In a Steven Jackson Games publication called Robin's Laws, Robin D Laws writes about seven different types of players (I've seen his writing in Dragon as well.). These are the power gamer, the buttkicker, the specialist, the tactician, the storyteller, the method actor and the casual gamer. What type or combination of types are you?
Power Gamer
The PG likes to build the most powerful character possible. He gets a kick out of levelling up and getting new cool and powerful stuff. Well, uhm, you know the kind.
Buttkicker
The BK likes combat. As long as there is a battle (or three) in a session he is happy. Gets bored fast if people role-plays too much.
Specialist
The S likes to play a certain type of character no matter the game. The type is often something like ninja, knight or other highly specialized archetype often drawn from fiction. He wants to shine while doing the stuff his archetype frequently does. (Such as sneaking around killing people silently whilst wearing a black suit.) Yes, I know about the Ultimateninja site.
Tactician
The T likes to solve problems and gets a kick out of feeling clever. The T doesn't like scenarios that can't be won but don't mind losing as long as it's fair. The T can be a DM's worst nightmare as he frequently foils even the best laid plans.
Storyteller
The ST likes to emulate fiction. The more the game resembles a TV-series or a movie the better. The structure is what matters (not whether you play Buffy or StarTrek). STs enjoy an adventure with a beginning, a middle and an end with a red thread running through it all.
Method Actor
The MA doesn't care about the rules. The MA wants to play an in depth, multi-layered character with a well defined past in order to develop the character at the table (or on the floor). MAs think that dice is a necessary evil at best.
Casual Gamer
The CG doesn't care much about the game. He is only in the game to hang out with the rest of the guys. He rolls dice, and answers when spoken to but is just in it for the company.
Apologies to Mr R D Laws, if I for some reason got any of the above wrong. Me? I'm a tactician-slash-storyteller if you ask me.
Power Gamer
The PG likes to build the most powerful character possible. He gets a kick out of levelling up and getting new cool and powerful stuff. Well, uhm, you know the kind.
Buttkicker
The BK likes combat. As long as there is a battle (or three) in a session he is happy. Gets bored fast if people role-plays too much.
Specialist
The S likes to play a certain type of character no matter the game. The type is often something like ninja, knight or other highly specialized archetype often drawn from fiction. He wants to shine while doing the stuff his archetype frequently does. (Such as sneaking around killing people silently whilst wearing a black suit.) Yes, I know about the Ultimateninja site.
Tactician
The T likes to solve problems and gets a kick out of feeling clever. The T doesn't like scenarios that can't be won but don't mind losing as long as it's fair. The T can be a DM's worst nightmare as he frequently foils even the best laid plans.
Storyteller
The ST likes to emulate fiction. The more the game resembles a TV-series or a movie the better. The structure is what matters (not whether you play Buffy or StarTrek). STs enjoy an adventure with a beginning, a middle and an end with a red thread running through it all.
Method Actor
The MA doesn't care about the rules. The MA wants to play an in depth, multi-layered character with a well defined past in order to develop the character at the table (or on the floor). MAs think that dice is a necessary evil at best.
Casual Gamer
The CG doesn't care much about the game. He is only in the game to hang out with the rest of the guys. He rolls dice, and answers when spoken to but is just in it for the company.
Apologies to Mr R D Laws, if I for some reason got any of the above wrong. Me? I'm a tactician-slash-storyteller if you ask me.
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