QQ&A: Dealing with attention hogs
D&D groups are collections of people.
By definition, that means things can get messy.
There’s going to be some tension there. Ideally, the tension is a good thing, coming from the different styles of players and play.
But what if one player overshadows the others?
What if one player is always the first to speak, the first to act and the last to listen?
Then, as a GM, you have a few things you can do.
The first - and most important - is to figure out of that’s even a problem. Not everyone goes for boisterous plays. Many players prefer to sit back and watch the antics.
Having one loudmouthed dramatist can be great, just as having one murder hobo, one strategist and one roleplayer at your table can be great. Everyone shines in different ways, so no one outshines anyone else.
Let’s say you decide this is, in fact, something that needs addressing.
As the GM, you have countless tools in your pocket. If one player keeps stealing the spotlight, then be smart about where you point it.
Have a social encounter based around one of the other PCs. Focus on their race, class or backstory. Make them the natural focal point of the encounter, letting the others act as supporting characters.
Languages are great for this. If the centre of attention can only speak Common and Elvish, then - oh no - the writing on the wall or the lost merchant only speaks Dwarvish.
Put trinkets, clues and switches in places only the other PCs can go. This is great advice generally - if one PC can swim, another can climb walls and another can walk through fire unharmed, then give them all chances to show those abilities off.
Finally, you might have to have a conversation with the attention hog. This will require some tact - after all, you’re complaining that they’re too engaged in your campaigns. You’ll want them to dial it back a smidge, without extinguishing that enthusiasm.
Having the difficult conversations could be its own article - even its own series - so I’ll leave it there.
On the topic of difficult conversations… you think expressing concerns with a fellow human is awkward? How would you communicate with squids made of fire from a trans-galactic theocracy dedicated to preserving ancient lore?
The first step would be to learn not just how they think but why they think that way.
Getting into exotic heads is what Call of the Gods is all about. Whether you’re a GM or a writer, if you want unusual aliens and exotic fae, without making them too similar or too human, then you’ll want to read this: