Tabletop Roleplaying Etiquette 101

Nerd social situations can be very different from more typical social situations.  Aside from stereotypical geeky awkwardness, some unique group activities only occur in nerd circles.  Thus: Nerdiquette.  If you’re like me, you’re more comfortable doing new things when you have an idea of what to expect, and what’s expected of you.  So for any of you who get invited to a game of D&D, or love what you’ve been hearing about your coworker’s Shadowrun game, or happen to walk into a local game store when they’re looking for Pathfinder players, here are some handy tips for what to expect in a tabletop rpg.

• Know what you’re getting into.  Tabletop games are usually played in a series of sessions at regular intervals, such as weekly or biweekly.  Many groups play for 3-5 hours at a time, and some are stricter than others about ending on time.  Make sure to find out ahead of time about how long they expect to play,  whether to bring food or money for food, how regularly they play, and, if you’ll be playing regularly, what to expect if you need to miss a session.

• Be on time, but don’t be surprised if you don’t start on time.  An abiding problem with game groups is that everybody has to be there before the game can start.  Do what you can to be part of the solution.
• The GM rules.  The GM (or DM) is in charge of what happens in the game.  They determine what rules are being used and how they are interpreted.  Show respect to the GM, regardless of their age or experience.  You should usually give the GM a chance to check your character over ahead of time to make sure everything is in order.  Theoretically, the GM is also the authority on what kind of behavior is or isn’t allowed at the table.  If you have problems with another player that you can’t resolve between the two of you, try talking to the GM.
• Be true to your character.  Your character is more than just a fleshy sack of hit points.  Characters with personality are more fun than characters that do whatever makes things easiest on the players.  Having a clear  idea of your character’s history and values helps you determine why they would do different actions or how they might make decisions.  Try to avoid doing things the character has no believable motivation to do.

Not a believable character

 

• About speaking in character:  You may speak in character. (e.g. “Hail, Sir Knight!  What news of the king?”)  You may use the first person when speaking in character.  (e.g. “I charge the dragon.  Fear my blade, foul beast!”)  In most groups, you may refer to player characters (PCs) by either the player’s name or the character’s name.  However, if the GM is very strict, there may be a sharper divide between speaking in and out of character.  (e.g. “Who’s Jeff? My name is Wizard Alcthazor!”)  Sometimes this is signified by a gesture or manner of speaking.  (e.g. [moose antlers] “Jeff, is there any more pizza?” [drops French accent] “Yeah, in the kitchen.”)  Staying in character is fun!
• Players are not their characters.  So you hate elves.  That’s fine.  That doesn’t mean that the dude playing an elf is a jerk.  It’s fine to butt heads with another player’s character in game, as long as, at the end of the day, you’re still a couple of nerds having fun.

Little green men should not be trusted.

• Player Characters are special.  Sometimes your character won’t have a clear reason to cooperate with or try to save the other players’ characters.  This is the exception to the rule of staying in character.  Try to be someone the rest of the people at the table want to play with.  If your character doesn’t have a reason to help the others, invent one.  It’s also considered extremely bad manners to ever leave another PC for dead.
• Ask questions.  Ask all the questions.  Nobody knows all the rules, and there might be house rules besides.  It’s better to just ask than to assume incorrectly and be disappointed or confused later.
• If it helps you, take notes.  These are especially helpful in mystery- or strategy-based games, where information that seems incidental turns out to be relevant.  It can also be a discreet memory-assist for remembering the correct names and pronunciations for people and characters.  Besides that, a GM is sure to be impressed and grateful when you refer to their gothic fantasy village by its actual name.

No one understands where the GM gets these names.

• Resist Commander Syndrome.  It can be tempting to let one player take control of the table.  Just because one powergamer acts like they know all the rules doesn’t mean you’re obligated to take their advice.  The GM has final say on the rules and rules interpretations, and you have final say on your character’s (conscious or intended) actions.  (If you’re the powergamer at your table, be aware of whether you’re overwhelming the other players or the GM.  I know it can be hard to see others working through decisions, so practice being chill – it’s something of a learned skill.)

He’s not angry, he just wishes you would remember that the axe does more damage than the pike as long as you take the poise action before but not after.

• Try things.  New players especially might be wary of initiating in-character actions or conversations.  The first few times I played, my character mostly just followed the group around and did what he was told.  But the game is much more fun when you attempt to use your character’s particular abilities or invent strategies of your own.  Your fellow players will appreciate how you contribute to the group dynamic.
• It’s about the narrative.  It’s easy to get bogged down focusing on “winning” (usually defined as “attacking dangerous creatures without dying, then getting lots of money.”)  I’m not saying this is strictly a bad thing, but most games are more interesting with characters that occasionally make choices that don’t gain them any loot, or take bad risks for good reasons, or have heroic last stands.

Every group is a little different, so sometimes these pieces of advice might not apply.  Please take them as suggestions.  Getting used to a new game involves some trial and error and mistakes, and that’s okay.  A big list like this probably looks overwhelming, but I really hope it brings people in rather than keeping them away.  This is Nerdiquette: tips intended to make you feel more comfortable among nerds.

We all know how it feels to be excluded.  We know what it’s like to not fit in, so we are welcoming.  We use kind words.  We respect each other.  We help each other learn to play games, interact with people, and develop creative skills.  When one of us gets excited about something, we all do.  We do not exclude anyone because of perceived intelligence, abilities, nerd credentials, or social status, whether low or high; nor because of any aspect of identity or experience.  We make an effort to understand each other.  We encourage each other.  We are a nerd community.  If you want to, you belong here.