instigator
7 > Storyteller
8 > Problem Solver
Oh! And thanks for a good video!
My favorite problem solver anecdote. Back in the '80s, I ran a competition module at a local con. One of the players asked if he could add some items to his pre-generated chacter -- specifically, "A pot of honey and a book of bad elvish poetry."
Sure. No problem.
Later in the adventure, when they were trying to sneak into a building unnoticed, he walks up to a locked door that had a small window. "I take out my honey," he tells me, "and smear it all over the glass. They I rip pages out of the poetry book and stick them all over the honey. Now I use the pommel of my dagger to carefully break the glass and, since it's stuck to the honeyed paper, it won't fall in and crash on the floor, alerting the guards... right?"
You're darn tootin', buddy. Have some luscious extra XPs for that bit of cleverness!
It's interesting how the different types of player described above correspond to different approaches in the psychology of learning and play. There is an important model of the psychology of Learning/play by honey and Mumford. Based on earlier work by kolb. they divide learning/play into four key parts. Activity, reflection, theorising, and testing. Everybody uses each of these steps however most people have a favourite place to start. Activists love to jump in and get things going, reflectors like to get their ducks in a row organising their actions before they act, theorizer's like to strategize 1st, testers like to poke it with a stick and see what happens.
That’s fascinating! The connections between player types and learning/play models really add another layer to how we approach D&D. The model makes so much sense here-‘activity’ as instigators, ‘reflection’ as storytellers, ‘theorising’ as problem solvers, and ‘testing’ as explorers. It’s amazing how D&D taps into these psychological preferences in such a natural way!
@@GinnyDi This can also help build an understanding of both party dynamics and player dynamics. Activists want to jump in and get going. Strategists want to hold back and think things through. the barbarian wades in before the battle master forms a plan. This creates tension between them. Reflectors like to get there ducks in a row before they act. Testers like to deliberately upset things to see what happens. the rouge was to start a fight to see what happens, the bard wants to control with charm and persuasion. This creates tension between them. Often (but not always) players like to explore different approaches through their characters e.g. players with highly strategic day jobs like cut loose with an activist barbarian in the evenings.
I'm definitely a mix of Instigator and Storyteller - with most of my group being Actors and Explorers. It's a super fun blend.
I'm a bit of an unlikely combo: Primarily I'm and Actor archetype first, but I'm also a bit of an Optimizer. My character has a backstory that rivals novels, and I work with the DM to make sure it's woven into the game's lore. I develop speech patterns and mannerisms for each character that are different from myself. And I'm always down to 'talk it out' in character rather than fight - However, I also know the rules, and like to theory-craft builds that match my characters' flavors. I usually end up with a very powerful combat build so that if/when diplomacy does fail, I pack one hell of a punch
I have a player like that, a really good player I might add. Your are not alone ;)
Ah, the Emily Axford.
Great video! While roleplay, combat, exploration and other parts already exist in DND, ratios in gameplay and themes also exist. Certain classes and species would be better for certain settings than others (e.g. elf glamour bard in Witchlight instead of Eberron or Borovia, etc.)
Thanks! You’re absolutely right-choosing a class or personality that really ‘fits’ the setting or game style can make a huge difference. A low-INT fighter in a political intrigue game could be fun for a bit, but it might get a little old after a while.
i am mostly an explorer and an emersion nut, for me the thing i love the most(and am lacking the most as an eternal dm) is when the world reacts to me or acknowledges things i have done. for an example an npc offering me thanks for saving their relative in another town, or when a puzzle comes along that requires a specific set of skills only i have cause of the character built i chose, or the backstory i wrote.
We have an absolute optimizer in our group - Our last campaign was in Pathfinder 1E (basically D&D 3.75) and he would regularly roll Perception checks in the 70s.
Rest and find comfort where you can and as you need. Then, figure what you can do in your local community with the folks who are feeling like you do right now.
"What do you actually want from a D&D game? Do you even know? Because if you don't, you're going to keep ending up in D&D games that aren't right for you."
Thaaat's why I'm here. I don't really care about anything in life, and that's why everything is beautiful...... buuut makes it really hard to come up with a character when there's always a part of the mind that goes "but I also wanna play that, and I wanna play that". Doesn't help that I'm more interesting in seeing what my friends are doing, and I kinda just like to chill and vibe after doing work all day. Also, been doing D&D for almost 5 years now. In super strong burnout right now and taking a bit of a break.
With all that rambling out of the way:
Actor - I definitely find this very fun. I am with myself all day everyday, thus I find myself to be the most boring person since I'm used to myself. However, get a character that isn't me, and then I get to go wild with thinking of all the decisions, emotions, nuances, and all that other stuff that the character would do that I otherwise wouldn't have a real reason to think about so I get a different perspective on life (even if there's silly reasons). My favorite D&D group was done in VR, so people were a lot more energetic as they moved around doing silly poses to act out what they were doing in D&D while using an avatar that somewhat fits their character (one of these days i'll learn how to make avatars so I can just become my D&D characters). Anyways, This is one reason why I've been tempted to be a DM, because then I can swap very frequently, and sometimes think of multiple personalities as they interact with each other at the same time. Also I have a hard time getting into characters when they are getting swapped out constantly every session because the party keeps traveling because they want loot.
My favorite D&D group was when I tried to be a chaotic neutral/evil Kobold as I wanted him to be the opposite of my previous lawful good paladin Dragonborn who was rather boring. That said, as time went on he was less chaotic, and I could never pull the evil bit off, and tried to make him neutral.
Explorer - If D&D was a single player game, I would be an explorer 100% just because growing up with games I always loved stumbling upon secret stuff, glitches, among other things. Though this is just a kind of habit sort of thing, as I generally don't really care about what I find generally. Definitely don't want to hold up my friends with their exploring though.
Fighter - Video games are like my go-to hobby for fun, so I don't quite care about the damage dealing or item looting in D&D. 'course, my group doesn't get too descriptive of their combat actions, and they're always looking for the next loot so the loot they already have isn't talked about much.
Instigator - I wanna do things, but not enough to bother doing it because it's about even with doing nothing to see what other people will do. Yeah, definitely not an instigator
Optimizer - Not really me. I just pick a character/story and then min/max to make the combat functional. That said, monk/artificer hybrid kinda stumped me because of how polar opposite they are. All other characters I've been able to make work reasonably well.
Problem solver - My favorite D&D group had the entire campaign take place in a single small town so we had to figure out what all the people want, and what was causing problems in the town. It was really fun!
Storyteller - I kinda wanna do this, but I'm just so indecisive about what story I want. It's just "yeah this story is alright/good, just as good as the other ones". Then it's hard when it comes to listening to other people's stories because I also get the "yeah that's nice/good!". Problem is there's never anything from myself or others that make me go "omg this is amazing, I absolutely love it and strongly want to do this kind of story!"
Socializer - I mean that is why I started D&D because friends wanted me to try it and I've been interested in a while. Mainly there for my friends though. Though I would like to be able to get more invested in it in some way so there is something that stands out to other hobbies my friends share.
Still trying to figure out how to get myself to want to do things within D&D as a player. I'll figure it out eventually so I stop wanting to just chill as my friends do things, then feel bad that I'm not doing anything because I dunno what my character really is because I don't really know what I want ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I am a storyteller DM and I get sad when I have players that are not half as interested in storytelling as I. I am running a game for one player who is also a storyteller and it is glorious but I would love to see what a group of storytellers would do.
That sounds amazing-a whole table of storytellers would be so unique! When everyone’s invested in the narrative, it really takes the game to another level... though sometimes you just need someone to swing a sword 😂
THIS! Our group is half storytellers and half Fighters/Instigators….and our DM is also a storyteller. I love our group but I really do wonder what a full group of us would be like.
@@catdragon1313 I ran a group with an instigator who compromised. She'd say "You have ten minutes to finish making an attack plan. If you don't have a plan by then, I'm going to run in and throw of barrel of fish a them"
And she did keep a barrel of pickled fish on hand.
@ ok THAT is the sort of instigating I can get behind, even if being downwind would kill me 😄😂
I usually try to fit to what the party needs. Currently Im fulfilling the role of "actor instigator" after I managed to slip the role of forever DM. Most of my party doesn't do much roleplay and just wants to dungeon delve. My character gives the party agency to follow up on the Dm's plot hooks as the party attempts to save my character's boss. I like to have 1 or 2 moments where my character gets the spotlight (even if its just them getting beat up again) and I'm happy to fade into the background for the rest of the session.
0:23 no one is going to enjoy boss baby 2: family business.
Do I need to worry about myself if I feel like I’m every one of them? (Apart from the socializer, that is)
Anyway, I feel like it doesn’t get mentioned enough, but I really love your writing skills.
Your scripts are always on point: not a single second of the video is wasted, and every line delivers either in content or entertainment. Comedic times are on point, and everything works together really well.
Seriously, keep doing great things!
This is such a refreshing video. When I saw Ginnys prep for D&D in a castle, I was struck at how much (she?) prepped compared to how much milage Ginny got from her preparation. It seems to much prep to create eventuality, and to more cohesively create an antithetical villians that challenges the players and characters assumptions about the world.
In other words, know what you want as a player and as a character. If what you want does not click with the table, keep looking. Each table has a place where one can fit.
I actually don't think this has much to do with the way I prep, lol. I'm an anxious person, and prep helps me assuage that anxiety. Something like D&D in a Castle was a deeply anxiety-inducing experience and there was no way I was going to rely on improv to deliver for that table regardless of what types of players any of them were.
I'd suggest another type: Helper. The players who really like to play a cleric. The spellcasters whose favorite spell is Identify. The ones who prefer a support role in the group, using ranged weapons instead of melee weapons. The ones who collect obscure magic items that "might come in handy someday." They're quick to help the little girl find her lost puppy, without ever wondering if the little girl's adult vocabulary might be a tip-off that she's a polymorphed sorceress looking for a victim. They are the opposite of instigators, the best friend of fighters, and they don't have much use for explorers.
IMO they missed a type of player - The Omni-player. The player who loves it all. The Acting, the Instigating, the Problem solving, all of it!
Oh, I don't think they missed anything - like I said, these "types" aren't mutually exclusive. You can absolutely have multiple types, or even all of them.
you were right. i could not have predicted that sword. that was perfectly executed, 10/10!
Socializer defines my last three campaigns I've run. With different people in each. :) Many of them are new to the game and want to learn and see what D&D is about. And I love to teach one of my favorite games.
I'm an Actor/Optimizer myself. My last PC game I learned that my Pact Weapon can deal Necrotic damage (First Warlock), and we needed to break down a door. I conjured a maul swinging it at the door using green flame blade. I pictured a screaming skull of fire with each swing. :)
I can highly recommend having these kinds of discussions at session zero. I didn't know about this before I started DMing my campaign and now it's really caused some problems.
There are aspects of multiple types I identify, I like roleplay but I don't use a different voice, I like planning out my character from 1 to 20 before session 1 using pathbuilder. But I don't sit there and look to far into items and such, I sit there and question the motivation of everything every npc does, but I don't like solving actual puzzle, I like loot but if my character isn't a murder hobo then mi don't play it that way. My first character was a barb and he wanted to punch everyone in the face. I am playing a sniper now and he is very disconnected from everything, doesn't care. He'll do his job but that's it, I was motivated to play for social interaction but I also take the game seriously, to a healthy degree.
I can see aspects of all these things in me. For example I think a character should have something they are best at and have fun buildign different builds, many of which I never play (optimizer), I think D&D is a social game, and having some time at beginning and end to hang out with friends is a big part of the appeal (socializer), I love being part of a good story and love when my backstory comes up (storyteller), but there are other times when I'm totally fine with a random encounter. I for sure spend some time planning what I'm going to do before doing it (problem solver), because that's generally how many of my characters would act (actor), and its satisfying seeing a plan come together. That said I get bored if we are not moving the story forward (instigator), and I do often end up being the person who is like "fine I do X to Y" to just get things to move forward, especially if everyone is being a problem solver and noone can agree on what to do. BTW a table full of only problem solvers can also be frustrating. You need at least one person to act as an instigator or nothing will ever get done and the palyers will argue about what to do forever. I also GM games and have played in many though, so I guess I've come to love many aspects of the game over the years, and what motivates me at one table in one setting, with one system might not at another. I'd say if there is one I'm least of from anything else, I'd say actor, because I can't do voices and being in character stresses me out (even when GMing I often say "X NPC does Y" instead of trying to act as that NPC (I can be good with descriptions, but they tend to be 3rd person ones).
Some of us are a mix of optimizer, fighter and storyteller, what does it make us? BIG DAMN HEROES.
You absolute genius predicted me twice in attempting to predict your sword joke. Like when the Problem Solver came Up I was getting giddy because I was sure it would come now and then you pull the rug away. Unbelievable.
btw. "Problem Solver" is a pretty good sword name
I carry parts of 4 of the types! I love acting my character, but also see the story include parts of my character's backstory and NPC's. While not at the table I do like optimizing to some degree, giving my build a purpose, but aren't afraid to also pick something that flavors the character. I also like puzzles a lot, giving me a dip in the problem solving feats, but sadly not enough to figure out the bigger plot in Waterdeep: Dragon Heist.
I didn't hear myself in any of these until you got to Storyteller. Suddenly I was completely called out. How dare you so easily define me?!
Great video. Loving the content.
Love writing storys for others to enjoy, Voice acting my NPCs and villains (Or PCs), the social contact and right now, a goood distraction from the world
Btw I love your Videos they are just so Wholesome,, help me calm down some times and are just really helpful. Thanks a lot for making them
Thank you so much! I’m really glad my videos can bring a bit of calm when you need it. Hearing that it helps means a lot ❤️
This video was immensely helpful to me both as a GM and player, didn't realise I was an instigating optimising explorer
I just learned the importance of creating unique, random treasure hoards for explorers. It's rewarding.
Th....th....thats all me.
I Roleplay-acting especially fights, I love to explore the World a GM has made, want to see every bit he has put efford in and appreciate it.
I completeley micromanage-optimize Chars for resembling their Character to the best, so for "Roleplay as well as Combat depending on the Role the Char has - and a "Minmaxxed Jack of all Trades" is exactly the opposite of Minmaxxing - yet, no pure Fighter is complete without Charisma, which is Selfconfidence and Determination as well, allowing for Social Roleplay as well.
I always tend to use "Chaos" when all other Options are stuck and the Party not knows how to proceed - also, when the Game comes top loose its drive I start something before it comes to a boring, screeching hold (only if the GM does not mind/react on his own).
I loive solving Riddles and that - as they are part of the effort a GM has put into the Game I love to appreciate. I love to roleplay the solving in Character as well as discussing it out-Character.
I give a Fuck about XP mostly as long as the Game was a wonderful trip into a Fantasy that was enjoyable or similar captivating and thus all my Chars come with a Background a GM can build on and with that offers also some foundation for the Char to be as they are.
I love the socializing Aspect as "making a Break in a 8h-Session where alll Cook some Food toigether and such.
It all is an Aspect absoluteley neccesary for a complete, awesome Experience everyone should treat him- or herself to like for everyone else.
I can live with Players that are checking at least one of thoose Boxes aside the "Socializer" - here, we do not need to play an TTRPG, we an do stuff that is more Fun than "not doing what is Fun about it" - liek having a good conversation, have a walk in the Park - everything.
But, hanging out to not do what is Fun instead of having a fun Time is rather a betrayal towards the social relation we could have rather than "Fun itself".
Heck, we can sit on a Bench in silence together and watch Birds and People pass by and it is more viable Fun than "pretend to enjoy not pretending in a Game of pretending to be someone else".
And learn the Rules at least to a basic bit everyone - if you still ask how to roll for something a 10th Time, you are not a socializer - you are rude and ignorant to the Others Hobby they put efford in.
Constantly have to ask about basic Rules told 10 Times is just disruptive, nothing else - and as much as People enjoy your Company, someone WILL get pissed about it eventually.
I like games where magic users can experiment with spells. Kinda specific but as written magic users just replicate already made spells so I love a dm that let's us make our own spells, regardless of if they work or not.
i'm a storyteller that wants to be immersed in the life of my character and make emotional judgement calls (and then write 3 pages of notes after every session). Agnata was a charisma build knight who had lost everything before the campaign, and made decisions based on how she could protect those she cares about. my best friend joined the campaign and is an instigator. one session we broke role play and got into a fight because they wanted to charge recklessly while my character was concerned about the consequences. Their character died and my character internalized it. They made a new character the next session and we had so much fun again, i learned i kinda had to just let go and let every player play their game.
Thank you for this video. As for me, I’m an actor… only if everyone is like super nice and there is another actor at the table. Maybe problem solver rising, but I’ve never had a grueling puzzle session
Actor? I do love describing what my character is doing exactly. Especially when it's cool or funny. I love playing different personalities, experimenting with accents and making my character a _character._ Check.
Explorer? Well, my current (and favourite) character has expertise in Investigation, uses it frequently, and I'm an obsessive note taker, so I'm going to say check.
Fighter? I love a good fight and love playing a character who's good at it. It is _especially_ satisfying when an enemy simply has to have the crap beaten out of it, when otherwise both me and my character would feel obligated to at least _try_ to talk them down. Check.
Instigator? Big risks? Intelligently approached, but absolutely! We're heroes, taking risks is what we do, in the name of defeating evil and doing good. Negative consequences? Fuck yeah! No stakes, no drama, and a tragic but heroic death can be just as satisfying as an epic win. Actions and choices matter? Abso-fucking-lutely! Otherwise, what's the point? We're here to save the world and help people. A big ol' check.
Optimiser? I usually know the rulebook backwards and forwards and spend heaps of time pouring over them to make my character exactly how I want them. I inevitably multiclass (current main character Fighter 5, Rogue 1, (soon to be Bladesinger) Wizard 1) to get the exact abilities I want and _love_ it when my characters are really good at what they do, though they are rarely hyper-specialised, because I like participating in many aspects of the game. Check.
Problem solver? I love puzzles, especially of the logic variety. I _love_ planning and frequently have plans A through D when having the chance to prepare. (Otherwise only A through C: A: Fight. B: Set something important to the enemy on fire. C: Run away.) Though I know you can't plan for everything and there are times when you just have to jump in or take advantage of opportunities. I do like insight checks, though given my current character is bad at them, I default more to logically deducting their motivations from their words and actions. I do like a good planning session before a big fight or heist - it's _so_ satisfying to pull a fast one on the enemy. And I insist on putting a few points into intelligence whatever character I play, just so I can justify them coming up with workable plans. _CHECK._
Storyteller? Don't even need to hear the rest: *CHECK.* My main reason for playing TTRPGs is the stories we can tell along them way. I _love_ planting seeds for character arcs and love it when there's a good twist. When I GM my main goal is telling a fun and satisfying story together. Narrative impact is the entire reason for my characters - power and wealth are only ever vehicles for that goal. My character's backstory being interwoven into the plot is _soooooo_ satisfying. I am less interested in combats that are random, though I generally try to further personal character goals (by playing them with all their ideals and flaws) so they're still relevant. I already mentioned I'm an obsessive note-taker, and my main reason for this is so I can reread our adventures after I would otherwise have forgotten a lot about them.
Socialiser? I use TTRPGs as the main way to hang out with my friends, without which I would only rarely see them, given our busy adult lives. I'm also organising a family game night where I'm going to GM, to give my family more chances to just hang out and do stuff together. So, I'd say check.
Huh. Ginny, this didn't really clarify things for me., help!
This is a genuinely useful when it comes to trying and figure out what players may want in a campaign. Maybe not asking "are you X?" if they're beginners, but at least it can still provide some guidelines on things they may want
Also, I'm definitely a fighter and storyteller, with a bit of the optimizer and some sprinkles of the actor 😅
Called it! As soon as you said "but if a socializer is..." I knew the sword was coming 🤣
Somewhere between just a fighter/instigator (or as I call myself, red-button pusher) and a optimizer/instigator… and I optimized for beeeg combat skills. Damage, Saving Throws, and more. I also minored in being an Actor, something I’ve learned from my table mates rather than was a natural with.
As a GM, I run best with much of the same, with less emphasis on Power Gaming (a term I prefer over Minmaxing/Munchkining for my own style) and a greater emphasis on Storytelling. I like the grand arcs and plot twists that my players like. I also like the challenge them with tough fights, puzzles, and challenging situations that characters can’t always just punch their way out of.
I feel like I'm about half of these XD
Story-Teller, problem-solver, optimizer, instigator, and actor here
HI HELP I THINK I'M ALL OF THEM??? 😭😭😭
I for sure allign with some more than others, but I feel a decent connection with all of these styles. I've always been one to say I enjoy socializing/combat/exploration in an equal balance (the Avatar of all 8 Player Types.. (but when the world needed her most, she vanished (to recover from recent news, thanks for this normal vid btw
What a fantastic premise for a video!!!
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙌
I'm a Fighter/Optimizer Major, Actor Minor. However, since a lot of people I play with are Actor or Explorer Majors, I build characters in those campaigns that actively avoid combat until initiative is rolled. Once someone throws an attack, however, I get to cut loose and unleash my inner bloodlust.
The characters I play for these campaigns tend to have somewhat Jekyll & Hyde qualities to them. Fully committed to encouraging other players and what they want. But the day will always come when the answer is violence, at which point I release a bloodcurdling war cry and throw myself into maximum carnage.
I think I'm a Fighter with Actor/Storyteller and Socializer elements. Currently playing with an Optimizer/Actor and a Socializer, and our DM is a total Storyteller
3:05 - Or dramatically call out attack names like a total chuuni. :P
(Bonus points if those names are lifted directly from 4E or Bo9S.)
Leeeroooyy Jenkins! I'm a combination of an optimizer, fighters and explorer. I struggle with role play.
The "CALENDAR PREORDERS LIVE" shirt made me chuckle
7:50 You're right. It does.
"Ok guys, let's do this ...."
I have previously identified heavily with the actor and the optimizer and the instigator but hearing it now I feel like what mostly appeals to me and perhaps always has were things that matter to the story teller.
Definitely an Optimizer - Fighter - Storyteller mix. I optimize for both combat and roleplay. My last character I made took me 9 real life hours to put together because of how much research I did on optimizing it and developing a cohesive, well done backstory. I prefer Pathfinder to DnD, so a lot more to think about.
I also can't play at tables with an Instigator. They've always gotten on my nerves lol
Nine hours is dedication! I admire that kind of meticulous planning and attention to detail.
0:42 godfather part III...... The first two parts were magnificent!
Im a fighter with a sprinkle of optimizing. Sadly, i seem to be in the minority. Luckily, im am introvert and prefer playing solo. I once sat in a session when our combat was shorter than my party at the tavern asking about a vegan menu... i can't
I'm a pie chart of Storyteller Fighter & Instigator. (Probably 45-45-10). I can probably shift the percentages of Storyteller and Fighter to fit with the rest of the group's baselines if needed.