I started as an explorer / fighter type turned investigator and now more understanding / investigator. Now I do not only enjoy discovering places but appreciate the subtle story behind it to show it to the world.
Seeing the definition of U (understanding) really helped me get one of my players. I'm always concerned I'm not providing enough for them in my sessions but they always say they are having a good time. I guess the next step in serving the whole gang is making sure there is enough to ponder, regardless of its impact on the so called "adventure."
Another excellent episode. On thr rare occasion that I get to be a player I often play as sort of a catalyst for the DM. I often play with very inexperienced players and I always just try to keep the fun going. Taking in the table and moving us in that direction. To encourage people's ideas or goals. I also play Bard/Charisma based characters to help this along. I'm not sure where that falls in to the vowels (probably actor) but I definitely am the cheerleader for the group. But I often do a lot of the social interactions because that's where I get a lot of the enjoyment from being a player. I always think it's fun to notice something that a player mentions about their character (like a trinket or keepsake) and asking about it in game to help flesh out story ideas or quests or development.
Brilliant! You made this video so you could indulge your need for Acting, didn't you? 😂 Your explanation of Understanding was a lightbulb moment for me about one of my fellow players.
I've only been DMing so far. Just started playing TTRPGs but I'd have to guess I'm an understanding type. Also, you're so good at drawing! Totally jealous
The Backstabber: the player who not only steals from and sabotages other players so they die, but they'll loot the body and stab a fellow player in the neck if they complain. The Derailer: will say and do anything to intentionally throw the DM and players off their game. The Disrupter: Usually this is the Optimizer, who just wants to roll dice all night, but when they can't, starts an actual arbitrary conversation, (usually about a Monty Python or Mel Brooks movie) with another player, while the DM and other players are still trying to RP and play. The Cry-baby: if their plan, solution, idea isn't ALWAYS used, they sulk and withdraw. The Journalist: not a bad thing, they just take copious notes to help the DM and for a submersive nature. The Brawler: specifically ALWAYS starts a bar fight EVERY TIME the party enters a tavern or inn. The Martyr: intentionally repetitively dies, just for the spectacle or humor of it. The Inquisitor: never knows what to do and is so afraid to make a mistake, they want the party to tell them how to proceed. The Methodist: DO NOT break character or the theater of the mind submersion at ANY point of the night. The Rules Lawyer: must completely comply to the letter of 5e law or they WILL correct you and argue until you comply! The Megalomaniac: you're not DMing... They are. The Complainer: usually a DM who thinks certain spells break the game, a feat is OP, etc... but allows it. The Nerfer: The complainer DM who doesn't allow it. The Handyman: loves all aspects of the game. I've been playing a LONG time! (1976)
My play type tends to change depending on how my group is. Though I would say I am very much all of these (besides yelling) depending on the group and the game, I may lean into one more than the other.
I would be a bit more of an actor if I didn't suck at it. Still in there, just not as obvious. I'm definitely heavy on exploration and optimization. I'd also like to point out that optimization isn't always about pure power, sometimes it's squeezing the best performance out of something that's supposed to suck or seeing how far you can push certain ideas (one character I built recently was (in part) an exercise in getting the most spells on a non casting class). It's definitely optimization, just not quite what normally comes to mind when you hear the term (of course, I do THAT to sometimes).
I think acting is risky because it cringes people away. Most people is interested in it, but honestly it adds little to immersion to my experience. Id rather be in a neutral dming position of descriptive actions.
I think going "too far" with it can be a little annoying, but affectations and turns of phrases and expressiveness can be very immersive. I think the biggest problem I see with acting is that people get long winded with it, as if they're trying to impress people instead of the purpose: to give people a glimpse of the personality.
Alan being a teacher explains so much.
I'm the Exploring, Optimizing and Understanding type.
Love your character drawings while you explained each term. Kept me engaged and entertained.
I started as an explorer / fighter type turned investigator and now more understanding / investigator.
Now I do not only enjoy discovering places but appreciate the subtle story behind it to show it to the world.
Seeing the definition of U (understanding) really helped me get one of my players.
I'm always concerned I'm not providing enough for them in my sessions but they always say they are having a good time.
I guess the next step in serving the whole gang is making sure there is enough to ponder, regardless of its impact on the so called "adventure."
I struggle as a GM with U's. It wasn't until one of them explained themselves to me that it made perfect sense.
I had a face come to mind for every letter.
I definitely have traits of them all, but I enjoy playing the Actor the most
That Crypt Keeper voice at 3:50 was _dead_ on!
I loved that show SO much, to the point where I wonder how much it has to do with my present day self.
For Al's Rhythm
…and just to say you cheer up my week so many times.
Thanks
Great videos! Love the style, your music choices, your drawings are impressive and of course your info is great as well.
Sometimes yelling - I feel called out. ❤😅
Another excellent episode. On thr rare occasion that I get to be a player I often play as sort of a catalyst for the DM.
I often play with very inexperienced players and I always just try to keep the fun going. Taking in the table and moving us in that direction. To encourage people's ideas or goals. I also play Bard/Charisma based characters to help this along.
I'm not sure where that falls in to the vowels (probably actor) but I definitely am the cheerleader for the group. But I often do a lot of the social interactions because that's where I get a lot of the enjoyment from being a player.
I always think it's fun to notice something that a player mentions about their character (like a trinket or keepsake) and asking about it in game to help flesh out story ideas or quests or development.
You fall under the vowel M.
For MVP!
Thespian, Real-Man, Brain, Munchkin, .... that's not a Loon?!
Brilliant!
You made this video so you could indulge your need for Acting, didn't you? 😂
Your explanation of Understanding was a lightbulb moment for me about one of my fellow players.
Alan loves GMing just to give him another excuse to act. So you're not wrong.
Fun! Sharpie Marker should sponsor this. It really is a great Indiana Jones sketch
The Velma one is great too!
I've only been DMing so far. Just started playing TTRPGs but I'd have to guess I'm an understanding type.
Also, you're so good at drawing! Totally jealous
The Backstabber: the player who not only steals from and sabotages other players so they die, but they'll loot the body and stab a fellow player in the neck if they complain.
The Derailer: will say and do anything to intentionally throw the DM and players off their game.
The Disrupter: Usually this is the Optimizer, who just wants to roll dice all night, but when they can't, starts an actual arbitrary conversation, (usually about a Monty Python or Mel Brooks movie) with another player, while the DM and other players are still trying to RP and play.
The Cry-baby: if their plan, solution, idea isn't ALWAYS used, they sulk and withdraw.
The Journalist: not a bad thing, they just take copious notes to help the DM and for a submersive nature.
The Brawler: specifically ALWAYS starts a bar fight EVERY TIME the party enters a tavern or inn.
The Martyr: intentionally repetitively dies, just for the spectacle or humor of it.
The Inquisitor: never knows what to do and is so afraid to make a mistake, they want the party to tell them how to proceed.
The Methodist: DO NOT break character or the theater of the mind submersion at ANY point of the night.
The Rules Lawyer: must completely comply to the letter of 5e law or they WILL correct you and argue until you comply!
The Megalomaniac: you're not DMing... They are.
The Complainer: usually a DM who thinks certain spells break the game, a feat is OP, etc... but allows it.
The Nerfer: The complainer DM who doesn't allow it.
The Handyman: loves all aspects of the game.
I've been playing a LONG time! (1976)
Hey guys it seems like this video is missing audio just wanted to give you a heads up
My play type tends to change depending on how my group is. Though I would say I am very much all of these (besides yelling) depending on the group and the game, I may lean into one more than the other.
I would be a bit more of an actor if I didn't suck at it. Still in there, just not as obvious. I'm definitely heavy on exploration and optimization. I'd also like to point out that optimization isn't always about pure power, sometimes it's squeezing the best performance out of something that's supposed to suck or seeing how far you can push certain ideas (one character I built recently was (in part) an exercise in getting the most spells on a non casting class). It's definitely optimization, just not quite what normally comes to mind when you hear the term (of course, I do THAT to sometimes).
Great points about optimization.
I think acting is risky because it cringes people away. Most people is interested in it, but honestly it adds little to immersion to my experience. Id rather be in a neutral dming position of descriptive actions.
I think going "too far" with it can be a little annoying, but affectations and turns of phrases and expressiveness can be very immersive. I think the biggest problem I see with acting is that people get long winded with it, as if they're trying to impress people instead of the purpose: to give people a glimpse of the personality.