TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM
One thing I've noticed that veteran roleplayers [especially those who play chat-based games] hate, is being told that they aren't good at it. And they hate it even more when you show them someone who is. Especially if that someone is a newbie. Most veterans subscribe to the idea that experience equals quality, and that just isn't so. HOPEFULLY experience makes you a better roleplayer, but not always.
So lets examine the encounter with Mr. Devil and Mr. Newguy from the last column. Suppose Mr. Newguy had listened to Mr. Devil for a while, and learned about the holy water thing. Or, perhaps he noticed that Mr. Devil has all sorts of claws and muscles and similar dangerous things, and decided to use a distance attack. Or, and this one is my favourite, perhaps Mr. Newguy would actually talk his way out of combat. He would talk fast and he would think fast, because he isn't stupid, and he knows that claws and muscles can get him hurt. All of that [mostly the last bit, though] is good roleplaying. It's paying attention, and acting accordingly.
So how do veteran roleplayers deal with some newbie who out-plays them? Generally they grumble about god-moding and wander away, the same way they deal with bad luck. And what should they do? They should take the hit that they were given, they should take one for the team.
The same thing can once in a while be applied to "sloppy" roleplaying. Suppose someone hasn't done their homework, and has his character do something impossible, or at least wildly improbable. Before jumping down his throat and making him choose another action, or kicking his ass, his fellow roleplayers should consider the following: does it advance the story? is it exciting? does it enhance everybody's enjoyment of the game? If you can answer yes to any of these questions, then the other players should seriously consider allowing the character to get away with the action. It falls under the "taking one for the team" principle. Just remember, though, not ALL such actions should be allowed. Just use good judgement.
And don't be so damned picky all the time. It's bad roleplaying.
-fish sauce
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