How do YOU define roleplaying?

What is it that you think they should be doing that they're not?

You mentioned theatrics in the comments, and those can be fun, but role playing isn't just doing voices.  (Actually, voices and accents aren't role playing at all.  They're acting, which is a different thing entirely, but that's probably a discussion for another thread.)  I think most people prefer speaking in the first person, but that's not really a requirement either, though it might be a preference/guideline in your group. You mentioned doing things "in character," and that's an important part of role playing, but it goes beyond just talking. Role playing isn't even just the talky, tavern, downtime bits, though I do enjoy those a lot.  I think these really stick out to the people who came to D&D through shows and podcasts, because they're more obvious and memorable, but can do a lot of other things "in character" as well. It's not just the social pillar.  You can role play during exploration and combat as well.  Role playing is just when you have your character say or do something because of who they are. 

Some of these are going to be slight exaggerations to make it a bit more obvious, but does a character always scout an unknown area and listen at doors, or just walk on ahead?  Do they unlock doors or kick them down or let someone else unlock them because they're a dreams druid or archfey warlock and they never open doors uninvited?  

When combat starts, does a character stick to the plan or rage first and ask questions later?  If things don't go according to plan, do they panic?  Are they cool under fire?  Did they already forget that there even was a plan?  If the tank is getting clobbered does the wizard step in and risk taking a hit, or is meat shielding below their pay grade, and besides, they're concentrating on a spell?  Do they favor damage spells or buffs or control?  Is that because they do or don't like to be the one hurting people, or because they think their way is most efficient, or because they were raised to revere [giants, fey, a god, whatever].  Or do they maybe try to convince the enemy to lay down their arms?

When the fight is over, what are they doing?  Healing people?  On the lookout for more trouble?  Looting?  Looting what?  In a room with a treasure chest, a weapon rack, and a desk, what do they loot first?  Or do they stand as far as possible from everything that might be trapped and let the rogue deal with it?  

Do they happily take anything offered them and more (as a side note, be real careful with the "more" from a party cohesion standpoint) or do they share freely and happily accept an IOU as their share? Is it because they're generous and kind, or because they hoard favors?

The social pillar is important too, and I love it, don't get me wrong, but role playing doesn't stop there, or even really start there. Everything you have a character do can be role playing.

/r/dndnext Thread