Roleplayer Shifts Into Combat Mode

“I have a very complex character with a rich history that shapes how they see the world and the decisions they make. But you can’t expect me to keep that up during combat."

Self-described roleplayer, Aaron Sundersmyte, suddenly shifted into combat mode earlier today when his gaming group was ambushed by a horde of goblins. The change, as described by fellow gamers, was almost as if he was playing two different characters. “It’s pretty simple,” Sundersmyte told The Dungeon Tribune. “I have a very complex character with a rich history that shapes how they see the world and the decisions they make. But you can’t expect me to keep that up during combat. I need to do the most damage possible!”

“The shift” is one that his fellow players are all too familiar with. “He’s always talking about being true to the character and their unique perspective,” says fellow gamer Grace Addinglite. “But as soon as we role initiative his character becomes some sort of damage optimization machine.” Addinglite isn’t the only one at the table to find the dynamic odd. “I can understand him continuing to fight, even though his best friend was making death saving throws,” says the group’s dungeon master, Guy Weatherbeat. “But after having a 45 minute scene about how close they are last session, I would think he would at least help him before looting the monsters.”

For others at the table, it isn’t so much the dissonance between in and out of combat, but feelings of hypocrisy that upset them the most. “He’s always saying we should roleplay more, but I think for him that just means doing a silly voice,” says Erin Housel. “Meanwhile his character refuses to take any spells that don’t do damage.” Recent addition to the group, Geoff Prump, echoes the sentiments. “He told me once that not everything has to be combat, and suggested I should watch him when he interacts with NPCs to learn how to roleplay,” says Prump. “That was right before a social interaction where he attacked a town guard out of frustration.”

Sundersmyte himself doesn’t see anything wrong with his play style. “What do they expect me to do? Forego doing massive damage using a cool spell and instead use combat as a chance to show my character’s true self under heightened pressure where actions have more weight and meaning?”