What If My Character’s Dumb and So Am I? … Yer Not Dumb, Ya Damn Fool
Mike’s Opening Rant
I once had a player who told me, “I wanna play a dumb barbarian, but I’m scared I’ll sound dumb too.” I stared at him, took a swig from me tankard, and said, “Lad, half me favorite characters’ve been dumber than a troll eatin’ rocks. And most of 'em were played by people smarter than a dwarven forge engineer with a scroll addiction.”
Then I leaned in and said, “And the other half? They were actually that dumb — and still had a blast.”
Let me be clear: there’s no intelligence check to enjoy this game. Can’t do voices? Don’t know the lore? Think charisma is somethin’ ya buy at a store?
I don’t care. And neither should you.
Play yer character. Own yer awkward. And if someone at the table makes ya feel small for it?
Well, then it’s time to roll initiative.
Your Brain’s Not a Stat Block
👉 Mike’s Tavern is where the sharpest play and the silliest brains both get a seat. Read up on Tavern Etiquette to shut down bad behavior, or check Player Builds & NPCs to see all kinds of characters, brilliant or not.
Intelligence Doesn’t Equal Fun
There’s this myth goin’ ‘round some tables that says ya need to be clever, fast-thinkin’, and lore-learned to roleplay well.
That's a load of cave bat guano.
I've seen players who barely know what dice to roll — but when they say their orc “wants to befriend the skeleton ‘cause it looks lonely,” the whole table lights up.
That’s the spark. Not brains. Not wit. Just heart.
Even the so-called “dumb” ideas — the wrong-door-openin’, mimic-huggin’, “maybe we eat the cursed bread” type choices — they’re gold if they come from character.
Don’t believe me? Take a gander at The Dagger That Hates the Sun. That cursed blade’s been wielded by everything from masterminds to mushroom farmers — and it sings every time.
Don’t Be Afraid to Play Dumb on Purpose
Want to play someone who’s not the brightest candle in the cave? Do it.
In fact, some of the richest roleplay I’ve seen came from characters with low INT or WIS scores — not because they were “funny,” but because they made mistakes that felt real.
But here’s the trick: never make yer character dumb just to hog laughs. Make ‘em kind. Loyal. Maybe confused, but never cruel.
Lookin’ for a good build example? Try The Goblin Cleric Who Hates Healing. He ain’t a genius, but he’s unforgettable.
You’re Not Your Character’s Stats
If yer worried folks will think you’re dumb because yer character is? Let me break that hammer-headed thought in two.
You are not yer Strength score. Or yer Intelligence. Or yer Wisdom.
You’re a player. You’re tryin’. That’s all that matters.
Smart players roleplay dumb characters. Shy players roleplay bold ones. Nervous wrecks play noble heroes. That’s the point.
One of the best tacticians I ever played with ran a barbarian who tried to bribe a gelatinous cube with beef jerky. We still talk about it.
Own the Blunders
Here’s the part most players miss: blunders are brilliant.
You said the wrong name to the king? Legendary.
You drank the green potion by mistake? Incredible.
You asked the vampire if they liked garlic bread? Iconic.
As long as yer choices come from a place of character — not chaos for chaos’s sake — then even the dumbest moments become campaign gold.
Need a little etiquette to keep the fun on track? The Strongest Character at the Table Is the One Who Listens has yer back. Loud ain’t always right.
Brains don’t win battles — guts do.
But if yer still second-guessin’ yerself, here’s the rest of the scrolls meant to fix up fools like us:
How to Get Into Character When You’re Too Tired to Care
Or check out the whole cursed collection at the Roleplay Anxiety Survival Index.
FAQ
Q: What if people think I’m stupid because I roleplay a dumb character?
A: Then those people are wrong — and probably boring. Play what ya want. The right table will cheer ya on.
Q: Can I roleplay a low intelligence character without makin’ it offensive?
A: Yes. Just give ‘em heart. Let their flaws come with loyalty, joy, or bravery — not just jokes.
Q: Is it okay if I’m not good at thinking fast?
A: Absolutely. Tabletop games aren’t about quick wit — they’re about shared stories. Take yer time.
There Ain’t a Test at the End o’ This Game
👉 At Mike’s Tavern, we raise a tankard to the slow thinkers, the wild guessers, and the accidental heroes. Come find yer place among fools, legends, and everyone in between in our Player Tips, Player Builds, or a bit o’ Tavern Etiquette. No brain score required.
