Playing D&D (and Other TTRPGs) Can Make You a Better, More Empathetic Person


Ever wondered why people say TTRPGs (tabletop role-playing games) can make you more empathetic?

If you’ve ever rolled a d20 or picked up a character sheet, you know that TTRPGs like Dungeons & Dragons are more than just games. They're a chance to be someone else for a while, to see the world through someone else’s eyes—even if that “someone” happens to be a rogue dwarf with a questionable moral code and a talent for trouble.

So, let’s break down why embodying these fictional characters actually changes how we interact with people IRL and helps us flex that empathy muscle.

1. Stepping Into Another’s Shoes (Literally!)

Role-playing is about adopting a totally different personality. Maybe your character is a smooth-talking bard, a hot-headed barbarian, or a wise druid with a soft spot for lost animals. The magic here is that you’re thinking and acting as someone else would, making choices based on their values, not necessarily yours.

Think about it: when was the last time you had to make decisions based on someone else’s morals or background? In a TTRPG, you do it all the time. It’s like empathy boot camp! Every session, you’re practicing seeing life from another angle, and even though it’s fictional, those thought processes start to stick. So next time you’re in a tricky situation IRL, you might just have an easier time understanding where other people are coming from.

2. Handling Moral Dilemmas (With No Real Consequences)

Ever had to choose between saving a village and taking revenge on the villain who wronged you? Or maybe your character has to decide whether to steal food to survive, even if it means taking from people who don’t have much either. These moral choices pop up in TTRPGs all the time, and they’re not usually simple or black-and-white.

What’s amazing is that TTRPGs give you a safe space to navigate these tough calls without real-world consequences. So, you can experiment with being the selfless hero, the chaotic neutral wildcard, or something in between—and experience the emotional weight of those choices. This kind of emotional “practice” builds empathy because it shows us just how complex real-life situations can be, helping us see the gray areas in others’ decisions, too.

3. Perspective-Taking Without Judgment

The game table is a pretty special place. It’s one of the few spaces where you can really explore a character’s viewpoint without fear of judgment. Whether you're role-playing as a noble paladin or a morally questionable necromancer, no one's judging you for how your character acts. This freedom lets you explore different perspectives, attitudes, and ideas without worrying about fitting a mold.

And this open-mindedness doesn’t stay confined to the game table. In the real world, we all have moments when people’s views or actions don’t match up with our own, but the practice of seeing through different eyes makes it easier to understand without judgment. Plus, knowing how to find common ground between totally different characters in a game translates to real-life scenarios, whether you’re resolving a conflict with a coworker or navigating family disagreements.

4. Exploring Real-World Issues Through Fantasy

A lot of TTRPG campaigns subtly mirror real-world issues: prejudice, class struggles, environmental crises. Sure, they’re set in mystical worlds with dragons and magic, but the underlying themes are familiar. When your party has to take a stand against corruption or fight to protect a vulnerable community, it’s a reminder of similar struggles in our world.

By connecting emotionally with these scenarios in a fantasy setting, you’re actually building empathy for real issues. Playing a character who faces discrimination for their background can help you better understand real-world prejudice. Defending a community in a fantasy realm might make you think about the importance of community support IRL. Who knew slaying dragons could be such a teachable moment?

5. Creating Deep Bonds and Understanding With Fellow Players

Here’s the secret sauce of TTRPGs: they don’t just create empathy for fictional characters, they create empathy for each other. When you play in a group, you’re sharing stories, reacting to each other’s characters, and learning what makes your friends tick. You’re all invested in this adventure together, and seeing how others handle their characters helps you understand them better, too.

You might realize that your quiet friend loves playing the bold, confident bard because it gives them a chance to step out of their comfort zone. Or you might see your goofy friend’s serious side emerge when their character faces a big loss. These games let us see each other in ways we might not otherwise—and that’s pure gold for building empathy and real-world connections.

Wrapping It Up: Why TTRPG Empathy Matters

So, what’s the big deal? Empathy and perspective-taking make a huge difference in our real lives. Whether you’re at work, with family, or meeting someone new, these skills help you connect and communicate better. TTRPGs like D&D just happen to make the process fun (and occasionally involve dragons).

So next time you’re rolling dice, remember: you’re not just leveling up your character, you’re leveling up your own empathy. And that’s an adventure worth taking.

So, are you ready to build some real-world skills while having a blast in a fictional one? Roll for empathy! 🎲💥

Sources:

  • Bowman, S. L. (2010). The Functions of Role-Playing Games: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems, and Explore Identity. McFarland.
  • Lieberoth, A. (2015). Shallow gamification: Testing psychological effects of framing an activity as a game. Games and Culture, 10(3), 229-248.
  • Gilsdorf, E. (2019, October). Dungeons & Dragons: How does the game impact players and their real lives? Psychology Today.
  • Peckham, M. (2016, August 18). Why Dungeons & Dragons is good for you (in real life). TIME.
  • Popp, T. (2020, August). Building Empathy through Character and Story. Psychology Today.
  • Wallis, C. (2020). Role-playing games as an empathy building tool for adolescents. The Journal of Social Psychology.

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