I did not find that role playing improved my IRL social skills.
The creative thinking, storytelling and people skills you practice from playing DnD with friends will serve you far better in the apocalypse than a stocked bunker irrespective of how long you survive
Submitted 1 week ago by supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz to showerthoughts@lemmy.world
Comments
sxan@midwest.social 1 week ago
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
I am sorry but unless you had an awful time and quit immediately that is essentially impossible.
sxan@midwest.social 1 week ago
Not only did I play AD&D from 12-18, I also played a lot of Traveler, a bit of Runequest and Cyberpunk, and a smattering of other games like Phoenix Command. And I’ll say that my observation is that not only did it not improve my social skills, it didn’t measurable improve those in the various friend groups, some of whom, 40 years later and still gaming, are just about as awkward as when they were in high school.
It’s because it’s fantasy, and the reactions you get from NPCs is what the DM comes up with; they’re not real people, they’re all one person. The gamers in your group could be just as socially awkward as you; all you’re going to learn from them is how to interact with other socially awkward people.
Now, if your party consists of a bunch of extrovert players, you could learn from them. But IME gaming only made things worse: it exacerbated the inside joke, us-vs-the-jocks, we’re skater because we play intellectually stimulating games mentality that contributes to social awkwardness.
Building an echo chamber of friends, most likely much like you in headspace, doesn’t expand your ability to be socially fluid.
You ever been to a convention? There are some really great outgoing people are those. There are also a large number of folks who are just plain fucking awkward. I was one of them.
You know what guaranteed helps with social skills? The military. Enforced, constant interaction with a bunch of people of all personality types that you don’t get to choose.
I am pro-gaming. I think it’s a great pursuit. It might even help improve your basic math skills, but I don’t think it cures cancer, and I don’t think it at all helps with improving general social skills.
gedaliyah@lemmy.world 1 week ago
XeroxCool@lemmy.world 1 week ago
“head into town and get supplies from the warehouse”
meanders into town
Shit, alright, uh, the quest was… Talk to… I don’t know, are there any cats around? I guess I’ll ask the Wanderer their life story. Maybe they’ll have a clue for me.
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
me stalking you to figure out your secret safe path to hidden unlooted warehouse and then kill you and steal your plan
cool cool wait this person already walked around this block three times…
… wait they know someone is following them don’t they, THEY ARE TAUNTING ME INTO A TRAP!!!
runs away
you finally remember your goal YOU NEEDED to accomplish today was go to your secret stash and you stop collecting flowers and finally go
spankmonkey@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Being a DM taught me to think on my feet, but to make sure to only say what I am confident in so it doesn’t bite me in the ass later. I learned to manage my ADHD compulsive blurting out everything that comes to mind so players can be the focus, and to consider complex and unexpected situations.
Also learned not to focus on blame along with being able to admit mistakes.
ogmios@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
We must play with different crowds.
rc__buggy@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
OP is going to be the wandering minstrel NPC that The Party sees getting disemboweled by the BBEG when they show up to OP’s town gate
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
“I said I was a newt, I got b—”
Doom@ttrpg.network 1 week ago
The whole hiding in a bunker nonsense will never work
Almacca@aussie.zone 1 week ago
I’m not planning on surviving any apocalypses.
bathing_in_bismuth@sh.itjust.works 1 week ago
Or both.
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 1 week ago
Side note: I’ve been told that recruiters for investment firms like candidates who play MtG because it encourages lateral thinking.
Kolanaki@pawb.social 1 week ago
pack of armed raiders attacks me in the middle of the night
Me: “LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT! LIGHTNING BOLT! MAGIC MISSILE! LIGHTNING BOLT!”
supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 week ago
raiders fail to catch you from laughing, bard attack is very effective!
xavier666@lemm.ee 1 week ago
Shit, i gave my weapons to the blacksmith for an upgrade which I’ll get tomorrow.
umm…let’s try to go for a seduction with nat 20