It's always been an odd thing for people to seek advice for being a better player. You're just playing the game right? If you can't play the game wrong, then it stands to reason that you can't play any better. It's different on the GM side. There's a lot of backchannel talk between GMs of dissapointment that things they experimented with aren't landing like they wanted them to. A lot of GMs take it in stride but y'know, rejection of stuff you're excited about is going to be hard when you're starting out. I think a lot of advice in the past 5 years emphasizing communication around the table has been a huge boon for this, to the point where someone could start playing ttrpgs and a month later feel comfortable giving that advice.
So I think we're due fresher, more critical advice that we can reflect on. I will share three skills you can practice that will help you begin your journey in maximizing your enjoyment from ttrpgs. (TL;DR in the tags below lol, you can now go comment and tell me how stale and self-evident this advice is).
But what if we interpret it ✨metaphorically✨
How (also) To Be A Better TTRPG Player
Eat
Show up hungry and ensure everyone knows your dietary preferences. Ideally, everyone then gets a filling plate of what they ordered. Also, give compliments to the chef and tip your server well (whomever they end up being in this metaphor).
Time Management/Scheduling
If someone isn’t getting their chance to shine, make it happen! This goes both for active play (ie. who’s talking/when) and narrative structure (eg. ‘this story really centers my character, how’re the others doing?’).
Stretches
Reach outside your comfort area from time to time. Play a one-shot in a role you’ve been avoiding just for fun! Switch characters with someone for a session! Try stuff and expand your horizons, you’ll always be better for it.
Yeah, yeah, the metaphor aspect of this broke down immediately and this is arguably even more in the vein of 2018 youtuber advice. My main point is Senshi is still right, even if you take him less literally 💪
