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So I guess now I'm qualified to do so, lemme hit on a big point that I really want to get helping people in their #WoD #WorldofDarkness games.
If you're playing #Werewolf #WerewolfTheApocalypse, chances are you've had an 'alpha problem player'.
If you're playing #Werewolf #WerewolfTheApocalypse, chances are you've had an 'alpha problem player'.
What that basically means is that one of the players builds their character to be the most physically powerful, with the intent of wanting to be the 'alpha' of the group - top dog and all that - and tries to enforce it by acting domineering and threatening to others.
In truth, that's based on the assumption that this is how wolf packs operate. They don't.
Wolves do not act in this way. In fact, the same researcher who popularised the idea later went on to state that it was flawed and was not actually accurate. Let me explain.
Wolves do not act in this way. In fact, the same researcher who popularised the idea later went on to state that it was flawed and was not actually accurate. Let me explain.
The original research into wolf packs looked at wolves in captivity; wolves with no biological connection to one another. In the wild, wolf packs are... well, they're families.
Yeah, actual families.
Yeah, actual families.
If you put a group of strangers on an island together, they tend to struggle with one another. The idea of alpha wolves was born, unwittingly, from study of that.
But in the wild, wolf packs are an extended family. Multiple generations who live together. Maybe like yours.
But in the wild, wolf packs are an extended family. Multiple generations who live together. Maybe like yours.
So what does that mean for when you play #WerewolfTheApocalypse?
Well, it means that the Garou probably aren't going to consider the biggest, bulliest werewolf as their 'alpha'. Especially if it's some rando trying to exert their dominance over them or whatever.
Well, it means that the Garou probably aren't going to consider the biggest, bulliest werewolf as their 'alpha'. Especially if it's some rando trying to exert their dominance over them or whatever.
If you want a really authentic wolf pack experience with your #WtA game, focus on the family dynamics between your PCs instead. Make the pack less of an 'alpha, beta, omega' structure and more like an actual adopted family group.
Who's the protective one in your group? Who shares their food with the younger ones? Who is always running off and getting into trouble? Who's the quiet one that likes their alone-time?
These are the type of bonds that wolf packs form, and that human groups form. Authentic.
These are the type of bonds that wolf packs form, and that human groups form. Authentic.
I won't lie, I really love Werewolf, but I've had a lot of bad experiences with players who've made PCs they want to be the 'alpha', bullying and dominating other PCs and leading to problems at the table.
And it's all over nothing, because wolves aren't like that.
And it's all over nothing, because wolves aren't like that.
