How do I not play myself? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How do I not play myself? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Turlis
07-01-04, 04:25 AM I've been playing for a couple of years now, and I have a recurring problem. It seems that in every game I play in, I end up being the party leader. It's the role I usually take in life. I tend to make up my mind quickly, and I speak my opinion, so I usually get stuck in leadership roles.

I'm trying not to do that with the characters I play, but sometimes it seems that if I don't make the decisions, we just sit around staring at each other. Suggestions?
Six of Clubs
07-01-04, 06:35 AM My suggestion- make a character with either low intelligence or wisdom and make consistently poor suggestions. After the first couple of near deaths, someone else should try to become leader, just to stop you from being it.
preacher of nothing
07-01-04, 06:37 AM you could also think about some character that has undertaken some sort of oath to himself or some code of conduct not to act as a leader, not to take the important decisions, but rather to be in the shadow. Either as punishment or as a simple decision.
Edward
07-01-04, 07:20 AM I have similar problems with characters that are not knowledgeable, curious and deliberate in there actions.

A character oath or low stats on the page don’t tend to help much. They are a reason why your character is like that and tend to cause problems when you slip up. Paying less attention to the game works a bit but I don’t recommend it.

I have actually stoped trying to play such characters as even when I play them well I don’t have as much fun.

Edward
jasper
07-01-04, 08:23 AM are you party leader? Or party caller?
Leader means your pc talks the talks with npcs
Caller means bob, jasper, what ever is your real name decides we go left, right, explore that cave etc.
MrkGrismer
07-01-04, 11:18 AM Some people prefer to be followers. Just make sure that everytime your thrust into the leadership roll you also make them get you pops and such.

:D

Leadership has its advantages afterall.

:D
preacher of nothing
07-01-04, 02:22 PM Actually, come to think of it, i don't really understand why that's such a problem. I mean, that's what you are....in game and in real life...
Duke Lupo
07-01-04, 03:10 PM Make sure your character has low wisdom. Develop a voice for your character that implies your not too bright, think a cross between bullwinkle and barney fife. If they still want you to lead, roll a die or flip a coin for all descisions. Odd we attack, even we run away. Heads we go left, tails we go right. If that doesn't work you're stuck with being the leader.
Tony Vargas
07-01-04, 07:04 PM Originally posted by Turlis
I'm trying not to do that with the characters I play, but sometimes it seems that if I don't make the decisions, we just sit around staring at each other. Suggestions?

Well there are a couple of things you can do.

You can choose to play characters that fit that style - high-CHA, leader types of various descriptions. That way it fits the character.

If you /want/ to play a character that's not in that mold, you may just have to put up with your fellow players taking longer to reach decisions, or making decisions you don't care for - if you really want to play someone like that. One thing you can do, is ask for decisions from whichever PC is the most likely seeming 'leader' - pestering him, if you must. You could also make suggestions and ask for some more decisive action OOC - be sure to make it very clear when your speaking IC vs OOC. You can use a LARP-style handsign or a change in 'voice' if you're good at that sorta thing.
Soel Griffin
07-02-04, 05:46 AM You could try playing a different gender or race with problems specific to that gender/race.
Or maybe a radically different age that yours (52 yr old bard who sings tales of long past glories and long dimmed passions, who maybe has a slight hearing prob due to an old injury)
Or you could use the Traits in UA to help establish something different, less of a candidate for leadership.
If you are having fun though, and the others don't seem to mind, then just continue on as is!
Dragonspirit
07-02-04, 06:22 AM Sometimes it just can't be helped, especially when no one is willing to 'take the ball'. Some people are just too introverted, or not dynamic enough in personality to be able to act significantly different roles than they can in life. Sometimes you'd like to play the irresponsible chance taker, or the loner, or the one with the temper but you know that no one else will step up to the plate to fill the niche that's needed to keep the party focused and informed.

But at the same time, you should not be forcing this position of being the leader all the time either. I've noticed with some players they will try to take over immediately, despite their characters just being introduced and having no seniority in the group or having a low diplomacy or charisma.

I think really good role players don't just try to steal the spotlight in a game of one up's manship. In fact the best roleplayers will backup other characters and enhance the other guy's character as well as their own. For example, treating the paladin's character with reverence or awe to a degree, in game treating the old wizened wizard in your party with the respect one would one they would someone elderly and knowledgable, or run when the party's leader is trying to take the fall for the team rather than upstage his moment of sacrifice.

Just being a spoiler or an usurper of someone else's niche doesn't end up enhancing your character, it just makes you look like a petty and unoriginal copycat. (Understand I'm using 'you' in the generic sense, not to you specifically).
roguebfl
07-02-04, 07:03 AM on the rare chances I get to play as a Player, I was playing a rather amoral rogue who wanted a thurst of adventure so hooked up with a group of do gooders. She has a strong personaly but no plans on leading (bad life expance to be the one thats noticed ;) the Party (which has a cleric and a Paladin) had non else willing to take on the leader roll and followed her because she was desisive (though not trying to lead) so kicking and screaming I was dragoned into leading...untill the paladin and Clerics started geting Aligment warnings from their god ;)
KevvyD
07-03-04, 02:31 PM This is an interesting question and one that I've thought about a fair bit.

I find it helps if you set up a PC ahead of time that has a distinct personality and then try to work it. You might do this by writing a brief background history and then figure out how to role play using that as your 'background knowledge'. Or you could just sketch out a few charactereistics and keep them in front of you ('don't lead, follow' for instance).

It also helps if you're DM is big on role playing. You might find it best if you talk to your DM about it. In some games I've played, DM's have given small XP bonuses for playing in role. They were never big, something on the order of 50 XP per level, they were simply used by the DM to say 'I want you to stay in character' - a simple reminder. This might not be necessary, however.
DoveArrow
07-03-04, 05:23 PM Something one of my players does who has this problem is he simply decides that X player is going to be the leader. He then asks that character what the party is going to do, where they're going to go, etc. As a result, the other player gets thrust into the position, relieving him of the burden.

Now you can do this in a number of ways. The first is that the character becomes someone your character respects and admires. This is probably the easiest way, and the way that my friend uses most often. Another way I've seen him do it is to play a rogue and set up one of the other players as the leader so that when the sh:censored:t goes down, that other character will take the fall for it. Just some suggestions.
bitnine
07-03-04, 06:46 PM In a smiliar vein, I had decided in one game to play a character with an intelligence of 6ish slightly modelled after Wick from the Shanara books. Definately would keep me from being the party face or leader, I would hope.
Jolvar
07-04-04, 02:59 AM I'm also a player of the leader type in the game and I like it because my decisions(read suggestions) are often followed and it's like I could decide the team's fate.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a player having henchmens... ;)

But how could I do different with my char who is Captain Jolvar Sarenor of Garen, proud paladin of Heroneus ?

With a 16 charisma, soon to be 17, in about 2000 xp !! (level 4 ability score point)

:)
Zolgar
07-04-04, 05:13 AM It's quite simple.. just resist the urges. No matter how much you feel like it, keep your pants zipp.................

Errmm.. wait I misread that title *whistles and wanders off*
KevvyD
07-04-04, 10:38 AM Originally posted by Jolvar
I'm also a player of the leader type in the game and I like it because my decisions(read suggestions) are often followed and it's like I could decide the team's fate.

Sometimes I feel like I'm a player having henchmens... ;)

But how could I do different with my char who is Captain Jolvar Sarenor of Garen, proud paladin of Heroneus ?

With a 16 charisma, soon to be 17, in about 2000 xp !! (level 4 ability score point)

:)

It sounds like you're playing a character that *needs* to be leader anyway, so playing your normal style should be in character. If you want to force yourself out of that mode, try a different kind of PC - maybe a sorceror that specializes in party buffing spells.
Jolvar
07-04-04, 02:34 PM Originally posted by KevvyD
It sounds like you're playing a character that *needs* to be leader anyway, so playing your normal style should be in character. If you want to force yourself out of that mode, try a different kind of PC - maybe a sorceror that specializes in party buffing spells.

Hey, I never said I wanted to be out of that mode, I'm not the thread starter ! :D

I don't have any problem with leading.

Check for Turlis.
shadow219
07-04-04, 04:01 PM Originally posted by Zolgar
It's quite simple.. just resist the urges. No matter how much you feel like it, keep your pants zipp.................

Errmm.. wait I misread that title *whistles and wanders off*

Oddly enough, I thought the same thing.... :rolleyes:

Its good to be the leader. If you don't want to be one, lead them to their deaths, while staying in the back sipping a margarita. ;)
KevvyD
07-04-04, 04:01 PM Originally posted by Jolvar
Hey, I never said I wanted to be out of that mode, I'm not the thread starter ! :D

I don't have any problem with leading.

Check for Turlis.

Oops, my mistake - don't mean to step on any paladin toes. Not yours, anyway. (My current character is a monk of Heironeous, and a paladin has just joined our party. He seems to think that I am going to be his squire or something. We'll see. :rofl: )
Jolvar
07-04-04, 04:50 PM Originally posted by KevvyD
Oops, my mistake - don't mean to step on any paladin toes. Not yours, anyway. (My current character is a monk of Heironeous, and a paladin has just joined our party. He seems to think that I am going to be his squire or something. We'll see. :rofl: )

You have my pardon. But beware !!! :smirk:

Yes, a squire is a good idea. I'm sure you could do a great job with your monk. Like I always repeat to my girlfriend, know your position !

:D
the dmg
07-04-04, 07:18 PM Well a good way to play as a non-leader would be to make one-word remarks whenever someone in the group asks "What should we do?" Another way could be that since you are role-playing, think of how you would play out your character beforehand and act in out in the game.

Like others have said, if it continues you could always make bad decisions on purpose, and possibly someone would step forward into the leadership position when it is clear that your character cannot.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Turlis 07-01-04, 04:25 AM	I've been playing for a couple of years now, and I have a recurring problem. It seems that in every game I play in, I end up being the party leader. It's the role I usually take in life. I tend to make up my mind quickly, and I speak my opinion, so I usually get stuck in leadership roles. I'm trying not to do that with the characters I play, but sometimes it seems that if I don't make the decisions, we just sit around staring at each other. Suggestions?
Six of Clubs 07-01-04, 06:35 AM	My suggestion- make a character with either low intelligence or wisdom and make consistently poor suggestions. After the first couple of near deaths, someone else should try to become leader, just to stop you from being it.
preacher of nothing 07-01-04, 06:37 AM	you could also think about some character that has undertaken some sort of oath to himself or some code of conduct not to act as a leader, not to take the important decisions, but rather to be in the shadow. Either as punishment or as a simple decision.
Edward 07-01-04, 07:20 AM	I have similar problems with characters that are not knowledgeable, curious and deliberate in there actions. A character oath or low stats on the page don’t tend to help much. They are a reason why your character is like that and tend to cause problems when you slip up. Paying less attention to the game works a bit but I don’t recommend it. I have actually stoped trying to play such characters as even when I play them well I don’t have as much fun. Edward
jasper 07-01-04, 08:23 AM	are you party leader? Or party caller? Leader means your pc talks the talks with npcs Caller means bob, jasper, what ever is your real name decides we go left, right, explore that cave etc.
MrkGrismer 07-01-04, 11:18 AM	Some people prefer to be followers. Just make sure that everytime your thrust into the leadership roll you also make them get you pops and such. :D Leadership has its advantages afterall. :D
preacher of nothing 07-01-04, 02:22 PM	Actually, come to think of it, i don't really understand why that's such a problem. I mean, that's what you are....in game and in real life...
Duke Lupo 07-01-04, 03:10 PM	Make sure your character has low wisdom. Develop a voice for your character that implies your not too bright, think a cross between bullwinkle and barney fife. If they still want you to lead, roll a die or flip a coin for all descisions. Odd we attack, even we run away. Heads we go left, tails we go right. If that doesn't work you're stuck with being the leader.
Tony Vargas 07-01-04, 07:04 PM	Originally posted by Turlis I'm trying not to do that with the characters I play, but sometimes it seems that if I don't make the decisions, we just sit around staring at each other. Suggestions? Well there are a couple of things you can do. You can choose to play characters that fit that style - high-CHA, leader types of various descriptions. That way it fits the character. If you /want/ to play a character that's not in that mold, you may just have to put up with your fellow players taking longer to reach decisions, or making decisions you don't care for - if you really want to play someone like that. One thing you can do, is ask for decisions from whichever PC is the most likely seeming 'leader' - pestering him, if you must. You could also make suggestions and ask for some more decisive action OOC - be sure to make it very clear when your speaking IC vs OOC. You can use a LARP-style handsign or a change in 'voice' if you're good at that sorta thing.
Soel Griffin 07-02-04, 05:46 AM	You could try playing a different gender or race with problems specific to that gender/race. Or maybe a radically different age that yours (52 yr old bard who sings tales of long past glories and long dimmed passions, who maybe has a slight hearing prob due to an old injury) Or you could use the Traits in UA to help establish something different, less of a candidate for leadership. If you are having fun though, and the others don't seem to mind, then just continue on as is!
Dragonspirit 07-02-04, 06:22 AM	Sometimes it just can't be helped, especially when no one is willing to 'take the ball'. Some people are just too introverted, or not dynamic enough in personality to be able to act significantly different roles than they can in life. Sometimes you'd like to play the irresponsible chance taker, or the loner, or the one with the temper but you know that no one else will step up to the plate to fill the niche that's needed to keep the party focused and informed. But at the same time, you should not be forcing this position of being the leader all the time either. I've noticed with some players they will try to take over immediately, despite their characters just being introduced and having no seniority in the group or having a low diplomacy or charisma. I think really good role players don't just try to steal the spotlight in a game of one up's manship. In fact the best roleplayers will backup other characters and enhance the other guy's character as well as their own. For example, treating the paladin's character with reverence or awe to a degree, in game treating the old wizened wizard in your party with the respect one would one they would someone elderly and knowledgable, or run when the party's leader is trying to take the fall for the team rather than upstage his moment of sacrifice. Just being a spoiler or an usurper of someone else's niche doesn't end up enhancing your character, it just makes you look like a petty and unoriginal copycat. (Understand I'm using 'you' in the generic sense, not to you specifically).
roguebfl 07-02-04, 07:03 AM	on the rare chances I get to play as a Player, I was playing a rather amoral rogue who wanted a thurst of adventure so hooked up with a group of do gooders. She has a strong personaly but no plans on leading (bad life expance to be the one thats noticed ;) the Party (which has a cleric and a Paladin) had non else willing to take on the leader roll and followed her because she was desisive (though not trying to lead) so kicking and screaming I was dragoned into leading...untill the paladin and Clerics started geting Aligment warnings from their god ;)
KevvyD 07-03-04, 02:31 PM	This is an interesting question and one that I've thought about a fair bit. I find it helps if you set up a PC ahead of time that has a distinct personality and then try to work it. You might do this by writing a brief background history and then figure out how to role play using that as your 'background knowledge'. Or you could just sketch out a few charactereistics and keep them in front of you ('don't lead, follow' for instance). It also helps if you're DM is big on role playing. You might find it best if you talk to your DM about it. In some games I've played, DM's have given small XP bonuses for playing in role. They were never big, something on the order of 50 XP per level, they were simply used by the DM to say 'I want you to stay in character' - a simple reminder. This might not be necessary, however.
DoveArrow 07-03-04, 05:23 PM	Something one of my players does who has this problem is he simply decides that X player is going to be the leader. He then asks that character what the party is going to do, where they're going to go, etc. As a result, the other player gets thrust into the position, relieving him of the burden. Now you can do this in a number of ways. The first is that the character becomes someone your character respects and admires. This is probably the easiest way, and the way that my friend uses most often. Another way I've seen him do it is to play a rogue and set up one of the other players as the leader so that when the sh:censored:t goes down, that other character will take the fall for it. Just some suggestions.
bitnine 07-03-04, 06:46 PM	In a smiliar vein, I had decided in one game to play a character with an intelligence of 6ish slightly modelled after Wick from the Shanara books. Definately would keep me from being the party face or leader, I would hope.
Jolvar 07-04-04, 02:59 AM	I'm also a player of the leader type in the game and I like it because my decisions(read suggestions) are often followed and it's like I could decide the team's fate. Sometimes I feel like I'm a player having henchmens... ;) But how could I do different with my char who is Captain Jolvar Sarenor of Garen, proud paladin of Heroneus ? With a 16 charisma, soon to be 17, in about 2000 xp !! (level 4 ability score point) :)
Zolgar 07-04-04, 05:13 AM	It's quite simple.. just resist the urges. No matter how much you feel like it, keep your pants zipp................. Errmm.. wait I misread that title whistles and wanders off
KevvyD 07-04-04, 10:38 AM	Originally posted by Jolvar I'm also a player of the leader type in the game and I like it because my decisions(read suggestions) are often followed and it's like I could decide the team's fate. Sometimes I feel like I'm a player having henchmens... ;) But how could I do different with my char who is Captain Jolvar Sarenor of Garen, proud paladin of Heroneus ? With a 16 charisma, soon to be 17, in about 2000 xp !! (level 4 ability score point) :) It sounds like you're playing a character that needs to be leader anyway, so playing your normal style should be in character. If you want to force yourself out of that mode, try a different kind of PC - maybe a sorceror that specializes in party buffing spells.
Jolvar 07-04-04, 02:34 PM	Originally posted by KevvyD It sounds like you're playing a character that needs to be leader anyway, so playing your normal style should be in character. If you want to force yourself out of that mode, try a different kind of PC - maybe a sorceror that specializes in party buffing spells. Hey, I never said I wanted to be out of that mode, I'm not the thread starter ! :D I don't have any problem with leading. Check for Turlis.
shadow219 07-04-04, 04:01 PM	Originally posted by Zolgar It's quite simple.. just resist the urges. No matter how much you feel like it, keep your pants zipp................. Errmm.. wait I misread that title whistles and wanders off Oddly enough, I thought the same thing.... :rolleyes: Its good to be the leader. If you don't want to be one, lead them to their deaths, while staying in the back sipping a margarita. ;)
KevvyD 07-04-04, 04:01 PM	Originally posted by Jolvar Hey, I never said I wanted to be out of that mode, I'm not the thread starter ! :D I don't have any problem with leading. Check for Turlis. Oops, my mistake - don't mean to step on any paladin toes. Not yours, anyway. (My current character is a monk of Heironeous, and a paladin has just joined our party. He seems to think that I am going to be his squire or something. We'll see. :rofl: )
Jolvar 07-04-04, 04:50 PM	Originally posted by KevvyD Oops, my mistake - don't mean to step on any paladin toes. Not yours, anyway. (My current character is a monk of Heironeous, and a paladin has just joined our party. He seems to think that I am going to be his squire or something. We'll see. :rofl: ) You have my pardon. But beware !!! :smirk: Yes, a squire is a good idea. I'm sure you could do a great job with your monk. Like I always repeat to my girlfriend, know your position ! :D
the dmg 07-04-04, 07:18 PM	Well a good way to play as a non-leader would be to make one-word remarks whenever someone in the group asks "What should we do?" Another way could be that since you are role-playing, think of how you would play out your character beforehand and act in out in the game. Like others have said, if it continues you could always make bad decisions on purpose, and possibly someone would step forward into the leadership position when it is clear that your character cannot.