Good Player/Great Player

[Norik Armel]

Alot of people equate great player to great in combat, and it's just not true. EFU is a hard combat server so pvp builds or combat builds just tend to last longer.  However I have some seen some very good, weaker builds that rp to top quality.
 
Involving people is key, and that is not always beating them up. Laeris tries to invite others on her quests. Norik is always inviting some new face on a adventure into glorious battle. Nimawyn is always chatting with someone. Draig is always making a ridiculous sending. Just to name a few pcs I know. Evil pcs are just evil, they always exsist.
 
The key to being great is not being strong, popular, in my view the key is to have fun. If you do, and I see that fun in your character, that's someone great, and that's someone I want to adventure with.

[TheWastesAreFrozen]

It can easily seem like that but you need to look at it from another perspective. Most of those players are in pursuit of some grand goal that has been made known. This goal, the multiple goals, cause conflict because obviously some people will be opposed to them. Others will be drawn to them because the goal may be something to help their own character along in their personal goals as well.

Multiply this effect by however many characters are in game trying to achieve something big and you get a real big mess of conflict, pvp, plots and schemes that make for an all around interesting atmosphere.

You'll also find that most of these characters are playing their stats pretty well. Some have low wisdom and do rash things if they're forced to make quick decisions, some may just make dumb decisions or not hold leadership and charismatic skill. Even the big barbarians you say are min/max are typically playing their stats well.

As for the main post, being proactive towards goals is probably the most major thing I see that makes a difference. It involves people, creates a fun environment and opens up plots for everyone in one step. Pursue your goals and accept your deaths when they fail, that's the life of the game.

[TomBanana]

I also try to learn this 'involving magic' from pcs that are clearly application ones. Ones with PRCs or special races. In my understanding, those are supposed to be involving others, otherwise their apps wouldn't get passed. Haven't learned much so far. I guess I should just pay more attention, or be more willing to 'get involved'.

[Lythaniel]

The makings of a great roleplayer.

To define what a great rolerplayer would be would obviously be different in the eyes of each individual.  Here is what I would call someone who would be a great roleplayer.

Contribute – They must truly contribute to the community as a whole.  This can be ways of both good and bad.  Whether you are playing a true arch villain or a would be hero   This however does not include PC’s that merely are ‘evil’ to be evil.  A great villain is someone who, in my opinion, plots and plots, giving good guys a victory here and there and leads them down the wrong path and crushes their hopes and dreams.  It is not a pc that causes random acts of violence and kills pc’s because they can merely because “I’m strong and I’m evil, now you die’

The reverse goes for ‘good’ guys whom instantly attack someone who is ‘evil’ merely because they have an alignment of ‘evil’ on their character sheet.

Metagaming – Great roleplayers rarely metagame.  They know how to distinguish what they know from one character to the next and as such rarely would be ‘the son of a lost god” or “have the powers of invincibility.”

Emoting – Great roleplayers emote. To me, this is perhaps one of the most important parts of roleplay that many people seem rarely to care about.  This single thing helps to set the move of the char as well as give a feeling to others about the figures mannerism’s, looks, attitude, life…its what brings depth to a character.  Often times I feel that players tend to overlook this aspect and keeps things rather simple with a [nods] [coughs] [shakes head].  I always enjoy seeing things like, [*character* leans over and whispers into *character2’s* ear, letting their right hand come to rest on *character2’s* shoulder as his gaze flickers to the dwarf before the two of them.]  Rather than [whispers while looking at the dwarf].  They say the same thing but the first example is far richer and more engaging.

Impact on the world – Great roleplayers will make an impact on the world in some fashion.  This does not mean you need to be the leader of an army or a noble.  This means that you have to, at least in some fashion, further the plot of the server.  You could be the leader of the Colonial guard or a Lone ranger.  The second option is obviously much harder and would require more dm intervention but it is still possible.  As a lone character, ranger imparticular, you can accomplish this by doing, say, Hunting Orc’s solo, and taking out small raiding parties and scouting parties.  This is where the boards are effective so that the DM’s are aware of what it is you are doing.  Writing posts for individuals who like to solo and play loner characters is the best way for  said character to get noticed by the dm’s when they are handling the much larger groups.  However, never over exaggerate.  “I killed 200 orcs over the past two days, they are all now dead and yet never hunted me down”  In this event, expect to be hunted by those you kill. “Rumors have spread of an individual shrouded in a cloak the color of an oak tree that blends into the wild.  This character has been seen as an ally to the Ziggurat by slaying the monsterous orc beasts and appears that the orc’s themselves now hunt the hunter.”

Be Open minded – What I mean by this is you have to have the ability to think on your feet.  Things will never go completely as planned, however the great RPers out there will understand that this happens, roll with it and think of something more creative.

Involving others – I do not believe that this in and of itself makes a great roleplayer.  I have seen a number of players involving others to do quests and raids and whatever else.  Involving new players is great and very helpful but thus far, the best bouts of RP I have come across on this server, mind you I haven’t played here very long, have been speaking with/rping with individuals, not out hunting or questing.

Whew….thats a lot and I could keep going, but that are some of the more major points I look at.

[morva]

Morva is an Elite player.

[erglion]

A great player can make something out of nothing with the help of other players and little DM help.

I agree and would even say little to no DM help.  Otherwise, I admire players that RP with a passion that gives the character life, depth, and that keeps me on my toes. A great player challenges me to portray my own character in new ways or tough situations.

[Noob]

...

I'm a teddy bear I guess, I'm pretty content with other players as long as they're not running around all 'how mine for fish!?' or whatever - trying is whats important to me, and I can overlook a great deal as long as folks make an effort.

Consequently, considering the above, my idea of a "great player" is one that can roll with the punches ic and still keep a smile up - willing to lose as gracefully as they win; Being able to laugh off personal or party failures, or looking at the bright side all score high marks with me.

There is always the matter of consideration, obviously in any character versus character setting players are going to end up doing horrible things to each others concepts - taking a moment and considering that the toon you're about to do away with is likely as developed as yours, with a personality and goals, and a influence on others rp enjoyment, before you act seems good form. I'm not saying full death should be overly avoided, but I'd probably say theres ample NPC's to make examples of and most of the time a long standing vendetta over a duelling scar left in a previous fight, and jazz like that have more of an impact over long standing rp than ganking someone and tossing them in the water.

To me a great player of a Villain? Can be villainous without standing on a heap of dead PC's, and much the same for the Heroic types as well. All matter of opinion of course :-D

[Letsplayforfun]

@Tombanana: your comment about 'involving others' is somwhat true, but think of it this way:

If you 'involve others' to chat your life away around an inn table, or even to explore the isle, or simply to quest regularly, it doesn't actually add a story to the server (although it's 'involving', it's fun, it adds atmosphere, etc.).

EfU is an action/ pvp server, not a sim-city server, so in the end, RP and involvement should probably lead to conflict. 'Involving others' means bringing together a group that at some point will hostile another group. 'RP' as much as you like, but in the end, conflict is the key.

You can also log on and quest or chat or whatever suits you. It's just not those things that'll draw DM attention, if that's what you're after.

[Gippy]

I think a good player can entertain himself while no DM is around, and a great player entertains himself and others while working towards an interesting story.

[Damien]

A great player involves multiple people even randomers, end of.

None of this entertains himself and friends crap, you can do that with a quest.

[chrijone]

Great Thug pc has to be Pitbull Imo.. :( Rip ye crazy nutta.. but yes I am with Gippy on his comment! So it hath been spaken by the Great Chrijone!

[Fliggin McButton]

ok I think the ones with constructive input have had their say, please lock this before the trolls and one-liners get it.