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How to Play a Character & Other Essays
In ten essays discussing the ins and outs of role-playing a character, the present state of D&D, the aftershock of DM'ing a game and more, Alexis Smolensk uses his 35 years of experience running and playing the game to entertain and challenge the minds of role-players everywhere. Smolensk pulls apart the motivations behind there being multiple editions of the game, making and breaking camp in the adventure and the intricacies of wild magic, offering humour and inspiration as well. Called by some a mad scientist of RPG writing, and by others a ‘Quixotic bastard,’ Alexis Smolensk may be the most gonzo, over-the-top old school grognard that has ever run the game!
- GenresGamingRole Playing Games
114 pages, Paperback
First published May 18, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 2, 2024
El cerebro de este tipo es una cosa absolutamente sorprendente, y es muy interesante asomarse a sus obsesiones. Conozco poca gente que haya pensado tanto sobre jugar a rol como él.
Sólo el ensayo sobre por qué es importante mantener bien tu hoja de PJ y por qué el inventario tiene que ser geográfico vale la admisión del libro. O el ensayo sobre acampar. Cómo dar vida a tu PJ y ayudar al árbitro.
Sólo el ensayo sobre por qué es importante mantener bien tu hoja de PJ y por qué el inventario tiene que ser geográfico vale la admisión del libro. O el ensayo sobre acampar. Cómo dar vida a tu PJ y ayudar al árbitro.
May 3, 2015
I would highly recommend this read!Just re-read it.
As the title hints, this is a book of short essays on the world of RPGs. It is a wide sampling of the world of Smolensk from serious reflections to humorous sideways looks at role-playing games built from the authors long-term experience and love of RPGs. The author's style is informal compared to his other bookHow to Run: An Advanced Guid to Managing Role-Playing Gamesand is suitable for anyone with even the most basic familiarity with RPG's and a desire to examine them at a different level.
It can serve many purposes for the reader. If you wish to increase your ability to portray a character in game or are curious to enter the world of RPG's with some tricks up your sleeve this will help. The main essay: How to Play a Character provides many pointers and things to think about that will assist. If you love to think about and debate the playing of RPG's there is a ton of material here. Although it is mainly written from the POV of DnD, these are all ideas, musings and suggestions that can work for any RPG or LARP.
Some readers may disagree with Smolensk's POV or arguments. But, it does not undermine what he is attempting to do in these essays. The point being to start thinking about RPGs. Examining them, pull them apart a little and look inside, see how they work. And I am sure that he'd love to argue with your online on his blog if an interactive experience is what you need.
My favourite essay is the short story "Full of Holes". I don't want to spoil the plot for others, but he really does have a point. I would love to hear other's thoughts on this short story and how it applies to RPG's and even MMORPG's.
It is a fantastic pre-cursor, a warm-up if you will to How to Run: An Advanced Guid to Managing Role-Playing Games which is more specifically aimed at Dungeon/Game Masters.
Smolensk does not pull his punches which has earned him a loyal following, as well as, loyal Trolls. I would strongly recommend checking his non-fiction and essay collection out, even if just out of curiosity.
As the title hints, this is a book of short essays on the world of RPGs. It is a wide sampling of the world of Smolensk from serious reflections to humorous sideways looks at role-playing games built from the authors long-term experience and love of RPGs. The author's style is informal compared to his other bookHow to Run: An Advanced Guid to Managing Role-Playing Gamesand is suitable for anyone with even the most basic familiarity with RPG's and a desire to examine them at a different level.
It can serve many purposes for the reader. If you wish to increase your ability to portray a character in game or are curious to enter the world of RPG's with some tricks up your sleeve this will help. The main essay: How to Play a Character provides many pointers and things to think about that will assist. If you love to think about and debate the playing of RPG's there is a ton of material here. Although it is mainly written from the POV of DnD, these are all ideas, musings and suggestions that can work for any RPG or LARP.
Some readers may disagree with Smolensk's POV or arguments. But, it does not undermine what he is attempting to do in these essays. The point being to start thinking about RPGs. Examining them, pull them apart a little and look inside, see how they work. And I am sure that he'd love to argue with your online on his blog if an interactive experience is what you need.
My favourite essay is the short story "Full of Holes". I don't want to spoil the plot for others, but he really does have a point. I would love to hear other's thoughts on this short story and how it applies to RPG's and even MMORPG's.
It is a fantastic pre-cursor, a warm-up if you will to How to Run: An Advanced Guid to Managing Role-Playing Games which is more specifically aimed at Dungeon/Game Masters.
Smolensk does not pull his punches which has earned him a loyal following, as well as, loyal Trolls. I would strongly recommend checking his non-fiction and essay collection out, even if just out of curiosity.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews