Nicholas Hopkins I split them like this because they’re frequently mistaken for each other (ime like the rest of my posts). I think it’s not only a mistake to do so, it’s to the detriment of improving the table experience.

Specifically: consider the player who thinks they’re good because they have such a dominant and visible role at the table, but cannot fathom stepping back and helping another player. Or think they are above needing to know the rules and why they’re being used. I’ve experienced many stars who…aren’t good.

Or the reverse, good players who think they’re stars. Super supportive but also total wallflowers and exude unhappiness because the gm isn’t psychic. EDIT: More to the point, I think being good is under-recognized and underappreciated when you’re not a star.

I need good players because everyone’s game is made better. I need stars because that’s where the energy comes from. Different roles.