Here is a D&D tip for y'all, especially for newer DMs: You don't need to avoid cliches! Chances are really good that your players actually love and WANT them!
Why? Because that's why we play D&D; to "live out" those kinds of fantastical stories, tropes, and cliches!
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— Alyssa Visscher (@alyssavisscher) September 23, 2021
Caveat right off the bat though: this does NOT include harmful stereotypes, especially around tropes written around marginalized folks.
Aside from that those things though, players WANT to play the tropey cliches that they built their characters around– especially newer players. Look at campaign 1 of critical role– it's ALL tropes! And it's awesome! I'm positive that's a part of the reason for its first, initial take-off.
People saw that you can use D&D to play the super strong dude, kind cleric, edgy rouge, & embark on treasure hunts to save the world.
— Alyssa Visscher (@alyssavisscher) September 23, 2021
Don’t be afraid to embrace tropes, archetypes, and cliches. They’re classic for a reason!
They are also familiar, which is extra important if you- or your players- are new. This thread brought to you by a DM who had an idea inspired by a PCs backstory, started to get worried that it's too cliche, and then reread the PCs backstory–
which includes elements of very well known fantasy tropes, including the guardianship of a special ring.
— Alyssa Visscher (@alyssavisscher) September 23, 2021
Archetypes! Use them!
— Dan Dillon (@Dan_Dillon_1) September 23, 2021