ThoughtBubble
First Post
Two things that I find helpful are feedback and clear actions.
Nothing's quite as frusterating as when a player doesn't seem to react to something. This is bad in the case of the 'tough as nails' types who just endure situations. The player may be having a ball, but it's hard to tell as he sits with an IC scowl on his face and asks why all the helpless people keep bugging him. It' shard to tell, and all the DMs I know thrive on being told that they're doing well.
Clear actions. Sometimes, it's good to state the intent as well as the action itself. Instead of just 'throwing my torch ahead of the group', 'throwing my torch ahead of the group so my pyrokenetics don't hurt anyone' gives the dm a better idea of what you're trying. Knowing that there is some logic behind what you're trying makes things easier on me. I can focus on the important part of it (did it succeed or setup the situation correctly) and on relevant outcomes for that action.
Oh, and character goals are often fun. Knowing that you want to start as an ambivalent warrior, who eventually becomes a passionate knight in service of the kingdom lends itself to all sorts of fun hooks.
Mostly, it's about clear communication.
Nothing's quite as frusterating as when a player doesn't seem to react to something. This is bad in the case of the 'tough as nails' types who just endure situations. The player may be having a ball, but it's hard to tell as he sits with an IC scowl on his face and asks why all the helpless people keep bugging him. It' shard to tell, and all the DMs I know thrive on being told that they're doing well.
Clear actions. Sometimes, it's good to state the intent as well as the action itself. Instead of just 'throwing my torch ahead of the group', 'throwing my torch ahead of the group so my pyrokenetics don't hurt anyone' gives the dm a better idea of what you're trying. Knowing that there is some logic behind what you're trying makes things easier on me. I can focus on the important part of it (did it succeed or setup the situation correctly) and on relevant outcomes for that action.
Oh, and character goals are often fun. Knowing that you want to start as an ambivalent warrior, who eventually becomes a passionate knight in service of the kingdom lends itself to all sorts of fun hooks.
Mostly, it's about clear communication.