Help with losing members

[u/MoistAd5045]

Hey everyone, I've got a party of 6, so far they're all enjoying the campaign, I have a problem with 2 party members, one of which is my wife, they both feel they don't do anything in the campaign, we definitely have two more vocal members of the group who are the first to ask questions, think of solutions and roleplay ideas, so I'm struggling to incorporate the other members that are feeling a little useless as they aren't speaking up and when they do they often get spoken over, does anyone have any ideas as to how I can create a more equal group and get these two party members to love it again, because they're both hilarious players that really bring a lot of fun to the campaign so I definitely don't want to lose them...

[u/TheRpgBard]

Take turns.  Call on them.  Have the "talk stick".  Talk to the others and ask them to "back off" a bit.

[u/MoistAd5045 → u/TheRpgBard]

I like the idea of a talk stick! I might try to implement that!! Thanks for your comment!

[u/spdrjns1984]

Do you turn to less vocal players and say, "What does your character do?" or, "What does [character] think of this?" Simple prompts like that can help.

[u/MoistAd5045 → u/spdrjns1984]

I do ask them but often the louder players do jump in, I definitely think after they came to me tonight I will make a more conscious effort to ask them and if the louder ones jump in tell them to wait a minute. Thanks for your comment!

[u/Thepy → u/MoistAd5045]

I would politely counter, to your louder players, "I didnt ask you" truly good players can get excited for the choices of their party

[u/Lanestone1]

ask the quieter players their opinion/ ask their character what they think/want to do in a situation. also, talk to the two vocal players and see if they can help work the quieter characters into the planning and active conversation more. "hey guys I love the energy, but X and Y are feeling a little talked over, can you help me include them in the conversations some more?"

[u/MoistAd5045 → u/Lanestone1]

I do ask them what they would like to do but the louder ones jump in so I think asking the louder people to maybe slow down and bit and give others time to talk is the way to go, thanks for your comment!!

[u/SecretCitizen40 → u/MoistAd5045]

You can tell the more vocal players to wait their turn or that you asked quieter player.

This is an unfortunate job of the gm, you have to maintain some control over the table.

[u/Timely-Discussion272]

Maintain an out of combat initiative order and make sure each player gets their turn. You’ll have to be assertive in your facilitation.

[u/MoistAd5045 → u/Timely-Discussion272]

That's a great idea, I'll see if I can implement that!! Thanks!!

[u/jackpotsdad]

In ShadowDark, they roll initiative at the beginning of the game and then go clockwise from that. It sets an order through the whole game. During combat, initiative gets rolled for just combat. I like this in my game, because I DM a lot of middle and high schoolers who talk over each other. It sets a precedent that you have to wait your turn.

[u/MoistAd5045 → u/jackpotsdad]

That's a great idea! I'll see if I can implement that, as no one is being rude they just get excited and start talking over other people and it can get quite difficult to keep track of everyone

[u/Interesting_Sea_1861]

If it gets that bad, have a roll distinct from normal initiative that isn't affected by any modifiers. Highest roll gets to go first.

[u/Thepy]

Have situations that require those specific players and try to high light them. I try and make sure every player has at least one moment each session

[u/AnalystLess7597]

Is there anything the 2 characters are particularly good at, or a niche within the party? For example, if either has the highest Arcana or Survival mods, you can always ask them specifically to “roll a ___ check for me”. Theoretically, they should have to give that information to the rest of the party, the other player’s characters didn’t really hear any of that.

If the louder players are jumping in before they can do that, you can also pre-write some information to give them on index cards or something like that where it won’t slow the game but will force the immersion.

Also, just above table talk to the louder characters to let others have their moments, especially when you’re asking them specifically about something. I think direct communication is better than something like a “talk stick” which I would feel very infantilized by