What Is Player Agency?
If you’re new to running a game you may or may not have heard of such a thing. Player Agency is actions the player makes themselves. 99% of the time, the DM must let the players describe their own actions. Not only does this improve engagement, it lets the player know that their choice matters.
As a DM you don’t have to describe all the things someone does, because at that point you are telling a solo story. This is something that beginner DMs must learn,because if you force a player to take an action they don’t want to do, it feels like you’re taking away their ability to play or may feel like you are bullying them. Under certain circumstances you can dictate how a player acts.
When To Take Control Of A Character:
As I’ve said previously, you want to avoid telling a PC (player character) how they act. One exception is if the player gets charmed by an enemy then you can control the character according to the rules placed by said spell or ability. Even then, be considerate of the players and don’t make them do something they are uncomfortable with, because that will break the trust of your players instantly.
Sometimes during combat, you can spice up how a player attacks an enemy. They will give you an example, “I aim for the bandits right arm.” This doesn’t guarantee that the attack will hit that spot, but if they roll well enough you can say, “You thrust forward with your dagger. The bandit tries to dodge out of the way but your dagger leaves a large gash along the bandit’s right arm.”
If you have a newer player that is unsure what to do, you can suggest some examples of actions they can do, but it is still up to them if they want to perform that action.
The last way a DM can take control of the action is during cinematic moments to keep the action flowing. In this case, we will say the PCs are chasing after the villain that stole an artifact from the players. After all the dice have been rolled and everyone has given their input you can describe the ending of the chase scene. “The thief runs through a crowded marketplace. They knock over barrels and stalls trying to evade your chase. You easily dodge everything and keep pace with the thief. The thief then cuts through what he thinks is an empty stall only to get captured by the angry merchant. You slow to a stop and take a moment to catch your breath while the merchant demands an explanation.”
Putting It All together:
In any rp, a player’s choices matter. They want to have a voice and if you take away those choices, you take away one of the fundamental things that makes RP fun. Player Agency works the same among other players.
Everyone is responsible for how their own players act and they can’t say how other party members respond. Make sure everyone gets a turn and let them choose their own actions, and make sure nothing ever feels forced.
I’m a published author that has written various stories over the span of about 25 years. I’ve also been playing TTRPGs for just as long, if not longer. I am currently DMing a campaign thats been going for about 5 years and still going.
