A Dungeons & Dragons Group Uses a Warm-Up Routine to Dive Deeper Into Roleplay—Here's How It Can Make You a Better Player Too
How a Simple Warm-Up Transforms Dungeons & Dragons Roleplay Forever
The streaming group Bards of New York—much like Critical Role—is a troupe of actors and artists who broadcast their D&D campaigns live for their fans. With their creative backgrounds, they place a strong emphasis on collaborative roleplay, rich storytelling, and the "found family" dynamics of the characters they portray.
To help them slip more easily into their roles at the start of each session, they've introduced a kind of "roleplay warm-up," as they call it. One player poses a question about their character, and everyone takes turns answering. This doesn't just help them ease into their roles at the beginning of a session—it also adds depth to their heroes, revealing small traits that might otherwise go unnoticed and giving fellow players a glimpse into their characters' inner emotional worlds.
A question like "What is the object of greatest sentimental value that your character owns—or once owned?" is just one of many examples that instantly shift players into their characters' mindsets. It's a method that can inspire not just the Bards of New York but anyD&D group—yours included. And the good news? They've already compiled plenty of material to get you started.
Character Development Can Happen Through Deep—or Silly—Questions
Over the course of their streams, the Bards of New York have used a wide range of questions that you can adapt for your own games to deepen your characters and kickstart your roleplay. Even if your group isn't heavily focused on collaborative storytelling, these prompts can help you flesh out your character's personality.
Here are a few examples you can use right away—some serious, some playful:
- What does your character smell like?
- What did your character want to be when they were a child?
- Tell a joke from your character's perspective.
- Which of the seven deadly sins does your character embody the most?
- How does your character express love, and how do they experience it?
- Is your character jealous of someone else in the party? If so, what fuels that jealousy?
- What's your character's morning routine?
- What trait or flaw does your character fear being accused of the most?
- If your character got a tattoo, what would it be, and where would they put it?
- Name one thing your character admires about each of the other characters at the table.
You'll find even more questions on the Bards of New York's official Fandom page—far too many to list here—but it's a great resource for further inspiration.
The Appeal of Roleplay
Beyond the more mechanical aspects of Dungeons & Dragons—like choosing a race and class, leveling up, and combat—many players want to improve their roleplay but struggle to make it feel natural.
For newcomers, a touch of self-consciousness can stifle the liberating back-and-forth that makes great roleplay so immersive. And while epic battles are thrilling, it's often the quiet, character-driven moments that stick with me long after the session ends.
The Bards of New York's warm-up routine can help even seasoned roleplayers shake off the rust and step back into their characters' shoes. Do you have a method that helps you roleplay better? Share it in the comments—we'd love to hear!
If you're looking for more tips to get started with Dungeons & Dragons, we've got you covered here at MeinMMO. Our editor Caro has been playing for two years now and recently reflected on the gear she bought when she first started—check out: 7 Things I Bought for My First D&D Game—and Which Ones I Actually Use After 2 Years.
