Review by C.J. Bunce
Not everyone has life figured out. For those who don’t, Dungeons & Dragons player turned writer Kat Kruger has prepared a light-touch self-help guide of sorts for D&D fans. Using characters and classes and principles of fantasy play and the game itself, Dungeons & Dragons: How to Be More D&D (now available here at Amazon) provides readers opportunities to interact with others when it doesn’t come so easy. You’ve probably seen people adapt military processes to the workplace, use psychological tests to hire new staff members, or maybe even using Star Trek’s Captain Picard’s leadership style to run a company. Why should D&D be any different? Sure, you may not be able to use magic or wizardry in real life, but maybe you’d like to improve something about yourself–why not use your knowledge of character building in the game to flesh out your own character in real life?
Dungeons & Dragons: How to Be More D&D is not really intended to diagnose real life issues, so think of the book more in terms of ideas for propping oneself up when down. Not all the terms used are as they would be addressed by an actual therapist. But ideas like keeping a journal–the book’s take on creating your own stat block–are more about taking positive changes. If you’re struggling to communicate with others, consider what one of your most admirable D&D characters might do in your place.
The book provides ways to see yourself in others’ shoes via a series of “Dear Tasha” advice letters. Perhaps “your Charisma stats aren’t stacked.” The author suggests answers along the way from different personality types via a ranger, a fighter, a bard, a wizard, a rogue, or a barbarian. Along with familiar characters reproduced in full color from official volumes, the book features detailed tables like you’d find in the core rulebooks.
And you can even create your own character sheet–a blank one is included in the back of the book.
What is the “D&D state of mind”? It will be different for everyone, but consider making objectives and rolling the dice. Are you a leader or a follower? Are you who you want to be? Maybe it’s time for a new adventure.
A giftbook type hardcover book for yourself or a friend, Dungeons & Dragons: How to Be More D&D is now available here at Amazon from Running Press.
