Bravo Players in Your Campaign: Let the Wookie Win

A Bravo character likes to keep things cool.

The Bravo is a player type who wants to do everything with style. They might enjoy anything from an elite class of paladin to a beautiful and elegant princess, but they always want to feel like they are competent and cool. They can bring a lot of energy to the game table with their impulse to keep things exciting and dynamic. But they can also be easily discouraged by failure, so it is important to help them to understand that victories and losses are just part of a fun and compelling game.

The first step in bringing about this understanding is to make sure that you let this kind of player feel effective even when things don't go according to plan. Even when critical failures occur, you shouldn't make this kind of player feel foolish or ashamed of their bad roll. Instead, point out circumstances and conditions that might have caused this misfortune. Let them feel heroic as they face challenges and obstacles. Their barbarian didn't fall on his face wen he rolled a one, he was blindsided by a ninja's nimble dodge, or the power of his attack carried him all the way into the opposite wall! Sometimes a failure can be as impressive and cool as a success, like when a fireball wreaks havoc with collateral damage. As long as the player feels like they are a force to be reckoned with, they shouldn't mind the occasional setback.

Bravos benefit most from vivid description of their character's actions. Take a moment every now and then to describe how they dramatically burst into a room. Give them opportunities to throw out witty one-liners before striking down a foe. Include NPCs to admire their reputation and skill, and reference their past victories as they press onward.

Bravo players don't look at explosions.

In fact, a good way to satisfy a Bravo player is to let them describe their own actions. Bravos will enjoy acting out the sweep of their blade, or the magic words they spout as they smite their enemy. You may have to reign in their evocative descriptions to keep them plausible within your own setting ("No, you can't run up the wall while spin-kicking the goblin") but they will appreciate the privilege of building their own scene in which they are the star of an action-packed moment. These tips are true for all players, but it is especially important when it comes to this particular player type. At the end of the day, your players' enjoyment of the game is what is most important. And what the Bravo enjoys is being awesome!