10 tips for shy roleplayers

Tips for Shy Players in Tabletop Roleplaying Games

Ginny Di shares ten suggestions, based on advice from shy players, for feeling more comfortable and involved in tabletop roleplaying games. These tips are optional: there’s no single “right” way to play, and staying quiet is fine if that’s what you enjoy.

1. Play someone unlike yourself. A louder or more confident character can give you an in-game reason to speak up. Keeping some distance between yourself and the character can also make setbacks feel less personal.

2. Get to know your group outside the game. Casual chats or spending time together away from Dungeons & Dragons can build trust and make it easier to take roleplaying risks.

3. Know what drives your character. Start with what they want, why they want it, and what’s in their way. Clear motivations can make reactions and choices easier to improvise.

4. Remember that roleplaying isn’t a performance. You don’t need polished acting, accents, or witty lines to have fun. If you want to improve, regular play is practice.

5. Give your character a recurring bit or catchphrase. A simple, repeatable joke or way of introducing them can provide an easy opening into a scene. Use it as a helpful prompt, not something to overdo.

6. Arrange a pre-existing relationship with another character. A connection such as being cousins or business contacts gives you a familiar person to interact with from the campaign’s start.

7. Tell the DM or other players what would help. Let them know you’d like to participate more, and suggest that they invite your character to weigh in or start conversations with them.

8. Practice roleplaying on your own. Try narrating everyday activities in your character’s voice, imagining how they’d react to things around you, or practicing with a trusted friend.

9. Don’t fear failure. Bad rolls are part of the game and can create interesting story moments. They aren’t a personal failing, and accepting them can make it easier to take part.

10. Stay shy if that suits you. You don’t have to speak more, do voices, or invent an elaborate backstory. What matters is engaging as much as you want to.

A Welcoming Table

Ginny Di closes by emphasizing that a welcoming, balanced table is everyone’s responsibility: players should communicate and make room for one another to feel heard.

Notable Names and Products

Ginny Di; Skillshare (sponsor, including a Thomas Frank class); Dungeons & Dragons; Critical Role characters Percy and Jester; Fantasy High character Gorgug.