Difficult doesn’t have to mean confusing
In a recent streaming RPG — you know which one — a player character was blindfolded while the other had to talk them through what basically amounted to a maze. The Storyteller did this not through rolls, but an actual map on the table that the character’s player moved their mini across while the rest of the cast shouted instructions and jokes.
Despite it being one of the most difficult things that I’ve ever seen them do at the table, the players had an amazing time. I’ve rarely seen them so animated, but why? It wasn’t the most exciting part of the story, not by a long shot. It was just a puzzle, which is even a classic point of frustration for players and Storytellers alike.
Puzzles can be frustrating because the players have no idea how to approach it. There are… let’s see, four stone cubes. One of them has a smiley face and the others look like dice. Solve the puzzle! Everybody stares around the table, hoping and praying that someone has the slightest idea what to do. The solution likely makes easy sense to the Storyteller, who gets annoyed either at the players for not seeing this simple solution, or with themselves for making it too confusing.
But for this blindfolded maze scene, the Storyteller was clear and up front about what to do: guide your friend through the maze with spoken instructions alone. There was nothing confusing about the puzzle, everyone knew what to do. So even if it was a challenge — and it was — it wasn’t confusing. And better yet, though it was difficult, they all had fun and felt accomplished when they succeeded.
Most players are willing and even eager to do the hard work; just look at the effort that goes into character creation, playing, keeping track of 5-page character sheets with a gazillion spells and pieces of equipment. But no one likes to be confused, so if your table doesn’t seem to be enjoying the traditional puzzles and riddles, consider giving them a challenge like this instead, some mini-game that requires effort and teamwork, but not confusion.
