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Top 10 Stereotypical Roleplaying Gamers

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Here we go again. I like top tens. They have a certain charm to them. Being a gamer, I get to see a lot of roles played by an amazing variety of people such as yourself. I know that they can be good, bad, or just plain hilarious. Can you think of the various role players you have seen at your table? I am sure if you think hard enough, something your great mind is highly capable of doing, you can match up at least a few of those listed below with your table. In no particular order, here is the repeated role player types I have seen. Some of these I like, and some I do not. Though I would love to hear your opinions and stories on such.


#1. The Edge Lord

more to your classWell, here is one stereotypical role player that harkens back to the very beginning of Dungeons & Dragons. This type of role player has been so great in number that entire games have been built behind them with game mechanics built to support it or fight it across the board. What is an edge lord, you may ask? Well, dear Nerdarchist, an edge lord is a gamer who goes out of their way to play everything that makes them dark, edgy, and as my fellow Nerdarchy writer said, “Too cool for school.” These are the ones who will pursue becoming a vampire, necromancer, or other gothic themed character. To say that I have seen them a lot is an understatement. In fact, they are so heavy in the culture that a prime example was put into the hit game Overwatch in the form of Reaper. From Raven of the Teen Titans, Soul Reaver’s Raziel, Vincent of Final Fantasy 7, and all the way up to the top echelons of our culture … some stereotypical role players try too hard. Then again, Raven and Raistlin are amazing. I could not imagine their series without them. Not all are successful, but all follow the same steps of being edgy.


#2. The Party Player

This stereotypical role player is not your average gamer. These are the selfless players who will bend over backwards for others. Dear lord, do I love these gamers, but I worry about them more than anything. Too often this gamer will sacrifice things, even their own happiness, for others. There are other players who will take advantage of this, thus my worry. Anywhovian, these are the people who will play classes because the group needs it, give up treasure, and all sorts of other actions within your group. That being said, these gamers tend to be the glue that holds the group together, the friendly face that everyone enjoys. They are the light that makes every game enjoyable. Protect these people from those who would do them harm not by white knighting them, unless absolutely necessary. The way to help them is to encourage them to find their voice and strength, and they do have it. It is far harder to be civil then to be a bully.


#3. The Otaku/Hollywood Wannabe

This stereotypical gamer is someone who spends a lot of time (or just enough time) watching shows, movies, or what-not to find their inspiration. This can be a good thing, as these gamers tend to be amazing in the description of their actions. But it can also be annoying in the fact that they will do anything to play out a role they already have in their heads. Like the edge lord, the vision in their head can be more important to them than the rules, story, or anything else. The worst case scenario I have seen was a player who became saddened from not being allowed to play a copy from his favorite movie (game system and campaign didn’t support it) to the point that he sabotaged the campaign more than once in revenge. The end result is a lesson that taught me well in working with a player to achieve their result without derailing things. That is my advice, work with the person and find a way if possible to make movie magic come alive.


#4. The Rules Lawyer

roleplayers gamer gameThe role player to end all stereotypical role players, the rules lawyer is a gamer that enforces the rules, often when convenient, at the cost of all else. These are the ones that drive the Dungeon Masters absolutely bonkers when the old story tool box is controlling the game. Like Cass from The Gamers: Dorkness Rising, they sometimes take things too seriously and can be a killjoy when they cannot get their heads into the game beyond numbers and rules. That being said, they can be an incredible resource when you are learning a new system or are trying to figure out an unfamiliar rule. I won’t lie, one of these also was the source of the biggest laugh I’ve had in a game, when the group’s spirit shaman decided to revive himself. Yep, had to do a double take, but it was in the rules and was beautifully hilarious.


#5. The Pervert

This one bothers me, and I have written on it many times. When this stereotypical gamer plays their role, they aim to live out their amorous fantasies. I hate this on so many levels because I have seen groups fall apart from this in the worst way possible. The worst way being the pressure and bullying to get these fantasies played out, which resulted in the pursued leaving gaming forever. This is something to be avoided at all costs. Though romance and other sensual activities can happen in a game, I am not one to judge, but the important factor is consent. A gaming table should be a safe place, and no one should ever have reason to fear. For this reason, this stereotypical gamer (rare as they might be) should know the rules and be held to them. Furthermore, though these are rare, they hurt the image of the gamer whereever the story is told. Don’t be like this, just don’t.


#6. The Meat Shield

Hill Dwarf D&DYep, I know this is a very big stereotypical role both mechanical and role playing wise. The gamer who chooses to be the meat shield is a bit of the rules lawyer, a bit of the party player, and a bit of a glory hound. These are the players who love to be able to take everything the world throws at them and laugh as boulders break on their abs. I personally am playing one at this time in my Fifth Edition game. Through knowing the system, they have hit points to spare, armor up the wazoo, and they can usually draw enough attention through heavy hits to carry all the threat that would normally be aimed at a caster or someone else. Being the center of that attention is just how they like it. Really, you gotta love the mentality it takes to want to protect the party at all costs. That being said, I won’t lie, I am a Meat Shield for the tactical challenge more than anything. No matter which way you slice it, this is a role that will be loved by the group.


#7. The Economist

This role player is the one who is more interested in loot and treasure than the stereotypical adventure. This is frankly confusing to me, as I have seen whole campaigns derailed to work a nine-to-five job, buy low and sell high, or even just to set up a shop. The game supports it, and if you have fun, good on you. Frankly, I just can’t see myself managing a Fortune 500 platinum pieces company instead of saving the world. That being said, I have always been grateful for this type of gamer, as they tend to keep fantastic notes. This makes the job easier for the story teller, and all the party for that matter. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, but try to play toward the balance with the groups.  Though you could always use the hint of treasure to bait this role player.


#8. The Paragon

Well, I have said this in many different ways, but once in a while you will see the type of role player that is prepared with an in depth backstory, gets the rest of the group into the story, and even learns the system. These are my favorite type, and they are so amazing that you almost could take them for granted if you are not careful. Well, the only time I have seen this go wrong is when one became an elitist, always thinking they are too good to play with new players and such. Any way, you can count on this role player to keep the game running, and often they will even inspire you at times to improve and expand your story. Their story is ripe with plot devices, their reactions can open up ideas, and the entire table will get drawn in. Reward this, make the story epic as it deserves.


9. Combat Maniac

d&dThis is the stereotypical gamer who wants nothing but combat. They don’t care about role play, plots, or anything else. They want to kick in doors, bash in faces, and prove themselves against the biggest and nastiest there is. Working with a group that only has one of these can be tricky, but there is one trick to fight them. The trick to defeating them is not to even try. Let them kick in the door and let them have their challenge, but make them work for it. The endeavor of getting to the challenge they want can balance out the group and give everyone what they want. Mix and match and you can make everyone happy. Just don’t make it all about one person.


10. The Class Clown

This stereotypical role player is something else entirely. They will enchant you, they will baffle you. The class clown is the one who will crack you up but never takes anything serious. The fact is, they are essential and not for the reason most would think. I believe they remind us not to take things too seriously and to remember why we got into role playing in the first place. Frankly, they remind us that it is just a game, and games are meant to be fun. Can’t spell funny without fun, and in the end that is exactly why we started to play in the first place (to have fun!). Though I would never suggest curbing the enthusiasm of the class clown, you need to make sure they don’t steal the show. You will have a tough time getting back on track, and the group will resent it. Cherish the laughter, but keep them on track as best as you can.


Well, that’s my thought of the week. I would love to hear your table’s makeup. Who shows up and rolls dice with you? My group is kind of in a stage of flux, but we have a meat shield, party player,  and a paragon. That being said, I want to wish you all a good Memorial Day. Remember the fallen, and give respect to those who gave it all. There is much that can be said, but I will leave you with a quote I find pertinent.

“All gave some, Some gave all” – Howard William Osterkamp

Play on PS4 or PS3? Did you know that Nerdarchy has a community that plays together often? Go ahead and search in the community section for Nerdarchy and for the player Nubz_The_Zombie!

Did I miss something? Have any Questions or Comments? Feel free to message me at www.facebook.com/NubzTheZombie or at nubz.the.zombie@gmail.com

Stay Nerdy,

Nubz

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Nigel Sanford

Nubz hails from the American Pacific Northwest where he has spent the last 24 years living the gamer life and running campaigns of all kinds. Through this he has managed to sate his acting bug and entertain many. Now a father, he wishes to pursue writing to leave a legacy in Nerd culture for his offspring to enjoy.

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