There are several different kinds of role playing games. There are massive multiplayer online role playing games (MMORPGs), online role playing games in chat rooms, LARPing (live action role playing), paper and dice games, to name a few. In this article, we’ll talk about how to incorrectly play paper and dice games (RPGs).

Contrary to what many believe, there are several more PRGs than just Dungeons and Dragons. Not only that, but they all have their own set of system rules. But for the purpose of out discussion, I’ll be talking about the universal role playing rules that apply to all of them.

You won’t find rules for playing a role in any of the RPGs. Here are the rules that everyone knows (or should know) but aren’t really written anywhere. If you’re a gamer, you’ll understand if you keep reading.

1. There will be no cheating players. Your character sheet must be filled out correctly. Your dice may not be “loaded” or shaved, and they must not be “cheater dice.”
2. No dictators! Other peoples’ characters are to be played by their respective owners. Your character will be the only one that you worry about.
3. There will be no powergaming players. Your character is not a combination of the best stats. His personality, quirks, attitudes, and morals should take center stage; not his attack bonus.
4. There will be no metagamers. Do not get confused about where the line is between you and your character. You will know everything that he knows, but he will not know everything that you know.
5. No godmoders! A godmoder is the worst of them all. He feels it is his right to use any and all of the above cheat methods to win, because to him, winning is all that matters. Of course, he is the worst of all.

Mike Turney writes about pen and paper games, and offers tips to the roleplaying community.