Stephan Hornick
Community Goblin & Master of the Archive
Platinum WoA
Wizard of Story
Wizard of Combat
Borderland Explorer
Some players are extroverts. They love to stand in the limelight. They talk about their PC's background, roleplay dramatically, and really showcase their PC.
Other players have a hard time even speaking up. Some of those are ok with this. Others actually want to engage but don't see their chance.
If you have players like the latter (or any player for that matter) there are some techniques I found very helpful as a player (and even as a GM using NPCs) to make players more comfortable to contribute.
I call it the Assist Approach:
If you want to assist fellow players to engage more, ...
There are surely more techniques than these. How about you? Have you any techniques that you use to help other players at the table?
Other players have a hard time even speaking up. Some of those are ok with this. Others actually want to engage but don't see their chance.
If you have players like the latter (or any player for that matter) there are some techniques I found very helpful as a player (and even as a GM using NPCs) to make players more comfortable to contribute.
I call it the Assist Approach:
If you want to assist fellow players to engage more, ...
- ... don't talk about your own PC's background when given the chance, ask another PC for theirs.
- ... end your speeches or dialogues or opinions by turning to another PC and asking their opinion on the matter.
- ... end your descriptions of actions by shifting the focus to another PC.
Example 1: "Having slayed the orc chief with a single swing of my axe, I turn to Calcarus the Mage and grin broadly."
Example 2: "Fending off the brutish attack by the orc, I look over to Severon the Thief to see how he is doing with the lock to their escape route."
- ... regularly include other PCs in your descriptions (but don't overuse this; you don't want to play their PCs).
Example 1: "Finishing my speech, I look at Calcarus and see that he is looking as if he wanted to say something."
Example 2: "Darek the Barbarian (my PC) has a hard time finding an opening in the opponents defenses. For Severon though who is accustomed to looking for weaknesses, this seems an easy task. And he notices Darek's misery. Darek watches as Severon threateningly moves a step to my opponent's flank, just a threatening step at the right time, and my opponent's gaze shifts over. This is all the chance I needed. I attack. A feint maneuver."
(Explanation: Here it is your action and your maneuver and the other PC is not actually moving to flank the opponent - as this would be an action by the other PC - but you use the other PC to describe your own opportunity for a maneuver, and you might even give the other player a hint on what to do, and you portray the other PC in a favorable light)
- ... instigate another PC's actions or scenes by suggesting that the other PC should do the task, talk to that NPC, investigate something further, or combat that opponent alone (even if not the best choice for that task).
- ... put the other PC in a favorable light by asking for expert information, refraining from taking the lead on a matter, pushing it all to the effect that the other PC can have a limelight moment, a heroic moment, a moment where this PC needs to decide for the group (and it is a hard moral decision), or just to earn the rewards from an encounter.
- ... don't take the best loot for yourself, but offer it to another PC first.
- ... regularly compliment them for their deeds (and maybe even also pointing out their failures).
"Example: Great fireball, Calcarus. This really saved my neck there. Next time though, please give a short warning. I thought my heart would stop as I jumped away."
- ... sometimes ask the other PC some personal questions when there is a fitting moment. It could be somehting on their beliefs or even what type of girl they like.
- ... if the other PC describes / described an item in their possession, take a moment to ask details. Where did they acquire it? Why did they choose it?
"Example: Calcarus, I notice that this dagger of yours is one of those Spellwitch Blades, if I'm not mistaken. Aren't they only produced in the Sapphire Capital? Have you ever been there?"
(Explanation: Here I introduce a new manufacturer of a "mere dagger". He may have added the dagger as his starting equipment and never thought about it. But in the moment I give it a story, the other player will bond with this dagger. There is a tale to tell. And usually I am allowed to do this, even if the GM has never even heard of said manufacturer. You have the chance to point to details that are minor - and the dagger is stat-wise still just a dagger - but now this dagger has a cool name.)
There are surely more techniques than these. How about you? Have you any techniques that you use to help other players at the table?