I’ll say it again for those who didn’t see it the first I dunno how many times.

I mentioned this topic here and elsewhere. I say it constantly. It’s one of my favorite Abraham Hicks quotes that happens to also apply to the TTRPG hobby. You can’t do it wrong. There’s no wrong way to TTRPG!

Disclaimer: Statements expressed in this article are strictly my opinion. If you disagree or have a different opinion, that’s okay. I’m not an expert on everything. I’m not always right. I’m just writing from my experience as I know it. Your mileage may vary.

Trying not to give this dude free press, ever.

I thought I was done with the ridiculous backup character argument yesterday. Then this video happened. At this point, I can only assume Garibay is baiting the trolls. As someone else once said, I can’t tell if that dude is oblivious or some kind of troll mastermind who’s playing all of us. I think he might need some mental healthcare, but I’m not an expert.

Since I can’t get those 9 and a half minutes of my life back, let’s talk about it.

The first statement made in this video that I can’t abide by is, “if your are a Dungeon Master and you’re asking for backup characters to be ready, you are playing D&D wrong without exception” in this person’s “humble” opinion. If you ask me that opinion is both lacking humility and wrong. There is no playing D&D wrong, and I refuse to take any guff on that point because the point is to bring new people into the hobby and have fun.  

But if you’re a [PLAYER] because I refuse to say that thing he calls them, and you make a backup character, then you’re also “playing D&D wrong.” Then he goes into a half-cocked baseball analogy and some of his pseudo-religious Gygaxian cult stuff. (Long, painful story there too.) The video is painful to watch as a whole.

The thing that spewed out of his mouth which really irked me more than the rest of the video combined. “If you’re giving advice that there’s no wrong way to play D&D…” then obviously (paraphrasing from the doombassian language he uses) we’re wrong and he’s right. Because in his opinion the game’s not about having fun, but about some weird kinda pseudo religious catharsis of life and death.

Look, I know I’m into some things that others might consider strange.

For real, I talk to ETs, spirit guides, The Universe, ascended masters and beings not of this Earthly dimension. I’ve spoken to Gaia three times this week already. Everybody’s all like, “ha-ha gamer stuff when I start on some of my paranormal and ET stuff when I’m actually dead serious. It’s only a conspiracy until it’s found to be correct. “Conspiracy” is not a bad world despite what the mainstream media would have everyone believe.

There is no such thing as “crazy” until there exists a danger to self or others.

I have a hard time believing anyone is truly “crazy” as long as there’s no danger to self or others. I’ve seen some pretty strange things and heard even stranger stories. Funny thing is, that stuff’s all real. Having said that, I am a little concerned about Mr. Garibay. (I originally considered being way more obnoxious about this, but I’ll play nice.)

I’ve been listening to J Scott Garibay for a couple of years now. I’ve begun to think lately he’s starting to sound more and more like someone we would have asked to step back from the hobby back in my day. This guy has gone from shill into full-on cultist. Not just for the Reptilian Overlords at Hasbro, not just for the knuckleheads at Wizards of the Coast, but for Gary Gygax, too.

I’m sorry, but I met Gary Gygax at Gen Con many years ago and got his autograph. He was a great guy and an inspiration in the hobby, but he was no ascended master. (I.e. Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, or Enoch.) I think Mr. Garibay might need to seek out some mental health services, but I’m no expert.

This debate about backup characters has got to end!

My advice for J. Scott Garibay is Dude, focus on making your players’ experiences awesome. Focus on your game table. Don’t worry about whether or not someone else is playing the game “right.” Trust me when I say there are way bigger things to worry about in this world than whether or not someone else is a “good” player or Dungeon Master.

I even dropped this advice on his video. At least he didn’t start an argument with me in the comments. People are trolling the Hell out of Garibay’s videos elsewhere on YouTube. I legit feel bad for the guy on some level.

Seriously, Garibay- If a DM wants to have their players make backup characters for their D&D game? Please just let it go without judgment. If a player brings a backup character to the game with them? Please let it go without judgement. That’s not our job to say whether it’s right or wrong.

We don’t get to dictate what other people do at their table. There are no bad Dungeon Masters out there. We have experienced DMs and some who have a lot of room to grow. No harm means no harm. We have no right or responsibility to interfere in someone else’s game.

Time for me to go before I lose my cool and start spouting four letter words like a geyser. Time to go meditate and work toward manifesting a close extraterrestrial encounter for myself. Please be nice to J Scott Garibay if you see him online.

Thank you for being here today with me. I appreciate you. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy.