This person deserves their own article. I say this because this is the person you love and hate at the same time. They usually aren’t bad people; they’re usually the go-to person you invite to your games. You might be one without really realizing what you’re doing. 

So, the Bogart. I am always between loving and hating mine. He’s been my friend since I was small, he was the first guy I invited when I got real about running games, and he’s the guy I bounce game ideas off. He’s always great at character creation (he has so far made at least two cults in-game) and always eager to learn more about running the game himself. 

Now that I’ve sung his praises, here’s why he’s a jackass. Every time I run a game with him in it, I’m always worried about the other players. He’s a very eager combat, role, and strategy player. This makes him a bit of a concern because his immediate reaction is to take control of the table and the characters involved. Any communication with NPCs or planning for encounters, his word is first and final. It isn’t something deliberate, but the Bogart acts as discouragement for newer or weaker players. 

There is something to love about this guy, though. He is always eager to play, and always puts the effort in. He loves playing games, and he loves being a character. 

Now, this is kind of a hard one to deal with. The Bogarts aren’t a bad thing all the time; they can be a huge benefit to the game, especially if you need a second hand to run it. If you handle them right, you can use them as encouragement instead of discouragement to the players. Talk to them about getting the other players involved in the game. 

Now, this is kind of a hard one to deal with. The Bogarts aren’t a bad thing all the time; they can be a huge benefit to the game, especially if you need a second hand to run it. If you handle them right, you can use them as encouragement instead of discouragement to the players. Talk to them about getting the other players involved in the game. 

Here’s what you want to do with these guys: talk them into becoming the Co-Game Master. At the table, have them working with the other players, encouraging them to act, or think, or play better. Have them bring out the best in the rest of the players, get them talking in-character, or helping plan for encounters. 

If you are smart about their use, you can turn them into a great boon for your games. The Bogart is easy to love, and hate, like I said, but your life is better if you let them worm their way into your good books.  

Photo Credit: Harry Fodor                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Video Credit: Jimmy Merrit                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

MICHAEL HOULE

Michael Houle is an insatiable reader, writer, gamer, and musician, and a critic of everything written, programmed, and performed. He is currently in the process of destroying his enjoyment of everything. Michael has been running tabletop games for years, starting in his freshmen year of high school to the present.

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