5 ways to be a player every GM loves (in any system)
This is a transcript of the video: 5 ways to be a player every GM loves (in any system)
One of the things I’m doing to become better is that I try to play in as many games as I can, with different people, different systems. I don’t commit to campaigns (I’m only in one, that I’m running) but, increasingly, to my great benefit, one-shots to short 3-6 session adventure arcs are becoming more prevalent and I jump on those whenever I can. One of the things I’m learning through this process is that it is significantly easier to get into games or even get games going as a player if people want to play with you.
There’s a few things I’ve learned that’ll make GMs think about inviting you the next time they plan a game:
I’m going to skip over the obvious ones like don’t be a dick, don’t be on your phone because like… you shouldn’t need me to tell you that.
Have a character that wants to do the thing. This is a game about a group of people doing a thing together. If you make a lone wolf type character, the entire first bit is spent with the GM or other players having to convince you to go on the quest and that is not fair at best, and bullshit at worst. Reluctant heroes are a great literary trope, but this isn’t a book babe. This is a game. With like 4 other people, who probably have work in the morning so they shouldn’t have to have to convince you to do the thing when they could be spending the time doing other badass things. “Well, it is not what my character would do - they wouldn’t go on this quest.” - Why the fuck not. Your character doesn’t exist in a vacuum, they are an amalgamation of decisions made by you. Make the decision to be out of character and address it in game. “Wow guys, i did not see myself coming along for this ride..” - and now you have a storybeat. Even the king of lone wolves, Stryder, puts aside his lone wolfiness to be a part of the group project as Aragorn like twenty minutes into the first movie.
In a game where you don’t know the rules super well, and therefore you don’t really know what you can do, state your intention and let the GM tell you how to resolve it. For example, you’re on the trail of a murder mystery - you walk into the dusty bedroom of the victim. If you don’t know the rules, you can just say, “I'm looking around for anything that catches my eye.” - in dnd 5e, your GM will say “ok roll me an investigation check”, in Savage Worlds, it might be a Notice check. If you’re playing a system like Trail of Chthulu, your GM might come back to you and say ‘ok what are you looking for exactly? Look through your occupational abilities and tell me what specific piece of knowledge you’re relying on” - because in that system, its assumed that investigations will definitely turn up clues, but you rely on your abilities to interpret them. But either way, it all starts with stating your intention. Not only does this help you better grok the rules because now you’re learning by doing, but the game is not stalled because you’re new to the system.
Engage with other players. I’m not saying metagame. I mean in game, have interactions with your party. You are definitely going to be interacting with whatever the world is but if you are able to interact with other players, you’re an engaged team player. Especially if that player has been shuffled aside or not had a chance to have the spotlight, for whatever reason, Just a bit of small talk, it doesn’t have to be this big thing. But it’ll make you feel good, it’ll make the other player feel good, and it’ll make the GM feel good that you are engaging beyond just what they had planned for. I have another blog about this particularly.
If you have a line, veil or xcard, try to let your GM know ahead of time. Of course if things come up in game, use those tools, that’s what they are there for but if you already know that some stuff doesn’t sit well with you, let them know ahead of the game. It doesn’t have to be in public, a private DM or chat is perfect. I have one that tends to come up in more actiony games. This one is very much a two-way street. If the GM disregards or is dismissive of this, you don’t want to play with them. Or, maybe you still do - either way, you have the information now to make an informed decision. On the other hand, if what you have shared is fundamental to the game and cannot be modified, then the GM can tell you that ahead of time and you can decide if that is the right game for you. Most of the time though, a GM is just going to thank you for letting them know ahead of time, and quietly make whatever changes are necessary.
After the session, thank your GM and fellow players. Everybody took time out of their lives to be here, and it’s nice to be appreciative and honour that. If you want to go the extra mile, a short two or three line note to the GM on discord or wherever, thanking them and commenting on at least one specific thing you enjoyed, will really make their day. It’s nice when anyone is appreciative at all, it’s extra nice to feel like it’s something a little extra. And honestly, that takes like no time to do and you’ll be putting a smile on someone’s face. That’s pretty great.
So yeah - some specific ways to show that you are kind and engaged. And maybe the GM won’t know exactly why, but they’ll remember having a good time with you. And the next time they run a game, you’ll probably be on the call list.
