How to be a better player

[sniffles]

Okay, I'm sure this one's been done before, but the various threads on bad player behavior and how to be a better DM have made me want to start this discussion. Here are my suggestions for being a better player (not necessarily in order of importance):

1. Be prepared. Always bring whatever you need to bring. Know what you need to bring. Even if the GM provides everything, be mentally prepared to play when you arrive.

2. Pay attention. Don't sleep, read, watch tv, kibbitz with other players, play your GameBoy, snog with your girlfriend/boyfriend, play with the puppy, or do anything else that keeps you from keeping your mind on the game (this one is my downfall, I fear).

3. Know what is expected of you, both in the game and out of the game. If you don't know, ask.

4. Show up on time, and if you can't, let everyone know as far in advance as possible.

5. Have fun. But not at the expense of everyone else's fun.

6. Treat everyone with respect.

 

[The_Gneech]

Do your best to learn the rules, particularly those that relate to your own character's abilties. If you have to ask "What die do I roll here?" more than two or three times, take notes!

-The Gneech

 

[diaglo]

pay attention to the things outside of game. you are over someone's house. most likely a very good friend. be courteous to your host. help them clean up afterwards.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Realize that other players, and the DM, may not have the same playing style that you do. Be patient and wait your turn. If you're a role-playing, you'll have to slog through some combat before you can role-play with the duke and his court. If you're a hack-and-slasher, you'll have to slog through the duke and his court scene before you can kick some butt.

Follow the DM's plot hooks, even if they are clumsy and ham-fisted.

 

[Crothian]

Think, be creative, be nice to everyone there, have your character updated before the session starts, Feed the DM.

 

[Nailom]

Keep track of all the effects on your character. Don't "forget" that even helpful spell go out with time.

Write your character sheet in a way everybody can read it.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

True story:

I made a big fuss about people forgetting their character sheets. Whined for about 20 solid minutes while they re-built them. So when it came time for me to go to the other DMs game, guess what I forgot?

That was embarassing.

 

[Crothian]

True story:

I made a big fuss about people forgetting their character sheets. Whined for about 20 solid minutes while they re-built them. So when it came time for me to go to the other DMs game, guess what I forgot?

That was embarassing.

One campaign the players asked me to keep hold of the character sheets, I could never remember to bring them. Luckily the game didn't last long for other reasons, but I'd show up go through a recap of what happened last week as k the players if they had any questions and they'd ask "Where's our character sheets?"

 

[Gold Roger]

-watch out for continouality. You want the game-world and plotlines to make sense, so watch out that your charakter does so as well.

 

[diaglo]

Think, be creative, be nice to everyone there, have your character updated before the session starts, Feed the DM.

you forgot.

Pay the DM