Are you a good role player?

[francisca]

overall, average. When I'm on, I'm pretty darn good. On an off night, not so good.

And for those of you decrying the lack of "below average" answers, what did you really expect from people who are serious enough about their gaming to hang about a board like this?

 

[JoeGKushner]

I've got game but....

I tend to avoid social situations when I don't have the skills or stats to pull it off because it's still generally easier for me to talk or get information using abilities my character really doesn't have over some of the other players who aren't using their skills.

I also tend to 'take' command in barking out orders and trying to get other players to be as efficient as possible such as taking each foe down one by one as opposed to everyone running around while the Kung Fu fighting song goes on. Now that's good in that it makes us better tactically, but bad in that a lot of my characters probably wouldn't have those 'meta' thinking plans going on.

 

[Evilhalfling]

Everyone thinks they're above average. And I'm the same. I really do think I'm an above average roleplayer.

well everyone who cares enough about the game to hang out on Enworld in the middle of the day thinks they are above average. Really Im suprised by the numbers of average roleplayers.

most of the really awful Roleplayers Ive met are casual gamers who just don't care enough.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I've chosen average, but it is hard to say. Average compared to who? ENWorlders? My group? All gamers? So far it looks like the average on the poll is "above average," so does that make them average?

Anyway, I think the DM and the rest of the group I am playing in at the time have a large influence on my role-playing. By nature I am more of a tactician than a role-player, so in groups that lean toward the tactical side of things, I tend to let the role-playing slide and go with the flow. In groups that try and work towards more role-playing, I think I do a better job, it is easier to get into your character when others are doing the same. I also know I have days that I cannot roleplay my way out of a paper bag, while other times I really get into my character and things click.

 

[diaglo]

most of the really awful Roleplayers Ive met are casual gamers who just don't care enough.

most of the awful roleplayers i've met think too highly of their abilities and are full of bluster (i'll use the grandma safe version instead of what i'm actually thinking).

 

[fusangite]

most of the awful roleplayers i've met think too highly of their abilities and are full of bluster (i'll use the grandma safe version instead of what i'm actually thinking).

I must agree. Almost every instance of bad, disruptive or stupid behaviour by a player that I have seen has been justified by a claim that the person is just trying to role play well.

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

As I have gotten older I have gotten better as a PC role player. As a DM I can fluctuate from average to very good but find it much more taxing.

 

[SweeneyTodd]

I don't want to be "that philosophical guy", but what's a good roleplayer?

Is it someone who's good at creating optimal character builds and handling their character efficiently in group-based tactical combat?

Is it someone who dreams up imaginative characters with an interesting backstory?

Is it being a good "actor", portraying your character in the first person all the time? (Personally, I hope not. I suck at this.)

Is it working well with the other players and the GM?

Is it remembering to bring money for pizza?

 

[Dread October]

overall, average. When I'm on, I'm pretty darn good. On an off night, not so good.

And for those of you decrying the lack of "below average" answers, what did you really expect from people who are serious enough about their gaming to hang about a board like this?

Well said. In all honesty I'm likely to think back on my less than stellar momemts and blame that crappy playin on someone else. Yeah. I'm all good.

Dread October

 

[KB9JMQ]

I am a poor roleplayer, I admit it.
Honestly until I joined these boards back when Eric started them, I didn't even know that part of the game existed.
Since the Red Box, myself and my players never tried to be the characters mostly because we never knew we were supposed to.
I think I would be good at it if I had started doing it from the beginning but it is extremely hard to do now just because frankly I feel stupid doing it. But I do try.