Role-playing is the most integral parts of Dungeons & Dragons. After all, it's called an RPG for a reason. Despite the game having a great focus on combat, social encounters are very common as well, and a lot of things can be solved through conversation rather than brute force.

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Due to being a group game, it's to be expected that each character serves a certain type of role, so that the entire team becomes a force to be reckoned with. One of these popular roles is the party's face, also known as the negotiator — or whatever name that involves being a talker — where you speak on behalf of your team during most interactions. Here are some tips to playing the role effectively.

10 Build Your Character Around Your Charisma

Dragonborn Bard from Fizban's Treasury of Dragons by Wizards of the Coast
Dragonborn Bard by Zoltan Boros, via Wizards of the Coast

If you're going for the role of party face, you have to focus on your Charisma stat and, though a charismatic barbarian would be quite amusing, there are better options if charismatic is truly your goal.

Classes that naturally need Charisma for their powers, such as warlock, sorcerer, and bard, will make sure you can be both charismatic and powerful in combat. Choosing races and feats that boost your social abilities, such as Persuasion and Deception, or that help you with your characters' weaknesses, are also good choices for your character.

9 Be More Than An Archetype

Prosper, Tomb-Bound by Yongjae Choi
Prosper, Tomb-Bound by Yongjae Choi

Social Encounters are not the only thing you'll face, and even in those moments, you might not be the best option. That's okay. If you don't think your conversational skills will solve a particular problem, you can talk to your group and let them help. Especially because — party face or not — you're not the only one in the conversation, and the other PCs can and should participate in social encounters as well.

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Are you a bard, in front of a god? Perhaps the cleric or paladin should lead this conversation. Analyze your strengths and knowledge during character creation, and let your party help with what you don't excel at. You're the face, but you're not just that.

8 The Lore Is Your Weapon

Shadow Magic human Sorcerer casting a spell in Dungeons & Dragons
Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything by Magali Villeneuve

If you want to convince people to do something, you have to know what's going on. This is especially true if your game has a lot of groups, organizations, or when politics are involved — so take notes! Pay close attention to which NPCs can become allies, and try your best not to create unnecessary enemies because of your behavior.

Even enemy NPCs can sometimes be convinced and turned into allies, since some fights can be remedied — if the fight between you and them isn't personal, then there's usually a chance. Keep a close eye on the events, people's personalities, and desires, so these things can be under your control. Intelligence (and its related skills) can also be a good factor here, so you can use the power of knowledge for yourself.

7 Think Of Your Character's Personality

Dungeons & Dragons Volo in a tavern drinking while gesturing towards mounted monster heads
Volo, Guide to Monsters by Zoltan Boros.

There are different ways to be charismatic. While you'll likely use most or even all of them, you'll be better at some and use them more often than others. For instance, a good frontline paladin will probably be a more inspiring person, and could even become the leader of the party as well (more on that later). An evil warlock, however, will tend to intimidate or manipulate more often.

Still, don't feel forced to always do the same type of approach; a good paladin can be very intimidating to their enemies, and there's no point in deceiving people if the truth favors you. Which way suits your character better at the moment?

6 You're Not (Necessarily) The Leader

nadaar the dragonborn paladin in d&d
Nadaar, Selfless Paladin by Aaron Miller

The line between representing and leading a group is very thin, which is why the leader is often the face. But that's not always the case. Not every party has a leader, and when it does, it's often something that falls naturally to one of the players, instead of them being chosen by everyone.

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Just because you'll be the one who's going to talk to a king about an important matter, doesn't mean you should decide everything by yourself with the NPC, unless your party trusts you fully (no pressure, right?). Talk to your PCs about your plans and ideas, and don't try to decide everything by yourself just because you're the one talking. You shouldn't be the only one, even if you're the best at it.

5 Show Confidence

Eloquence Bard human in Dungeons & Dragons
Jewel of the North Art via Perfect World

If you're indecisive with your choices, that will likely hurt your persuasion attempts, and your deception attempts even more. Even if you're not sure of what you're saying, it's important not to let the NPCs find out about it — though it's okay to let your party be aware of your uncertainty.

This is why your personality and convincing methods are also important; if you're not a good liar, a manipulative character will be harder for you. Knowing how the game works, in general, is also important since that will give you confidence. This is why party faces are usually players who are more experienced.

4 Cheat With Your Powers

a mounted sorcerer wildly conjures the four elements
Elemental Expressionist by Zack Stella via Wizards of the Coast

It's not exactly cheating if magic is a game mechanic, right? Since Charisma-based characters are mostly spellcasters, remember that there are spells for these types of situations. Many spells can charm and even control others, which will make 'convincing' people a lot easier. Just be aware that most spells are noticeable, so, in case of failure, they will likely know that you've just attempted to control them.

Still, other abilities can improve your chances, so thinking outside of the box will help. Doing presentations with your bard, or even with spellcasters using cantrips, can impress commoners and put you in the good books, for example.

3 Synergize With The Group

A Party Fighting Goblins from Dungeons And Dragons
Goblin Battle by Kieran Yanner

Do you know what's better at negotiations than one person? A group. No matter how good your intimidation is, having a six-foot half-Orc barbarian behind you will always make you even more intimidating.

You may speak for your friends, but their mere presence and actions can help you control the conversation even more. This is how classical techniques such as 'good cop, bad cop' can come into play, as well as mixing several of the aforementioned spells if there are more spellcasters on the team.

2 Actions Can Speak Louder Sometimes

Dungeons and Dragons a person heals another person's arm with magic
Mending Touch art by Karla Ortiz

Talking is more than just using your words. Never forget that your options are nearly endless in a TTRPG, and that's exactly why they're so endearing. Not only do you have your friends to back you up, as mentioned before, but you can do things to help you on the way.

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You'll be a lot more convincing if you hand people some coins for favors, or if you take your time to help them first, and you'll be far more intimidating if you have the leverage to blackmail them. Then, when everything fails, the attack action is always an option.

1 Do What Comes Naturally To You

Masquerade Ball Dungeons and Dragons Humans And An Elf Dancing
Strixhaven by Carolina Gariba via Wizards of the Coast

You may have noticed that a lot of the tips surrounding being the party face rely on having high charisma, both in-game and as a person. That's the main reason this role can be hard for some, especially introverts. However, one thing that will boost your charisma in real life, and therefore your role-play, is to show as much of yourself as possible.

Let your character's vulnerabilities surface, and be honest with their behavior. Being honest is one of the most charismatic things you can do, after all. As a plus, if this role is difficult for you, give your character a personality similar to yours, so you will be aware of what vulnerabilities they have.

NEXT: Best Subclasses For The Party's Face