10 Ways to Encourage Your D&D Players to Roleplay (and not just kill everything in sight)

[@theDMLair]

How do you encourage your players to roleplay more? PATREON BENEFITS ▶▶ www.patreon.com/thedmlair CHEAP D&D ADVENTURES I'VE CREATED ▶▶ www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/11812/Luke-Hart FREE D&D ADVENTURES I'VE CREATED ▶▶ www.thedmlair.com/

[@bigbadleeroybrown5104]

What if they just really don’t want to deep down and just want to do combat?

[@theDMLair]

So Leroy what I would say is that if you're players only at care about combat and that's all they want to do there's nothing wrong with that. If they just want to fight stuff the that's cool. There's no need to forcing them to role-play in more ways. There's no need to do that. Let them play the game they want to play. However I will say that in most groups there is a mix of player types. Some player Isabel of combat others will want exploration and others will want social interactions. A good dungeon master tries to provide a variety of things that appeal to all of his players. So before just going all combat I'd make sure that all of your players in fact only want combat.

[@GunarBastos]

Yeah... I have a bit of a problem. I have 2 tables that I'm a DM in, and both have 6 players, just so that combat is not a complete stomp due to action economy, I need to have a lot of enemies on the table, and it is relatively common to have over 16 actions (both players and NPCs) per turn. In order to expedite combat, and that not be the only thing going on the table, I 100% not roleplay anything but critical hits and fumbles, or efetcs/action that change the enviroment, if it is just a movement and attack all that happenes is moving minis and rolling dice. Still, One of the groups is 100% new to any RPG, and they even took the initiative on roleplaying, they really easily started to like and dislike other PC actions based on the beliefs their PC held (like the Cleric of Chauntea despising the Rogue Assassin that killed a innocent man to pose as a Cult of the dragon member), and took joy in pursuing small personal goals (like shopping for fine clothes for a dinner at the mayor's mannor, the group literally spent over 2 hours shopping for clothes, and they loved it). The other group are grizzled veterans that approach RPG mostly as a series of encounters to be overcomed. They are mostly software developers and they do have a more objective/goal oriented mindset. I early on in the campaign made it very clear that everything they did had consequences, and a family that they sent to safety alone (to outside the city) got murdered (by camping archers out of their view). These players started to think more of what they do and how it affects other people, and later decided to fight a massive enemy wave just to make sure that they would be able to protect the villagers they were escorting. TL;DR: Each group approach RPG different, and to engage them in roleplay you need to either be open to their willingness to do it, or find a way to break through the already estabilished expectations and present something new, and something that makes them feel they are the character, or at least that is what works for me as a DM.

[@bigbadleeroybrown5104]

the DM Lair thank you

[@Sophia-vk5bq]

You come upon a table with a mindflayer and 3 Humans, one is a male in his late 30's with a grizzled face and neckbeard. The mindflayer rolls dice behind an ornate screen while the Humans narrate and move wooden miniatures of various forms and sizes. Neckbeard moves his mini and declares "I make a survival ch-" Before his head explodes in mid sentence, showering the 2 other Humans in viscera and brain matter the color of undercooked meatloaf. I turn to my players smiling wickedly, as I relay the mindflayer's retort. "Johnny, how many times to I have to say, don't ask for skill checks, roleplay."

[@speedwagon9274]

“Role play isn’t about speaking in funny voices” Randal Jefferson (skeleton that speaks in papyrus/skeletors voice) but that’s my only defining trait

[@theDMLair]

Nah, a skeleton also takes good bludgeoning damage. He's got that going for him too. :D

[@dimsum3329]

D&D : "world's best roleplaying game" Murder hobos : I'm gonna pretend I didn't see that

[@anerdwhowritesessays9931]

My party started by playing video games, like fallout or skyrim. So, they don't kill NPC's unless they are very evil. The only bad part of this is they talk to EVERYONE.

[@kevynhansyn2902]

Hahahahaha, I am also guilty of that as well.

[@theDMLair]

I think I'd rather start with that scenario then a group that just murders everything. :D

[@justanotherglorpsdaymornin5097]

Seven foot tall barbarian drenched in blood: The random old lady could be cruicial to the plot, I shall approach her and ask "how are you ma'am?". What do you mean she runs in fear? I give chase and intercept her! Why is she screaming her head off? I try my best to appear non-threatening (player acts this out rolls and succeeds) "Sorry for frightening you ma'am, how does this lovely day find you? Old Lady: "It's pretty alright, my hip's a bit stiff though." Barbarian: "I shall venture across perilous seas, through monster infested plains, over the highest mountains and though it may take months or even years I will find the mystical salve of Giarmon and bring it back to you, this I swear on my life." Old Lady: "You really oughtn't bother deary." Barbarian: "But I must, I have sworn my life on it!" DM: (exasperated) Really. Why are you doing this? Barbarian: The poor lady is in agony! I must help it's in my chaotic good personality to perform random acts of kindness. DM: *eyeroll* Okay then off we go... I guess.

[@RonaldRayGun-l7m]

@@justanotherglorpsdaymornin5097 I would love to play in that game!

[@justanotherglorpsdaymornin5097]

@@RonaldRayGun-l7m Thanks. I just made that scenario up on the fly after reading the comment and imagining how it would playout.

[@briandaaranda9735]

We've had some moments of RP with actual tears and I live for them, both as a player and as a DM. As a player, it was when my character was momentarily poofed into another plane of existence and my friend's character (who's a noble and mostly regarded my character as working for her rather than being her friend) realized that she was actually scared that my character wouldn't come back because she does care. As a DM, I gave them a half-orc NPC that would escort them for a little while and they encountered a dragon. Due to a Nat 1, the half-orc froze with fear and the dragon attacked him, leaving him unconscious in one hit. The wizard had kind of "adopted" the half-orc and squared up against a dragon because, and I quote, "it is attacking my boy!"

[@kalebstuart3083]

Your wizard is Cedric Diggory's father.

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

Regarding #9, UnderTale highlighted an important insight that's easy to overlook: combat is a social encounter.

[@claude-alexandretrudeau1830]

We're not savages, we kill each other with decorum.

[@noshavenohaircuts]

I'm really trying to implement this idea in my game right now, showing my players that combat isn't just combat and giving them opportunities to resolve the fight peacefully or find clever ways out of just killing stuff and rewarding them for it

[@WitheringAurora]

@@noshavenohaircuts One recommendation. Don’t do this if there’s a Barbarian or Fighter in the party. Cause god knows they’ll get bored hen they select a combat class, but combat lasts 1 persuasion roll

[@mykediemart]

Not a DM? you tricked us? I enjoyed the video Luke, if that is your real name.

[@theDMLair]

Luke? Who's Luke?

[@Perial51]

@@theDMLair The son of your father.

[@the22attacker]

@@Perial51 his brother?

[@noabsolutelynot4587]

@@the22attacker the husband of his daughter's son's wife's friend

[@the22attacker]

@@noabsolutelynot4587 makes sense

[@fhuber7507]

PC-PC interaction PC-NPC interaction What choices the PC makes in a situation should fit the PC "alignment," attitude, background and PC knowledge (not player knowledge) How they act in town. Even the most notorious thieves in real world act civilized most of the time.

[@seamusbyrne8259]

Yeah, my character (halfling rogue) wants to know every room possible, as he his a damn backstabber. Means he is fine in a shop but gets really annoyed with locked doors, even if it pisses off other NPC's and maybe a PC or 2

[@TheFriendless1]

@@jaysw9585 I feel that if you do insert your knowledge as a player into your character you should do it in a way that would fit the story and your character. For instince, you know that a troll is weak to fire, but your never-left-home wizard has no clue. So instead of saying "it is weak to fire! Attack it with flames!" first hit it with something like firebolt and if the dm says "oh, it looks like it did more damage than normal." Then you could say in chracter, "it is weak to fire! Attack it with flames!"

[@astevenson356]

@@jaysw9585 that would be a knowledge check vs your background and average persons knowledge in the area/world. If trolls are rarely seen, then check would be higher.

[@coolboy9979]

Just had a session where a heartwarming and friendly druid saved the party from a dragon. They asked him about a location and then just killed him and took his head with them

[@GutterWizard27]

Coolboy 99 my players in a nutshell

[@briandaaranda9735]

Make the druid secretly be a dragon (if they were saved from a chromatic, make the druid a metallic dragon) and now it's angry.

[@coolboy9979]

@@briandaaranda9735 Dw, the druide will come back to them, so I punish them for doing stupid shit. He will come as a stronger animal/creature. I already had that planned. They also had to bring an amulet to a ghost so it can rest in peace. They gave it to the ghost and after it was gone they took it, now I will make it so they will be haunted. somehow I need to hit their fingers with something to let them know they are doing stupid shit

[@theDMLair]

That druid sounds like a cool dude. 😀

[@christopherclubb9167]

Sounds like a goddess of nature should invoke some wrath 😎

[@98caper1]

Well on of my DM's have implemented two different inspiration tokens. The classic roll an extra dice when you roll (Currently a d8) but for the great actions and roleplaying moments he has his second inspiration "The greater inspiration" which basically can act as a lesser "Fates" from the deck of many things. Where the player with the coin can delete DM's actions. succeed at failed throws. Sometimes even change players fate from downed to up. Furthermore planning an attack on the enemy adwards bonus exp + more for ingame planning.

[@theDMLair]

That's cool. What constitutes something that would the Fates benefit? Like an example?

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

Wait a minute...the rogue and Gary the Intern sound almost the same! And no one's ever seen the rogue and Gary in the same room together! Does this mean...the rogue IS Gary the Intern?!?! :0

[@theDMLair]

What kind of crazy Insanity are spouting off now? 😂

[@cthulhufhtagn2483]

@@theDMLair Yes.

[@MrGreensweightHist]

Rogue with Disguise expertise...clearly ;)

[@Za_Lup]

"I stab everything that moves!" xDDD I was never so early in one of your videos. And this is something that really interest me. I have a reformed murder hobo who could use a little more role-playing xD

[@theDMLair]

A reformed murder hobo. Beautiful. Does he go to a support group once a week?

[@rossbob8872]

Rocks must fall

[@gabrielbergmann1845]

My players and I are all very new to rpgs in general, but I guess I’ve been blessed with a group that loves roleplaying, I never needed to encourage them too much to roleplay

[@theDMLair]

That is an awesome place to be in man. :-)

[@WitheringAurora]

I’m cursed by being in an RP heavy group(Seeing as I picked Barbarian)

[@colinchildress1251]

I have someone that loves to roleplay, really breaks me out of my shell. Though I love being known as the shy gnome wizard that can get himself out of any situation.

[@theDMLair]

And does your shy gnome wizard get himself out of situations by casting fireball?

[@colinchildress1251]

@@theDMLair Frontline combat funny enough. You'd be surprised how well Blink, Mirror Image, and Shield work together. It's a great distraction too! Abjurer is my class, so even if people don't talk about me, or to me, I still love helping people in game. Could be an NPC or a party member. I help build as a profession with Fabricate, and I also set security systems with Alarm for money. You can make money with EVERY spell a wizard gets, you just have to explore a bit to find it.

[@nickwilliams8302]

@@colinchildress1251 When you think about it, a Wizard with Mending and Prestidigitation could open up a magic drycleaning business and retire from adventuring at 1st level.

[@colinchildress1251]

@@nickwilliams8302 I have Prestidigitation and Minor Illusion. The illusion has had my favorite usage though. I remember hearing the sounds of giant wings in the distance, like giant hornets. So I made Minor Illusion make the noise of a hornet's predator, and the buzzing went away.

[@fizzledimglow3523]

Here's a way to reward inspiration or luck points without taking people out of the moment: wait until the end of the session to let them know they've got it for the next session.

[@theDMLair]

Yeah I can see what you're saying. If they dungeon master I could trust myself not to forget to reward the inspiration or luck points. But I know myself. I'd forget every time.lol

[@kendrickrochelanzot2053]

These is this lesser villain, a orc, that has escaped the players like 3 times already. When they heard the voice going "WORM FOOD!!" a player went "LETS ROLL INITIATIVE NOW!" Hands down best of my players. The fight was mostly talk and hacking, it was a minor villain, but it was the BBEG for my players.

[@samuelbunkly2527]

Imagine a fisherman just trying to feed his worms to get some bait.

[@kendrickrochelanzot2053]

@@samuelbunkly2527 that's the best analogy ever

[@xornxenophon3652]

You forgot the most important one: Do not give XP for killing things but for achieving goals instead (like stealing the dragons hoard or escaping from prison). This will take the incentive from killing things and move it towards achieving goals. If you play D&D with rules as written, your stealthy thief would not get any XP for sneaking into the dragons lair, stealing parts of his treasure, having a riddle contest or escaping the dragons wrath after things go south...

[@Evil_Monologues]

First time DM here, one way I've encouraged roleplay is with a house rule of mine. Bard spells based on singing or speaking will have bonus damage or bonus healing if they actually viciously mock or sing an inspirational song

[@Packless1]

...sonds like the 'Wu-Shu'-system to me...! :D

[@douglashoffmann5943]

I roleplay how my character would act I have almost been killed like three different time from my own actions One was a demon prince One was a self made earthquake at level 5 (don’t ask) On was trying to meld into stone on a stone giant

[@ipsonfromkijetstudios]

Dragon’s attack SAME! My charecter has almost died SO many times because of my own choices! In my opinion that’s part of the fun of roleplaying a charecter...

[@Spiceodog]

I almost died from intentionally lighting myself on fire, then trying to use control flame to make myself invisible.

[@douglashoffmann5943]

I GOT A HEART AND IM A NEW VEIWER

[@douglashoffmann5943]

Ipson from Kijet studios I have only been like 10 sessions

[@ipsonfromkijetstudios]

Dragon’s attack And you almost died 3 times already?... impressive...

[@themetalone7739]

I've heard that a lot of others do this as well, but one of my favorite, simple ways to add to RP is to let the PCs describe the manner in which they kill an enemy, every time they get a kill. Sometimes, people just brush past it ("I cut his head off, I guess"), but there have been a lot more times when people have gotten into it, and an otherwise boring kill turns into a gruesome Fatality straight out of Mortal Kombat. I have an occasional issue with my group paying attention during other peoples' turns, but I find this little addition tends to help keep their attention on the fights...if only for these brief moments.

[@Lou-yb4fb]

I play with my in-laws, as I’m the DM and my 3 brother in-laws, sister in-law and even father in-law are all the players. One of the campaigns I had ZERO fighting and it was all just role playing as they were being questioned about a gruesome murder that happened they had to figure out their stories and individually explain themselves as to their innocence. Worked like a charm, as now they all seem more engaged and willing to role play more.

[@RPGmodsFan]

Tip #4 (Reward your Players for Roleplaying) works like a charm. Especially when awarding XP for non-combat roleplaying. Just speaking from experience. :-)

[@ryanvox7812]

So I was curious (and yes I’m posting this before the video ends) what character is your skull hoodie character? Have they spoken yet? I have an odd feeling that maybe they’re a necro-Cleric or something?

[@aralornwolf3140]

Warlock... he's a warlock. Rogue, Fighter, Barbarian, Wizard, Warlock, and the hapless DM...

[@theDMLair]

Yes Warlock. And I know I don't think he's ever spoken. And what do you mean hapless DM? Lol

[@ryanvox7812]

That’ll be the day. Maybe in a video on gods and patrons and how they interact with their followers?

[@aralornwolf3140]

@@theDMLair , That's a shout out to one of the skits where the DM was speechless as his players complained and argued among themselves... And that's what they always do... shout, complain, and argue, lol. I would hate to be the DM for that party.

[@charliemelton885]

This video just makes me sad because it’s making me realize that the main reason my games are bland is that my players just refuse to put as much as effort in as me, and I know that sounds stuck up, but half of my party won’t even make backstories even though I tell them that they’ll only enjoy it as much as the effort they put in

[@foxunix101]

Had a player say it felt like a movie and she had tears in her eyes. I’ll never forget that and the look on her face when she found out the party was fighting a former PC who they thought died and wanted to revive at some time. Hahah. Best ever

[@cp1cupcake]

My tabletop group has been pretty busy lately, but one of my last games had a thing where we captured some guys, one of which could cast spells. We were then going to bring them to a friendly castle. And the rest of the group had trouble parsing why I objected to leaving them hogtied, blindfolded, and gagged.....for a week.

[@leffan3107]

I usually try to get my players to roleplay by giving them time to. I know not many players or DMs like travel or anything similar to a boring activity, that takes way too long to accomplish, but boredom can also be a tool. For your characters to be creative, they can talk to each other, read something, practice their skills or have other interactions. It can be hard at first, but giving enough material for your players to think about e.g. the BBEG's identity, this one thing in their last mission or advenmture that didnt make sense or a characters connection to said mystery, that all can be so constructive towards a fun experience.

[@theDMLair]

I agree the dungeon master needs to provide space for the players to role-play. He doesn't allow it just because he's rushing everything along or something yeah that's going to make things harder.

[@rowanash5378]

I always love when you mix-up your intro line, it's hilarious.

[@mikes89]

Completely agree with the Skill check vs declare your action rule. Definitely has helped in my games. Loved the vid! very helpful!

[@robinthrush9672]

Got my like when you said RPing shouldn't just be about speaking in character. I'm not good at social interactions and my 20 CHA bard shouldn't be penalized because _I_ can't think of something charming to say.

[@scottriley5141]

Absolutely! Other characters may have great bonuses in skills such as athletics even though their players don't in the real world but they don't lose out for that - their DM may not even ask for a check if their score is so high. Why should you lose out because of roleplaying? Persuasion and athletics are both skills. If your character's charisma score is high then they are good at it, even if you (as a player) are not. Players and Characters are different people! Obviously don't let the fact that you may not be good at something in the real world stop you from attempting to roleplay but in these situations, players should be awarded with luck points for doing well rather than having their characters suffer in the game for not performing so well!

[@AgataCris_]

"I never played DnD!" The memes get a dark turn today. Btw awesome video as always :D

[@theDMLair]

Lol, thanks. 😀

[@YourFriendlyNeighborhoodNinja]

LOL, Luke I gotta tell you i was watching this and my little girl who is 4, was listening in, she then starts to repeat your advice, as if I should have already known it🤣. She loves playing D&D and Warhammer 40k, and I just wanted you to know how much you have affected our home in a positive way. In fact when the kids and I are playing together, it's the very best in life. Thank You so much for all the information and helpful suggestions. It means the world to me. 😁

[@theDMLair]

Wow that's really awesome. It's amazing to be able to help you all out that way. Even your little girl. 😂 Thank you for the awesome comment. This made my day. 😀

[@aralornwolf3140]

Intro, 11/10. I just love it. Keep it up and you might have a permanent job in a comedy skit! (Assuming you want to quit your day job, and evening job of being a DM)

[@theDMLair]

Thanks! Plan is to quit the day job for sure. And then DM more perhaps. :D

[@aralornwolf3140]

@@theDMLair , Never wrong with playing more D&D, true.

[@Gemini-Lion]

Another good idea that is not AS good as the ones in the video are when the PCs haven’t been roleplaying for a while, when they do things that would get them exp, give them a slightly lower amount of exp than usual. Maybe 10- 20 exp difference if they are within the first few levels. But, like in the video, when HAVE been roleplaying, give them more exp and even maybe some exp when they are JUST roleplaying and letting the story advance in a good, interesting, fun, and investing way. If as the DM or a PC, you feel like you are really interested in how the story’s turning out, then that’s a sign that whatever the DM and players are doing is good and should continue if it will continue to benefit the story in any way.

[@MarvelX42]

I just put the characters into situations where they can't fight their way out. Also......the rest of the stuff you said, YES!

[@realize2much691]

I NEEDED THIS VIDEO! THANK YOU

[@theDMLair]

No problem! 😀

[@dennisvolpe7805]

We use a reward system called scooby snacks. We use pennies or shiny stones that the gym and players can reward to other players for moments of really good roleplaying, genius ideas by the character, and other things. Each scooby snack is 10xp and are counted at the end of each session. I also took a table from the palladium system for additional xp offered by tje gm for special events like "a clever plan or action that saved a party member" or "clever plan or action that saved the whole party".

[@eiskalteshandchen9036]

I don't give XP by resolving combats. Ok, on dnd I don't give XP by all. I work with breaking points in the story - so that the stories can develop in a more intensive way. On other games I reward XP by resolved stories.

[@fictionalsituations4773]

My party hates fighting and will do anything and everything to avoid it. I have a player that maxed her charisma out and only spiews lies to all the NPCs. Everytime they encounter a monster, she always tries to convince them to let the party go.

[@theDMLair]

Is dnd the right system if the players don't like fighting?

[@phantomness7012]

Awesome video! I happen to be a DM or a role playing player and I've often had to deal with groups that were mostly roll players and would get mocked for role playing. It can be a hard life out there when everyone else only wants to kill monsters...

[@valcoren]

One of my favorite things to do to help push "role-playing" is I randomly select each of my players to write and read the intro to every game session. It helps them get into the mindset of their characters and what they are experiencing I give them up to 2-1d6 DM inspiration dice to use during that session at any time as a reward for good storytelling.

[@JadeyCatgirl99]

I feel like a lot of players, and Dungeon Masters too, forget that every monster is a creature. My players use diplomacy to get their way through a lot of encounters. Sometimes they will take down a few targets, and use that as leverage to make everyone else back off. My rule is that if it makes its own choice, and can be communicated with, then you can negotiate with it. If it is something that cannot be spoken to (like a beast), then they can try other ways to calm it. Not letter your players de-escalate a situation is a great way to kill roleplaying

[@aderaderxy]

I just love the effort you put in your intros! Keep up the amazing work!

[@theDMLair]

Thanks! 😀

[@BugMagnet]

One thing my DM does is encourage us to rp out things that reflect our characters. My dragonborn wizard needs to duck under doors or he will hit his head (no damage or anything, just something he will describe to poke at me) and I am engouraged to have him stick his nose in books a lot. Similarly our cleric enjoys visiting temples or discuss matters of faith or medicin with others, giving life advice and so on. On several occasions such simple things have developed into plot hooks.

[@eriksmeds2376]

So im running tomb of annihilation (minor spoilers for the setting) and my players have decided to run away from any and all encounters. The interesting part is that it is 100% a valid roleplaying strat because they have been beten so many times.

[@yersonrico3937]

Thanks for the video man! I will try these tips! I want to see the next video right now xD but i will have to wait for now

[@NegatveSpace]

For social encounters I've always thought it would be a good idea to look at the cr table and try to extrapolate an xp value to that for if they overcome it. If they do something like include a pivotal bit of information they get a significant bonus. If they're roleplaying with something that already has an xp value like a monster then thats easy, use their xp value for the reward. I also try to keep in mind they're probably not getting loot in these social encounters so I try to find other ways to reward them like valuable knowledge, safe or safer passage, the xp, etc.

[@spiffywolf2850]

Thanks alot for this really need to work on role-playing and this helped.

[@professorsypher6174]

I make sure my players know that creativeness and roleplay is usually rewarded with a lowered DC. If you actually haggle your way to a lower price rather than just saying, "I bribe the vendor" then your DC could change from an 18 to a 14.

[@kevinmontgomery9475]

Great advice, it's an area I have struggled with as a new DM. Thank you

[@theDMLair]

You are very welcome! 😀

[@bonbondurjdr6553]

Nothing wrong with the "kick in the door style" play. However, just make sure everybody know what you expect of them at session 0 and what they expect of you at the same time! Then talk about it for a while to figure out what role playing you guys will get! :D

[@theDMLair]

Agreed there's nothing wrong with that style of play. If everyone at the table wants to do that rock and roll.

[@bonbondurjdr6553]

@@theDMLair I definitely have a preference for action as it drives the story. Social encounters are for investigations or at least lead up to such fights: while talking out gives directions, they don't always lead to a deal to stop hostilities or misery. So that's why fighting's there for! Mwuahaha! But if my players want to be more social or they enjoy exploration, I'll definitely try to accomodate them. In fact, as a GM, I think it's kind of my duty to be good at all these things just as much as game design. :D

[@wickederebus]

6:30 I have a friend who likes to do Fixed HP, Milestone, and Standard Array. and he wonders why the rest of my group likes rolled, Exp, and Rolled or Point Buy. personally, I like the randomness and writing a character around the stats given. i've said before that im willing to meet in the middle and use point buy, or find an existing stat block and have him give the okay on it. I've found that using a 72 Base Stat total tends to work

[@RPGmodsFan]

p.s. The Warlock ordering Pizza Skit is hilarious. :-D

[@loco4halo1]

I am currently playing my first game of DnD. And I chose to be a zealot barbarian dragonborn. I tried to make his back story to do something with eternal frost and cold. Since he is a white dragon with the frost cone breath. Saddly though I joined the decent into avernus adventure's league with a group that doesn't role play too much. But I try to sneak in some roleplaying in there. Discribing how when I let out my zoulus presents how everyone feels a cold frost wrap around them. Or when I do my breath attack I'll tell out Ice ways in Norse. I've addapted the back story that his wondering soul is from niefelheim the Norse realm of frost and cold. I play him as true neutral. So for my first character I am trying to role play. And I really do enjoy playing at them too

[@theDMLair]

That sounds cool!

[@constantchange1145]

Hey DM Lair, when you make these list videos, it helps to time stamp each point for easier reference and revision. I enjoyed the video and want to listen to certain point's again. Thanks you for your content

[@skeetazaurus]

#5 is awesome. My DM usually just says "roll for initiative" as soon as we walk in a room, and the one time I sacrificed my high initiative roll and first round attack in favor of diplomacy, my attempt was fruitless. So now it's just stomp around with an arrow knocked everywhere I go. 🙃

[@JohnDoe-dj3xh]

what our DM does, which everyone at the group finds hilarious, is if someone says, for example, "I'm going to make an arcana check" the DM responds "I'm sorry, I don't know what that is" which is the player's que to say "sorry, I am trying to determine what kind of spell was just cast" to which the DM responds "Okay, give me an arcana check"

[@stevegruber4724]

I'm in a group that met through a forum and plays over discord and it was about a year into our game that we bothered learning each others' real names

[@deadpool-mp3gb]

Thanks for the shoutout my friend

[@theDMLair]

No problem dude! 😀

[@featherflame1962]

One of my friends comes in dressed as her character quite a bit. As in, face paint and all. Currently trying to get my father and other people at the table to rp. Sister is getting there. Also, my friends character is a Draconian Tiefling (half dragonborn, half Tiefling) and he's a monk. It's hilarious.

[@handlebarfox2366]

Reminds me of Oxventures!

[@Ripcord303]

This is great advice generally. What if you have a game where the DM who runs it does so more mechanically?

[@theDMLair]

Yeah I get you do that that's a rough situation to be in. Because the dungeon master sets the tone in a lot of ways. I mean if I were a player in a game with a dungeon master were purely mechanical and didn't do much role playing at all I don't think that would stop me necessarily from role-playing my own character. And I could still do my thing I could still roleplay you know as much as I can as much as the situations that the dungeon Master's that's up allow me to. So I would just do what I can to role play in a game like that. I mean you could also share this video with your DM to. LOL

[@formula2233]

Ill never get tired of your late cuts

[@RIVERSRPGChannel]

Good list Role playing in important to get the players involved

[@randomusernameCallin]

How to encourage role-playing 1.) make combat more interesting 2.) add systems like encumbrance into the game. 3.) Don't be afraid of "gygax"ing up your dungeon a little.

[@IStealYourZs]

What's wrong Peterson? 1:00 I feel a disturbance.

[@brandonmills3949]

Rewarding for role-playing: My DM when we roleplay to ask for something depending on what we say and how we say it, he will as a buff or de buff the check.

[@GoodOldGamer]

I would encourage each PC to form a bond with at least one other PC. Whether that's long time friends, friendly rivals, a family dynamic, whatever. It gives them someone to always banter with, or confide in, and both players now have built-in reasons to be there adventuring, even if their PCs are reluctant. It's also easier for newer or shy players to focus on one person more than the whole group and for veteran or outgoing players to help those other players to shine. Everyone needs a good wingman/woman. 👍

[@kokosan09]

we've got two players who are basically only able to play themselves, I hope some of these tips will help us!

[@nickwilliams8302]

Don't sweat it too much. Asking yourself, "What would _I_ do in this situation if I had my PC's abilities?" is a hell of a lot better RP than putting on a silly accent and doing the most bizarre thing you can think of. If these players are treating the in-game situations as if they were real and responding how they think real people would respond to those situations ... they're roleplaying.

[@kokosan09]

I totally get what you're saying, and it probably wouldn’t be such an annoying hassle if one of them wasn't chaotic stupid and the other one neutral dump. most of the time neither of them remembers what their characters can even *do*, nevermind what happened the very last session...

[@nickwilliams8302]

@@kokosan09 Well, that's kind of different to what you said in your OP (at least how I interpreted it). I mean, is the first player Chaotic Stupid IRL? Given what you've said, it sounds like "playing themselves" would be a positive _improvement_ over "Zany McRandom" and "Beige Blankson".

[@kokosan09]

I don't really know her privately, she's an acquaintance of my DM. Zany McRandom does seem to fit her to a T though, from what I can gather. to be honest, at this point I've put her in the category of lost cause and hopefully we'll end up cutting her off soon. now the second player is earnest, just very, very easily distracted. definitely needs to get a grip on who exactly her character is.

[@nickwilliams8302]

@@kokosan09 Sometimes the freedom RPGs offer can go to a new player's head. Kind of a pity if that leads to a newbie being pushed out of their first group. On the other hand, it's not cool if her zaniness is negatively affecting other players ability to RP. Have you talked to the DM and other players about how you feel? Perhaps the DM could slip her this article: theangrygm.com/dear-players-a-better-way/ ;)

[@SnaffeItsMe]

"On this channel I give practical DM advice that I've stolen from others" What an absolute legend.

[@WoufPrince]

The rp my players did in a past game, was only negotiating prices of everything

[@Remrie]

Any tips on what to do about shy players who won't roleplay much? Besides handing out participation trophies and such, I want to help players not feel like they are being punished because they aren't rewarded for expressing emotions and acting in a way that is outside the scope of their introverted tendencies, or even stifled from past PTSD and social anxieties. I might come up with some sort of unique puzzle a player can solve to get those same buffs the player who sings in real life as the bard would.

[@TabooX1984]

"I cast fireball." ~ Fighter with no spell casting ability

[@zacharylona]

Addition to "actions not skill checks:" if they describe it so well they wouldn't conceivably fail, just grant them a successful check. It doubles down on rewarding roleplay.

[@trevorspencer4877]

Dude I have scared my party when I do the voices of the NPCs because I do so many and they all sound different. I dont think they sound the best, but they love them

[@LostFunocity]

If I had a costume or prop for every NPC. I'd be lugging an entire wardrobe to and from the place we play and spend more time under robes, cloaks, shirt and other armour then actually doing my job (as a DM)

[@stephaniejenkins7822]

One hilarious thing I've noticed is that when I play with the groups I've joined I never seem to respond when I'm called by my *actual* name... but I'll *always* respond when I'm called by my character's name.

[@Gengar094]

Content starts at 4:00

[@centurosproductions8827]

"Don't have the enemies attack first." Great, my Bard's Diplomacy check is so much higher than his attack roll. I'll just attack with that.

[@dm-entores3119]

I was doing most of it, but i believe i will give some small XP bonus for roleplaying

[@theDMLair]

It works! 😀

[@robheath22]

Best opening ever

[@theDMLair]

Thanks! 😀

[@chrisspray666]

this should be obvious, but i see DMs do this, and i have done it when i was a new DM. Don't embarrass or punish the characters when an RP decision would be made. I.E. the players know a different decision would be a better choice, but they take a bad choice because their characters would do that ( perhaps due to bad info NPCs gave them).

[@theDMLair]

Agreed!

[@loganfrandrup6590]

huh, surprisingly I have been doing pretty much all of these already. :) My Paladin Dragonborn showing her love of her god My Fighter Tiefling showing that he can be angry and try to crack a joke once in a while and I always ask them "How dose(PC's Name) feel/react to this." When every something happens just to see there reactions so that I test the waters of what they would do. (Also, side note, our Druid and Warlock are going to be so pissed and surprised when this happens. The Warlocks power was stolen from a Sea Hag, then the Sea Hag tested her magic on the Druid making him destroy a tropical island that he was sworn to protect. I can't wait to see what they think of her when they encounter her as a boss.)

[@twilightgardenspresentatio6384]

Man I role play through every combat round

[@DragonGunzDorian]

Just a question. What reasons are there for having players attack first other than what's mentioned in the video? Wouldn't it make more sense in some situations for enemies to attack first? Like say if a homicidal orc war party spotted the group.

[@necroticgaming2150]

So when it comes to encouraging my players especially new ones. I like to add MINOR bonuses for Roleplaying. Stuff like if you RP at the Shop to get a discount I will give you +1 or +2 on that specific roll OR if they do a really good job Roleplaying I might have them roll advantage on certain things like bartering to get the whole party a discount or place to stay for the night. That makes the RPing characters skills not sandbag the whole party because they are not comfortable with it yet. The only time I do not give these bonuses are in combat. The quite person in the back should still feel valuble and important in combat and should not be punished just because they are an introvert haha. The bonuses are small enough to encourage RP but not so huge it is unbalanced for the people who are not comfortable doing that quite yet. This suprisingly normally ends with everyone RPing after a few sessions.

[@TheFriendless1]

I want some pizza. 0:03 We should get cheese, pepperoini, and vintage air. 0:19 Yes, I want garlic bread. 0:36. No. I am broke and don't have $6 to give. 0:53

[@bluelionsage99]

I don't know what series of posts or messages prompted your "I'm not a real DM" rift - but I can say that as a guy over 55 gaming since 1979, I did find your "DM since high school" line a bit, well, underwhelming. Me too, pal me too. The internet hadn't been invented yet so I couldn't tell anyone though. :) But still, I like listening to other gamer's regardless of their experience levels compared to mine. I always pick up a few new ideas and fresh ways to look at things so more power to you.

[@EchoEchoEchoX3]

For those times a player wants a murder hobo run I keep a trash game on hand where my players can try new abilities and in general go crazy. It really cuts back nonsense because they have a game where they can try new stuff and not have to worry about messing up the campaign

[@davidedwards2270]

one of my players always plays the same kinda character its always a noble warrior type looking for a good fight is this even a bad thing if so what can i do too encourage him too change it up

[@lindarkknight4044]

Welcome to the community new advice guy.

[@theDMLair]

Th-thank you. Good t-to be here.

[@lindarkknight4044]

@@theDMLair You should check out this the DM Lair's channel I'm sure you can pick up some great tips from him.

[@mwhearn1]

I'm currently playing online. I only know the other players by their character name. Made it tricky when one pc died and she rerolled a new character. I'm still not used to her new name.

[@primeemperor9196]

1 phrase: "How do you wanna do this?"

[@markgnepper5636]

Great stuff friend 👏 👍

[@halofornoobs93]

Idk if it is just bad luck or what, but can't ever seem to get a group to engage in roleplay inside or outside of battle. Everyone seems to play it like a board game. Even my sessions online and at the local game store seem to go this way. It doesn't make sense because my buddies and I used to sometimes talk in character with our WoW toons back in the day, so why is it so hard now?

[@theDMLair]

I'm not sure. I've run into players like that too. I try to lead by example and hope it catches on.

[@nickwilliams8302]

I don't agree that XP should be an award for roleplaying. Apart from that, everything in this video is gold and I agree totally. Particularly #8.

[@theDMLair]

Why not?

[@nickwilliams8302]

@@theDMLair I give out XP for overcoming challenges. Now, if a player overcomes what I thought was going to be a combat by using social interaction ... that they get XP for. Same XP they would have gotten for hitting the thing until it died.

[@WitheringAurora]

1. I can understand why, but I kinda hate it too. Nobody at my group calls me by my actual name, to a point they don’t even realise it and it annoys me.

[@Blueoriontiger]

Why is the captions telling me Gary does skits on the worst DVD players?

[@michaelheinrich4877]

point 8 is huge one is also quite important imo

[@tobie_one_kenobie2653]

Damn I'm early and I'm not even a subscriber

[@theDMLair]

Well, there's a way to fix that. lol

[@tobie_one_kenobie2653]

@@theDMLair Ha! Fair enough. Subscribed

[@juliaskalla3979]

What would I have to roll to get you to stop using hair gel