D&D 5E Don't play "stupid" characters. It is ableist.

[Mallus]

It is possible that I will survive, either through noise-cancelling earbuds, copious amounts of alcohol, or (checks notes) ... both.

Godspeed, Snarf!

 

[Faolyn]

To get back to the main point of the thread, I think the how someone's low Int score is depicted is important here. For instance, if your way of depicting such a thing involves mimicking people who have actual intellectual disabilities, because "that's how people with a low Int score should act", or by acting like a child because they think that people with ID are like children, then yes, I would agree that has a very strong possibility of being ableist. (Some people can pull it off in a completely non-insulting way, but I'd imagine those people are in the minority.)

But if you're playing a guy who makes dumb or rash decisions, jumps to conclusions, or is overly gullible... is this ableist? I don't really think so.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Offense is not the concern. Normalization of behavior that makes the hobby unwelcoming to marginalized people is.

This nails it.

It drives me crazy how there’s always at least one (and often many) who can only understand these issues as giving/causing “offense.”

“Whoooosh”

 

[Eltab]

When you play 'stupid' characters are you are saying that there are stupid people and then you are imitating those people.

The idea of 'stupid' and 'smart' is rooted in ableism.

Don't use stats as an excuse. Having an 8 Int means (basically) that the character is slightly worse at memorizing facts than an average human.

Do have traits and behaviours which hinder the character (if you want).

Maybe they are not very knowledgeable.

Maybe they don't pay attention much of the time.

Maybe they engage in risky behaviour and think rashly.

Maybe they lack confidence because they have been called 'stupid' their whole lives.

Maybe they find themselves in a culture which is very different than their own and they struggle to adapt. Their common isn't very good and the way they view the world is different than those around them.

There are lots of possibilities to create interesting characters rather than just a walking insult and punching bag.

OP:
Working from the assumption that you just left a gaming session where another character / caricature really got you upset ...

Why is it a good response to scold the rest of the world about it?
The person who you need to discuss this with is the other player.

 

[Faolyn]

While I acknowledge that some people are playing in public venues, there are a part of us who plays with friends (and engage in other activities than roleplaying with them) and, being part of this demographic, I am offended by any attempt to advise what I do inside my private property, outside of the views of anyone. I am ready to discuss whether there is a problem in anything game-related, including discussion on whether say, playing a Nazi character ingrain Nazi reflexes into the players, but starting by telling "don't do X" isn't the best way to engage with me. It might come as the conclusion of a reasoning on a topic, or be presented as an advice, but in general, any imperative on the behavior I should comply with at home will be seen in a bad view, even if I am amenable to it. Exemple: "Don't blow your nose on your curtains" will elicit an anwers "My curtains, my way" (despite not blowing my nose in them in the first place). I guess I wasn't in the target audience of the OP since he didn't select the appropriate debating technique to engage me.

People choose to join the Nazi party or to embrace Nazi ideology. They don't choose their IQ. So those aren't quite the same thing.

 

[Bill Zebub]

OP:
Working from the assumption that you just left a gaming session where another character / caricature really got you upset ...

Why is it a good response to scold the rest of the world about it?
The person who you need to discuss this with is the other player.

There are a lot of assumptions here. (And you know the saying about that…)

1. If they did in fact just leave a session where this occurred, I saw nothing in the post to suggest they were “really…upset.” More like it occurred to them that while this behavior may be fun, in a juvenile, retro-80s-Eddie-Murphy way, it’s unnecessary and just mean.

2. I also didn’t read the post as “scolding the world” but rather sharing an insight. Anybody who feels scolded might want to reflect on why.

3. Maybe they did speak to the person. Again, and even if they did, sharing an insight that apparently isn’t as obvious (judging by the reactionary comments in this thread) seems like a good thing.

Really, it should be obvious that insensitive, mean-spirited behavior isn’t wrong only because the targeted group has political power. Being a sophomoric jerk is…well, what it is.

 

[Seramus]

Unfortunately, I have all kinds of socially unacceptable thoughts as my first reaction to things. Then my brain takes over and says "No, that's totally uncool. Here's how it should actually be." Sometimes things slip and I externally react the first way, before my brain has time to jump in and stop me. I certainly hope people will have patience with me when that happens, just as I try to have patience when it happens to them.

 

[Vaalingrade]

Unfortunately, I have all kinds of socially unacceptable thoughts as my first reaction to things. Then my brain takes over and says "No, that's totally uncool. Here's how it should actually be." Sometimes things slip and I externally react the first way, before my brain has time to jump in and stop me. I certainly hope people will have patience with me when that happens, just as I try to have patience when it happens to them.

I appreciate your ability to reflect and prevent yourself from doing such things.

At this point, I'd settle for people not doubling down and insisting 'hurting people or being inconsiderate is fine, actually'.

 

[Vince_Snetterton]

To the OP...so what is the next step?

Don't play chars with below 10 CHA, because that insults socially awkward people?
Don't play chars with below 10 Dex or Str, because that insults clumsy and weak people?
I can go on, but the point has been made.

How far does your thought process go with this? What are the cutoffs?

 

[Vaalingrade]

... or busting out with the Slippery Slope arguments...