Bringing new players out of their shell. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Bringing new players out of their shell. [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Dunbar Brasstwister
04-19-05, 06:28 PM I'm a new DM. In fact, this is my first real DMing attempt, and I'm setting it in Eberron. I'm running the series of modules WotC has released, and things are going well so far. We're about half way through The Forgotten Forge. But I have one problem. One of my PCs is an old school, 2nd edition gamer, but he always played hack and slash style with little to no RP. Now, I run these modules as deep immersion roleplay, and most of my PCs have no problem with this. Except for that one player. Does anyone have any tips on how to get people new to RP out of their shells?
Dunbar Brasstwister
04-19-05, 07:12 PM BTW, the problem character is a level 1 LG Human Cleric of the Silver Flame from Cyre.
Gurv
04-19-05, 07:51 PM How does he make himself a problem? Does he complain out of character that the game is too slow? If that is the case, he might want to reconsider whether this game is the right game for him; some people want a lot of action. Or you could introduce a little more combat into the adventures: Eberron games can have action...it just has to be the right type.

Or is the player attacking things he should be talking to, charging foes who would be better off avoiding completely, and starting a fight with every town guard and regular at the bar? If that is the case, then the best way to put a stop to it is to show him why that kind of behavior won't work. Have the town guard arrest him for it, or a Dragonmarked House imprison him.

In my game, if a player is acting like that, I just have the local authorities take him out. I just say "they arrest you" and don't even run an encounter. No reason to roll dice when the result is a foregone conclusion.
Dunbar Brasstwister
04-20-05, 08:51 AM It's not so much that he's causing problems. It's just that he isn't contributing anything to the story. During RP scenarios he just sits back and lets the party do everything, then when combat starts he just heals things, then goes back to waiting for the RP to be over so he can heal more stuff. How do I encourage his to participate in RP.
Setherial
04-20-05, 09:23 AM first of all I'd say don't push him, it takes time to get used to roleplaying and it's not something you pick up in a few sessions.
If you think he isn't having fun talk to him about it in between sessions and suggest some things to him, either pointing out possibilities he missed during the last session or helping him flesh out his character background and personality, make him understand his character better so he can actually play that character. Also ask him if a cleric isn't too passive a character for him to play. A barbarian/fighter or rogue type might be more enjoyable for him to play.

In in the end if he doesn't enjoy the game you run and the rest of the group does you might have to tell him it's ok if he doesn't play anymore. We cut a friend of hours from the group because roleplaying just wasn't his thing. We still come together to play strategy boardgames which he does really enjoys.
Same thing with my girlfriend, she's been playing with us for over a year now and she enjoys it but she just doesn't want to invest as much time in it as we do and more often than not she just doesn't seem that enthausiastic before a game as we do. There is other stuff she rather do with her time then play with us so I tell her each time that it's perfectly ok not to join the game, we have a full party without her and even if I miss her input during the game I have to respect her choices.
Altaris
04-20-05, 11:53 AM It's not so much that he's causing problems. It's just that he isn't contributing anything to the story. During RP scenarios he just sits back and lets the party do everything, then when combat starts he just heals things, then goes back to waiting for the RP to be over so he can heal more stuff. How do I encourage his to participate in RP.

In my group, we've a player who does much the same thing. For some reason, I seem to be the only DM in our group for which this player will really get involved in the RP. This has as much to do with me as a DM as it does with my other players.

Setherial has very good suggestions, and really illustrates the maturity of gaming.

If you think he isn't having fun talk to him about it in between sessions and suggest some things to him, either pointing out possibilities he missed during the last session or helping him flesh out his character background and personality, make him understand his character better so he can actually play that character.

That quote is especially good guidance. The player in my game, a guy we call 'Chuckles,' sounds a lot like your player Dunbar. One of the things I do is to have the players fill out a questionnaire when they make their character. It answers all of the major questions I'll have, as well as aids the player in getting a feel for the PC and what the PC has experienced prior to the campaign.

Also, for this particular player, I either set up another player or an NPC as a sort of 'mentor' for the PC. That way, I can both generate RP and also give in-character guidance to the player. That also helps in generating plot hooks (a side benefit, but definitely appreciated.)

But the best thing to do, is just what Setherial said. Sit down with the player and help him (or her) create a PC they will really enjoy. Chuckles likes to hack, and is very good at coming up with new and intriguing ways to do so. My input serves to fill in his backstory, give him ties to the players and NPCs (thus giving him a reason to care in-character at about the game,) and I also give advice on his character build so that he is useful outside of combat as well.

And honestly, Chuckles has been apart of some of the best RP I've ever witnessed. It just takes a nudge here and there to get him involved. On a side note, knowing the Player's own personality quirks also helps. Being able to play on a player's personality traits can go a long way to getting them to react in-character.

Also, talk with your other players, those who are more outgoing. Have them engage the reluctant roleplayer in conversation at the bar. Get the party leader to illicit opinions or information from the quiet one. After all, the Cleric should be able to demonstrate wisdom and insight. This is another trick of my group, we hate to see a player just sitting there and go out of our way to get them involved.
Dunbar Brasstwister
04-20-05, 02:08 PM I had one idea. I have another character in the game who's a warforged Paladin of the silver flame, and his entire storyline is that he's uncertain about his belief structure. Possibly I could talk to that PC and set up a scenario where he goes to the cleric for guidance?

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Dunbar Brasstwister 04-19-05, 06:28 PM	I'm a new DM. In fact, this is my first real DMing attempt, and I'm setting it in Eberron. I'm running the series of modules WotC has released, and things are going well so far. We're about half way through The Forgotten Forge. But I have one problem. One of my PCs is an old school, 2nd edition gamer, but he always played hack and slash style with little to no RP. Now, I run these modules as deep immersion roleplay, and most of my PCs have no problem with this. Except for that one player. Does anyone have any tips on how to get people new to RP out of their shells?
Dunbar Brasstwister 04-19-05, 07:12 PM	BTW, the problem character is a level 1 LG Human Cleric of the Silver Flame from Cyre.
Gurv 04-19-05, 07:51 PM	How does he make himself a problem? Does he complain out of character that the game is too slow? If that is the case, he might want to reconsider whether this game is the right game for him; some people want a lot of action. Or you could introduce a little more combat into the adventures: Eberron games can have action...it just has to be the right type. Or is the player attacking things he should be talking to, charging foes who would be better off avoiding completely, and starting a fight with every town guard and regular at the bar? If that is the case, then the best way to put a stop to it is to show him why that kind of behavior won't work. Have the town guard arrest him for it, or a Dragonmarked House imprison him. In my game, if a player is acting like that, I just have the local authorities take him out. I just say "they arrest you" and don't even run an encounter. No reason to roll dice when the result is a foregone conclusion.
Dunbar Brasstwister 04-20-05, 08:51 AM	It's not so much that he's causing problems. It's just that he isn't contributing anything to the story. During RP scenarios he just sits back and lets the party do everything, then when combat starts he just heals things, then goes back to waiting for the RP to be over so he can heal more stuff. How do I encourage his to participate in RP.
Setherial 04-20-05, 09:23 AM	first of all I'd say don't push him, it takes time to get used to roleplaying and it's not something you pick up in a few sessions. If you think he isn't having fun talk to him about it in between sessions and suggest some things to him, either pointing out possibilities he missed during the last session or helping him flesh out his character background and personality, make him understand his character better so he can actually play that character. Also ask him if a cleric isn't too passive a character for him to play. A barbarian/fighter or rogue type might be more enjoyable for him to play. In in the end if he doesn't enjoy the game you run and the rest of the group does you might have to tell him it's ok if he doesn't play anymore. We cut a friend of hours from the group because roleplaying just wasn't his thing. We still come together to play strategy boardgames which he does really enjoys. Same thing with my girlfriend, she's been playing with us for over a year now and she enjoys it but she just doesn't want to invest as much time in it as we do and more often than not she just doesn't seem that enthausiastic before a game as we do. There is other stuff she rather do with her time then play with us so I tell her each time that it's perfectly ok not to join the game, we have a full party without her and even if I miss her input during the game I have to respect her choices.
Altaris 04-20-05, 11:53 AM	It's not so much that he's causing problems. It's just that he isn't contributing anything to the story. During RP scenarios he just sits back and lets the party do everything, then when combat starts he just heals things, then goes back to waiting for the RP to be over so he can heal more stuff. How do I encourage his to participate in RP. In my group, we've a player who does much the same thing. For some reason, I seem to be the only DM in our group for which this player will really get involved in the RP. This has as much to do with me as a DM as it does with my other players. Setherial has very good suggestions, and really illustrates the maturity of gaming. If you think he isn't having fun talk to him about it in between sessions and suggest some things to him, either pointing out possibilities he missed during the last session or helping him flesh out his character background and personality, make him understand his character better so he can actually play that character. That quote is especially good guidance. The player in my game, a guy we call 'Chuckles,' sounds a lot like your player Dunbar. One of the things I do is to have the players fill out a questionnaire when they make their character. It answers all of the major questions I'll have, as well as aids the player in getting a feel for the PC and what the PC has experienced prior to the campaign. Also, for this particular player, I either set up another player or an NPC as a sort of 'mentor' for the PC. That way, I can both generate RP and also give in-character guidance to the player. That also helps in generating plot hooks (a side benefit, but definitely appreciated.) But the best thing to do, is just what Setherial said. Sit down with the player and help him (or her) create a PC they will really enjoy. Chuckles likes to hack, and is very good at coming up with new and intriguing ways to do so. My input serves to fill in his backstory, give him ties to the players and NPCs (thus giving him a reason to care in-character at about the game,) and I also give advice on his character build so that he is useful outside of combat as well. And honestly, Chuckles has been apart of some of the best RP I've ever witnessed. It just takes a nudge here and there to get him involved. On a side note, knowing the Player's own personality quirks also helps. Being able to play on a player's personality traits can go a long way to getting them to react in-character. Also, talk with your other players, those who are more outgoing. Have them engage the reluctant roleplayer in conversation at the bar. Get the party leader to illicit opinions or information from the quiet one. After all, the Cleric should be able to demonstrate wisdom and insight. This is another trick of my group, we hate to see a player just sitting there and go out of our way to get them involved.
Dunbar Brasstwister 04-20-05, 02:08 PM	I had one idea. I have another character in the game who's a warforged Paladin of the silver flame, and his entire storyline is that he's uncertain about his belief structure. Possibly I could talk to that PC and set up a scenario where he goes to the cleric for guidance?