Celebrating Strengths in Tabletop Role-Playing

Recently in my travels online I stumbled on a discussion that made my head pop. It went something like this.

My players are too good they always are able succeed in their DC checks because “X,Y,Z” reason what should I do ?

Time and time again I see the response to this question that runs along the line of…

Up the DC’s so it is harder for the player to succeed. Or make one or two of the monsters have a higher perception score.

This infuriates me both as a player and a game master.

It’s not fair in the sense that just because the player is “GOOD” at something that thing should then become harder for them to do. This by its very nature is not just punishing your player once but session after session.

Embracing Player Agency

One of the most rewarding aspects of tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) is witnessing the creativity and ingenuity of players as they bring their characters to life. The concept of player agency is crucial—it means giving players the freedom to make meaningful choices and experience the consequences of those choices within the game world.

Highlighting Character Strengths

Players invest time and effort into building characters that excel in specific areas, whether it’s combat prowess, spellcasting, or social interactions. Recognizing and celebrating these strengths is essential for an enjoyable gaming experience. Here’s how you can highlight what makes characters so awesome while providing meaningful challenges:

Tailored Encounters: Design encounters that play to the character’s strengths. If a player has built a character with exceptional stealth abilities, create scenarios where sneaking past guards or infiltrating a secure location is key to success. This not only showcases their talents but also reinforces their sense of agency and accomplishment.
Narrative Recognition: Acknowledge the characters’ achievements within the story. When a character successfully overcomes a difficult challenge using their unique skills, let it have a noticeable impact on the game’s narrative. This can lead to reputation boosts, new alliances, or valuable information that propels the plot forward.
Meaningful Rewards: Provide rewards that align with the characters’ strengths and interests. For example, a skilled archer might receive a legendary bow as a quest reward, enhancing their abilities further. These rewards not only feel earned but also encourage players to continue developing their character’s strengths.

Balancing Challenges

While it’s important to celebrate characters’ strengths, it’s equally crucial to maintain a sense of challenge and tension in the game. Here are some strategies to achieve this balance:

Dynamic Difficulty: Instead of arbitrarily increasing the difficulty of tasks, consider introducing dynamic challenges. For instance, if a character consistently succeeds in stealth checks, introduce new environmental factors such as shifting shadows or more alert guards that require creative problem-solving rather than simply higher DCs.
Varied Challenges: Mix up the types of challenges characters face. If a character is particularly skilled in one area, introduce situations that test different abilities. This ensures that all players have moments to shine and keeps the game dynamic and engaging.
Consequences and Complications: Success doesn’t always mean a straightforward path. Even when characters succeed, introduce consequences or complications that add depth to the story. Perhaps a successful heist leads to unexpected pursuit, or a perfectly executed spell draws the attention of powerful enemies.

Encouraging Player Collaboration

One of the greatest strengths of TTRPGs is the collaborative storytelling aspect. Encourage players to work together and combine their characters’ strengths to overcome challenges. Here are a few ways to promote collaboration:

Combined Efforts: Design encounters that require multiple skills to solve. For example, a puzzle might need a combination of intelligence, dexterity, and charisma to unlock. This encourages players to collaborate and appreciate each other’s contributions.
Role-Playing Opportunities: Create role-playing opportunities where characters can leverage their unique abilities. For instance, a charismatic bard might need to negotiate with a faction leader while the rogue gathers information from the shadows. These moments highlight each character’s strengths and foster teamwork.

Final Thoughts

Embracing player agency, highlighting characters’ strengths, and balancing challenges are key to creating an engaging and rewarding TTRPG experience. By tailoring encounters, recognizing achievements, and encouraging collaboration, we as game masters can ensure that players feel valued and their characters shine. Remember, the goal is not to punish players for their skills but to create a dynamic and immersive story where every character has a chance to be a hero.