Any dnd sessions to demonstrate roleplaying for new players?

[Tyris1013]

Hello,

I'm leading 5e for my group, and while I'm always explaining how to roleplay with giving out examples, I don't think they're getting the hang of it.

It's that one thing, for me at least, that makes D&D shine opposed to that of just saying your action...

For example, I've had player saying "Ok, I cast my spell" -and I reply "Umm, that's all? Why not spice it up a bit by describing how you cast the spell?"

The following comes to mind: "I crush the material needed for the spell with my right hand, close my eyes and silently mutter words few understand while power slowly builds up to the point where I cast <spell> from my left hand."

Or something like that.

So I'm looking for some dnd video session you could recommend that would, let's say, inspire them to roleplay on their own, without me telling me how or when to do so :)

[Solusek]

These people (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ekugPKqFw) seem to have it down.

Seriously though, in my games we tend to focus more on out of combat roleplaying. In combat things tend to stay more mechanical for the sake of brevity, with maybe a bit of occasional flair thrown in.

[Daishain]

I wouldn't tend to encourage heavy RP in most combats. A particularly epic one sure, but most of the rest are better off being kept brief for the sake of doing stuff other than fighting.

[Rack]

I've no examples, I don't tend to watch or listen to rpg sessions but in terms of advice I'd say try playing some games of Wushu or Danger Patrol to flare up the imagination. Remember though people play RPGs for different reasons, if someone isn't comfortable narrating or adding fluff to their descriptions there's no point pushing the issue.

I'd also be wary of conservation of detail, in your example how they cast the spell probably isn't interesting enough to narrate. Start on the big stuff first and only go down as far as you think your players will be happy with. The more you go on about how "the bandit's sword rasps against its well worn scabbard making a screeching noise as he pulls it loose" the less enthusiasm you're likely to get out of players to narrate dramatic moments.

[Talderas]

So I'm looking for some dnd video session you could recommend that would, let's say, inspire them to roleplay on their own, without me telling me how or when to do so :)

Perhaps they don't want to roleplay.

[wrath]

If you are OK with the occasional cursing, then the Acquisitions Icorporated (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfS8QgUdeGYpErbmZ_JAeYBhpGOrPYV6N) live D&D sessions run by Chris Perkins for the Penny-Arcade guys and their friends are pretty good. Lots of table-talk, fun catch phrases, and interesting costumes even. If you are looking for something a little less aimed at public performance on a stage, and more like an actual game, the LoadingReadyRun team have a series called The Temple of the Lava Bears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asPwTthfJFk). Jer is a good DM, and the LRR crew are good players. There are 20 episodes and each is about an hour long.

[jazzymantis]

If you are OK with the occasional cursing, then the Acquisitions Icorporated (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfS8QgUdeGYpErbmZ_JAeYBhpGOrPYV6N) live D&D sessions run by Chris Perkins for the Penny-Arcade guys and their friends are pretty good. Lots of table-talk, fun catch phrases, and interesting costumes even. If you are looking for something a little less aimed at public performance on a stage, and more like an actual game, the LoadingReadyRun team have a series called The Temple of the Lava Bears (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asPwTthfJFk). Jer is a good DM, and the LRR crew are good players. There are 20 episodes and each is about an hour long.

2nded

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZWU5iPjQpI&index=1&list=PLQOB_yCwC5J2m1lKNxYQfwyAhp2MRihAb

These guys are awesome and each episode is less than 30 minutes, I feel like they exemplify how serious and light role-playing should be. It is also hilarious.

[archaeo]

For a more serious take on roleplaying, you might listen to a bit of Critical Hit (http://majorspoilers.com/critical-hit/), a long-running 4e podcast. The DM, Rodrigo Lopez, has a lot of really excellent ideas, the players all bring a lot of energy and panache to the table, and the entire thing is a lot of fun.

Naturally, at nearly 300 episodes, it's really hard to just jump in. I really enjoyed starting from the beginning and listening to the whole thing over the past few years, but if you're just looking to share examples of good roleplaying, I would suggest listening to an off-season adventure, Paladins and Dinosaurs, which begins here (http://majorspoilers.com/2012/03/03/critical-hit-137-paladins-and-dinosaurs-part-1/). It's relatively self-contained and it starts off with a ton of really solid roleplaying.

[Blackjackg]

It seems unlikely to me that your players don't understand the concept of vivid description. Much more likely is that they either have a hard time coming up with stuff on the fly, or else they just don't feel like it. In either of the latter two cases, trying to drag descriptive roleplaying out of them all the time is just going to create a frustrating experience for all of you.

Watching videos of strangers roleplaying well doesn't seem like a particularly effective way to inspire your players in the moment-- It's as likely to make them feel discouraged as to encourage them. Assuming you can even get them to sit through it. In-the-moment, at-the-table interventions are really your best bet for eliciting the kind of play you want to see. As the DM, you can always lead by example, giving rich and engaging descriptions of what is happening around the characters in the hopes that it will inspire the players to interact with your description.

Or, if they respond better to mechanical incentives, you could try instituting a system like Exalted or Scion's stunting: When a player offers a rich, original description of their character's action, they get a bonus or even Advantage on the associated roll. 5e is already halfway there with the Inspiration mechanic.

Alternatively, you could try to game the way they want to-- find out what they DO like about the game, and engage them in that. Or, you could leave them to their dice-rolling and find another group who is more interested in playing the game the way you like.

Good luck!