Tourq’s Tipjar, #1

Do you bring more to the table than you take away? If you could assess yourself as a player, what would your grade be? Take the quiz and find out! For each question, make one selection, then add up your points. Good luck!

PLAYERS:

(1) When making a character, I make my racial and class selections based on:

• Character concept, mostly. (10 pts.)
• Needing to fill a certain role. (5 pts.)
• Best combination of bonuses. (0 pts.)

(2) Character Background:

• My character has a three-paragraph background, and is somehow linked to at least one other PC (10 pts.)
• My character has a three-page background. (7 pts.)
• My character’s background can be summed up in a couple of sentences. (3 pts.)
• My character does not have a background, or a name! (0 pts.)

(3) Character Concept:

• My character has a unique personality, one with good qualities and bad faults. I gave him some fun quirks and maybe an Achilles Heel. (10 pts.)
• My character is different from my last one, but I don’t really have too many ways to prove it. Aside from my background/race/class, I don’t have much that distinguishes him from any of my other characters. (5 pts.)
• My character is a collection of stats and powers, because I came here to kick ass and chew bubblegum, and I’m all out of bubblegum. (0 pts.)

(4) Character Compatibility:

• My character meshes well with the party, or at least he tries. (10 pts.)
• My character concept might be a problem, as he simply doesn’t fit in with the rest of the group (evil character in a group of good characters, etc.). (0 pts.)

(5) Taking care of the GM, since he spends time on preparation, and money on supplies:

• I make sure to bring extra food or sodas occasionally. (10 pts.)
• I make sure to thank the GM for running the game. (10 pts.)
• The GM spends too much time and money on our game. (0 pts.)

(6) Rules Lawyer:

• Fun before rules! (10 pts.)
• Hey, we should all be following the same rules. If I think the GM or another player does something incorrectly, I speak up. That way, everyone is on the same page. (9 pts.)
• If the GM uses a rule incorrectly, I call him on it. Players get a free pass. (0 pts.)

(7) Player Goal:

• My character has a story. I’d like to see it unfold, so I make the effort. (10 pts.)
• Hey, I’m just here to have fun. (5 pts.)
• Hey, I’m here to win.I don’t care about the story that the GM or other players are trying to tell. (0 pts.)

(8) Getting Into Character:

• As often as possible, I speak as if I were my character. (10 pts.)
• I’m no actor, but I make an effort. (5 pts.)
• Look, I just like rolling dice. (0 pts.)

(9) Am I a Hijacker?

• I don’t presume to know what’s best for another player character, or how certain events should unfold. I play my character, and my character alone. (10 pts.)
• When the GM glosses over a rule or situation, and I have already stated my disagreement, I’ll keep pushing it anyway. I don’t mind trying to take control away from the GM. (0 pts.)

(10) Where’s My Attention?

• I keep non-game topics to a minimum, and generally remain distraction-free. (10 pts.)
• I’m here to hang with friends; gaming is simply a bonus. So I’ll text people, surf the web, or carry on conversations while the game is in play. (0 pts.)

(11) Dependability:

• I’m usually there, on time, ready to rock and roll. (10 pts.)
• I’m usually there, but I’ll either be late or have to level-up my character. (5 pts.)
• Gaming is not my #1 priority. I miss a few game sessions because I simply choose to do other things. (0 pts.)

(12) Player Fiat:

• When our group rides into town, I tell the GM about my cousin, a blacksmith, who might help us out with a place to stay and some discounted supplies. Of course, I also state how he has had a chip on his shoulder ever since I rolled in the hay with his girl.(10 pts.)
• When our group rides into town, I ask the GM about finding a blacksmith. (5 pts.)
• Hey, I’m just along for the ride. (0 pts.)

(13) Spotlight

• I split from the group once in a while, and only if it will enhance the story. (10 pts.)
• Never split the group! (5pts.)
• There’s nothing wrong with splitting from the group for 20 minutes so that my character can rob the smithy. (0 pts.)

(14) Combat Flair

• I love rolling the die, and then roleplaying my attack action. I add flair to it so that, aside from game mechanics, my character fights with a certain style. (10 pts.)
• I like the tactical aspect of the game, playing up movement/flanking/etc. (5 pts.)
• “I rolled a 22. Did I hit?” (0 pts.)

(15) Metagaming?

• Even though I pretty much know everything, I play my character none-the-wiser. Nor do I try to stumble into information or an area on “accident,” so that I get to take part or gain the edge. After all, I’m not trying to “win” the game. (10 pts.)
• I prefer to have secret stuff spoken in a different room, so the rest of the group doesn’t know about it. (7 pts.)
• I try to ignore certain bits of information that my character wouldn’t know, but it’s hard! (3 pts.)
• Nah, I’m in it to win it. (0 pts.)

Add up your score and post your grade!

Total Points:

133 – 150: A Awesome to hear that you bring your A-game!

115 – 132: B

97 – 114: C

79 – 96: D

61 – 78: F

The writer of this article got a “C” on this quiz, but I think he cheated.

Next Up: Which Game Do You Bring? – GM Style