8 ways to get into character before D&D

► Watch HEADLESS

► INDEX
0:00 Intro
1:00 Review your backstory
1:50 Use themed clothing or props
2:54 Answer some questions
3:54 Use a key phrase
4:45 Hashtag Sponsored!
6:36 Recap the last session
7:39 Change your body language
8:25 Reread your traits
9:16 Listen to music

Music from Epidemic Sound

► FIND ME ONLINE:

[HeyLizardLeigh]

True story: my spotify wrapped in 2020 specifically called me out for listening to this one particular song on monday evenings– it got THAT specific. And, well, yeah, that was my D&D character song that I... always listened to RIGHT before our weekly monday games!

[CrispysTavern]

Character builder questions are incredible. Not only do they get you into your character's head space but it can be a subtle form of development that helps to round out a PC. Small things like secret fears, pet peaves, favorite snacks, ETC. They seem small (because they are) but having those fine details go pretty far in making a PC feel like an actual other person that you're playing as.

[Flint_Inferno]

Another tip that follows number 2:

You can also use a specific set of dice for one character. Seeing as how the dice determines the fate of checks and the like, linking a set to one character helps feel like the situations happening in the session have weight to them, and YOU control their fate.

[sunderedpsyche]

Ginny is the only content creator who's sponsorships I don't skip. So much fun.

[bayobayoYT]

The "use a key phrase" tip reminds me of when I noticed how Travis would accidentally go more for a southern accent while voicing Chetney because of Sam and Laura's influences, so in order to go back to Chetney he shouted, "Fuck you, Santa!", and it's like it just sent a quick reboot hahahah

[vintagekaiju]

My token catchphrase for my last character was “They can try.” Usually said before an enemy attack of some kind, this phrase became my curse at the table as the enemies would often result in me getting hurt, charmed, or stunned.

[Outland]

We do our games above a Pub so a discussion over a pint about the previous weeks game, dice we've got, maps we've drawn etc is a great way to get into the D&D mindset.

[tessawidenhofer]

Oh yeah, the character playlist/theme song is absolute magic- although if you’re not careful, you’ll end up having to explain to someone why that totally normal song is making you tear up 😂

[ParadoxNerdHLM]

I always found theming what drink I started the session with was kind of helpful. Like, when playing as a Wizard I would have something theoretically calming, like tea. If I was playing as a Barbarian, I'd crack open an energy drink. I was playing, like, five different games at the time, and since they were often with the same people, just being able to take an idle sip of my drink and remind myself who I was pretending to be was really useful

[GrimmDelightsDice]

My warlock's keyphrase is "I will be okay, one day I will go home [to be with my patron]." and it is Hella edgy but man does it get his brain patterns in my head. He's alive because of his patron (a forgotten god who's gone the way of the eldritch beings following him being forgotten), so he has a lot of motivation to live and spread information about his patron, but he's also a devil may care character because he knows he has a comfortable place set out for him when he dies.

[IMightBeVanny]

#11 can also be interpreted as "Listen to music your character would like". If your Halfling Artificer likes "Barracuda" by Heart, then listen to it.

[Sporquill]

I literally have a dnd session in like 6 hours and no time to prepare, this is super helpful!

[JonarusDraconius]

Heh - My 'Character Quote' for my character in the Star-Wars game I'm in at the moment: "Damned Force Shenanigans!" (She's a non-force-user in a party with two force-users - She's an ex-ISB spy turned Fulcrum agent and sniper). She's also Corellian and 'owns' the parties ship.

[jqze]

For the prop thing, I usually use a specific flavor of gum. People associate idle activity and flavors to memories super strongly.

[mentalrebllion]

My most recent means of getting into character. Tea. I pick a specific tea for a specific character and only make and consume that during their game (or just before it). This is because our sense of taste (and smell) have very strong memory associations. And my god has it worked out! I definitely find it easier to switch into character for the two campaigns I do it for (chai black tea for one, and peppermint tea for another). I’ll probably expand into my other games to start doing so there too.

[sharkdentures]

I completely agree on the recap suggestion.
As a veteran DM, I would regularly start a game session like the start of an old TV show recapping the previous episode. Complete with a goofy announcer's voice, "When last we left our heroes they . . . . ", for an additional humorous touch.
It would serve to mildly amuse the table while reminding them WHERE the game was.

[carlpult]

My Paladins Character Phrase: "Worry not, I have a shovel and blessed gravesoil."

[davidjennings]

Also useful tips for a GM. I had a few key NPCs where I would do things like shift up my imaginary glasses as the party addressed the arch mage, sit back and cross my arms as they told the captain of the guard how, once again, they had averted just slightly less chaos than they caused or lean in excitedly as they told the tavern owner news of where they had been, letting him live vicariously through their adventures.

[williamfeliciano]

As somebody who loves these videos but plays Vampire the Masquerade, the question 'What did you have for breakfast?' became very interesting.

[glarak]

I love writing in Character letters to the parents of my character, with the in-character reason to make them worry less.
(Probably not the best thing to go in detail about an undead plagued city, a cult collecting sacrifices, a deal with Orcus or running after a Lich, but they don't get to chew him out for the stuff he's doing anyway)