Why Playing Good Characters in D&D Beats Being a Murder Hobo

Let’s discuss playing as good characters in Dungeons and Dragons and how it enhances the game compared to having a ‘murder hobo‘ at the table. Maybe some of you, especially when you were younger or playing with younger players, leaned into causing chaos—committing crimes, stealing things, or solving every problem through violence. While it can be fun to explore actions we can’t do in real life, that approach can often detract from a great game.

D&D good characters and heroes have deeper stories and share goals

If you choose to play a good character with heart, you’re more likely to come up with an inspiring and uplifting storyline. The thing about heroes is, they’re always there for each other, and that can lead to some powerful plots. Values such as integrity, strength of character, empathy, and sacrifice all play important roles in decision making capabilities.

Even in an all-evil campaign, characters can still work together. The key thing we ask of players is to create characters who are willing to help each other. It makes the game more fun for everyone when your character is trying to be a team player. If someone’s in a tough situation, the rest of the group should want to step in and help. When everyone supports each other, it creates opportunities for more interesting and enjoyable moments, such as discovering something from a character’s past.

Elite Adventures Tip: Team Synergy Levels Up!

Here at Elite Adventures, we tend to run interesting campaigns which might throw players in for a loop with some complex puzzles and monsters. This is where having a friendly hero in a party can help you make cohesive strategies. Heroes with heart tend to bring out the best in their D&D party members. The bard might boost morale with his stories and songs while the ranger could scout ahead to ensure the safety of all party members.

While these actions are crucial for survival in gameplay, they also make games more immersive and allow everyone to contribute toward a common goal for the party. Many friendships are formed at the table and don’t end when the game is over or the session ends.

Conflict shapes good D&D characters and ruins players with bad attitude

Conflict between characters can work if it’s handled well, like a character starting off with a bad attitude but eventually evolving and changing. That can be a great story arc. But it shouldn’t be constant arguing. We’ve seen players leave campaigns because they couldn’t get along with other players over every decision. That ruins the experience. Remember, this is a collaborative effort. It’s about working together to build something fun and engaging.

As players, you should be the ones inviting others to share ideas, asking for suggestions, and getting to know each other’s characters. When you create a bond with other characters, the emotional stakes become higher. For example, if one of the characters gets knocked out or is in danger, you’ll feel a genuine urge to help because you’ve formed a connection. That’s what makes the game so much more immersive and meaningful. If you see someone on the verge of death at the hands of an enemy, you’re not going to let them go without a fight. It creates truly memorable moments for everyone involved and makes for a heroic adventure.

Even dark characters can emerge heroic in D&D

Now, I want to talk a little about playing in campaigns meant for evil characters. Maybe you’re playing dark elves, demons, or monsters that have come together for a common goal. Even in these scenarios, the group should still work together. If everyone’s stabbing each other in the back, it’s not going to be much fun.

One example is from a game featured on a YouTube channel with Brennan Lee Mulligan and Matt Mercer, where they played a short campaign called ‘The Bloodkeep’. Even though they were all playing evil characters, by the end of the campaign, they had formed bonds and embraced each other as allies. They still had moments of personal growth and conflict, but the underlying theme was teamwork and friendship, heroism even among evil characters.

So, remember, even in darker campaigns, it’s important to help each other and focus on the shared goal. Don’t be a “murder hobo” who disrespects the plans and ideas of your fellow players. Respect your group, work together, and you’ll have a blast—I guarantee it.

Build bonds for life, beyond Dungeons & Dragons

In the world of D&D, many times life long friendships are forged at the tabletop and campaigns end with more than just character growth. Playing with friendly characters and heroes with heart can establish life long bonds that create impact in real life as well.

There’s something uniquely fulfilling about sharing a storyline where everyone is working toward a common good. Friendlier heroes encourage players to think about the greater purpose, about how each person’s role contributes to the bigger picture. This approach isn’t just fun, it’s impactful.

One of the most wonderful examples of this can be found in the latest Netflix Documentary Film, The Remarkable Life of Ibelin. If this film isn’t the perfect example of how games such as Dungeons and Dragons, World of Warcraft, or just Role-Playing in general can transform lives, we don’t know what is!

For more articles, check out our blog. You can also check out our schedule for upcoming heroic campaigns that you can join on Roll20. Here at Elite Adventures we host a lot of beginner-friendly D&D games if you want to try. You can also follow us on Facebook. Have a look, and we hope to see you at our table!

Don’t forget to join our community on Discord using this link https://discord.gg/WBg4RE4pDR for more discussions with fellow players.