Roleplaying 101: How to embody your D&D character
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- I hear so many people say they want to get more into roleplaying, but they're afraid to try, or not sure where to start! Here's a primer on how to get started embodying your character during your tabletop games.
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► INDEX
0:00 Intro
2:05 Get in your character's head
4:51 Sponsored by Reroll!
6:26 Return to motivations
9:08 Develop a voice
11:13 Practice makes better
13:27 Outro
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"Do not kill the part of you that is cringe, kill the part that cringes"
This almost made me cry 🥺 I’ve spent my whole life being so scared of people judging me. I should let it go
Cringe the part of you that kills
@@TylerBevanOfficial ah God, I cringe just thinking about the time I killed someone. I was so crazed back then aw God I hate looking back on that
@@aplunks117 no one judges you as harshly as you judge yourself. Some self-compassion could be really helpful! One thing that helped me is stopping myself whenever I'm insulting myself and intentionally talking to myself as if one of my bffs were going through the same situation, then going back over what I 'said' to them and directing it at myself. I'm not sure how that would work for people who don't hear themselves in their head though!
@@aplunks117 let it go, let it go, don't give a fuck anymore 🎶
Bonus to giving a character Voice... your GM instantly knowing what is in and out of character.
YESSSSSS!!! As a Dm or player this is invaluable
if you can. I find it hard to do voices don't matter how hard i try i can't do voices
Unless you use your character voice out-of-character
When I was just starting out, a seasoned roleplayer at my table taught me to make a "T" shape with my hands like a time-out sign to show when you're talking out of character. This was so helpful starting out, especially of you have a DM who is kind of strict about what is said at the table.
Obviously this only works for in person games. Otherwise yeah, do that over the top accent for your character! 😁
@@ShandorDavies we borrowed something from LARP: If you have your hand on top of your head, you're talking out of character.
12:21 “And if they’re dicks, screw them and find a table that deserves you”
Ginny always has a way with words 😅
Seriously some 🔥🔥🔥advice
out of context you just sound really passionate about tables lol
Unless you live in a small rural town with only 1 dnd game 😂
@@karara5532 i mean, you could always play online! (sorry for late reply lol)
@@karara5532 Or start your own D&D game
Came for better roleplaying tips, ended up with a Jean Valjean existential crisis of "who am I"
I have that every time I roleplay
Twooo foooour siiiiiiix ooooh WAAAAAAAHN!!!!!!!!!
@Otavio Ferreira Bruh, same.
Too real
ur a dude in sunglasses named Otavio Ferreira I'd guess lol
Instructions unclear. Am now noble rogue who has faked his own death in real life.
Wait, I know you.
But if character noble. Why need to steal?
@@Frodstarrr depends on the use of the word Noble but I mean either way y not steal?
@@Frodstarrr well they faked their death, theyre probably used to more money so. Themfy
@@Frodstarrr always possible that a Rogue might not steal? Maybe blackmail or murder instead
Also, HUGE LESSON: often when you doubt to do with your character, just think, your character has the same doubts and dilemmas. So put all your doubts, feelings lost, being confused in your role.
THIS!!! your character doesn't have to know what they're doing, they're a person too ^^'
Related: I'm about 7 or 8 sessions into my first go as the DM, and NOT ONCE has the session turned out the way I planned it.
I have had NPCs dissolve into traumatic war flashbacks or nervous stammering or even flat-out incoherent bewilderment at the PCs, and it's always because they did something unexpected or asked a question I have no answer to. I think my group can tell but I'd like to think it still plays well.
@@katrinahockman5561 trust me, it does! us players love it when you make stuff up, it's a lot more fun than just running off a script. i love to just see where things go from the chaos
@@katrinahockman5561 If you give your players space to play war trauma, you probably created a very safe environment for them to do so. :)
my voice actor housemate practices talking in character to himaself while he does chores, its a fun thing to witness
"The Spirit of Phil Collins possesses me..." Sounds like a Bard/Warlock build.
Ah yes, Bardlock. Because Warlard sounds like a cooking oil.
"Two worlds, one family" indeed.
Sounds like the concept for a end of campaign Big Bad
Or just one of those College of Spirits Bards from Van Richten's.
@@chrism7395 Big Bard
When the spirit of your character overtakes you, its a surreal but amazing experience.
Just try not to go on the run when you're charged with theft and common assault.
Ginny is totally on the way to become one of the best youtubers on topic of D&D and roleplaying.
She already is in my book. I love her DnD videos so much. They are always fun, informative and engaging. Even with 330k+ subs, I feel like she's underrated. I also love to see the take of someone that isn't your typical "I've been playing DnD since 1982!" perspective. It's nice to have someone who has comparatively similar experience in the game as me. I'm sure she has played much more than a noob like me, but given the OG community, she feels more relatable.
@@krimzonghost1987 absolutely!
As a DM, I struggle with being consistent on a voice. It’ll start off one way and then slowly morph into something else. Or my accent goes away or something.
At least you have voices for characters... Mine very rarely do xD
Yeah, my scottish elf, ends up becoming russian by the end. Oh well.
Voices are fun and take practice, but for some they never really come together. Good news is, characterization doesn't have to be an accent! It could be a posture. A way of talking with their hands or they nervously wring them. Maybe instead of using filler words like "um" or "ah" they have a different thing like humming. Maybe an NPC always picks their teeth. There are tons of things you can do to signal which character is "present" without using a voice or accent different than your own.
Something I find that helps with this struggle for me is deciding “who as an actor/actress would play this NPC and from which movie?” Like I have an NPC that would be played by Bill Nighy as the vampire lord from Underworld, but not as Bill Nighy from Pirates of the Carribean as Davy Jones.
Voices are always the worst for me. I am proud that my characters know who they are talking to though because of word choices I use for them or different patterns of speech. I have tried accents and voices... but it just doesn't stick for me
These are very good tips. I say this as someone who, although isn’t a “veteran player,” is the de facto roleplay expert of my circle that I regularly played. Ginny you are marvelous at giving character tips, but here’s a video topic idea: switching characters when you’re the DM, or really just getting into NPCs in general. Tips on not mixing up which of your NPCs you’re playing, making interesting characters that also aren’t an inordinate amount of work for a dnd game, etc
Omg PLEAS
Brand new DM here, would also live this video!
That would be an incredible video, YES PLEASE
I've lead a game a couple times, and one tip I have would be to jot a few notes down about that NPC; such as speaking voice, mannerisms, and how/where the party met them. That helped me keep track of them and slip into character when needed.
Great suggestion and great video, Ginny!
Simple, just have different parts of yourself play the different characters (jk I realize most people can't do this but it is a funny dm super power we have). For a real answer though? I have no idea how singlets would act out multiple characters at the same time. Maybe practice the npcs having conversations with eachother? We do that a lot to try and nail down who a character is quickly. After 4-5 random 5-30 second skits I've got a basic grasp of who they are and then it's pretty easy to make up how'd they'd react to things on the fly. At least for us.
Something that I've also found helpful, where possible adopting physical mannerisms while playing them. A furtive rogue either running his hand through his hair or, considering his misfortune, regularly rubbing recent injury sites when under stress is kind of helpful. In this specific case.
Ooooh I like this. As someone who is super awkward with their hands this is super helpful and intuitive. Thank you.
@@givemeprimelaughter Body language too. Straitening your back of hunching over does help too, it's subtle, but effects how you present yourself, this includes speaking. Even if you are online, voice only it's worth doing.
But I've noticed my Rogue, when he talks at length talks with his hands, which in itself is rare for them, but I do not.
Last week almost had to figure out how missing fingers would effect these behaviours.
Gods bless clerics.
@@ulfruss5636 Your welcome. Signed, the cleric.
Yeees! My former military rogue always sat incredibly straight-backed, which helped me get into the voice of this restrained, politely distant officer character. It really helped.
@@elmythe3136 You're still a menace.
I have two main methods that help me "become" my characters. Similar to using the videos, try having a conversation between your character and yourself. Don't try to have conversations with you-as-your fellow party members, since that puts you in the mindset of railroading your conversations. If you are a bit more creative, try putting yourself in the DMs shoes and have conversations with your own NPCs. The other method I use is listening to a music playlist. The initial setup of the playlist can help you develop a character and allows you to put in a hint of yourself into it, since it is most likely music you have already heard. But listening to the partial or full playlist can set your mind to the general mood of the character.
Yes! I don't have conversations between my characters and myself, but I do frequently act like my characters are all in one big adventuring party and play out conversations between them. And setting up a music playlist is definitely a fun exercise that I've found helps me really figure out who a character truly is if I was struggling to do so, and it's even helped me realize what some of their internal struggles might be on top of that.
Thank you, I'll try this
I'd kind of like to try using a voice, but when literally everyone else at the table including the DM is just using their regular voices it gets hard to stay in it.
I feel this. When I use a voice, it's usually pretty mild, but I do tend to fall out of it given that i'm the only one at a table of 8 that does one. Yes... I said a table of 8... not including the DM. Used to be 5... but everyone wants to play. lol. We're still going strong though, even with the massive show out. Our DM does change his speech patterns a bit for his NPC's though, so I definitely give him props though. Nothing Shakespearian, but the NPC's are different enough to know who we're talking to.
A few years ago (actually over a decade) I was playing with a group and I was the only one that did a voice. I found that the easiest way to stay in it was to make it as outrageous and over the top as I could, I'm naturally quite reserved and so I'm inclined to hide, but the character I played was loud and brash and he spoke like he'd been smoking for 50 years and was chewing gravel while trying to trying to shout at the noisy kids down the street. Having him speak so differently to me gave everyone a laugh and when I didn't do the voice they would often remind me to.
Now I'm not saying you should copy that but maybe something like it would be worth trying.
Especially in a new group, where you barely know the other people.
Introduce yourself in character and when you have the spotlight use the voice. Get the group used to it then next game go harder
Stick to it. Eventually everyone will feel curious and will try it out. When it happens, make sure it's a big deal , and make sure the interactions really sticks out.
That would push even more player to try to fit in. Us Humans are masters in imitation by observation and we fell more compelled the more people are doing it.
I used to give my hummingbird aarakocra a cartoony, squeaky voice but realized it was hard to keep up and doesn't do well in serious situations. So, because he's bubbly, he talks giggly. Also since he was brought up by elven nobles (long story) he uses proper grammar/high vocabulary. The juxtaposition is great 😂
I would like to hear the story.
@@potassium6623 I sort of realize it's not *that* long of a story, but basically this noble elven couple took him from his (seemingly abandoned) nest as an egg thinking he was some exotic animal. As they raised him and realized he was starting to walk and talk, they realized what happened and adopted him as a son (mind you aarakocras mature in only 5 years). The dad was not as happy about the development as the mom but he at least has a supportive older brother.
Im about to play a 3ft tall kobold wizard who was raised by high elfs lol
Just one thing, if you want to really immerse in a character, Start at the name. For example I have a character called “River”. When I think of river I think of the Mississippi, a terrifying yet beautiful river of hope. My character is a human green dragon ancestor that was raise by his eccentric mother who was filled with nothing but hope for the world. River wants to make his mother proud. But tends to lack control when he is upset letting the river overflow and run fast and furious. River feels an immense amount of guilt when he does and tend to spend his coin on giving it back to his mother and party. River is always broke, and never runs quite right, just like the Mississippi.
Mnemonic character backgrounds... Brilliant!
Thanks for the tip!
As someone who lives in Jackson the broke part is too true 😂
even as a dm this is so nice!! I recommend everyone watching this
Stefan, I don't really agree! A DM can certainly provide support to folks who want to roleplay (in the form of NPC interactions, for example) but a DM can only do so much without players actively engaging with them.
@@stefanjakubowski8222 I very much disagree. A DM can try to provide a safe encouraging environment and help as they can, but players are responsible for their own actions.
I am responsible for my own actions. I'm responsible for building a character that will work well with the party/setting (and asking for help if I'm not sure what that would be). I'm responsible for staying engaged during the game (and talking with the DM if I am having trouble with that). I'm responsible for actively listening to the DM and other players and responding appropriately. I'm responsible for making sure I'm not taking too much time compared to other players and not hogging the spotlight. The DM and other players can make it easier for me, but those are my job as a player in the game, not the DM's.
what do you mean? I don't think it's the DM's job to create a players character, but helping with the right situations. Not only that, but I also meant it as a way to say that DM's can use this for their NPC's. Which then supports the first thing again: helping the players
@@GinnyDi hey, any plans for Penelope soon? I hope you get sponsored soon for more POV stuff!
As a DM I make random voices for NPCs that aren't planned but somehow the players always want to go back to them and then I can't always remember the voice I gave them :D
And of course the little one off nps you go overboard with just for laughs become a staple of the campaign. Or is that just my table?!
I guess taking a quick note on how that NPC sounds might be handy.....
Funny, I always find it much easier to remember the random NPCs I make up if I give them very distinctive voices.
10:02 "try to speak every sentence like there is an exclamation point at the end of it"
That hit way too close to home, I just realized I do that IRL XD
A thing I always tell new players is don't be afraid to take a moment to respond to people or do certain actions. To think over and check yourself from either accidentally meta game or maybe do something you yourself thinks makes sense but your character wouldn't do at all. As you build this up it starts becoming second nature to place yourself into this character and quicker for you to think like them and react like them on the spot.
Side note on voices - using a "character" voice also really helps the DM and players know when the player is talking (out of character) and when the character is speaking. It helps to know when the character is asking something vs. when the player is, or when the player is making a statement vs. when a character is offering information/opinion to the party, as it informs how the others at the table should react.
“Sometimes the spirit of Phil Collins possesses me”
Same Ginny, same 💜
Im new to your channel and just started my first dnd campaign and this is exactly the video I was hoping you'd upload
Glad I could be helpful!!
This is the video I wanted 5 years ago ... I watched 20+ to get the same advice then ..
Oh my goodness this was so helpful! Ginny really be out there saving me from my dnd rollplay anxiety 😩✨
Hey, you're just playing a game with your friends. Keep that in mind.
@@elbruces Well, one friend. And a bunch of *her* friends, whom I don't know from Adam's housecat... a little nervous-making, for sure.
@@RKHageman
Just stick to "playing a game with friends to have fun" and if any red flags pop up, talk about them openly.
For some reason, I never get notifications for these, but today I saw it per chance!
Click the Bell next to the subscibe thing, works 70% of the time then.
Sometimes when you click the bell, it's a little messed up and you have to make sure you press "All" because CZcams be like that sometimes.
Thanks for your advice, but I already have the notifications on, still hardly ever works. This time, I actually got it, but way later than I happened to see the video
@@salo6724 Dang, CZcams's kinda lame sometimes, sorry I couldn't be more helpful
It's so frustrating that CZcams makes it so hard for people to get notifications if they want them!! If it helps at all, I post videos every Wednesday at noon MT (2pm Eastern), and Shorts on Sundays at the same time.
(for those interested) Additional info for creating a voice, research "Laban styles".
It helped me a lot, and I even built a "voice generator" for the idea, so my NPCs can each have their own voice as a GM.
Oh, that bit about writing down the different traits is a good one, have to use that.
"I punch [BBEG] in rage at hearing that he killed the woman I love."
DM: "As your fist strikes his face, the spell keeping him in the trance is broken, and he regains control, throwing aside Pyotr the Drow rogue."
(OOC) "What the hell, Chris?"
(OOC) "It's what my character would do, Rob."
(Bonus points if you get the reference)
If there was ever the perfect representation of a d&d combat, it was that battle on Titan.
I was about to make an Avengers joke when I realised, no, that's actually what you were going for.
I get that reference
C’mon Pratt
Remember it was iron man insistence on going to titan that led to that disaster.
Those POV Roleplay videos are literal lifesavers.
I have a bad habbit of slipping out of character and making choice I would make and not what my character would make. mostly its my use of genre knowledge I am trying to get better at that
Huh, I’m more likely to aim for the goals of my characters and assume that they, as the career adventurer who actually lives in this world knows about as much as I do.
What helped me was making a self insert at first. It's okay to essentially be yourself at first bc it's all about having fun! But you can maybe keep all of your traits but make yourself more cowardly or less cowardly. Maybe more flirty or less flirty.
this is 💯
Yo Kugo you play dnd?
The toughest thing for me is when I put myself out there with a new voice or something, but I do it badly and everybody laughs, and then I lose track of the voice because I'm embarrassed/distracted. My friends really aren't jerks about it, but sometimes they can't seem to keep a straight face.
Remember sometimes people laugh just because something is new and they are unsure how to react and default to laughing. Rather than get too embarrassed (it can be hard) try to ask your friends if they think the voice works for the character. It might work out really well. Hopefully. All the best Roleplayer!
@Paul Gauthier I wouldn't tell people to stop, it just takes some practice to get a little bit of something going. Not everyone has to be as good as the pros to have fun.
I understand the flip side, you don't need an accent to have fun, but telling someone not to is like telling a skater they can't use a long board because their stance isn't right. They have to use a regular board.
It's best to let people decide for themselves if they have more fun with or without, yeah?
Just like a skater can learn to use a long board a player can learn to use an accent, and if it's not for them, they can still go back to good ol' reliable
Nah, Paul. Not in my comments section. If Rebekah wants to use a voice, she can use a voice. I LOVE doing voices - not because I'm a Critical Role-obsessed zombie trying to morph into Matt Mercer, but because they're fun. (Believe it or not, Matt is not the only person in the world who enjoys doing voices.) Quit telling people how to play a game.
I totally get it, when my Scottish accent wasn’t great I rolled with the punches and declared that my character had “vaguely Celtic accent” and he had moved around as a child and so spoke like that.
Conversely I’ve had fellow players that gently say “I’m trying my best guys, if you could take them seriously I’d appreciate it” and that has worked incredibly well, wasn’t confrontational and let’s them know when it happens-if they understand then they’ll respect it and communication is always best imo
I wish I could like this vid more than once for that bit at 12:20
I really like the personal and character - 2 column idea. Blew my mind that I hadn't considered something that seems simple. Though as a DM I got a funny image of the tens to hundreds of columns for all our NPCs over the course of the campaign.
Thank you so much for making such comprehensible character guides! As someone who is currently in their first campaign with a novice group at school, your videos are what made me actually want to try it out!
those roleplaying videos may be the best roleplaying tools I have ever seen in over 40 years of playing.
Your shirt reminded me of Sam's Henry David Thoreau-regard joke. lol
i just started dming a campaign last week, and im pretty new to DMing, but oh my god the serotonin i get when my players just get into their characters is amazing. at the end of every session, the players each vote for another player who they think played their character really well and they get a point of inspiration. I have it set up this way BECAUSE in my campaign inspiration allows you to re-roll ANY dice, including enemy rolls and my rolls.
I've found I get inspiration from thinking things like, "hmmm, what if Johnny Lawrence from Cobra Kai was a Monk in DnD?", and then I'm all invested in trying to pull off his accent and manerisms. 🙂
Also, Reroll is a lot of fun. 👍🏻
Yes, this! Take something you know well, and add a 'but'
It's Michael Knight, but he always uses the wrong words
It's dirty Harry, but French
It's one of the silly girls from beauty and the beast, but with heaps of business acumen
Wait, I'm super early to this.
EDIT: Alright, now that I watched the video - wow, once more just simple and super useful advice for beginners. I've been playing D&D for my fair share of years, but still struggle guiding my new players (now that I'm trying to DM) on how to roleplay and make fun characters, so this series is all I needed and then some.
Would love to see a video in the future about tying your character's backstory to the setting/world your DM is running. Kinda struggling to help my newer players on that aspect.
(also, if that video does exist, gimme the link)
replying in hopes I get notified when someone posts a link to said video
This channel is so great, it's such a safe place to be. Great tips, even after years of playing D&D I still find these useful.
The thing I find most difficult is letting go of my inclination towards leading and guiding others. Basically even if my character sheet says my PC is not particularly charismatic or intelligent, I will still tend to be the face of the group, and most of the time the other players will wait for me to take a step forward and deal with the situation at hand.
Me too. To compound this, one of the other players is a person who NEVER takes he leadership role, and I'm not just talking about in the game. He's a good friend, but very socially passive.
@@MonkeyJedi99 yeah, I get what you're saying, I'm trying to take a little step back, but it's hard. I'm also DMing another campaign, and there the problem morphs into a different form but still remains.
I don’t know if you’re looking for feed back, but maybe you could try having your character ask the other party members what they think? You’ll still be taking the initiative, but you’ll be giving other members the chance to take charge and make decisions that effect the party.
@@9000ethanator I actually do that all the time.
And in a side campaign we play from time to time, I actively DON'T lead (un-lead? does that make the party unleaded? What a gas!). I wait until someone else does.
I don't think it's a bad thing necessary, what I mean is my characters charisma is the lowest score at the same time she's very joyfull, loud, cracks jokes, loves life and everyone really; I look at it as something that can gets her in weird, akward situations with others very quickly. So maybe look at your character as someone that thinks he knows what to do and if he fails it's up to others to think about it next time they'll want to follow you.
I have a couple green players in my game recently one being much younger than the rest so I think this video will be very helpful thank you
And a comment, to appease the Spirit of Phil Collins. (Love the video).
Wait, how did you do that.
It says you wrote that comment 6 days ago?!?!? Wtf CZcams??
Patrons get early access to my videos!
@@GinnyDi oh, that makes so much more sense! I had no idea that's how it would show a patreon member
13:53 Yay once again for calling out the Wangrod Defense 😁
I tend to speak in the 3rd person always. I’ll still be the character and I’ll still use my characters voice, but I’ll say things like “Rokli is so scared!!” Or “Rokli is not that type of bard!!” It was super helpful for people to remember that my characters name is Rokli, also, years later the people at my table still remember his name 😉
2:30 loving this description of a subsistence hunter. Wouldn’t ever spend extra money on food, likely favors stealth over confrontation because hunters don’t go after predators. Predators = danger and predators = not tasty either.
A big game hunter might have a total opposite reaction because of the competitive aspect of their pastime. It’s not motivated by a need for food (even if it started that way).
love this .. havent played in years, i remember telling players" think of a cake.. who doesn't like cake, but with frosting? even better, right? now a decorated cake, those are just another level, right?" ..within a session of 2, i would have a table of skilled cake artisans
Sending this to all my experienced and newbie friends like, IMMEDIATELY. I’ve been playing for 8+ years and this even gave me some things to think about bc I have a tendency to fall into a “helper” type when I play and I really wanna break out of that 😅 awesome video as always!
please, please, PLEASE! watch the entire video! it covers all the basics (and more!) to get your roleplaying experience to the next level AND doesn't forget the essential final disclaimer: " 'it's what my character would do' isn't an excuse to be an asshole". golden piece of content!
Me and some friends are planning to start D&D and your videos have really helped with what feels like the hardest for me so far, to dare to let go and really play.
I really want to thank you for your lovely personality and positive encouragement. You are awesome!
One of the first things I do before starting a new character is to think about "what is this character doing in the world right now?" and "how did they get there?" That's a great way to start getting into the mind of the character, as you then can start working on the "why" behind the "what".
Nice Swoleregard shirt, Still waiting on pumatswole though
I most liked the building a voice tips, because I never did it.. yet :)
"it's what my character would do isn't an excuse for being an asshole". Very true, even if some tend to answer "but my character is one and I'm just roleplaying it". Because being one in every situation and to everybody isn't really doing that, it's just venting aggresions in the group. Never forget that you are playing a game for everybody to enjoy. If people dislike you more with each session played you should really think about changes, or search for another group; or even another game.
Been binging on a bunch of these old videos. One thing I've got to say about this one is that speaking in a voice also helps even if you're just writing in text. I had a character who just spoke in simple, careful sentences, but not necessarily simple words. Every time I got back to her I started typing like that, and everything immediately fell into place.
Annnnnd this is being added to my d &d discord 😊
Also, I know your hair is currently on the leached and bleached side, but I would love to see you cosplay Ferne from EU next time your hair gets to this point again. A bit of fun prosthetics, some fun leggy build, a little fire monkey familiar....also, you could rock the soft spoken voice and poise so well. So much inspiration from your hair colour 💚💙
I'm planning on cosplaying Fearne, but I'll wear a wig like I do with all my cosplays!
I can't believe the POV Ropeplay series is free. You're very generous content creator; thank you!
Ginny Di coming through with the perfect videos at the perfect time! ❤
I made an aasimar divine soul sorcerer named Ireen around a year ago or so, and I've been experimenting a lot more in terms of roleplaying and god... your videos have helped a lot.
I actually find that using your alignment to decide what you would do is best, because when I think of the character's alignment, I naturally think of how their goals and attitude relate to that. And then act accordingly.
Alignment can be useful for that, especially at first. I find it to be really inaccurate to real-life morals, but it can be be a good tool for character decisions.
Ugh... alignment is a crude tool. I tend to write a few short paras about things they would and would not do, draw up their boundaries, limits etc.
Statements like: would never kick a puppy, but would kick the ass of someone who did. Can go a long way to clarify a moral compass or lack of it.
I'm glad that's helpful for you! Personally I find alignment to be overly simplistic. I consider myself to be a "good" person, but that doesn't mean I'll never do anything for selfish reasons - humans are so much more complicated than that.
@@GinnyDi I find the secret is to remember that alignment isn't "all or nothing." For example, a Chaotic character isn't necessarily the embodiment of pure chaos; they won't always do the most random and disruptive thing possible. However, they _are_ more likely to question authority or buck tradition and go their own way. Similarly, a Good character won't always do the most selfless thing possible, but they're more likely to risk themselves for someone in dire need -- and if they choose _not_ to do so, they're more likely to feel guilt about that decision.
@@GinnyDi Allignment might be a good video topic. "Good" and "Evil" are overly simplistic and unrealistic. I prefer the allignments from TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles RPG). The 'best' villains are the hero in their own story. There are very few truly evil people. People are altruistic, selfish, or mean but rarely truly evil. Playing a character that leans towards the 'evil' allignment and still functions in a party is difficult. They may be a prankster who doesn't fully think about the consequences of their actions or a bully who hurts other people to try and salve a low self-worth but an adult who destroys peoples lives just because they can is too destructive to function in a party for very long.
Here's a truck I've been wanting to important in a future game: presentations. A PowerPoint of your character. Sides can include descriptions, images, items, history, and even clips of audio out video to concrete the over all feeling. If you have kids in your party this is a great assignment for them to express themselves
I'm going to be playing my first D&D one shot in 12hrs, and whilst I've been subbed to you for many years, I've actually started binging your D&D stuff and this was a very helpful video.
I'm playing my first one shot as a character that has a very similar personality to me (Sage/Bard etc), so learning the game mechanics I'll be doing what I would do as that character. I might add a bit of flair and dramatics, but for now I'll be personified version of myself.
(my DM suggested putting the character personality on the back burner initially so I can understand the game first, but I'm really intrigued by the character design and embodying the character in a game)
For the first tip, the column I cant help but to conpare it with any random anime or videogame hero-character and basically most of done have lived through the same or at least similiar experiences, which concludes in making them the heroes of these stories, helping people, fighting mean guys, yadda yadda :)
Excellent work as always, Miss Ginny
I'm currently binge watching all your DND videos because my uncle is setting up a DND session and it'll be my first. He's been playing for years, but the other players are also new to the game, but I still want to be as prepared as I can be!! This is helping me not be as stressed about the unlikely what ifs and more excited to get into the game. :]
I love writing older sibling characters because, in reality, I'm the youngest in my family.
Lol I’m the only exact opposite. I always write younger sibling characters because in reality I’m the oldest sibling 😂
I've watched a lot of tabletop role playing games on CZcams, but never had a chance to play anything myself. These videos are incredibly helpful for some of the things you don't learn from just watching people do it.
I take my time developing my characters personality and when I find a voice that fits I try and practice it, especially before a session.
This was really helpful, thank you! I'll definitely be re-watching it as I work on improving my character. The thing I'm struggling with right now is that my character (a very sheltered druid) is wrestling with whether or not killing is justifiable. As a player, I know that killing is a part of D&D, to the point that most players are unfazed by it. But this is my character's first time in these situations, and she's very shaken by having to kill, particularly since she was taught to preserve life, not take it. I don't want her to just "get over it" because I don't think that would be narratively satisfying; but I also don't know how to help her move forward.
Side note: I also feel bad about introducing questions of ethics into our D&D game when I feel like people usually look forward to letting loose, causing chaos, mindlessly murdering, and other such alliterations. But I think that's more of a "me" problem rather than a D&D problem.
I have a very similar problem. I love getting really deep in my character's personalities, their ethics, their motivations, even unconscious ones (probably because I adore reading about psychology anyways). I need me a table of like minded people so I'm not just killing with pointy sticks (although combat is fun in dnd it's not why I play).
i just want to say thank you, I was feeling so stressed about where to start with roleplay, but I wanted to develop my playstyle at my sessions, so thank you for the wonderful tips and content to try!
Thank you for all of these videos. Your presentation is perfect in tone and the words are chosen just right for me to follow and understand. Not too big, but I'm what's called a high functioning autistic and I can easily misunderstand instructions if not worded just right, so being able to literally understand everything you're explaining is a great relief.
That makes me so happy to hear!!
I like the voice idea. I am going to start a game in a month-ish, so I am trying to figure out how everything works. You have given me the idea of playing my character with a British accent. I think it might be a good thing to try.
This is literally the exact video I needed
You made this two years ago, but just wanted to share that I love your videos like this about “how to role play”. I have a character who’s basically level 11, and I’m STILL trying to figure out how to play them. Couldn’t come up with a “voice” when they were new (or maybe I was too self conscious to do so”, and still haven’t managed to develop one, so his voice is MY voice. But dang it’s hard to separate me from him when I’m playing.
Your character videos are probably the best for how to be a better player. Theres so many DM guides but theres almost none for players so we need more people like you hehe
Great timing, you released this on the day I join my first DND game
I'm SO THERE with Ginny's explanation of why/how RP is fun...on top of spending time with dear friends, the excuse to act out a character is so much what I'm looking forward to...to diving into someone else to let myself go....💖
'think about the world the in the eyes of you character'
Me: stands on knees* 'So this is how you see the world huh Priza?
I've been in a slump figuring out about character voice since I'm joining a longer campaign that has a lot of RP-savvies and I feel I'm not that good at roleplaying yet. I've been watching your videos and enjoying them a lot and this one specifically speaks to what I need helping me to get into it. Thank you very much, Ginny! ❤
Oh yes, i played with a person that used "well i was having fun at the time" as an excuse to justify all of his screwups. Not fun. Personally I love to RP, though i've only played DnD online so far which makes it more difficult imo, however it's what attracts me to the game, otherwise i'd rather just settle for ESO or some other video game.
As a player, I tend to struggle with figuring out what to do in certain situations. Sometimes my confidence level can get low, and cause me to overthink what to do as my character. I tend to play my character through my thoughts and feelings, rather than their thoughts and feelings. I'm that kind of person that gets in their own head, and I get mad at myself if something doesn't happen the way I hope it to happen. After most sessions recently, I have been feeling disappointed in my performance. After watching this video, however, this has given me the opportunity to look for the qualities that my character possesses and bringing that into the session, which is one thing I overthink a lot. Hopefully after watching this video, this, along with practicing, can help me portray my character the way that they're intended to be portrayed! Thanks, Ginny! Your videos are very insightful and helpful!
“Well that’s just what my character would do”
Well you obviously struggle with interpersonal relationships & don’t play more than the same two characters, Chaddidiah.
Love the Swoleregard shirt 💕🖤🖤🖤💕
I'm an old 2e gamer playing 5e with my grown daughters +group. Your insights are very helpful. Thank you.
I'm usually super excited to roleplay in the run-up to a campaign/session but then I get super self-conscious and clam up when the moment comes so this video was super helpful! Now I know how to prepare so I'm more comfortable. Also, when I'm DMing, imma try to make as gently encouraging and welcoming an environment as I can so my players can get into roleplay if they want.
I'd love a video on getting the most out of a session 0. I know your "terrible DMs" video touched on it briefly but it'd be great to have a more cohesive look.
I like the idea of the pov videos. Didn't know about them. Very method.
the masters make plans and the dice laughs!
It's happened to me that a dragon fails all actions in one turn and a kobold crits a sorcerer twice. . .😢
This is very helpful :-).
My two cents as a relatively new player: To actually get into the mood of my character I made a specific playlist for her and listen to it before every session. It contains mostly songs that could have been written by her.
Played some DnD as a kid, but the group I was with never really role played. Getting back into it now and would like to grow in to the role play aspect. This is a great overview on how to prep for your character. 👍👍👍
Dude your hair is like the coolest thing i’ve ever seen
Role-playing came easier to me when playing a fantasy character of myself, so it wasn't really "RP". I really liked the Reroll app you suggested and your tips helps me flesh out NPCs that suddenly were me but weirder.
Another useful tip for y’all: reference video game/movie characters for accents! My current pc Heinrich (fallen aasimar artificer/wizard) is German coded, so I’ve referenced Robin Atkin Downs and Liam O’Brien’s voice acting for their respective characters (the medic, TF2 and Caleb widogast, critical role). Obviously my accent isn’t a perfect replica, but referencing and parroting lines that they use has really helped me develop an accent that I can now maintain and speak in.
As an old school player (started on AD&D and playing in two 5e campaigns now), who's played everything from MERP to Werewolf LARP, this video is so brilliant. She's totally nailed all the best things about role playing you need to know in order to get started.
What you are doing is so awesome! way to contribute to the community. I'm just starting in DnD. I have a really serious and demanding job. I'm needing a way to bring some childlike play into my life. Thank you for making this so much easier and less intimidating for people like me that have to be buttoned up most of the time and are not good at letting their playful side out. I appreciate you.
I am going to suggest your videos for anyone new to D&D in the flavor of, "everything you need to start playing, but were afraid to ask".
That two columns idea is so good! I've got a new player looking to join the game I run pretty soon, and I'll be keeping these tips in mind if they start looking for help on how to play their character.
Genuinely think the getting in your characters head activity is some of the best roll playing advice I’ve heard. So easy and simple, so feels accessible to everyone, but also really helpful. Thanks Ginny!
As far as developing a character voice: I recommend finding your pauses. I'm playing in three games right now, and something very distinct about two of them is the amount of time they wait after someone stops speaking to respond. Nesrine is the kind of person who likes to consider what the person said and what she'd like to say back. Ozzie is the kind of person who does not think, he only reacts. This small thing is enough to set up how they'll respond. Nesrine is optimistic and young. She thinks every problem has an easy solution if you can just think it up. Oz's entire life fell apart in his fifties and he has no idea what is happening or what he's going to do, and that colors his entire life. How does your character approach conversations? Slow and steady? Quick and jovial? Are they like my third character, Kitka, who went from an orphanage to the military and thinks "should I respond to what is being said to me right now? Is that being asked of me?" Are they like Leslie Knope, asking for sidebars all the time?
That's my big advice right now. Think about your pauses, or lack thereof! It makes it easier to talk in character!
Seeing you post links to all your videos on D&D seems like it would be shameless self-promotion; but you introduce each of them in a way that makes sense. You've done a lot of great videos that help with so many aspects of roleplaying, it only makes sense to have more & more if them popping back into relevancy as you move forward.
Brilliant work as always, Ginny!
Perfection (as always) ....
... a majestic beard... even the advert is perfect ...
...started perfect, continued giving good advice... ended with a song ...