What constitutes a top-notch D&D player?

[gloriousbattle]

Or roleplayer of any system, for that matter?

My suggestions:

1. Someone who knows the rules really well.

2. Someone who can win at tournaments, or otherwise accomplish the most with his character.

3. Someone who is enthusiastic, regardless of his playing skill.

4. Someone who is a good problem solver and lateral thinker.

5. Someone who excells at getting into character.

6. Someone who always buys the pizza.

For me, I go with enthusiasm, if I can have only one quality, though I do like to see a good lateral thinker, even if he frustrates me by foiling the plot of my dungeon.

[foxroe]

IMO, it requires a top-notch DM, in which case, my answer is (4).

Now, that's not to say that your other options are to be ignored. I believe a good group of players is made up of all or many of the choices you cited (especially the pizza part ).

[darkling]

I like to see 3-5 in my games.

I think 1 isn't really vital because that is what the referee is there for. I prefer it when my players talk about what their characters do abstractly and I can come up with a ruling. Cause rules don't cover everything after all.

2 is nice. But I care less about what any given character can do than what the group can do as a whole.

[rleduc]

Someone who has fun and helps those around them to have fun. Even if they fall in to every pit trap along the way.

[Azafuse]

IMHO all these things are usually good, if not stressed to an excess.

(1) can degenerate into a rule-lawyer
(2) can degenerate into a munchkin
(3) can become frustrating
(4) can steal the spot too much
(5) can react badly, if his/her character dies

In few words, being a bit of all ("jack of all trades, master of none") could IMHO make the game less plain.

[kenmeister]

Someone who is consistently enthusiastic and engaged in the fictional world we are exploring in. One of my gripes about 3E play is that because players get so into their builds, they don't really pay attention to the adventure. They just look for those moments when they can use their cool powers.

[Sean Michael Kelly]

I like having players that get engaged, play along with their party, try to think like their PC's, and have generally good table manners while having fun.

I don't like players that get distracted by their own "rule chases" while others are trying to play; people texting and/or using cell phones during games; those that don't pay attention in general and always need to be "caught-up" during their turn; side-bar conversations unrelated to game play; players that like to toss dice like there was an advantageous rule regarding distance or distraction level while throwing dice.

[havard]

For me a good player has more to do with how he interracts with the other players. A good player makes sure everyone has fun, responds to cues from the DM and who lets his fellow players be awesome in his company.

[gloriousbattle]

Sept 10, 2011 4:11:10 GMT -6 Azafuse said:

IMHO all these things are usually good, if not stressed to an excess.

(1) can degenerate into a rule-lawyer
(2) can degenerate into a munchkin
(3) can become frustrating
(4) can steal the spot too much
(5) can react badly, if his/her character dies

In few words, being a bit of all ("jack of all trades, master of none") could IMHO make the game less plain.

I notice, however, that you seem to have no problems with an excess of 6.

[gloriousbattle]

Sept 10, 2011 6:13:17 GMT -6 kenmeister said:

Someone who is consistently enthusiastic and engaged in the fictional world we are exploring in. One of my gripes about 3E play is that because players get so into their builds, they don't really pay attention to the adventure. They just look for those moments when they can use their cool powers.

I tend to agree, people tend to think that 0e was much more simplistic, but it really wasn't, it was just broader in scope. There weren't as many combat or character generation rules, but there was so much you could do as far as exploring the world, warring in the world, ruling the world, politicking in the world, interacting with others in the world, etc.

[Deleted]

A top notch D&D player is someone who, in no particular order, is

1) Someone who is there to have fun, and to help others have fun.
2) Someone who thinks and can figure things out
3) Someone who knows how to weigh and take risks -- neither a turtle nor "We're the Player Characters! Charge!"
4) Someone who appreciates that the point of the game is to explore the world, not to have a plotline spread out before them to traipse along.
5) Someone who is a team player.
6) Someone who brings beer.

[foxroe]

Sept 10, 2011 9:44:44 GMT -6 @gronanofsimmerya said:

A top notch D&D player is someone who, in no particular order, is

1) Someone who is there to have fun, and to help others have fun.
2) Someone who thinks and can figure things out
3) Someone who knows how to weigh and take risks -- neither a turtle nor "We're the Player Characters! Charge!"
4) Someone who appreciates that the point of the game is to explore the world, not to have a plotline spread out before them to traipse along.
5) Someone who is a team player.
6) Someone who brings beer.

Hmmm. That's a much better definition. Especially when combined with #6 from the original post. ;D

[gloriousbattle]

Sept 10, 2011 11:20:48 GMT -6 foxroe said:

Sept 10, 2011 9:44:44 GMT -6 @gronanofsimmerya said:

A top notch D&D player is someone who, in no particular order, is

1) Someone who is there to have fun, and to help others have fun.
2) Someone who thinks and can figure things out
3) Someone who knows how to weigh and take risks -- neither a turtle nor "We're the Player Characters! Charge!"
4) Someone who appreciates that the point of the game is to explore the world, not to have a plotline spread out before them to traipse along.
5) Someone who is a team player.
6) Someone who brings beer.

Hmmm. That's a much better definition. Especially when combined with #6 from the original post. ;D

I can accept that.

[DungeonDevil]

1) an agent.
2) a manager.
3) a publicist.
4) corporate endorsement deals.
5) his/her own fragrance.
6) his/her own reality show on basic cable.

I don't ask for much.

[foxroe]

Sept 10, 2011 12:32:47 GMT -6 DungeonDevil said:

1) an agent.
2) a manager.
3) a publicist.
4) corporate endorsement deals.
5) his/her own fragrance.
6) his/her own reality show on basic cable.

I don't ask for much.

The original post said "player", not "playa." Sheesh.

[Azafuse]

Sept 10, 2011 8:42:10 GMT -6 gloriousbattle said:

I notice, however, that you seem to have no problems with an excess of 6.

Maybe my heart could disagree about that.

BTW you've forgotten (7): someone coming with a 18+ busty girl. ;D

[gloriousbattle]

Sept 10, 2011 14:06:24 GMT -6 Azafuse said:

Sept 10, 2011 8:42:10 GMT -6 gloriousbattle said:

I notice, however, that you seem to have no problems with an excess of 6.

Maybe my heart could disagree about that.

BTW you've forgotten (7): someone coming with a 18+ busty girl. ;D

That does help. ;D