By Savannah Joiner
Dungeon Masters aren’t the only ones in charge of making a game of DnD spellbinding and immersive. Players contribute equally to the tabletop experience and a little effort goes a long way in enhancing your party’s enjoyment of a campaign. One of the best ways to improve as a player is to do some research, and it looks like you’ve made it here. Great job! Showing up on time, bringing snacks, and creating a memorable character are important to being a good player, but there are even more significant ways you can engage with your party to maximize the fun.
Share the Spotlight
You wipe your blade clean of the blood of the goblin you’ve just decapitated. The druid casts Cure Wounds on the wizard while you loot the mangled corpses. Nothing good. But that locked door on the far wall looks promising. Sure, you could smash it open with your still-rage-improved strength, but you finished off the last goblin with spectacular brutality and the party’s meek rogue hasn’t had a chance to shine this session. Recognizing the strengths of others and allowing them to fill their role is crucial to being a true team-player. Try not to steal opportunities that would be better suited for someone else. Engage with the quieter members of your group and encourage them to step up and have their moment of glory. Not only will it make them feel good, but it will also strengthen your character’s relationship in game. Another way to share the spotlight is to remember things other players share in character and bring them up later, making them feel heard and important. Let your character take up space and carry out the role you’ve intended for them, but be sure you’re lifting up others at your table at the same time.
Know Your Character
Your DM has a lot on their plate. Don’t add more by not understanding the mechanics of your character. It’s okay to need help, but taking the time to understand your character fully is a must. If you’re having trouble understanding a mechanic, consult your DM or an online source. Between books, PDFs, and YouTube videos, you should find what you need. If you’re still having a hard time, things like spell slot trackers and spell cards are cheap and can be a valuable asset. If you’re a more experienced player, consider reaching out to struggling party members to help them get a grasp on the way their character works. Being prepared by familiarizing yourself with all the features, spells, and feats your character has will keep the game running smoothly. Having to whip out the PHB or spend time googling things can be distracting and take away from everyone’s experience.
Get Invested
Note taking is the hallmark of an excellent player. Nothing will tickle your DM more than if you’re able to remember the name of an obscure NPC you met three sessions ago, or having your character recite relevant lore over a campfire. When one person gets invested, others will follow, and before you know it, the entire party is crying over the death of the local bar-keep. Being invested in the campaign can extend beyond game night, too. Sending game related memes or discussing character arc ideas with your group can deepen everyone’s investment. Creative a group text or discord for your party is another way you can encourage involvement. If you want to completely immerse yourself in character, there are countless options to dive even deeper, including creating props, costumes, and painting minis. Showing any level of commitment to your campaign is guaranteed to inspire your friends and encourage your dungeon master.
Be Prepared for Your Turn in Combat
Nothing grinds a compelling session to a snail’s pace faster than indecisive players locked in combat. Getting distracted, being unfamiliar with your character, or simply struggling to make decisions all contribute to holding things up. This can be easily remedied, though. Plan your next move while the rest of your party are taking their turns. If you struggle to make descisions in that time, it may be best to spend some time outside of the game developing your character further. Knowing who your character is on a deeper level can inform the type of decisions they’d make. If that isn’t the problem, making a battle plan on your own time by looking over your options and considering different types of strategy can help prepare you for next session’s combat.
Make Mistakes
Once you know your character’s personality, playing into their weaknesses and not just their strengths can add depth to the game. Now, we’re not saying to make terrible decisions that will lead to a TPK, but having your character gamble their earnings away instead of purchasing potions can highlight their personality. Making your character gullible, superstitious, or prone to gossip are great ways to shake up a run-of-the-mill character. If you’re not sure what kind of flaws your character might have, revisit the PHB’s background section for inspiration. You can look up other types of flaws or base your character’s personality off of an existing person or fictional character to thoroughly develop them. Allow your character to change, for better or worse over the course of the campaign. Watching a slimy thief gain a conscience or a proud warrior descend into alcoholism is the drama we live for. Don’t forget to lean into the bad dice rolls and embrace imperfection! A game would be rather dull if players succeeded in everything they attempted or never made mistakes.
It doesn’t take much to liven up any DnD game. You’re doing your homework and you’re on the right track. Above all, though, dungeons and dragons is a game – have fun! Don’t beat yourself up if you’ve struggled with anything on this list. Everyone has! So, grab your favorite snack, post some memes to your D&D group chat, and enjoy being the excellent player you already are.