17 Improv Tricks for Better D&D Roleplaying 🐉🎭

[@CheeseGuy-uc5or]

I feel like playing at a table and actually seeing people's faces make roleplay and improv easier. I play with people on Discord so I can't fully get invested in my characters and I get bored of them pretty quickly. I think this video will actually really help with that

[@FlutesLoot]

I hope it does help! And I agree that I've had an extremely difficult time trying to engage when playing online with no cameras on.

[@humphrke]

@FlutesLoot I found that that's why most of my games (bc most games I'm in are discord and only one is in person) it helps to have cameras on, so you can better play

[@DisneyIsHardcore]

This is great advice and basically exactly what I’m looking for. I want to learn to be a bit better at saying “yes and” when playing this game. I feel like I say no too much. Thanks 😊

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm pleased that the video was helpful for you! My intention was to impart my experience to help other players with clear, practical advice. I hope you'll let me know if you have any moments of big wins applying improv principles. :)

[@NenaM]

This is exactly the video I was looking for! Most "how to improv roleplay" videos are specifying either how to improv as a DM when the players go off-the-rails, or the basic concepts of roleplaying (decide what your character would do in that situation and then do it). I wanted to find improv tips and tricks that dnd players (and DMs!) can use to take their RP interactions to the next level from 'basic' to 'entertaining others'. Liked and shared! Thanks again!

[@FlutesLoot]

That's exactly the need I tried to assist with when I made the video. It's one of my first videos, but the content still holds up. Thanks for sharing it. :) I also recommend trying the channel "Improv and D&D".

[@theoldwarlock]

Fail Big? Excellent advise! That creates some of the most memorable D&D you can play.

[@FlutesLoot]

It's so true. Rolling a 1 when taking a chance can be so fun. I made a D&D improv game for my improv shows that uses a d6, and I always hope the game rolls a 6 or 1 because either way, the extreme is so fun.

[@You-is9tw]

I've found the biggest help for me as a DM is being genuinely excited to see where the players can take the situations I put them in and how they'll respond. That makes it so much easier to say yes and see where we can take the game together. I can't wait for the time in between sessions where I get to use the direction and feedback they gave me to shift the plot in a new direction than I intended

[@FlutesLoot]

This is a great insight. I might have to talk about DM-specific improv tips.

[@ChrisCarterandchristocarter]

A perfect reminder of how to up one's game as DM and/or player. Thank you! As a recently retired teacher, I particularly appreciate your reminder to be comfortable to silence, and to allow people time to formulate meaningful answers and thoughts. Even teachers sometimes fall into the trap of rushing ahead, not giving students time to think. Silly, really. Again, thank you!

[@FlutesLoot]

Thanks for the kind words and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! And yeah, fearing silence can be like self-sabotage :P

[@CharalamposKoundourakis]

100%. The best thing I've done to better my skills as a DM and as a player was take an improv course. Of course that escalated to more advanced courses and now performing improv on tsgae but heck, two hobbies is better than one. :D

[@FlutesLoot]

Improv classes are useful for so many things. I'm glad they're working for you! :)

[@Conshey11]

Some of the best advice I've ever seen to improve your game. Even 30-year veterans can relearn principles that they've let go. Amazing video!

[@FlutesLoot]

Your compliment is much appreciated; thank you very much. I like to think these are principles that everyone should review once in a while, even outside of D&D or performing. They make a huge difference in relationships. :)

[@Karina-Loves-Andreas]

I'm not currently a DM, but you gave a GREAT PACING TIP here about starting sessions with action, with a "bang". Gives me the idea to start as many sessions as possible immediately with action, combat, or "juicy stuff", stuff where initiative comes in. Then AFTER that, do the "celebration party", the shopping (I often think about things I COULD have used when I DON'T have them handy in combat), spell preps, RP. Then BEGIN the NEXT "action" requiring initiative right at the end, calling for initiative...then full-stop, end on a cliff hanger. You mentioned the "Matt Mercer Effect", and I hadn't really thought about it, but he often does this order in sessions. Now I see it! My party's sessions usually start with a LOT of planning & dickering around. Which I actually don't mind, I like all the RP & stuff (and what girl DOESN'T like shopping?🤣😆), but we don't get into initiative action until 2/3 or 3/4 after sessions begin. Our sessions start between 6:30 or 7 pm, and go on.....until 1-2:30 am. Because you CAN'T have "no action", start initiative and some "Boss Battle" a couple hours later, look at your watch & say "oops, gotta end, gotta run" without making the whole session a downer. But if action starts first, you can trim "downtime", "planning", as needed for a session running over. Some downtime or planning stuff could even be in group chat or email chain if there just wasn't sufficient time. The way my DM is currently running it, the "downtime activities", planning, etc., happen while we're fresh, not terribly hungry, etc. Trying to stuff pizza in your mouth because it's 11:30, you haven't eaten since breakfast, while juggling combat order, scanning notes, checking your spell lists, WHILE trying to pay close attention to what's going on during combat SUCKS. I'm going to discuss this with my DM (while not suggesting his planning sucks, lol!). But I bet we'd wrap our sessions up much faster and in a more exciting way, with more anticipation for the next session, if we did this. 1) Start with ACTION 2) Do the "non-initiative stuff"---which CAN be shortened if session runs long---but also gives players a chance to eat, relax without stressing too much about every detail on the table 3) End with an initiative roll for next time...if players arrive more than 20 minutes late, keep their spot kind of open in the background, I suppose. We always take 20 minutes to settle in anyway. I think an entire video on pacing might be worthwhile. Flutes Loot Rocks!!

[@FlutesLoot]

Pacing would make an excellent video! I might have to make that video. I have been exactly where you are. I know what it's like to play late into the night (before I had kids haha) because combat started ten minutes before we were to end. Groups can find ways to "optimize" their time by moving the right stuff to group chats and whatnot. Every group is different, so they all have their content that they can streamline in different ways. And thank you again for the praise even on our older videos where our audio and visual quality isn't as polished (still working on it haha).

[@mattalford3862]

I've been looking for help on improv as a DM for a long time. So glad I finally found this video. It's gold!

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm glad it was helpful! :)

[@joelderfner8759]

Thanks so much-I got back into D&D recently after um a long time away, and I'm really appreciating the storytelling aspect of it, but I also get frustrated occasionally when I can tell the story isn't necessarily moving along and I don't know what to do as a player to change that-I'm really looking forward to trying some of these hints out.

[@FlutesLoot]

Happy to help, Joel. I'm pleased to hear you can return to the hobby :) I recommend writing down several tips that stood out to you. You can review them quickly before playing to get yourself into the mindset for collaborative storytelling. As a word of caution, the more you learn skills to help you collaborate, the more you'll notice others violating those principles. This can become frustrating, which leads to what I call the "Squidward mindset" where "everyone is an idiot except for me." Don't let that happen because it'll turn your newly developed collaborative skills against you. Do the best you can without getting frustrated with others. Communicate freely about what you're trying to accomplish, and they should help you out. :)

[@joelderfner8759]

​@@FlutesLoot Wow-thanks for the further advice! Actually, while watching the video, I wrote down several of the tips to try (some of them I somehow do already, which makes it a little less overwhelming). I've also had a number of conversations with our DM about exactly this issue-how to role-play better, how to develop my character better, etc.-and he's been really helpful and supportive and also passed along some other improv tools, like "If this is true, what else is true?" Which currently has me thinking hard about how reconcile various things I've done during our campaign. Anyway, thanks again. Subscribing now and will check out your other videos.

[@FlutesLoot]

@@joelderfner8759 your DM sounds like a winner. I like the framing of "if this, then this." Sometimes you just have to phrase something the right way for it to click with someone's understanding :P Thanks for the sub!

[@urixl]

The funy thing is that I started to watch this video with my notebook open. And I was rewarded with a short, informative and no-nonsense video article! Youy are a blessing to KZbin, sir.

[@FlutesLoot]

Daw, thank you! I'm glad the video was useful :)

[@urixl]

@@FlutesLoot That's my first video of yours, I hope others are great too :)

[@LongShaynx]

I have no idea why this channel has so few subs and views, the content is great, and presented in a way that makes it easily digestable. Here's wishing you well in your growth. subbed.

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you for your support and compliment. We're happy with whatever growth we receive, haha. We'll keep the quality content coming your way. :)

[@magpie1466]

This is excellent and extremely valuable advice to have so neatly packaged in a video. Thanks for sharing your expertise like this! Great channel.

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you for the compliment! There are many players who can benefit from a little more guidance on improvisation while keeping the guidance digestible. I hope that's what I've achieved.

[@Faerunner23]

This video had some really awesome advice in it! As someone who lives in an area where improv classes are scarce, this was helpful, and I'd love to see more. Thank you so much!!❤

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed the video :) Here is another video about an improv principle and character creation you may enjoy: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZWolK2VgNZ0gas

[@mathieuTME]

Hey thanks I found the video helpful. I am preparing to DM for the first time and the one about making others look cool is the one I want to remind myself the most. I don't want my nervousness about getting off course to stop me from embracing cool ideas from the players :)

[@FlutesLoot]

Making others look good is absolutely one of the best mindsets to master! You may also like my new video about player agency.

[@CritsAndCoffee]

Love it! I tend to rewatch this video before a first session. You lay out an amazing foundation for new and veteran players alike. Keep it up!

[@FlutesLoot]

Will do! :)

[@TronHammer]

Awesome advice, thanks a lot ^^

[@FlutesLoot]

Happy to help :)

[@justj44]

Glad to have come across your channel and have always thought that my improv skills were well enough. But after some frustration from a few sessions, I realized I needed some tuning up. The points you brought up were great new insights or greatly worded reminders! Edit: The points you pointed out that really stood out to me were making others look good, fail big, and prioritize preparation. As an aside point my character's name is Fleet! A Forest Gnome Chronurgy Wizard. Thought to mention with how similar of a name it is to Flutes! Ha. Cheers!

[@FlutesLoot]

Fantastic, I'm glad I could be of use! Don't get discouraged and I'm certain you'll improve your craft. :)

[@tubebobwil]

Very appreciative of all of these tips being in one clear, gently-presented video. Thank you!

[@FlutesLoot]

Sure thing :)

[@MarsVolta84]

Awesome video man

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you!

[@AdamZollo]

Such a fantastic video, though I think it probably hits harder for those who have RP'd for years. I think you could do really well splitting this video up into a few. Some of these lessons are probably going to be better received by new players (e.g., Let Go and Play, Do Not Fear Silence). Some I only started to piece together a few years into my RPing (e.g., Make Others Look Good, Find Common Ground, Fail Big). It really helped me to hear "Make Statements Not Questions". I applied it in my RP and I could see the difference it makes. Such a little adjustment but such a big improvement! Two things I'd love to share back: (1) I often reference "Dan Harmon's Story Circle" when I am working on a personal question (as a PC or DM) or when I enter into a more meaningful roleplay moments. It really helps me move towards a satisfying resolution. It's such a simple structure that it can be applied to even small RP conversations. I apply it ALL the time. The big thing with this structure is you always end sort of in the same place you started (only having changed), so when I enter a scene, I note the set-up mentally so we can end in that same set-up. For example, imagine a scene starts with two NPCs chatting with each other and developing a romance, then my PC stumbles into them and interrupts them. That tells me this scene could end with my PC leaving them alone again and continuing my walk. It doesn't have to end there but it's my "go-to" if another resolution doesn't develop naturally. From there, I start to sort out all the bits in the middle of the Story Circle. What are everyone's needs (perhaps my PC needs information and the NPCs need privacy)? What's the price people have to pay to get what they want? Will they pay that price? How will this scene move from order to chaos and back to order? (2) One last thing that's helped me tremendously, that I picked up when playing a Kenku in an online game, is to keep a dialogue cheat sheet. For my Kenku this developed from writing down quotes but then having so many quotes that I had to find a way to better organize them so I could reference them very quickly. So I organized them by the type of scene. There are quotes that are generally very useful. There are quotes that are useful in very heavy moments. There are quotes that are useful during stealth missions. There are quotes that are useful for insulting people. There are quotes that are useful for complimenting people, etc. I started to apply this to other PCs that I was giving strong accents or personalities. So for my very adventure-addicted, Scouse-accented PC, I've a whole 3 page word document. The top of my document is a reminder of the features of a Scouse accent (crunchy "K" sounds, ts like ds, etc). Below that there 15 or so very general phrases for agreements, compliments, disagreements, nicknames, etc. After that there are some quotes for expressing negative emotions or insults. Then quotes/sayings for fight scenes. Then quotes/sayings for really heavy moments such as a PC death. I am not always looking at the sheet but... if I see a particular moment is coming, I might take a quick peek for inspiration. For my Kenku, I also keep a "bingo sheet" which are funny quotes I picked up but haven't found the right moment to use. This helps me insert fresh call backs instead of just relying on the same quotes over and over and over.

[@FlutesLoot]

Those two points are so helpful! I started keeping a cheat sheet of quotes and such that I might say as a DM, and I started doing it with my PCs, too. Game changer! For splitting up the principles into separate videos, I experimented with Shorts by clipping this video up, but that gained no traction. I am going to give them each their own video with more info eventually, starting this week, actually! I have one that will be really helpful and clear for people this week.

[@joeld2925]

This is gold! And so it your website. Thank you!

[@FlutesLoot]

Thanks, Joel D! This video was really important to me, so I'm glad it's helping people develop their skills.

[@darkstarmantiel6680]

very useful for me, the new dm and my party thank you.

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm pleased to hear that this advice was helpful for you. :)

[@darkstarmantiel6680]

@@FlutesLoot its hard to improv on nothing this is easy to understand from players perspective too so i sent it to my group. Thank you for making the video.

[@theoldwarlock]

Just found this video - sorry so late to the discussion. This is excellent advise on several levels. It’s going to be strongly suggested viewing for new players to my campaign. Thanks for gathering all these tips in one spot.

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm glad you found it, Jim and/or Alexander! :D And thank you for the kind words. I hope the video is useful for you and your players.

[@generatoralignmentdevalue]

This is amazing and I need to watch it every week.

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm glad it is so helpful for you! I need to review the principles often.

[@jofridsandgrenstenstad8484]

Some of these seem like good conversation advice irl as well

[@FlutesLoot]

100%

[@sporksabre]

Amazing video. The ideas in it are really going to help. I especially liked your point about making others look good, playing into what others are doing, and failing big. I have always embraced failed rolls. It is a great way to add to the RP. There is a running joke in my group that my fighter can't hit anything with a bow. That has led to RP of him frustratedly drawing his sword and yelling for someone to hit the flying creature on the ground so he can hit something. I am hoping in the future it might lead to the ranger giving him some tips and help him practice so that getting the sharpshooter feat makes sense.

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you very much! I'm glad those tips resonated with you. Your examples of failing with style are perfect. Every player should have fun with their failures, and that's exactly what you're doing. Those are the kinds of details people remember years later.

[@itaylorm]

Helpful thoughts to make the game more fun, thanks for sharing

[@FlutesLoot]

You're welcome! :)

[@Calibur95]

Really great video, thank you.

[@FlutesLoot]

You're welcome! :)

[@hernique]

Love it, thanks for the video

[@FlutesLoot]

You're welcome! Thank you for the kind words.

[@TwistedTentacleInn]

This was some really great advice! I'm going to use a few of these! - The Innkeeper

[@FlutesLoot]

I highly recommend you do! Thank you for the feedback. I also received a comment saying you referred your audience to our channel! I didn't find the referral source but we appreciate it :)

[@jackf4090]

Damn fine advice. Thank you Sir!

[@FlutesLoot]

You're welcome, Jack!

[@ShardPF2e]

Like number 300 👍 Great stuff as always. There are life lessons here, not just D&D.

[@FlutesLoot]

I treat them as life lessons. It's good for me to review and take my own advice, haha.

[@LouWilliams-o5v]

why'd you have me think of a bill cosby dm for 'get straight into the action'? - "ya' see, with the kids these days, and you got the hippin' and the hoppin' and the bippin' and the boppin'" his way of saying mission find his lost bottle in the woods

[@FlutesLoot]

Yes, exactly that :D

[@TimothyMReynolds]

Great overview

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you! I'm considering more improv content since it's my area of expertise.

[@TimothyMReynolds]

@@FlutesLoot I support that decision 💯

[@difenderu]

that's actually somewhat helpful. Thanks. )

[@FlutesLoot]

You're welcome :)

[@juliocapelo7857]

Good job and awesome tips! Tysm ❤

[@Beth-cj7ip]

Loved this video

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you, Beth!

[@creebotthegreat4159]

Thanks. I'm TERRIBLE at improv. Last day i was hosting a campaign for friends and they met with their superior on-field during a mission. I had a player ask if he should refer to the superior in question as Captain. My dumbass couldn't think out an answer and just said "Do what you want, Soldier". Kinda cringed especially since it didn't quite fit in the context.

[@FlutesLoot]

I'm glad I could help. One more improv tip: don't be hard on yourself :)

[@danesando]

This is such an under-watched video! Clear, concise and informative! Consider me subbed! (I also got the be the 69th like so... nice...)

[@FlutesLoot]

Hahaha yea that's exactly what that comment was :P And thank you for the sub and the positive feedback on the video. I'd like to provide more guidance on improv in the future when I knock out other priorities.

[@beckybequette8212]

This is great help for a newbie like me. Any suggestions on how to jolt myself out of metagaming? I have a real hard time not applying things I know in real life that my character may not or probably doesn't know. In real life I'm a person that has a backup for the backup of a plan.

[@FlutesLoot]

Thank you! I'm glad the video was helpful. Most instances of metagaming are harmless or expected. Can you give an example of a type of metagaming you're trying to halt?

[@beckybequette8212]

@@FlutesLoot Oh my goodness, a reply! (fangirl squeal). I'm the kind of person who can have a meltdown IRL if I don't know every aspect of what is going on and what to expect. Gotta love childhood trauma stuff. I rediscovered D&D and I have read everything I can get my hands on, including a lot of the monster compendium. So what I'm trying to do is calm my brain down and not overuse my other knowledge to dictate the play. For example, I'm in the CoS campaign with an excellent GM. We ended on a cliffhanger where we will be facing a vampire spawn. From my reading, I know that we are not in any way ready for this battle. So my instinct is to persuade everyone else to ease back up the stairs, find some magical weapons, and come back to the situation. But that's all based on my outside knowledge, not anything within the game. What I should do is not worry about it, roll next time to see if I know what our foe is (advantage on wisdom rolls for favored enemy undead) and go with it. But what I really want to do is shove everyone back up the stairs 😆

[@FlutesLoot]

@@beckybequette8212 has your group voiced that they'd like you to not use that knowledge? As a DM of CoS, I would be happy if players were scared of a vampire spawn with a bit of knowledge. After all, in a world of magic and monsters, it's reasonable to think that people would understand some monsters will not flinch at mundane weapons. Unless it's a problem to other people, I'd say don't worry about it and just have fun :)

[@beckybequette8212]

@@FlutesLoot No, actually. I was watching a lot of videos of DMs complaining about metagaming, so was trying to stop before it became a problem. And the thing is, you're probably right. CoS is a sandbox, there are times you need to pick up and flee because you're not ready for that particular part yet. Eh, I'll stop worrying about it, and work on it in my other less deadly games

[@FlutesLoot]

@@beckybequette8212 that sounds right to me. Enjoy the game! :)

[@caravanlurker]

Helpful!!

[@ahsidodna3355]

subscribed

[@jsgoyburu]

But "yes, and" should be for players, not characters. I shouldn't be saying "yes" to everything as a paladin. What I should always be doing is taking every other player at their word, fully believing in their character choices.If they say their characters think, say or do whatever, they did. You don't try to mitigate the consequences of their decisions because they're "losing" choices, or try to cajole them into acting some way to manipulate the numbers. You play for the story as it is.

[@jsgoyburu]

Tough I realize you're not talking to me, who will always act for the narrative stakes in detriment of the mechanics (which usually makes people hate me, LOL)

[@FlutesLoot]

@@jsgoyburu I know it's abstract and most people think of "yes, and" as inherently positive or "joiner" to what is happening, but you can "yes, and" as a character by contributing in a different way than just saying yes. I don't know if that's what you're communicating, but it sounds like you've given it a lot of thought.

[@CalmClamFam]

Another aspect of improv that is paired with “Yes, and” is “No, but”. “No, but” is a good way to decline the action, but also acting in a different way that still contributes to the gameplay and progresses it. It allows others to build off of what your character is doing rather than stalling the gameplay.