Discussing Player Types - The Actor

Welcome to the Corner! It's here that we will discuss the different player types, in particular, the Actor! Understanding your players will only make you a better DM, and that's what this is all about!

So, it turns out, I fit the profile to the "T" for being an Actor Player. I thrive in the story telling and do give elaborate backstories that I want my DM's to weave into the current story. I want to feel like my character does when that last kill is made, or when an ally falls in battle. The rage, the fear, the joy, all of that are moments I want to feel with my characters. And as a DM, I express that all the more. I do jump into different characters as I guide my players through every situation they jump into, because the world I've built is full of people, not just boring quest givers (You'll see what I mean if you visit NPC Friday!).

Actors are some of the most entertaining players to have at your table, and in turn, they are easily entertained. They want to meet and interact with any and everything. It's their character's personality that drives their character's choices, not logic, which can be very humorous! A perfect example is when I was playing my character who has a 6 (-2 modifier) in Intelligence... Needless to say, he's no scholar, but I jump into character anyway, accent and all, and just go for it! Asking the obvious questions, trying to use the "Simple minds are cute" way to charm some information out of someone. And if that doesn't work, I happen to have a flaming sword that is great at getting answers. haha

Now, that also means that I play him in a way that sometimes "hurts" my group. Such as solving a puzzle; we were faced with a math related puzzle once, trying to find the pattern in the sequence. I had the puzzled solved as the player, but being an Actor, with my 6 Intelligence, I didn't participate in the problem solving experience. And that was not a bad thing!

Some may ask "But, you weren't playing! That would hamper enjoyment of my players!" And you're right, not playing does sour the experience of a party thriving game. But I was playing, I just wasn't in that part of the problem solving. This is where a DM becomes great, when everyone is involved regardless of the situation. Don't have one that all participate in? Add a door that's lowering to trap the party unless the puzzle is solved! Then you have the muscle in your group solve a simpler problem, KEEP THE DOOR OPEN! And again, things get pretty crazy! Or go the other direction, KEEP THE DOOR CLOSED! Some massive monster caught your party's scent and are in for a world of hurt if they don't hold the door until the puzzle is solved.

Man, I got a bit side tracked there! haha Either way, it really doesn't matter how you balance party activity, as long as you, the DM, are aware of what your players need. Every player wants to shine, and it's your job as the DM to give them those moments!

Things to be wary of - If an Actor is at your table; They do like to shine, but they can often steal the spot light from others. Wanting to be in every interaction, and be apart of every goings on that's taking place. As a result, they can dominate game play and make other players feel like they shouldn't, or can't have an interaction of their own. This also falls in the DMs realm of balance that you have to reign in on occasion. I've had to say once or twice "You're not there." at the table, which for me solved the problem.

Closing Thoughts - The Actor can take the form of any class at your table, but you'll know them when you see them! They are the type that want the social interactions to really let their character grow become something more than what's on the sheet. Sometimes it can be a hand full, but with some time, and understanding across the table, they can be very valuable members of any party!