#dnd tip for player management: DISCLAIMER: Players don’t fit neatly into categories. Any labels or types I use are for discussion purposes only. These are often most useful when DMing for strangers. So far we have covered Actors, Instigators, Power Games, and Storytellers (1/4) Today let's talk about the OPTIMIZERS. They're often more interested in interacting with rules than with story, or at least the story is more likely follow from their character building than the other way around. They want their characters to be good at what they do. (2/4)
— Shawn Merwin 🔜 #dndlive2019 (@shawnmerwin) April 22, 2019
OPTIMIZERS are often confused with POWER GAMERS, and there can be overlap, but also subtle differences. POWER GAMERS are often more about "winning" while OPTIMIZERS are about being great at something. It's not always combat. Some want to be the best healer or diplomat. (3/4)
— Shawn Merwin 🔜 #dndlive2019 (@shawnmerwin) April 22, 2019
To best engage OPTIMIZERS, tie game mechanics to story. Allow attractive game mechanics–new spells, feat, powers, magic items, etc.–to be accessed via story. OPTIMIZERS might not care much about saving the orphanage, unless a reward is the new spell they desperately want. (4/4)
— Shawn Merwin 🔜 #dndlive2019 (@shawnmerwin) April 22, 2019
